Editing Sidesaddle (section)

=== English classes ===

[[English riding|English]] sidesaddle classes are based on style and norms found in the hunting field before the Second World War. Dress, appointments, riding style, and even the type of horse used are all judged against a formalized standard for an "ideal" appearance. The riding habit in such classes is the formal attire found in the hunting field, starting with a coat and apron. The apron used is based on the open-sided safety apron developed in the late 19th century. The rider wears ordinary breeches or [[jodhpurs]], over which she will wear the apron, which can partially open in the back. The jacket is usually cut a bit longer than a standard riding jacket. A vest, shirt, choker or stock tie, gloves, boots, and riding breeches are similar to those used when riding astride. For classes on the flat, a [[Derby hat|derby]] or [[top hat]] is traditional. When jumping, however, tradition gives way to safety, and most riders use a modern [[equestrian helmet]], which is often mandatory equipment in competition rules.

The [[saddle seat]] variation of English sidesaddle, now seen almost exclusively in the [[United States]] in certain breed shows, allows riders to emulate the "Park" riders who rode flashy, high-stepping horses on the flat, often in public parks. The sidesaddle is essentially the same, and the rider may wear almost the same attire as the "hunt" version, an apron with breeches underneath, but with a coat having a noticeably longer cut, sometimes in bright colors, sometimes with a contrasting lining, and either a top hat or a derby. The shirt and vest will be of the style used in astride saddle seat classes, in that the vest will match either the coat or the coat lining, the shirt is a standard menswear dress shirt, and a [[Four-in-hand knot|"four-in-hand"]] tie is worn. When show rules permit, some saddle seat style riders adopt a period costume, often based on an antique riding habit from the [[Victorian era]].