The Association offers a wide variety of classes, to suit all standards of rider and horse/pony to encourage and give all side saddle riders the opportunity to participate, often giving the chance for riders and horses/ponies to enjoy a second career, having perhaps come to the end of their Racing, Dressage, Eventing or Showing years. Most breeds and types of horses and ponies will carry a side saddle, some with more comfort than others, but it is always worth a try to see if your horse or pony will carry a side saddle whether it be a Cob, Hack, Racehorse, Hunter, Haflinger, New Forest, Irish Draught or Fell to name a few of the types we see competing today. In association affiliated classes, Lead Rein competitors (SSA members and non-members) are welcomed but only Hors Concours as they are unable to show canter, however they are eligible for the Junior turnout rosette.

For many Members, the Equitation Championships and Rider of the Year Titles, achieved by qualifying throughout the year and competing in the relevant classes at the National Side Saddle Show (where there are classes for every level of rider) is the ultimate aim, but that is not the case for everyone and others compete for sheer pleasure. www.nationalsidesaddleshow.co.uk

All SSA affiliated classes are open to Members and Non-members but Non-members do not receive the Association’s rosettes unless otherwise stated in a Show Schedule’s wording.

In Association affiliated classes, Lead Rein Competitors (SSA Members and Non- members) are welcomed but only Hors Concours, unless stipulated in a Show Schedule’s wording.

Appropriate Society and/or Show Rules as stated within their Schedules override SSA rules regarding class requirements, competitor/horse age, dress, tack, appropriate head wear, etc.

If a show schedule allows you to ride side saddle in an astride class and the judge rides, an astride saddle must be made available for the judge to ride your horse. (Even if they ride side saddle it must be a level playing field).

The classes listed below are those for which we have specific rules, but many Areas run others as requested by their Members, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate. Some of these classes also have additional qualifiers within.

Best Horse/Pony
Open to horses or ponies 4 years old or over: conformation and manners will be taken into consideration. Horses and ponies will not be stripped. Lead rein riders are permitted in this class and the highest coloured exhibit qualifies for the CHAPS final at their Championship Show. The Judge is looking at the combination of horse/pony and rider as they go around the ring looking for harmony between the horse/pony and rider and the suitability. Manners and way of going as well as the show they give is all taken in to consideration. Conformation of the horse/pony is taken into consideration in this class.

Classical Ladies
Open to riders aged 18 and over on January 1st of the current year, on horses exceeding 148cm.This Class to be judged 25% conformation and action, 25% manners and way of going, 25% rider, and 25% turnout of horse and rider. This class is a qualifier for the Classical Championship at the National Side Saddle Show and the four highest placed Riding Horse, Hack, Cob or Hunter qualify for the BSHA Championship Show. Competitors enter the ring and walk trot and canter on the right rein have a change of rein and trot and canter on the left rein, this go round is the preliminary look for the judge; they are then lined up and go out to give an individual show as requested by the judge. Each combination will be assessed and marked for each section, the first three partly assessed on the go round along with their show, 25% for conformation and action, 25% manners and way of going, 25% for the rider and the final 25% for turnout of horse and rider which is usually judged before the individual show if there is one judge, if there are two it can be after the show. After everyone has done their show, the scores are added up and the result given out.

Concours d'Élégance
The sole criterion for this class is the elegance of the picture presented by horse and rider. Attention may be paid to the rider's personal appearance, but detailed inspection of rider and tack is not required. Fancy dress or period costume is not permitted. The judge looks at the overall picture and will be looking for harmony and elegance from the combination of horse and rider.

Costume Concours d'Élégance
The sole criterion for this class is the overall picture presented by horse / pony and rider and the costume. 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. In this class the judge is again looking at the overall picture and it is really a judge's own preference as to which costume is the winner. The way of going will also help the rider to show off their costume to its best.

Dressage
All levels of dressage are permitted including Freestyle to Music and Intro (walk and trot). Run under British Dressage (BD) rules including bitting unless otherwise stated. If competing in BD classes always check, you are able to compete side saddle.

Equitation
In all equitation classes it is the rider and not the horse/pony that is judged and qualifies, as there will be no reference to the sex, breeding or conformation of the horse/pony. However, the horses/ponies should, in the opinion of the judge, have manners suitable for carrying a side saddle. Horses/ponies shall be four years old or over. Riders enter the ring together and are required to walk, trot and canter on the right rein, followed by a change of rein through trot and canter left before being called into line. Each competitor then gives a freestyle show of no more than 2 minutes including walk, trot and canter, after which turnout is inspected.

The National Equitation Championships are held at the National Side Saddle Show and to enter them Members must have won the specified Qualifying Points as a minimum in Qualifying Classes between the previous and the current National Equitation Championship. Each Equitation Championship has its own test.Specific qualification details and rules are included in Section II of the Side Saddle Association Competition Rules.

The judge will watch them on the go round looking at the straightness, suppleness, poise and overall horsemanship of the rider and their ability to ride their horse/ pony through all the paces and change of rein. After the competitors have been lined up, they will give an individual show, whist the judge is still assessing their riding and way of going.at the end of their show the judge will look at their turnout. After everyone has done their show, the judge will line them in their preferred order.

Equitation Jumping
The judge/ judges will take into account effective horsemanship, suppleness, straightness, poise of the rider, the presentation of the horse/pony to the obstacle, the rider's position and the fluency and correct style of both horse/pony and rider when over the obstacle and landing. The course comprises of six to eight fences, rustic, coloured or a mixture of fences. Hats to current British Safety Standards or above must be worn. The judge or judges of this class are looking for the rider's ability to ride a smooth round and take into consideration the presentation to the fence, the flight and then the get away and the way they ride between the fences. The judge is also looking for straightness, suppleness and poise and overall horsemanship whilst jumping the fences.

Historical Costume
This class will be judged at walk. The judge will inspect competitor's attire and horse / pony's tack closely, for historical accuracy, when the class is lined up. Competitors must submit a brief résumé about their apparel for the commentator. Lead rein competitors are eligible for this class. Juniors must wear hats to current British Safety Standards or above. This class is a judge's own personal preference as to the winner. After the competitors line up the judge will take a close look at the costume for historical accuracy. The judge may ask about the costume and its history.

Lead Rein Classes
Open to ponies not to exceed 138cm. Open to riders between 5 and 10 years on January 1st in the current year. The judge will be looking at suitability, manners, way of going and the overall picture of rider and pony. Lead rein competitors may compete Hors Concours in any SSA affiliated class.

Pas Seul & Pas de Deux (Junior and Adult)
These are freestyle to music classes run under different rules at the Organiser's discretion. They are ridden in a costume themed to match and enhance the music used. The horse/pony's technical paces are assessed for freedom, regularity, impulsion, submission, lightness and ease of movements. Further marks are awarded for the composition of the display, choreography and incorporation of music, the artistic theme, costume and characterisation, correlation of pace with musical rhythm, symmetry and interaction of partnership, music arrangement and accompaniment, entertainment value and ability to hold interest.

Riding Club Horse/Pony
Competitors will enter the ring together and walk, trot and canter with a change of rein. After lining up they will go out to give an individual show to include a small jump or jumps. The judge is looking at the overall combination and suitability of horse/pony and rider and how they incorporate the jump into their show. Conformation of horse and pony will not be taken into account.

Showing Classes
Showing Classes can be run for the individual categories, Cob, Coloured, Hack, Hunter, Mountain and Moorland and Riding Horse etc. They will be judged as showing classes with manners, way of going, conformation, and suitability all being considered by the judge. These classes are generally held at the National Side Saddle Show or breed shows often put on a side saddle class for the specific breed. Individual horse/ pony societies hold side saddle showing classes.

Show Jumping
These classes are run at Area shows and the National Side Saddle Show. They are run under BS rules, hats to current British Safety Standards or above must be worn and body protectors are permitted. Classes:

• Pony Rider Side Saddle Stakes
• Horse Starter Stakes
• Top Hat Side Saddle Stakes

Working Hunter and Working Hunter Pony
Hats and body protectors to current British Safety Standards or above must be worn for all jumping classes. SHBGB rules apply for horses and BSPS rules for ponies. The first part of this class is for the competitor to jump around a course where the judge will look for a good approach to the fence, a correct jump and a good get away to the next fence. After the jumping round each competitor will give a small show to show the horse/pony's way of going and manners all taken into consideration and conformation may be taken into consideration as well.

Young Riders
Is aged over 5 years and under 14 on 1st January of the current year. When competing in any class side saddle make sure you read the shows individual rulings as well as the societies rules running the classes as they can differ. Do talk to your Area Committee members or SSA judges/ instructors if you need further advice about how to plan your competition journey.