Making & Restoring Side Saddles

Side Saddles became a passion for Wendy in the 1980’s, learning as much as she could from the very few Australian sources available. She then made contact and held memberships with the UK Side Saddle Association and the International Side Saddle Organization in the USA. She also undertook specialist training in side saddles at the UK Saddlery Training Centre.

Wendy started rebuilding side saddles from the tree up as there were only old saddles around with dip seats. Occasionally, a more modern side saddle with a flat seat would turn up. There is only a handful of saddlers in the world that specialise in the making of side saddles. Wendy’s side saddles have been made not only for Australian customers but also for customers in New Zealand.
 

United Kingdom

In 1995 and 1999, Wendy travelled to the United Kingdom to obtain lessons with the master of side saddle riding and acknowledged world authority on side saddles, Mr. Roger Philpot. She held a UK Side Saddle Instructors Certificate. Wendy also competed in the 3-day UK Side Saddle Show in Warwickshire in 1999 and participated with a top American and a champion English Side Saddle rider in a documentary for the Discovery TV Channel.
 

USA

In 2002 she attended the 3-day Side Saddle Spectacular at the Kentucky Horse Park making contact with USA & Canadian saddlers. Mr Roger Philpot had a session at the show critiquing a range of side saddles and their fitting to the owner’s horse. He noticed Wendy sitting in the crowd and called her out to join him and provide her views with him which was a great honour.

Media

Wendy has featured in three Side Saddle segments on the Channel 10’s kids show Totally Wild, a segment on Channel 9’s Brisbane Extra, an ABC National Radio interview and various equestrian magazines in Australia and New Zealand including the Australian Women’s Weekly 'The Last of their Kind' - Article Found HERE.
 

Equitana Brisbane

In 2002 she rode in Brisbane’s first Equitana held at the Convention & Exhibition Centre performing a Pas De Deux Side Saddle over 4 nights. This was an all breed’s horse show where individual horse acts are performed to music under laser lighting, the show originating from Europe.
 

Royal Queensland Show

For 13 years, Wendy had a side saddle exhibit in the Horse Pavilion where she worked on making a side saddle in front of the crowds as well as performing in the indoor arena twice daily and going in the grand parade. For many years she competed in the side saddle classes as well as sponsoring the classes up until a few years ago.

She opened the Ladies Oakes Day at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane 3 years in a row riding side saddle wearing one of her brightly coloured period costumes. Pony Clubs would invite her to do a side saddle clinic bringing her collection of saddles and period costumes for the young members education and enjoyment.