The
Origin of Sidesaddle - by HLA member, Margaret Carter
Since
our inception, the Hoosier Ladies Aside have become very active in
living history events. The members of the HLA have preformed sidesaddle
demos at the Feast of the Hunters Moon, the Indiana History Fest,
the Etilejorg Museum, Koh-Koh-Mah & Foster Living History Encampment
and the Hartford City Civil War Days.
The
HLA is being recognized as a group that is focused on the preservation
and art of aside riding. We do so by informing the public during events,
such as those mentioned above, that sidesaddle is not a thing of the
past.
Our
members have worked to acclimate their mounts to cannon and rifle
fire, as well as musket fire during battles. Members have spent endless
hours in costume research and construction to make sure that they
are going to be an asset to any event.
It
is not uncommon for the HLA to have 2000 school children come through
their demo area on school sponsored days, or to have at least 30,000
spectators over a three day weekend. Re-enactors are also recognizing
the HLA as a very promising addition to their activities and are inviting
the HLA to events through out the year.