A new path to Mastery? Well, and old one really, but one we've renamed it. Weekly Mounted Combat classes are now known as Mounted Combat Mastery, and you can use the same tuition credits you use for Rapier and Longsword Mastery classes. Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions to get you up to speed.
Q: Who can take Mounted Combat Mastery classes?
A: If you have a Green Spur or Green Cord of any kind (Rapier, Longsword, or Mounted Combat) you are more than welcome in these classes. Rapier folks will find the learning curve a bit steeper, especially if the last time you picked up a longsword was that one day in Rapier Fundamentals, but you will catch up fairly quickly.
Q: What if I can't ride?
A: This class can be taken entirely from the ground. For the first hour, everyone is on the ground. For the second hour, those with Spur ranks mount up, while those who don't yet have their Green Spurs do the same exercises from the ground or on falsemounts (wooden horses).
Q: Who can ride?
A: Anyone with their Green Spur or higher. To get your Green Spur you'll need to pass both Riding and Horsemanship Level 1 and sign off your Mounted Combat Green Spur checklist, which you can do through the Mounted Combat Fundamentals course. Rapier and Longsword apprentices and scholars may challenge the Green Spur checklist by prior arrangement with a lead instructor.
Q: What if I don't have my own horse?
A: School horses are available on a first come first served basis for $10 per class. You can reserve the use of a horse by signing in to class online ahead of time, and you will be billed once a month for horse use.
Q: Can I choose which horse I reserve?
A: The instructors will match you to the horse best suited to you once you arrive. You can make your preference known but horse availability and the suitability of horse to rider will take precedence.
Q: What do the classes cover?
A: The curriculum rotates through longsword, grappling, sidesword, and spear, spending a month focussing on each topic. As well, classes often include mounted games, horseball, and drill team skills. In other words, these classes cover the Mounted Combat material you need to move from Green to Blue Spur.
Q: How do I sign up?
A: If you are on a tuition package or have a valid punch card just show up! Classes are held every Sunday, rain or shine at Red Colt Farm, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond, from noon - 2pm.
Upcoming Courses
Youth Riding & Horsemanship
This course for kids aged 6-13 will introduce your child to ponies and horses in safe, fun, and friendly series of six classes taught by Pony Club qualified instructors. Each class contains a riding lesson as well as a horsemanship lesson, where students will learn to handle, groom, and care for ponies and horses. Curriculum follows the Canadian Pony Club D level lessons and will prepare students for testing Academie Duello Mounted Combat Riding 1 or Pony Club D Level.
Thursdays 4pm – 6pm
30 Mar – 4 May
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Kate Landels
Mounted Combat Fundamentals
This 6-week series of classes is intended to give you the basics of swordplay from the ground to prepare you for fighting from horseback. Participants at this level will practise from the ground and the falsemount to achieve the combat skills needed to attain the rank of Green Spur. Students who have their Riding and Horsemanship Level 1 and who attend all five classes can reasonably expect to attain their Green Spur by the end of the series. Once you have your Green Spur, you can sign up for Intermediate Mounted Combat, and can spar in our regular Playday event, as well as competing in our annual Carosella tournament.
Sundays 1pm – 3pm
23 Apr – 28 May
cost: $135 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Clinton Fernandes
Register here, or bundle with Riding & Horsemanship and save $36.
Ongoing Mounted Combat Mastery classes
These 2-hour sessions focus on the weapons skills needed to progress from Green to Blue Spur. Regular tuition includes classes taken entirely from the ground (no riding skills necessary).
Sundays noon – 2pm
cost: 2 hours tuition
instructors: Jennifer Landels
Beginner Riding & Horsemanship
If you’ve never been on a horse, or if it’s been a long time, here’s the place to start. When you arrive at the barn at 11am, you’ll begin with a horsemanship lesson, familiarizing yourself with the horses and their tack, as well as how to groom, handle and tack them up. Then you will have a riding lesson, working through the requirements of Riding Level 1 — the prerequisite to most of the fun stuff we do on horseback!
Saturdays, 5pm – 7pm
22 April – 27 May
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Stephanie Laversin
Register here, or bundle with Mounted Combat Fundamentals and save $36.
Riding & Horsemanship Level 2
This course is intended for riders who have taken classes through the program and are comfortable tacking up their own horses. Riders should arrive at 9:30am, to tack up and warm up their horses before starting their riding lessons at 10am, followed by Horsemanship Level 2 or 3 lessons at 11am.
Saturdays, 5pm – 7pm
22 April – 27 May
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Stephanie Laversin
Register here, or bundle with Mounted Combat Fundamentals and save $36.
Riding Level 3+
This class is intended for independent riders who have achieved Level 2 or higher. Riders are expected to be tacked up and warmed up prior to class. Your own helmets, boots, and half chaps are recommended, as are safety vests for the occasional cross-country class, weather permitting.
Saturdays, 4pm – 5pm
22 April – 27 May
cost: $200 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Stephanie Laversin
Horsemanship Level 3
These classes cover the material for Horsemanship Level 3, including grooming, tack-fitting, nutrition, farriery, vet & first aid, conditioning, and shipping. A level 3 assessement is included at the end of the series. These series are only offered around twice a year, so don't miss it! Level 4 classes will begin in June.
Saturdays, 5pm – 6pm
22 April – 27 May
cost: $100 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Kate Landels
You can register for classes in person at the front desk, by calling 604 568 9907, or online here.
Jennifer Landels heads up Academie Duello's Cavaliere Program. She has been swordfighting since 2008, and riding since before she could walk. She started the program as an excuse to combine those passions. Read more from Jennifer Landels.