The Society of Sidesaddle Storytellers

The Society of Sidesaddle Storytellers Telling the story of women and horses throughout history.

We provide living history programs and riding demonstrations to inspire the next generation of women to be interested in all things horse, historic fashions, and the struggle for women’s rights.

I am so incredibly grateful for the village of people who helped to pull off our program this weekend! I feel so thankfu...
03/23/2025

I am so incredibly grateful for the village of people who helped to pull off our program this weekend! I feel so thankful to have so many friends, new and old, who were willing to help and show up and support us! We had four lovely horses this weekend at the Mabry Hazen House demonstrating sidesaddle riding. This was such a privilege to have the opportunity to ride at such a neat historic venue. I hope we were able to pique someone’s interest and to help keep the tradition of side saddle riding alive for many generations to come! ♀️ As always, thank you for being the best photographer! Sue Halaburda Duncan Shaelyn Baggett

Spring is upon us and we’re ready to get out and go to some shows! Don’t forget we have our event at the Mabry Hazen Hou...
03/19/2025

Spring is upon us and we’re ready to get out and go to some shows! Don’t forget we have our event at the Mabry Hazen House this Saturday at 1 PM. The weather is looking great. Anyone else ready for show season? Over the Fence Photography

“A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey wheres...
03/16/2025

“A strong woman knows she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of strength knows it is in the journey where
she will become strong.” —unknown Just some words of encouragement this Sunday morning!

Bad news: We’ve decided to cancel our program this weekend due to afternoon thunderstorms. ⛈️. Good news: We’re resche...
03/13/2025

Bad news: We’ve decided to cancel our program this weekend due to afternoon thunderstorms. ⛈️. Good news: We’re rescheduling for same time and same place, 1PM at the Mabry Hazen House next Saturday, March 22nd, and the weather is looking great! ☀️Please help us to spread the word and we hope to see you out for a family friendly program on side saddle riding through history. (print: “Escaping the rain in Hyde Park, London” by Johann Baptist Zwecker.)

Here’s some cool information on the Mabry Hazen House and one of their stud horses! We haven’t made a call on the rain s...
03/10/2025

Here’s some cool information on the Mabry Hazen House and one of their stud horses!

We haven’t made a call on the rain situation yet but are hoping to still be able to do the program this weekend. If it is too wet we will reschedule for March 22nd. We hope to see you out!

People may assume it would be easy to fall out of a side saddle. However, it’s a lot harder than you would think! In the...
03/06/2025

People may assume it would be easy to fall out of a side saddle. However, it’s a lot harder than you would think! In the 1830s the invention of the second horn on these saddles (the leaping horn) allowed women to sit more securely in the saddle than ever before! Just look at this incredible picture of Esther Stance in Sydney Australia setting the world record of the highest sidesaddle jump in 1915 at 6’6”! Poor Esther died young in life only three years after setting this record after succumbing to illness. At her funeral, her hearse was followed by a horse carrying her side saddle, draped with the many ribbons she won during her career in the show ring.

I’ve finished up a costume that is sure to be one of my favorites when I get it on a horse. Queen Elizabeth II was an am...
02/26/2025

I’ve finished up a costume that is sure to be one of my favorites when I get it on a horse. Queen Elizabeth II was an amazing horse woman and has always been a bit of an inspiration to me. She was seen riding aside in the Trooping of the Colors Ceremony each year. I think she is absolutely stunning riding sidesaddle. 🇬🇧🐴💂

To all the ladies out there with a special pony in their life, happy Valentine’s Day! 🩷
02/14/2025

To all the ladies out there with a special pony in their life, happy Valentine’s Day! 🩷

Because of the lack of leg, women would ride aside carrying a whip or crop to act as a “fake leg.” I have this lovely Vi...
02/12/2025

Because of the lack of leg, women would ride aside carrying a whip or crop to act as a “fake leg.” I have this lovely Victorian era stag horn crop. For my side saddle ladies out there, do you prefer a vintage crop or a modern dressage whip?

Just finished up this 1920s era riding habit based off these paintings. This would have been suitable for hacking and no...
02/10/2025

Just finished up this 1920s era riding habit based off these paintings. This would have been suitable for hacking and non-formal hunting days. Can’t wait to get her on a horse!

Unfortunately it was too icy for me to make it to the barn to take pictures riding, but I’ve just finished up this Georg...
01/21/2025

Unfortunately it was too icy for me to make it to the barn to take pictures riding, but I’ve just finished up this Georgian riding habit and I’m super pleased how it turned out!

Check out the newest addition to the collection, a beautiful new to me (antique) Mayhew saddle! This girl is most likely...
01/16/2025

Check out the newest addition to the collection, a beautiful new to me (antique) Mayhew saddle! This girl is most likely from about 1930 or so and has been fully restored to riding and jumping condition. Her previous owner named her Maybelle. Mayhew side saddles are one of the more well known saddles imported from England that are still ridden in today. The company was started by Frederick William Mayhew in the 1880s and was known for his invention of wide pommels for extra security while jumping and galloping. This is basically like the Ferrari of side saddles and is made for going fast and doing exciting things! Can you imagine all the fun times this saddle has had? 🌸

We have a nice collection of historic riding equipment, saddles, historic costumes, and educational posters. Our program...
01/14/2025

We have a nice collection of historic riding equipment, saddles, historic costumes, and educational posters. Our programs ideally consist of a speaking portion and a riding demonstration. Programs are specially tailored towards your event but are ideal for girls scouts, historic mansions, and reenactments. If you think our program might fit into your event, feel free to reach out! We’re happy to trailer anywhere within several hours of Knoxville.

Welcome to my page, devoted to all things side saddle, horse, history, and fashion! We provide living history programs a...
01/14/2025

Welcome to my page, devoted to all things side saddle, horse, history, and fashion! We provide living history programs and riding demonstrations to inspire the next generation of women to be interested in how we earned the freedoms we have today. The tale of side saddle riding is a story of women’s rights dating all the way as far back to the 1200s and culminating in the 1930s after women were allowed to vote. There are so many fascinating stories of women who broke the mold of society, performed incredible acts of bravery and courage, and were known for their formidable equestrian skills. Keep following this page to join in on our journey!

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Knoxville, TN
37918

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