A SIDEWAYS LOOK AT THE PADDOCK PART VII

We would like to introduce you to yet another one of the brave ladies riding in the Mrs. Mile Valentine Memorial Side Saddle race at the Cheshire point to point.

Our next featured rider is- Devon Zebrovious

Devon aboard “Handsome.”

So, Devon, inquiring minds want to know……..

How old are you? 

36 yrs old

Who are you riding? 

I am planning to ride “Handsome,” a 17.3 hh, 13 yr old, Dutch WB-x gelding. He is an experienced 1.10-15m showjumper and is just finishing up his first season of hunting. He isn’t the fastest horse, but he keeps up pretty well, and he is fabulous over fences.

Where are you coming from?

Middleburg, Virginia – It is about 50 miles west of Washington, D.C.

How long have you been riding and when did you take up sidesaddle?

I have been riding since I was 14 months old. My aunt (a barrel racer) would hold me in front of her while she was riding and take us galloping across the field.  When I was 3, my uncle gave me a Shetland-Welsh small pony that I would ride while my dad or uncle had me on a lean-rein, and when I was 4 I was fully on my own and in control of my pony. My family rode Western (my cousin also calf-roped professionally), but it was never my preference. I started taking English lessons when I was 6, started showing at age 7, and have happily never looked back! As a junior rider, I competed in local and AHSA-shows in the hunters, jumpers, and equitation on my appendix quarter horse mare, as well as being involved with Pony Club and 4-H.

I started riding sideways when I was 22, although I had been throwing my leg over the front of the saddle and “riding side saddle” while cooling out my pony since age 4! I regularly hunt and show aside, and with my Dutch WB/TB gelding “Quest” we were the USEF National Ladies Side Saddle Division Champions in 2013-2015, and also won the jumping portion of the inaugural Mrs. George C. Everhart Memorial Invitational Side Saddle Chase at the Loudoun Point to Point races in Leesburg, VA last April.

Are you a Foxhunter and if so, how long have you been hunting and who do you hunt with?

Yes. I have been regularly hunting for about fifteen years, and have hunted sideways since I was 23. Both my husband and I have our colors with Middleburg Hunt, and we frequently cap with Piedmont Foxhounds, Orange County Hunt, and Snickersville Hounds. Also, I have gone over to Ireland to hunt side saddle for the past three years and have hunted with the Meath, the Stonehall Harriers, the County Clare, and the County Galway (Blazers).

What do you love about sidesaddle?

While I appreciate the look and elegance of side saddle, the real reason that I love it is due to how natural a way it is for me to ride. I find it to be incredibly secure and comfortable, in addition to giving me great confidence! I pretty much have nerves of steel when I ride aside, and typically I will do far more challenging things aside then I will do astride. Plus, it is just plain fun!

What do you do besides ride? 

I am a litigation attorney for the Department of Defense. My husband and I also own a farm that buys, trains and sells amateur-friendly field/show hunters (although lately our horses seem to have been selling to eventers!). We typically have 2-3 horses for sale during the year. Finally, I buy, sell, and take on consignment side saddles, habits, and hunt clothing and appointments.

What part of the weekend are you looking forward to most?

Due to prior commitments, I will most likely only be able to come up for the race day, but at least I was able to hunt side saddle with Cheshire in January! On Sunday, I am really looking forward to seeing so many side saddle friends and supporters, many of whom I haven’t seen since the end of the side saddle show season last fall such as my dear friend from Harrisburg, Diane Cicak. And of course, I always look forward to getting to ride sideways on a fantastic horse over beautiful hunt country, especially with so many other fantastic lady riders beside me!