Riding sidesaddle is one thing but jumping sidesaddle?!
Posted by Dr. Deb on February 11, 2009 under Horse - Stories, Horse Jewelry | 
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Ms. Hettinger Riding Isaac Sidesaddle
I had the good fortune to grow up horseback riding in a beautiful part of New Hampshire. By far the most intriguing rider in my neighborhood was Ms. Rhonda Watts Hettinger. Rhonda is a 5 time national sidesaddle champion and author of The Western Side Saddle, The Encyclopedia of Sidesaddle, and Sidesaddle’s Greatest Ideas. She is also on the board of directors of the American Sidesaddle Association. When I was growing up, Ms. Hettinger rode a handsome horse named “Isaac.” Ms. Hettinger and Isaac were always easily spotted at shows as Ms. Hettinger jumped Isaac, riding sidesaddle. This, in and of itself was impressive. What made this feat even more impressive is that Isaac was blind. Ms. Hettinger and Isaac were so well known they even rode in 3 different presidential inaugural parades. (They were scheduled for an additional presidential inauguration, but it was canceled due to the cold). Rhoda rode as a regional affiliate for the American Sidesaddle Association. Riding sidesaddle allows a rider to ride with both of his or her legs on one side of the horse. Riding side saddle is found as far back a recorded history. In the Middle Ages riding sidesaddle was adopted by women as a way to ride modestly, while wearing fine clothing. Many sidesaddle riders enjoy dressing in period clothing and participate in historical reenactments. More information on riding sidesaddle and pictures of Ms. Hettinger jumping Isaac side saddle can be found at http://www.americansidesaddleassociation.org/jumpingphotos.htm
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Happy Riding!
Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.
Rhonda Watts Hettinger said,
I’m delighted to see this article–but I do need to correct a couple of things! While I did have a blind horse who went sidesaddle and loved to jump, that was Diamond O’ Galway, the blind Connemara (C.W. Anderson used him as the inspiration for his last book). Isaac–Der Freischutz–was indeed my sidesaddle partner for many years. We still miss him.
Also, the horse in the photo shown here (which should be credited to Pleasure Prints) is not Isaac, although he does resemble Isaac to a considerable degree. This horse is an Irish hunter named Houghton’s Ruby (“Harry”), owned by Roger Philpot of Kineton, Warwickshire–I had the pleasure of showing Harry several summers in England.
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