New Interests

Lois Greiman

I’ve just developed a new obsession. It’s riding sidesaddle. I’m blaming this latest craziness on research because although I have a book due in ummmm 11 days, a book that just came out a couple weeks ago, and a new book, One Hot Mess, ready to hit the shelves on the 24th of March, I’m writing a Regency fox hunting scene and am absolutely fascinated by what I’ve learned.


For instance: Did you know that Anne of Bohemia was the first woman thought to popularize the art of riding aside? Granted, in the late 14th century, the sidesaddle was little more than a bench set atop a horse, but as the years went by, riding aside evolved and became associated with ‘ladies of quality.’ Gently-reared young women wouldn’t think of exposing themselves to the pernicious evils of riding like a man.




In fact, it wasn’t until the 20th century that women seriously began questioning the good sense of riding perched on a horse’s withers like a tipsy songbird. It was a young suffragette, Inez Milholland, who popularized straddling a saddle (And I mean, seriously, how cool does she look in her long mantle!) as she led 10,000 marchers across New York City. When her ladies were attacked by outraged antagonists, Inez charged the mob, turning the attack until the Cavalry arrived (literally). Hundreds were injured, but the women marched on.

That story kind of gives me goosebumps, and yet the thought of all the women before her does too. The idea of thousands of women too bold to give up their equestrian pursuits just because it was deemed improper to ride like a man, which, believe me, is a much safer mode of transportation, gives me some pride. In essence, if a horse fell, went over backward, or generally freaked out as horses are known to do on a fairly regular basis, the sidesaddle rider was probably NOT thrown clear of the animal. Instead, she was most likely trapped beneath her writhing mount. Nevertheless, women not only rode aside every single day, they jumped that way. They followed the hounds and hunted and traveled that way, clearing six foot obstacles as a matter of course. In short, they were amazing. And even though women’s political rights are associated with riding astride, the entire process of riding aside still fascinates me.


So I’ve decided to give it a try. In fact, I’m hoping to train my boy Sage to be a ‘lady’s mount.’ Right now he’s just MY mount, and believe me, there’s a world of difference there. I’ll keep you apprised.

So tell me, what’s your latest obsession/idea/insanity? Let’s talk bucket lists.

www.loisgreiman.com