Stacey's got a ticket to ride (side saddle in the UK)

ABOVE: Stacey Rusic of Broadford has won a Churchill Fellowship. Image: Winston Churchill Trust

VICTORIAN Stacey Rusic continues to blaze a trail in her chosen discipline of side saddle, winning this year’s Peter Mitchell Churchill Fellowship to study the historic art of riding “same side” as a modern-day equestrian discipline.

The fellowship will allow Stacey travel to the United Kingdom to sit examinations and obtain formal qualifications as a side saddle instructor through the internationally recognised Side Saddle Association.

The UK is considered the global centre of excellence for side saddle riding with structured training and certification not available in Australia.

“By gaining these qualifications, I will promote and preserve this unique discipline through clinics, educational talks and demonstrations and historical events,” she said.

“This project will help revive a historic equestrian art form, create inclusive riding opportunities and connect new generations to a rich equestrian heritage, ensuring its future for years to come as a modern-day equestrian discipline.”

ABOVE: Stacey Rusic competing at a pony club event.

Stacey is well known face in this discipline and regularly travels around Australia to instruct and compete in side saddle events through her business Same Side Equestrian.

She has also advocated strongly for side saddles to be used by young riders at pony club and has introduced thousands of riders to side saddle through instruction, ridden demonstrations and educational seminars.

“I saw early on that pursuing this passion meant navigating a path with little support, few mentors, and limited resources in Australia,” she said.

“That feeling of isolation defined my early years in the discipline and ultimately shaped my purpose moving forward.

“I’ve dedicated myself to sharing this discipline with others, so no one has to start their journey into side saddle alone (and) I strive to make side saddle an accessible, inclusive, well supported discipline.”

Churchill Fellowships are awarded to exceptional individuals who demonstrate both a strong purpose and the capacity to turn international learning into positive outcomes for their local communities.

Only a select group of Australians are chosen each year following a rigorous national selection process.

“This fellowship provides me the opportunity to learn from places and people where side saddle riding is thriving and build networks to help cultivate that support back home,” Stacey said.

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