The modern sidesaddle was created during the European Renaissance when Catherine de Medici, wife of King Henry II of France, asked to have a second pommel, or horn, added just beneath the main pommel of her saddle. By placing her leg securely between the two pommels and one foot in the slipper-shaped stirrup, a woman could now sit facing the head of the horse and have a safer seat and control her own mount. The Breyer® Renaissance horse’s tack is richly decorated and highlighted with splendid red jewels. The elegant female rider is dressed in her finest dress of gold fabric with white underskirt accented by red jewels to compliment her steady palfrey horse. A palfrey horse was a well-bred riding horse that was popular with nobility and knights because of its unique four-beat gait called an amble, which they could sustain for long periods of time. Since their gait was so smooth, a lady riding sidesaddle had a much safer and more comfortable ride. Includes Certificate of Authenticity and collectible accessories: Traditional® Series horse, 8” articulated doll complete with traditional costume, saddle, bridle and breastcollar.