‘Kick on, girls’

AN extraordinary collection of sidesaddles belonging to the late instructor and president of the Side Saddle Association, Roger Philpot, is to be sold at auction.

Philpot, who taught both side-saddle and astride styles for 40 years at his Pittern Hill Stables in Kineton, Warwickshire, died suddenly in September, aged 80. He had amassed more than 35 side-saddles.

‘I’ve never seen such an amazing collection,’ says Christopher Ironmonger of Bigwood Auctioneers. The sale takes place on December 14 at 10.30am at The Old School, Tiddington, near Stratford-on-avon.

With his motto of ‘Kick on, girls’, Philpot helped many women to ride elegantly aside. Among his former pupils are Martha Sitwell and Philippa Holland, organiser of the Dianas of the Chase side-saddle steeplechase.

‘I credit Roger with getting me to ride again at all, because I’d completely lost my nerve,’ says Lady Sitwell. ‘He was a wonderful teacher and a huge character. His flat cap was often removed and shoved between someone’s thigh and their saddle to hold their leg in place! He is so very missed.’

For further details of the auction, visit www.bigwoodauctioneers.com or telephone 01789 269415. Flora Watkins