Evening star., 1924-01-08
Riding Styles Change.
Observer Says More Women Now
Use Side-Saddle.
TO the Editor Of The Star

To the Editor OF The star:
Women riding astride does not
seem to be as popular as it was a
short time ago. There seems to be
mania on the part Of female eques-
trians to ride on the cross saddle.
This applies not only to the young
girls, but to women well advanced in
years. 1t was taken up as a fad by
a few who thought it the correct
thing TO do, but 1t will be observed
that a large majority of woman rid
ers still prefer the side saddle. JUST
how the custom of riding astrioe
came into vogue a few years ago is
a ouandary. It may be that the cost
Of the side saddle was prohibitive in
a way. Besides. the tailor-made rid
ing habit was very expensive. The
cost of the saddle by a good maker
is about $500, and everything else In
proportion Judging from the Lon
don illustrated papers. it appears
that 30 per cent of the women who
follow the hounds and indulge in
cross-country riding use the side SAD
die, as II Is claimed by those VINO
have had experience that 1t is safer
in the hunting field to those using
the side saddle to those who insist
on riding astride. Surely there Is
nothing graceful or dignified in the
appearance of woman riding man
fashion, whereas. on the contrary.
woman we'll equipped with riding
habit, and so forth, cannot help but
be admired.
tendency to give the rider mannish
appearance and is not aItogetner
pieasinG, as there is lack of dig
rity which is present in the rider on
a side saddle. In all pictures and
sculpture of Lady Godiva she is rep
resented as being on side sadule.
Were she represented as riding astride
she might suggest an Amazon, who,
nv the way, were distinguished for
their dexterity in eQuitation. They
rode without saddle or. bride and
usually in the altogether. In some
of ngton's pictures the Indian
woman is shown riding astride, but
her apparel is so adjusted that her
lower limbs are not exposed. See
Remington's Race for a Bride"
In no we'll regulated show ring is
a woman permitted to enter con-
test except when riding on side
saddle. At the last Olympia show the
cross saddle was conspicuous by Its
absence, and it Is stated that at the
Richmond, England, show last sum-
mer only four out of twenty-odd
competitors used the cross saddle.
ers advocate the side saddle. Mrs.
Potts of Richmond, Va, and other
distinguished lady riders always ap-
pear in riding habit and side saddle.
Nowadays the only equipment re-
uuired by q cross saddle rider in ad-
dition to their usual apparel is pair
Of breeches, and they ride without
hat, coat or gloves, and sometimes
with their golden hair hanging down
behind.
From recent European advice it is
reported that "side saddle riding hab-
lx IN hn in
Most of the prominent tailors in
New York claim that there is great
falling off in the use of other than
the riding habit by the, prominent
eQuestrians. Other tailors report
that all of their orders are for side
saddle riding habits and that they
are still most fashionable and in
great demand. The better class of
riders use the side saddle exclusively.
Princess Patricia, when her. father.
the Duke Of Connaught. was Governor
General Of the Dominion of Canada, the
princess occasionally indulged in riding
the cross saddle. This however. she
abandoned on her return to England.
There may be a few who for con-
venience's sake will adhere to the
cross saddle. no matter what the pre-
vafling style of riding may be.
Joan d'Arc being q warrior bold
and wearing armor, necessitated her
riding astride.
In conclusion, will say that there
is nothing so impressive as a woman
on horseback, provided she is prop
erly equipped as to habit and her
mount.
Furthermore, it may have been no.
ticed that women in their mannish
costumes are accustomed to stroll
about the city, even in the shopping
districts. 1t may not be generally
known, but DR.. Mary Walker. who as
sumed male attire when appearing
in public. necessitated an act of Con-
! grsss for her to do so, Sarah Bern