About Jacquelynn Holly
“Preserving the art of riding aside, one sidesaddle at a time.
Every piece we restore connects past riders to future generations.”
Early Interest and Discovery
Jacquelynn Holly, a dedicated equestrienne, first encountered sidesaddles in 2013 through Victorian reenactment. What began as a historical curiosity quickly developed into a lifelong commitment to preserving and restoring these unique saddles, ensuring their continued use and relevance in modern horsemanship.
From Curiosity to Craftsmanship
Jacquelynn's initial interest quickly evolved into a practical mission. Recognizing the limited number of safe, functional sidesaddles—particularly Western models—Jacquelynn began studying their construction in detail. Through careful disassembly and restoration of her growing private collection, she developed expertise in rebuilding saddles to both honor their history and maintain their usability.
Left: Jacquelynn with her mule Rosy, persevering her passion for Victorian re-enactment for nearly a decade, in 2021
Right: Jacquelynn and her daughter, Savannah, Annual Idaho Sidesaddle Clinic 2025
Jacquelynn's very first restoration, and sewing project - was a Victorian style "cowhorn" sidesaddle on an English tree. The leather was rehydrated, the skirts received new paint, the attached fabric, rigging and panels were all replaced. This saddle came to Jacquelynn in a trade for gemstone tack (Equine Jeweled Designs). The accompanying history is that "Polly", from Jamul, CA jumped in this sidesaddle. This sidesaddle is now on display at a private residence in Coronado, CA.
Restoration and Focus
Jacquelynn’s workshop, informally nicknamed “Holly Hospital and Home for Wayward Sidesaddles” by colleague Anita Riesinger, became a center for restoration. Her collection included Western, English, Mexican, and Peruvian sidesaddles spanning multiple eras. By 2019, Jacquelynn refined her focus exclusively to Western sidesaddles, drawn to their distinctive design and cultural significance. Today, she continues to restore sidesaddles with precision, balancing authenticity with functionality to extend their lifespan for generations to come.
One of several J.S. Calles sidesaddles Jacquelynn has had the privilege of restoring. This sidesaddle now resides in Key Largo, FL.
Idaho Sidesaddle Association
In 2018, Jacquelynn and fellow rider Lois Murphy co-founded the Idaho Sidesaddle Association (ISA). Their mission is to promote historical education and preserve the tradition of riding aside across diverse styles and cultures. Since 2021, ISA has hosted annual clinics featuring national and international clinicians, supported by the International Side Saddle Organization. The association also participates in parades, expos, and community events, expanding its reach to venues such as the Idaho Renaissance Faire.
Jacquelynn Holly and Lois Murphy, co-founders of Idaho Sidesaddle Association at one of their first club meetings, circa 2019.
Annual Idaho Sidesaddle Clinic 2024
Annual Idaho Sidesaddle Clinic 2025
Idaho Sidesaddle Association's first appearance at Idaho Renaissance Faire, 2023
Left: Jacquelynn Holly leads the two princesses aside
Right: The Royal Court stands with members of Idaho Sidesaddle Association members Sam Chamberlain, Lois Murphy and Jacquelynn Holly
Inspiring the Next Generation
Jacquelynn is committed to educating younger riders through ISA’s Intro to Sidesaddle programs known as "Give it a Go", in the Treasure Valley. These opportunities introduce youth to sidesaddle riding, fostering intergenerational learning and ensuring the tradition continues.
Jacquelynn Holly and assistants, Hannah Enzminger and Savannah Holly, demonstrate an introduction to sidesaddle Give it a Go clinics in the Treasure Valley.
Community Service and Expertise
Through social media and word-of-mouth, Jacquelynn has become recognized nationally for her expertise in Western sidesaddle restoration. Her process includes thorough inspection and repair of saddle trees, replacement of rigging, and replication of tooling when original skirts cannot be preserved. She offers trial fittings to ensure each restored saddle meets the needs of both horse and rider. Her work has placed restored saddles back into circulation across the country.
One of Jacquelynn's original Western Sidesaddles, made from scratch, nearly a decade after her first restoration, "Polly", pictured at the top of this page.
Leather and Legacy
Jacquelynn’s restorations have been featured in parades, historical reenactments, and competitive events. Her workshop is not only a place of craftsmanship but also of family collaboration. Her daughter Savannah contributes artistic precision, unveiling a custom dragon-themed sidesaddle in 2024, while her son Colten applies engineering insight to improve safety and comfort. Together, they form a team that blends tradition, artistry, and innovation.
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Savannah Holly and Maya the spotted mule at the Idaho Horse Expo 2025 using Savannah's Dragon Sidesaddle. Savannah is wearing a former Barnum and Bailey and Ringling Bros. official habit, owned and gifted by Heidi Heriott.
Continuing the Tradition
For Jacquelynn, sidesaddle restoration is more than a technical pursuit—it is a way of preserving history and carrying forward the stories embedded in each saddle. As she often reflects: “We don’t just fix saddles—we carry stories forward. Every stitch we make is someone else’s dream continuing.”
