About Me

Hello! My name is Julia Perry, I am from England, and I have been a side-saddle enthusiast since I first saw two ladies riding with the Pytchley Hunt when I was about 9 years old.  Those two ladies were in their 8o's and STILL hunting! They looked absolutely fabulous and I have been hooked ever since.

I have been riding since the age of four, and have been carted more times than I can count!

My Father was a horseman. He started riding when he was in his 40's (!), after taking me to riding lessons.  He was born and raised in London, but always loved the countryside, and became more of a countryman than many a man!  Riding was something he'd Always wanted to do, and he became one of the greatest horsemen I have seen. I wish I were a tenth as good as he.....

I had my first pony when I was about 13 years old, and spent most of my time on the lead rein.  I was a nervous rider, having been run away with so many times! Ah well ;-)  I did a lot of my riding on my late Fathers  mare.  She was an ex-polo pony and was bought for "meat money".  She was a lady <grin>.  My Father used to ride her 50 miles a day in the summer months, and used to carry a spare set of (horse) shoes in his saddle bags.  She was fit! I developed most of my bad habits on her, haha.  I used to keep losing one stirrup, not knowing that I had (at that time) one leg 1 1/2" longer than the other, so I gave up with stirrups, so if nothing else, at least I'm now able to sit well!  After years of "lazy riding" I am now far more comfortable with a very loose rein and little "contact" having spent years with no stirrups and neckreining Mona (my Dad's mare) everywhere.    

I always thought that I knew nothing about horses, I don't claim to be a rider, and I certainly don't consider I know much about side-saddle or horsemanship, but I have found over time that I know a lot more than I thought I did, and unfortunately a lot more than some people who profess to know a lot.

I am a side-saddle enthusiast. I believe in promoting side-saddle to the best of my ability, in sharing my knowledge and resources,  in learning at every single opportunity that presents itself...and most of all...having FUN!

I trained in jewellery design and manufacture and another of my websites can be found at www.charliefox.co.uk. I specialise in turning photographs into hallmarked jewellery. I have several horse themed items, and am working on some side-saddle pieces too.

I hope that you enjoy my site, and if you would like to add something to it, or believe that something I have said is wrong, then please let me know.

To side-saddle, friendship, and having fun! 

(Me, September 2006, riding Hobby, a Paso Fino, in the Little Brown Jug Parade, Delaware Ohio, USA. I am wearing a Period Habit, and on a Steele Western Pleasure Side-saddle. The saddle is slipping to the nearside, and the reins don't look correct to me! But hey, we had fun, and it was my second ever "western ride".

My thanks to my good friends Maggie Herlensky and Mary Jo Wisecup- and of course...Hobby for looking after me!)