January 31, 2017 
Saddle seat riders are a unique group.
Representing one of the smaller sections of the equestrian world, they have their own habits, trends and even their own language.
True, they’re often misunderstood, and have to constantly explain their sport to non-equestrians and equestrians alike, but saddle seat riders also share a lot of perks, and a lot of laughs.
Here are 12 signs you’re probably one of them:
1. You laugh at the recent popularity of designer Jodhpur boots among non-equestrians because you’ve been wearing them for years…and yours are much better quality.
Plus theirs are too clean.
Photo courtesy of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.
2. You will never be as comfortable in a hunt seat, dressage or western saddle because you find them too constricting.
How do they even move around? Oh wait, maybe that’s the point…
Photo courtesy of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.
3. Every time someone asks what saddle seat is, you know you’ll have to drop whatever you’re holding to explain.
You can only really explain motion with motion.
Photo courtesy of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.
4. When you pick your horse’s tail and a strand of hair falls out, a bit of your soul goes with it.
And you were being so careful!
Photo courtesy of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.
5. You may have been the least “girly” of your friends when growing up, but you always had the best selection of makeup.
You’ve gotta be show ring ready.
Photo courtesy of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.
6. You understand that ears can be worn.
And that a horse that “doesn’t have ears” isn’t actually missing a body part.
Photo courtesy of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.
7. You’re aware that plastic bags have more than one use.
That horse might wear his ears after all.
Photo courtesy of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.
8. You acknowledge that “Yeah boy!” is some of the highest praise a rider can get.
And listening to a trainer yell it from the rail still makes you smile.
Photo courtesy of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.
9. You gave up on trying to make your top hat comfortable years ago.
Classes are only ten minutes…just grin and bear it.
Photo courtesy of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.
10. You have a tendency to hoard electrical tape, duct tape, bobby pins, baby powder and ribbon.
But for real, especially the electrical tape.
11. You’ve said “Whup, trot” more often than you’ve said your own name.
And had better results with it, too.
Photo courtesy of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.
12. You still haven’t found anything that can compete with the feeling of riding a big moving saddle seat horse at a show trot.
And you know you probably never will.
Photo courtesy of the American Saddlebred Horse Association.
©Studio 637 Photography
About the Author
Allie Layos is a lifelong equestrian with a passion for the written word, and she likes nothing better than to combine these two interests. While she has ridden multiple disciplines, her first love is saddle seat, and she serves as editor-at-large for the international show horse magazine, Saddle & Bridle. Her work has also been featured in a variety of equine-related books, websites and other publications.
