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| Training the Warhorse |
Training the Warhorse
Driven by both a love for the past and excitement on horses, people around the
world have started bringing back Mounted Archery. One of the driving forces to this
movement has been Kassai Lajos of Hungary. Over the past decade, Kassai has
taken mounted archery from being a reenactment event to being a sport. From his
home in Hungary, Mounted Archery has been spreading across Europe and is making
its way to America. More and more competitions are taking place around the country,
and in Iowa you can attend the International Mounted Archery Festival every year.
Though it is not yet a widely known sport, it is growing in popularity. The combination
of high speed riding and difficult archery has brought enthusiastic competitors and
fans from every walk of life. There have even been discussions about making it an
exhibition event at the Olympics. Mounted Archery is here to stay.
The Mounted Archery competition is designed to test both horse riding ability and
archery accuracy in a traditionally realistic way. Historically, mounted archers would
be used against an enemy in a kind of hit and run attack. The mounted warrior would
charge toward their enemy firing arrows as they approached. Then ride along the
front line of battle hailing arrows as they passed. While retreating to safety, they
would turn and shoot arrows at those that would try to follow. In reflection of those
concepts, the archery course used in Mounted Archery is set up to make competitors
take all those same shots. The course is constructed in a straight line measuring
ninety yards. There are areas before, and after the ninety yards that allow you to get
the horse into a gallop and then slow them down at the end of the run. The ninety
yard course is divided into three, thirty yard sections. Each thirty yard section is
marked by a set of posts to help the rider know where they are located on the course.
Halfway down the course, there is a three sided target set a few yards off to the left
side of the track. Each section of the course corresponds to one side of the target. If
you have the resources, a laser starting device is placed at the start and at the end of
the ninety yards to accurately keep track of the time it takes to finish the course.
Typically, the course itself is leveled to make sure it is safe for the horses. That
leveling can also create a small edge to the track that can help guide the horses as
they run.
By the time the rider begins the course, the horse should be running at a controlled
gallop. As the rider enters the first section they shoot at the first side of the target in
an approaching shot. As they come into the second section, they fire at the second
side of the target in a lateral shot. And as the horse and rider pass the target and enter
the third section, they must turn and fire at the last side of the target in a parting shot.
All of this has to take place in sixteen seconds or less; and because you are using a
bow, it means you are doing it without the use of reins. This takes great skill with both
horse and bow. Not to mention a whole lot of courage. Being a little crazy helps too!
world have started bringing back Mounted Archery. One of the driving forces to this
movement has been Kassai Lajos of Hungary. Over the past decade, Kassai has
taken mounted archery from being a reenactment event to being a sport. From his
home in Hungary, Mounted Archery has been spreading across Europe and is making
its way to America. More and more competitions are taking place around the country,
and in Iowa you can attend the International Mounted Archery Festival every year.
Though it is not yet a widely known sport, it is growing in popularity. The combination
of high speed riding and difficult archery has brought enthusiastic competitors and
fans from every walk of life. There have even been discussions about making it an
exhibition event at the Olympics. Mounted Archery is here to stay.
The Mounted Archery competition is designed to test both horse riding ability and
archery accuracy in a traditionally realistic way. Historically, mounted archers would
be used against an enemy in a kind of hit and run attack. The mounted warrior would
charge toward their enemy firing arrows as they approached. Then ride along the
front line of battle hailing arrows as they passed. While retreating to safety, they
would turn and shoot arrows at those that would try to follow. In reflection of those
concepts, the archery course used in Mounted Archery is set up to make competitors
take all those same shots. The course is constructed in a straight line measuring
ninety yards. There are areas before, and after the ninety yards that allow you to get
the horse into a gallop and then slow them down at the end of the run. The ninety
yard course is divided into three, thirty yard sections. Each thirty yard section is
marked by a set of posts to help the rider know where they are located on the course.
Halfway down the course, there is a three sided target set a few yards off to the left
side of the track. Each section of the course corresponds to one side of the target. If
you have the resources, a laser starting device is placed at the start and at the end of
the ninety yards to accurately keep track of the time it takes to finish the course.
Typically, the course itself is leveled to make sure it is safe for the horses. That
leveling can also create a small edge to the track that can help guide the horses as
they run.
By the time the rider begins the course, the horse should be running at a controlled
gallop. As the rider enters the first section they shoot at the first side of the target in
an approaching shot. As they come into the second section, they fire at the second
side of the target in a lateral shot. And as the horse and rider pass the target and enter
the third section, they must turn and fire at the last side of the target in a parting shot.
All of this has to take place in sixteen seconds or less; and because you are using a
bow, it means you are doing it without the use of reins. This takes great skill with both
horse and bow. Not to mention a whole lot of courage. Being a little crazy helps too!
To me, being able to work with horses has always been like a dream come true.
A dream that is full of excitement, hard work, and romantic imagery of a time in
history that is now long passed. Even now, if I listen carefully, I can hear them
coming. I can hear the thunder of hooves as they ride across the land. I can
almost taste the dust in the air, and I can smell the sweat of their horses. When I
close my eyes I can see them. They are warriors – horseback warriors, and they
are coming back from the farthest corners of history. Thanks to reenactment
events, special interest groups, and a few new equine sports; the warriors are
returning. One of those sports bringing them back is Mounted Archery, and it’s
bringing a whole new kind of horseperson into the industry.
A dream that is full of excitement, hard work, and romantic imagery of a time in
history that is now long passed. Even now, if I listen carefully, I can hear them
coming. I can hear the thunder of hooves as they ride across the land. I can
almost taste the dust in the air, and I can smell the sweat of their horses. When I
close my eyes I can see them. They are warriors – horseback warriors, and they
are coming back from the farthest corners of history. Thanks to reenactment
events, special interest groups, and a few new equine sports; the warriors are
returning. One of those sports bringing them back is Mounted Archery, and it’s
bringing a whole new kind of horseperson into the industry.
Few things throughout time have impacted
the world as much as horses and archery.
When combined they have been responsible
for the creation, preservation, and destruction
of entire civilizations. After all, it was Attila and
the Huns that brought Rome to its knees.
Genghis Khan and the Mongol hordes
conquered and maintained the largest
continuous land empire in history. And it was
the Native Americans with proud people like
Crazy Horse, Geronimo, and Sitting Bull that
fought for this country long before it became
the fifty states it is today. They, and many like
them, changed the world from the back of a
loyal horse with bow in hand. Working
together as one with their horses, they left
their mark on history. As time has gone by,
and technology has come to out run the
horse; mankind has said goodbye to the
mounted warriors. Well, that is until now.
Mounted Archery focuses on bringing back
the warrior traditions of the past without
bringing back the war itself. It focuses on the
unity of the horse and rider as they take aim to
be the best.
The horses that are used in competition must meet one requirement: reliability. As
stated above, to operate the bow you need to drop the reins and steer the horse with
your legs. This means that you don’t need a really expensive horse with great blood
lines; you just need an awesome horse. You need a horse that can run fast, respond
well to you, and not go crazy as you shoot arrows over their head. All breeds are
welcome, and they all have the ability to do well in this sport. They may start as a
backyard pony, but they will finish as a tested warhorse.
Mounted Archery is a great sport that is bringing a new type of rider to the horse
industry. A rider that isn’t focused on how pretty or well bred the horses are. Rather
they are riders that just want good horses - dependable horses. To compete in this
sport you have to be a very good rider, and have a very good horse. Both you and
the horse have to be comfortable enough to drop the reins at a gallop. Then focus
not only riding, but on also on making a good archery shot. Within ninety yards and
sixteen seconds, a good mounted archer can shoot four arrows. A great rider can
shoot as many as six arrows. As a result, I see competitors approach the sport as
less of a hobby, and more as a martial art. They approach the sport as if it was a
personal quest to better themselves and their archery abilities on the back of their
horses. Mounted Archery exemplifies the romantic image of how a horse and rider
must work as one to elicit the best results.
Currently, Mounted Archery in the United States is still just starting out. There is
more information about the sport on the web. Look for competitors like Lukas
Novotny of Iowa (www.salukibow.com), or Kassai Lajos of Hungary (www.
horsebackarchery.com). For a good bow I recommend Toth Istvan of Washington
State (www.sevenmeadowsarchery.com). You can also contact me at my email
address: kickingbearmustang@yahoo.com and I’ll be happy to answer any
questions that I can.
The horse industry is always changing. Today, as we come to a time when one
generation will be retiring from competition, we have the responsibility of making a
horse industry that is inviting to the next generation. I believe there are many new
sports that help meet that expectation. However because it is fast paced, exciting,
inexpensive, and overflowing with the romance of a horseback warrior lifestyle;
Mounted Archery certainly is one sport with a lot to offer. The competitions are
welcoming to both men and women, and I hope that the up-coming generation will
give it a try.
Good luck, and keep riding!
stated above, to operate the bow you need to drop the reins and steer the horse with
your legs. This means that you don’t need a really expensive horse with great blood
lines; you just need an awesome horse. You need a horse that can run fast, respond
well to you, and not go crazy as you shoot arrows over their head. All breeds are
welcome, and they all have the ability to do well in this sport. They may start as a
backyard pony, but they will finish as a tested warhorse.
Mounted Archery is a great sport that is bringing a new type of rider to the horse
industry. A rider that isn’t focused on how pretty or well bred the horses are. Rather
they are riders that just want good horses - dependable horses. To compete in this
sport you have to be a very good rider, and have a very good horse. Both you and
the horse have to be comfortable enough to drop the reins at a gallop. Then focus
not only riding, but on also on making a good archery shot. Within ninety yards and
sixteen seconds, a good mounted archer can shoot four arrows. A great rider can
shoot as many as six arrows. As a result, I see competitors approach the sport as
less of a hobby, and more as a martial art. They approach the sport as if it was a
personal quest to better themselves and their archery abilities on the back of their
horses. Mounted Archery exemplifies the romantic image of how a horse and rider
must work as one to elicit the best results.
Currently, Mounted Archery in the United States is still just starting out. There is
more information about the sport on the web. Look for competitors like Lukas
Novotny of Iowa (www.salukibow.com), or Kassai Lajos of Hungary (www.
horsebackarchery.com). For a good bow I recommend Toth Istvan of Washington
State (www.sevenmeadowsarchery.com). You can also contact me at my email
address: kickingbearmustang@yahoo.com and I’ll be happy to answer any
questions that I can.
The horse industry is always changing. Today, as we come to a time when one
generation will be retiring from competition, we have the responsibility of making a
horse industry that is inviting to the next generation. I believe there are many new
sports that help meet that expectation. However because it is fast paced, exciting,
inexpensive, and overflowing with the romance of a horseback warrior lifestyle;
Mounted Archery certainly is one sport with a lot to offer. The competitions are
welcoming to both men and women, and I hope that the up-coming generation will
give it a try.
Good luck, and keep riding!
Scoring of the event is based on
how many points you earn. You
earn points for every arrow that
hits the target. The amount of
points you earn for each arrow
depends on how close to the bull’s
eye you hit. Points are also added
or taken away based on your time
compared to the sixteen seconds.
For example, if you finish the
course in ten seconds you’ll get
six points added to your score. If
you finish in eighteen seconds,
you lose two points. This means if
you want to win, you better be able
to ride fast.
how many points you earn. You
earn points for every arrow that
hits the target. The amount of
points you earn for each arrow
depends on how close to the bull’s
eye you hit. Points are also added
or taken away based on your time
compared to the sixteen seconds.
For example, if you finish the
course in ten seconds you’ll get
six points added to your score. If
you finish in eighteen seconds,
you lose two points. This means if
you want to win, you better be able
to ride fast.
| Warriors Wanted ! The Return of Mounted Archery by Michael Hockemeyer |