Historic Hood River
Cabinet Card
7-15-2011
Notes
The cabinet card was very popular in the 1880s and 1890s. While styles would vary from plain to fancy, some with embossing, scalloped edges, or gold text, they were usually the same size so they could fit in pockets in standard photo albums.
Usually the photo was taken in a studio with a standard backdrop, but we already know Hood River photographer W.D. Rogers was not bound by convention (as evidenced by his portrait of corn stalks). Landscape oriented cards are also uncommon, but it probably would have been difficult to get the horse to stand upright for a proper portrait format.
Charlott
I would think that this would be an outside shot, as most people would not bring a horse into a studio. There might have been an area in close relationship to his studio where he would do this photo.
Good view of what a ladies side saddle looked like as many people have not actually seen one.
Arthur
Charlott, can you explain a bit more how this woman would ride a horse wearing a dress like that? I’m having trouble picturing it.
Dullsprt
‘Looks like she dropped her cell phone by rear hoofs of her horse.
Owens
Her right leg would be draped over the front of the saddle, but still on the left
side. I think, then, her left leg would fit into the saddle and stirrup.
Charlott
If I remember right, Her right leg you go between the horse and that horn and would be on the left side also, then the left foot would be in the stirrup. Your body would be behind that horn possibly helping to give support to the entire situation. I don’t know how they managed the skirts, etc., but goodness if any portion of the leg or foot, such as ankle be exposed. I think it would have been a very "bouncy" ride as one would not be as secure as one with both feet in tirrups with you legs able to somewhat grasp the sides of the horse.
l.e.
There are two horns. The one at the top center is for the right thigh to loop under and the leg hangs down the left side of the horse.
The left thigh tucks under the lower horn and the foot fits into the stirrup.
There are still jumping competitions with the rider using a side saddle.
When the rider needs help getting down off of the horse, she uses the cell phone.
Calina Blowers Clarkson
What’s her name?
Arthur
We’re not sure of her name, but it was from a Hinrichs family album.
Chad Parsons
I love the photo, WD Rogers took my granpa’s baby photo he was born in 1903.
Lesa
Riding skirts of this period were deliberately long, to enable the rider to be modest at all times. I have seen underside views of this type of skirt. Often there were strings strung through small round metal hoops, about the size of a dime. The strings attached to the seams in the skirt, in various places, when pulled up they bustled the skirt, in front and in back, enabling the wearer to walk, when off of the horse. When let out, the skirt fell to its full length as seen in the picture. However the dress I saw was pretty fancy. This looks pretty plain and was probably just pulled to the right or left and tucked into her waistband when she was walking.