The Side Saddle Association Area 8 Open Spring Side Saddle Show (Going Ahead)

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Show Date
Sun, Apr 19, 2026
Closing Date
Wed, Apr 15, 2026
Email:
ssa_area_@outlook.com
Website:
www.myridinglife.com
Starting Times:

Class 1 9 am 

Class 3 not before 10 am 

Class 1
Novice Pony/ Horse    
Entry Fee:
£15.00
Info:
CLASS 1: NOVICE SIDE SADDLE HORSE/PONY (* No Habits required). Approved Safety Hats to the current British Standard or Above Must be worn by all riders & Lead Rein Handlers for this class. Judge: Mrs.S.Stephenson Horses/Ponies from Classes 3 & 4 are not eligible. This class is open to horses/ponies that are starting their Side Saddle career & have not competed in a Side Saddle Equitation Qualifying Class. Horses/Ponies must be 4 years or over. Conformation & Manners will be taken into account. Horses/Ponies will not be stripped. No Habits are required but Horse & Rider should be SMARTLY turnout as for a Showing class. J Lead Rein Riders will be accepted but will not take part in the Go-round but only the Freestyle show & Minimum age of rider is 5 Years. The Lead Rein Handler must also be smartly turned out. Class Criteria –It is the horse/Pony that will be judged. The Judge will take into consideration conformation and Manners and suitability to carry a side saddle. You will be required to enter the ring together and are required to Walk & Trot on the right rein then a change rein, before being called into line. You then will give an individual simple freestyle 2-minute show to include Halts at the beginning & the end with Salutes, Walk, Trot & Canter on both reins. Then you will have your Tack & Turnout inspected immediately after your Freestyle Show. At the end of the class, you will receive a helpful comments sheet. A Special SSA Area 8 will be awarded for the Best Turned-Out Combination.
Class 2
Novice Rider    
Entry Fee:
£15.00
Info:
CLASS 2: Class 2. NEWCOMERS ‘BEST RIDER’ (* No Habits required & Canter work optional during individual freestyle display). Approved Safety Hats to the current British Standard or Above, Must be worn by all riders & Lead Rein Handlers for these classes. Judge: Mrs.S.Stephenson This class is for those Riders who have just started riding Side Saddle. No Habits are required but Horse & Rider should be smartly turnout as for a Showing class. Riders are expected to be able to Walk & Trot in a group as part of the Go-Round. Lead Rein Riders will be accepted but will not take part in the trot phase of the Go-Round. Minimum age, 5 Years & above. The Lead Rein Handler must also be smartly turned out. Class Criteria – As in all Equitation classes it is the rider and not the horse/pony that is judged. However, horses/Ponies should in the opinion of the Judge, have Manners suitable to carry a side saddle. Horses shall be 4 years or over. The Judge will take into account effective horsemanship, suppleness, straightness, poise of rider and overall impression of the combination. You will be required to enter the ring together and are required by the Judge to Walk & Trot on the right rein then a change rein, before being called into line. You then will give a simple individual freestyle 2 minutes show to include Halts at the beginning & the end with Salutes, Walk, Trot & Optional Canter on both reins. Then you will have your Tack & Turnout inspected immediately after your Freestyle Show. At the end of the class, you will receive a helpful comments sheet. A Special SSA Area 8 will be awarded for the Best Turned-Out Combination.
Class 3
SSA Equitation Championship Adult Qualifier    
Entry Fee:
£15.00
Info:
Not before 10.00 am Class 3. THE SIDE SADDLE ASSOCIATION EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIPS ADULT QUALIFYING CLASS AND QUALIFIER FOR THE SIR LANCELOT MEMORIAL TROPHY. Judge: Mrs.P.Drake Run under SSA rules defined in the current Members’ Handbook. Open to SSA Adult Members and Non- Members aged 18 or over on 1st January of the current year. Members carrying their current Championship Points Cards are eligible for SSA rosettes to 3rd place and SSA Championship Points. A rosette sponsored in memory of The Late Mr R Philpot is offered to the Adult Member, judged to be the best turned out. A Special rosette sponsored by Lucinda Sims will be offered to the Adult Member, carrying their current Championship Points Card, of the SSA Area in which the Show is organised, who during the Equitation Qualifier Class (irrespective of final placing) is judged to be the most elegant. That member will be eligible to compete in the Final for the Sir Lancelot Memorial Trophy (donated by the late Mrs E. Skelton) at the National Side Saddle Show. A Member may only qualify once per season between one National Show and the next, and if the Judge’s first choice has already qualified, the rosette will be awarded to the next eligible competitor. Are eligible for SSA rosettes to 3rd place and SSA Championship Points. A rosette sponsored in memory of The Late Mr. R Philpot is offered to the Adult Member, judged to be the best turned out.
Class 4
SSA Equitation Championship Junior Qualifier    
Entry Fee:
£15.00
Info:
Class 4. THE SIDE SADDLE ASSOCIATION EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIPS JUNIOR QUALIFYING CLASS AND QUALIFIER FOR THE LADY GUINEVERE TROPHY. Judge: Mrs.P.Drake Run under SSA rules defined in the current Members’ Handbook. Open to SSA Junior Members and Non- Members aged under 18 on 1st January of the current year. Members carrying their current Championship Points Cards are eligible for SSA rosettes to 3rd place and SSA Championship Points. Southernden Side Saddles sponsor a rosette to the highest placed Member aged under 14 on 1st January of the current year. Just So Elegant Side Saddle Hire sponsor a rosette to the Junior Member, including lead rein riders, judged to be the best turned out. At those shows where a Sir Lancelot Qualifier is to be held a Special rosette sponsored by SSA Area 6 will be offered to the Junior Member, carrying their current Championship Points Card, of the SSA Area in which the show is organised, who during the Equitation Qualifier Class (whether Open or Junior) (irrespective of final placing) is judged to be the most elegant. That Junior Member will be eligible to compete in the Final for the Lady Guinevere Trophy at the National Side Saddle Show. A Junior Member may only qualify once per season between one National Show and the next, and if the Judge’s first choice has already qualified, the rosette will be awarded to the next eligible competitor.
Class 5
SSA Classical Ladies Side Saddle Qualifier    
Entry Fee:
£15.00
Info:
THE SIDE SADDLE ASSOCIATION CLASSICAL LADIES SIDE SADDLE QUALIFIER.
Judge: Mrs P.Drake
PLEASE NOTE, YOU MAY ONLY ENTER EITHER THE CLASSICAL OR COMTEMPORARY CLASS AT SHOWS AND ONLY QUALIFY FOR ONE OF THE FINALS UNLESS YOU HAVE TWO HORSES/PONIES OF A DIFFERENT TYPE. Open to SSA Adult Members and Non-members, aged 18 and over on January 1st of the current year, riding saddle, on horses exceeding 148cm (14.2hh). To be judged 25% conformation and action, 25% manners and way of going, 25% rider, and 25% turnout of horse & rider. Judges may request a short show but exhibits; but horses will not be stripped. Traditional habits must be worn. Fancy Dress and Period Costumes NOT permitted. NB Silks Hats are permitted to be worn in this class AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY. Judges must use the mark sheet provided. The highest placed horse/rider combination qualifies for the Final to be held at the National Side Saddle Show. In the event of previous qualification, the Qualification Card may be passed down to fourth place. The highest placed horse/rider combination qualifies for the Final to be held at the National Side Saddle Show. One special rosette and the qualification card will be given to the qualifying combination rider at each show, this may not always be the winner. If the winner has already qualified, they may be passed down to fourth place. Qualifiers kindly sponsored by Mrs. T. Mitchell and Mr. L. Mitchell. Qualifying combinations are required to become Full Members of the SSA 21 days prior to the National Side Saddle Show or as soon as possible if qualified after that date to be eligible to compete at the Final. Combinations qualifying between one National Side Saddle Show and the next may carry forward the qualification, for that year only. The four highest placed Riding Horse, Hack (not ex 160cm), Cob or Hunter, Mare or Gelding, 4 years and over, ridden by a SSA Adult Member qualify for the current year’s BSHA Championship Show Ladies Show Horse Championship. Combinations qualifying after the current year’s BSHA Championship Show may carry forward the qualification, to the following year. SSA Members who qualify for The Ladies Show Horse Championship, will not be required to join the BSHA in order to compete in any Side Saddle class at the BSHA National Championship Show. If the BSHA Championship Show entries have closed at the time of qualification, competitors will not be charged a late entry fee for the Championship.
Class 6
SSA Contemporary Ladies Side Saddle Qualifier    
Entry Fee:
£15.00
Info:
Class 6. THE SIDE SADDLE ASSOCIATION CONTEMPORARY LADIES SIDE SADDLE QUALIFIER. Judge: Mrs P.Drake PLEASE NOTE, YOU MAY ONLY ENTER EITHER THE CLASSICAL OR COMTEMPORARY CLASS AT SHOWS AND ONLY QUALIFY FOR ONE OF THE FINALS UNLESS YOU HAVE TWO HORSES/PONIES OF A DIFFERENT TYPE. Open to SSA Adult and Junior Members and Non-members riding a Native, Part Bred, Heavy or World Breed horse / pony side saddle. To be judged 25% suitability of horse/pony for rider, 25% manners and way of going for type, 25% rider, and 25% turnout of horse & rider. Conformation will not be taken into consideration. The Judge will request a short show. Traditional habits must be worn. N.B. Silk hats are permitted to be worn in this class AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY. Judges are requested to use the mark sheet provided. The highest placed horse/rider combination qualifies for the Final to be held at the National Side Saddle Show. One special rosette and the qualification card will be given to the qualifying combination at each show, this may not always be the winner; if the winner has already qualified, they may be passed down to fourth place. Qualifiers kindly sponsored by The Langley Family. Qualifying combinations are required to become Full Members of the SSA 21 days prior to the National Side Saddle Show or as soon as possible if qualified after that date to be eligible to compete at the Final. Combinations qualifying between one National Side Saddle Show and the next may carry forward the qualification, for that year only.
Class 7
Side Saddle Riding Club Horse/ Pony    
Entry Fee:
£15.00
Info:
Class 7. SIDE SADDLE RIDING CLUB HORSE/PONY. Judge: Mrs.P.Drake. Open to horses and ponies 4 years old or over. Riders will be required to give a short show including a small jump, maximum 61cm (2’). The height may be adjusted during the course of the class at the Judge’s discretion. The class shall be judged on the show, the manners of horse/pony and its suitability for the rider. Conformation will not be considered. A Special rosette will be awarded to the highest placed Adult and Junior Members of the SSA carrying their current Championship Points Cards.
Class 8
Best Side Saddle Horse/ Pony    
Entry Fee:
£15.00
Info:
Class 8. BEST HORSE OR PONY RIDDEN SIDE SADDLE. Judge: Mrs.P.Drake. Open to horses and ponies 4 years old or over: conformation & manners will be taken into consideration; horses/ponies will not be stripped. A Special rosette will be awarded to the highest placed Adult and Junior Members of the SSA carrying their current Championship Points Cards. The Highest placed coloured exhibit ridden by a competitor aged 16rs or over (who has not already qualified) receives a Qualification Card and qualifies for the Side Saddle Final at the CHAPS Championship Show. Open to any type of exhibit. Riders/Owners need not be a member or their exhibit registered with CHAPS at the time of qualification, but in order to compete at the Championships, the Rider/Owner must be a showing member and their horse/pony registered with CHAPS before entering the final. Lead Rein competitors are eligible for this class. Leaders must be correctly dressed.
Class 9
SSA Side Saddle Costume Concours d’elegance    
Entry Fee:
£15.00
Info:
Class 9. SIDE SADDLE COSTUME CONCOURS d’ELEGANCE. Incorporating The JVJ 2026 Championship Qualifier. Judge: Mrs.P.Drake. The sole criterion for this class is the elegance of the picture presented by horse/pony and rider, and the way of going of the horse/pony. Safe tack must be used. Detailed inspection of the rider’s period costume is not required. Fancy dress is not permitted. Competitors are required to walk, trot and canter. No individual show is required, but the judge may ask small groups of 3 or 4 riders to give short displays. A Special rosette will be awarded to the highest placed Adult and Junior Member of the SSA carrying their current Championship Points Card. Competitors should produce a brief résumé about their costumes for the Commentator. The JVJ Championships Class will be held at the Edenbridge & Oxted Agricultural Show, 30th & 31st August 2026.
Show Secretary: Side Saddle Association Area 8
W Sussex,
Email: ssa_area_8@outlook.com

Location
Brinsbury College, North Heath, Pulborough, W Sussex RH201DL
Map Link: Brinsbury College

Show Information

 

The Side Saddle AssociationÒ Area 8

Open Spring Side Saddle Show

Brinsbury College, Equine Campus, Stane Street, North Heath, Pulborough, RH20 1DL

Sunday 19th April

Side Saddle Classes for All Ages and abilities including Lead Rein

Habits Not Required in Some Classes (See class rules)

 

Open to SSA Members & Non-Members

(A £5 Day Participant Fee to SSA will apply to cover all classes for Non SSA Members)

 

SSA Panel Judges: Mrs Drake, Suffolk, Mrs S Stephenson, Surrey

 

Show Secretary: Mrs Sue Pashen

ssa_area_@outlook.com

 

Rosettes to 6th place plus SSA Rosettes & JVJ Rosettes

 

Entries: SSA Members £15.00 per class.

 Non-Members £20.00 per class.

 Entries Close Wednesday 15th April 2026

(Entries on the Day - CASH ONLY at £20 per class & will only be accepted if the class is not FULL)

 ALL Classes and Warm-Up will be held on All Weather surfaces.

 

 The organizers would like to thank our Sponsors for their Generous denotations,

Rokers Tack Shop, Fairlands Farm, Holly Lane, Worplesdon, Guildford, Surrey. GU3 3PB  

Please note there is NO catering on site, please bring your own Picnic & Watch the Show from the Viewing Gallery

This Open Side Saddle Show has been put on for side saddle riders of all ages and abilities. It is organized and run by VOLUNTEERs, our Stewards. Please help them to make the day pleasurable for everyone who attends. If you have any suggestions for next year, please contact the organizer.

 

 

Payment Details & Event Fees


Pre-Entry Fees £15
Entries on the day accepted is space permitting at £20 per class.
Classes are strictly limited, and preference will be given to SSA Area 8 members.


A £5 Day Participant Fee to SSA will apply to cover all classes for Non SSA Members

Withdrawals/Refunds

 If the event is cancelled refunds will be sent less £5 per competitor to cover administration costs.

Other refunds considered only on receipt of doctors or veterinary certificate.

Terms & Conditions

SSA AREA 8 SHOW & CLINIC RULES AND REGULATIONS

IT IS A CONDITION OF ENTRY THAT ALL COMPETITORS MUST HAVE THEIR OWN THIRD PARTY EQUINE INSURANCE,

Making an entry is considered your acceptance of these rules.

1. The event will be run in accordance with the Current SSA Members Handbook 2026 with specific class rules as applicable.some relevant rules are included below.

2.  A copy of the relevant rulebooks will be available to view at the secretary's office during the show.

3.  All competitors, attendants and spectators must abide by the conditions of entry for the public associated with the Showground. Organisers and Stewards instructions must be followed at all times.

4. Neither the organisers, SSA or the Venue accept liability for any claims in respect of injury or damage to any person, animal or property, however caused.

5. All competitors must wear the correct riding attire whilst mounted. Adult riders not wearing safety hats in side saddle classes do so at their own risk. For all classes with Jumping and wherever else it is required , Adult and juniors must wear Correctly secured Skull Caps/Riding Hats that meet one of the following Current Safety Standards MUST be worn by all Junior  Riders and Adults where indicated in the competition rules: PAS 015 2011, VG1 01.040 2014-12, ASTM F1163 2015 or 2023,               E2016 or 2021 onwards, EN1384 2023.     Failure to do so will incur elimination:

6. Lead rein competitors (SSA Members or Non SSA Members): may only compete Hors Concours in any SSA affiliated class and in a Junior or Open Equitation Qualifying Class. In an Equitation Class, they are not eligible for SSA place rosettes but should be considered for the Turnout Rosette. Leaders must be correctly dressed. (Junior Competitors must have attained their 5th birthday and is under 18 on 1st January of the current Year)

7. The organisers reserve the right to eliminate any competitor who, in their opinion, places him/herself or others in any danger or who fails to observe the rules.

8. The organisers reserve the right to change Judges or appoint substitutes and to amend the schedule as necessary at any time.

9. The Judge's decision shall be final.

10. CLASSICAL/CONTEMPORARY CLASSES: Riders may only enter either the Classical OR the Contemporary class, not both, unless they have two horses/ponies of a different type.

11. All objections shall be lodged in writing to the secretary within 15 minutes of the alleged incident with a deposit of £25, which will be refunded if the objection is sustained.

12. No entries will be refunded without a Vet or Doctor's Certificate. If the event is cancelled refunds will be sent less £5 per competitor to cover administration costs

14. All horses and ponies competing must be at least four years old.

15. Horses must be kept to a walk unless in the warm-up or competition arenas

16. Misuse of whips or spurs will incur elimination.                                                                                                                  

17. Entries; Non-members will be required to join SSA as a day participant at a cost of £5 and to register with the show secretary on the day  

18. Pre Entry Fee £15, Entries on the day accepted space permitting at £20 per class. Classes are strictly limited, and preference will be given to SSA Area 8 members.·     

19. Habits are not required in every class – see class rules. Smart riding show-wear to be worn if not wearing a Side Saddle habit.                                                                                                                                                                                             

20. SSA members, please ensure you carry your competed championship card in the ring, ready for the judge to sign.                                                                                                   

21. Only horses/ponies taking part in the showing classes are allowed on site.

22. DISPENSATION: Any rider with a physical impairment or Special Educational Needs who may require adaptations  for competing should apply in writing, accompanied by the relevant medical evidence certificate which externally  verifies the impairment or condition, to the Hon General Secretary. The SSA has adopted the wearing of the Sunflower Armband  for those with a hidden disability.

23. ALL Classes to be Ridden Side Saddle. Except where specifically allowed astride Competitors may compete Hors Concours but only with prior permission from the Show Secretary and wear a white Arm Band.

24. FALLS: A fall of horse/pony or rider in any class run under Side Saddle Association rules will result in disqualification, and the rider must leave the ring dismounted. It is strongly recommended that medical advice is then sought before competing in any other class.

25. HORS CONCOURS: Members competing Hors Concours will only be awarded 2 Qualifying Points; they may not receive SSA Rosettes, Show Rosettes or any Prize with the exception of Open and Junior Equitation Classes where Lead Rein competitors should be considered for the Junior Turnout rosette. Leaders must be correctly dressed.

26. For Juniors   A blunt spur or a spur band is permitted in any class on the flat butnot in any class involing jumping

27. Qualifiers: Shows held up to and including the first day of the current year’s National Side Saddle Show will be Qualifiers for this year’s Show. Shows held after that date will be Qualifiers for the following year.

28. All trophies are only awarded to full Area 8 Members.

 

The Side Saddle AssociationÒ Area 8

 

Email Secretary - ssa_area_8@outlook.com
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