USS Banner Events

United Sidesaddle Society

This is not your grandmother's sidesaddle riding

USS Banner Events

USS Banner Events are a great way for non-competitors and non-riders to participate in the USS Awards Program and in the promotion of sidesaddle. Demonstrations are particularly good for the novice sidesaddle rider. Performing as the Queen only requires the rider to walk about and occasionally wave. A trail rider is also a good starting point, again, only a walk is required. Of course queens and trail riders are not limited to walking, but those parts can easily carry it off.

The abilities of horse and rider are the limits for the more experienced horsewoman. Demonstrations are the time to go for broke. Provided all riders, equines and spectators are safe, we feel the bigger the better. If you have previously felt constrained by being expected to perform only as a chastised lady, relax. Now is the time to show off your skills. Please feel free to mount from a gallop, jump, ride aside bareback or any other moves you can do safely and well. Do not, however, use a demonstration as a pratice session.

USS is committed to sidesaddle today. Women have been liberated and so has sidesaddle. Historical costumes are always crowd pleasers, however, USS is also committed to the modern sidesaddle rider. When putting together an USS Banner Event please try to devote 50% to the modern rider. It is understood this is not always possible, but we do ask you to try.

We encourage all of our riding members to apply to ride under the USS banner at public performances. Please do not feel you need to be a professional performer. We do have our standards, but they are easily attainable. Please see lower portion of page for more information on becoming an USS Certified Rider.

USS Banner Event Requirements

   1.   All riders must be paid members in good standing and USS Banner Event certified

   2.   All mounts must be Equine Members in good standing in order to be eligible for points

   3.   All events ridden under the USS banner must be registered with USS. There is no charge.

   4.   For groups of four or more a group coordinate must be registered. This person is the go to person
         at the event. She (or he) needs to take it upon herself to know and understand the event's
         requirements. She is the liaison between fellow riders & ground support and the event administrators.
         She is also the contact person for USS. There is no charge to register co-coordinate.

   5.   For groups of three or less, a group coordinator may be registered. Otherwise all members take on
         the responsibility. USS still needs one contact person from the group.

   6.   Costumes must be approved prior to event. Please send photos with application. We don't require
         costuming to be exact to the last stitch. We do however expect a well researched approximation. The
         following are some pitfalls to avoid:

            - A saddleseat rider wearing hunt gloves or vice versa
            - An old west rider wearing an apron and/or modern style show jacket
            - Queen Elizabeth depicted in a medieval dress or head wear
            - A Victorian rider in a ball gown
            - A huntress riding a western saddle (note here, an old west depiction my use an English Saddle - they
              rode in what was available)

        Further notes on rider costuming
            - Neatness....Costumes must be clean and pressed
            - Proper fit.....Costume does not need to be custom sewn for rider, but costumes that are obviously
              too large or too small are unacceptable. Secure pinning or basting with silk needle and thread does
              wonders. ALWAYS CHECK WITH COSTUME OWNER BEFORE MAKING ANY ALTERATIONS.
            - Approximate materials.....Saddleseat riders may wear bright colored silk, hunt riders may not.
              Brocade is not suitable for colonial wear, but is great for Victorian. Synthetics are acceptable.

         Horse Costuming
            - Horse costuming must match or coordinate with rider
            - Submissions of horse costuming do not need to include specific horse being used. Putting costume
              on horse of approximately the same size works fine.
            - If an antique saddle is being used, photos from all views must be submitted showing condition

      7.   Equine Member should be appropriate for his or her part. Please no ponies for the Queen. We
            understand not everyone has a variety of breeds to work with, but please keep it in mind.

      8.   The behavior of those involved, riders and ground support, must be impeccable.
            - Obey All rules of event
            - Mind your language in public
            - Dress appropriately....No swimsuit tops and/or excessive cleavage. Be sure there is enough length
               to shorts.

      9.   Horses must be acceptable for showing
            - Sound
            - Well behaved for public....No biters or kickers
            - Clean and trimmed as for a national championship horse show

      10. Keep area clean at all times
            - Do not leave muck buckets in sight
            - Empty muck buckets after each use
            - Sweep area throughout the day (and night if applicable)
            - Pick stalls throughout day

      11.  Scripts must be approved prior to use otherwise USS scripts must be used when riding Under USS
             banner. Postage will be charged for mailed script packages. Those transmitted via e-mail are at
             no charge.

      12.  Photos of event must be sent to USS via snail or e-mail. Photos must show all riders, individually or
             as a group.

      13.  In case of graded event, grading must be sent to USS upon receipt.

      14.  At least one USS banner must be rented or purchased for display. Rental charge for each banner is
            $25. This includes shipping to you, but not the return postage. Each banner requires a $50 deposit.
            Deposits will be returned upon safe return of banner(s) in same condition as sent out. Upon your receipt
            of banner(s) any damage must be noted and called into USS immediately. Repairs and replacements
            needed after use will be paid from deposit. Banners must be sent back postmarked no later than the
            Tuesday after event. Late fees may apply. Banners must be returned insured and with delivery
            conformation. Banners are available for purchase, please call Mary Vanderloop 920-923-2198 for details.

      15. Stall decorations are available for rent. Rental charges are $25 for 6 or $45 for 12. Every 6 stall
            decorations require a $50 deposit. These are the only decorations approved for use at USS Banner
            Events. Deposits will be returned upon safe return of decorations in same condition as sent out. Upon
            your receipt of decorations, any damage must be noted and called into USS immediately. Repairs and
            replacements needed after use will be paid from deposit. Decorations must be sent back postmarked
            no later than the Tuesday after event. Late fees may apply. Decorations must be returned insured and
            with delivery conformation. Decorations are available for purchase. Please call Pam Davis
            847-263-3735 for details.

      16.  USS stall name tags must be displayed for each horse. Group coordinate needs to supply the
            following information for each horse attending event:
            - Name
            - Age
            - Breed or Cross
            - Any Championships
            - Part Being Depicted (Queen's horse, modern western etc.)
            - Rider's Name
            - Owner's Name
            - Emergency Contact Phone Number
            - Group Coordinator's Cell Phone
            There is no charge for stall name tags. They will be shipped with the banner(s). Please try to keep
            clean for re-use at another event.

      17. USS promotional materials must be distributed at event. Distribution methods include:
            - Non-riding participant passing out material to audience during demonstration
            - Walking through crowds and handing out (quite effective if in costume or habit)
            - Riding sidesaddle on show grounds and handing out. (Safety First! Do Not ride directly through
              crowds. Use good judgment.)
            Points will be awarded for distribution of materials. (See Award rules)
            There is no charge for promotional materials and they will be shipped with banner(s).

      18.   All USS Banner Events must be ridden sidesaddle.

USS Banner Event Certified Riders

We encourage our members to apply to become USS Banner Event Certified Riders. In order to present our best side to the public we require riders at USS Banner Events to be certified prior to the event. THIS CERTIFICATION IS NOT ONLY FOR EXPERIENCED RIDERS. The novice sidesaddle rider can easily qualify. Banner Events are an excellent way for the novice and/or non-competitor to showcase their riding skills. There is no charge for this certification. Riders must submit an USS Certified Rider Application and a video demonstrating their riding abilities. All riders must be approved before riding in an USS Banner event. Please keep in mind we do not expect absolute perfection. We are looking for a calm and steady overall picture.

From the video we are, at the minimum, concerned with the following:
   1.   Sitting straight in saddle
   2.   Steady hands and arms
   3.   Correct leg position
   4.   A relaxed manner
   5.   Ability to control and guide mount at a walk and trot
   6.   Proper saddle fitting
   PLEASE NOTE WE WILL NOT RETURN VIDEO

Novice Riders
The video must show rider viewed from the near side, off side and rear performing each of the requirements. The rider may not wear an apron or skirt or otherwise cover view of leg position. The rider must be shown at the walk and trot both working on the rail and off the rail. On rail work must demonstrate halting from the two gaits then resuming the gait. The halt must be held for 10 seconds. Off rail work must include a demonstration of a figure 8. The figure will be performed as follows: Starting from a halt walk the first loop. At the intersection of the figure commence a trot for the second loop. Finish the figure with a halt at the starting point. These are the minimum requirements, but the rider is free to add any other demonstrations of their ability to control and guide their mounts while maintaining a correct position. We feel it is manditory to HAVE FUN WITH THIS. Relax and enjoy yourself.

More Experienced Riders
Rider must demonstrate requirements for novice riders as indicated above in addition to including the canter. The canter must be demonstrated on the rail and off the rail. Two diferent changes of direction must be shown including lead changes. Lead changes may be flying or simple. Please include any other advanced skills. (jumping, riding aside bareback, vaulting etc.) You may be as creative as you please. For example an advanced dressage rider my include the required elements within a freestyle performance. Riders are welcome to also submit copies of their previous public performances. Please remember WE DO NOT RETURN VIDEOS. DO NOT SUBMIT ORIGINALS.
A note to all applicants: Please do not feel in anyway slighted or insulted by being asked to perform the novice requirements. By having all applicants perform the same movements we are not in a position of having to draw additional lines as to whom has to perform what for their certificate. Thank you for understanding.

Acceptance
We reserve the right to reject any rider who is unable to perform the minimum requirements to our satisfaction. In the case of a borderline demonstration we may give a probationary approval, limiting what we will approve rider to perform in public. The certificate itself may have limitations clearly printed on it. This is for the safety of the rider, mount and public. We may make suggestions or point out areas in need of improvement. We may also require another video be submitted showing rider's advancement. We do request the novice riders to submit new videos as they progress.