Summer's in full swing here at Cornwall Ridge, and there are plenty of opportunities to swing a sword and ride horse with us. Start with the Mounted Combat Arts Intensive coming up in a week's time, join us for a playday on August 4th, and get back into the saddle with weekly adult classes or week-long kids' camps.
Summer Courses at Cornwall Ridge
Mounted Combat Arts Intensive
The first four days of the program will include instruction time on and off the horse, practical work, and clinics. Each 10-hour day includes two riding sessions on our school horses, approximately three hours of practical horsemanship, an hour of horsemanship theory, two hours of swordplay instruction, and up to an hour of swordplay clinic time for personal development. The final day of will include assessments to certify participants for further study within the Mounted Combat Program, followed by a fun and relaxed Mounted Combat Playday where participants can put their skills to the test in friendly competition.
Mounted Combat Arts Intensive
Wednesday - Sunday, 9am - 7pm
31 July - 4 August
Full Intensive (2 riding sessions per day), 9am - 7pm: $1045
Half Intensive (1 riding session per day), 9am - 3pm: $895
Mounted Combat Playday
If you can't make the full week of the Intensive, join us on the last day for a fun and informal competition of games and sparring to show off your skills. Haul-ins and spectators welcome!
Mounted Combat Playday
Sunday 4 August, 2- 5pm
$30 + GST for Playday and use of a school horse
$15 + GST for Playday and use of your own horse
Riding Level 4+, Jumping
For riders looking to progress their jumping skills. The focus is on gymnastic grids and stadium courses, with cross-country work if weather permits.
Riding Level 4+, Jumping
Sundays, 10am - 11am
18 August - 22 September
$275 + gst
Riding & Horsemanship Level 2
This six class course is for Riders who have achieved Horsemanship level 1 and are working towards Horsemanship level 2, Riding level 1, or Riding level 2. The Horsemanship portion includes identification, routines of the horse, care & cleaning of saddlery, riding etiquette, and safe handling. Riding curriculum covers basic seat position, single-hand reining, games skills, canter work, introduction to drill work, introduction to jumping, and longeline work.
Riding & Horsemanship Level 2
Sundays, 10am - noon
18 August - 22 September
Prerequisites: Horsemanship Level 1
$375+gst; drop-ins $75, space permitting
Beginner Riding & Horsemanship
This six-class course is designed to help the beginning rider achieve Horsemanship and Riding Level 1. The Horsemanship portion includes haltering, leading & securing your horse; points of the horse; parts of the saddle & bridle; grooming & tacking up; untacking and care of tack; basic feeding and needs of the horse. The Riding curriculum covers turn out and checking tack, mounting & dismounting, warm up exercises, - basic seat position, aids for walk, trot and halt, circles & turns, rising trot, ground rails, introduction to canter if ready, single hand reining, stirrupless work, and introduction to games skills. The cost of the course includes one free riding or horsemanship assessment. Students can expect to be ready to assess Horsemanship Level 1 at the end of the six classes. Readiness for Riding Level 1 typically takes two iterations of the course.
Beginner Riding & Horsemanship
Sundays, 11am - 1pm
18 August - 22 September
Prerequisites: none
$375+gst; drop-ins $75, space permitting
Mounted Combat Fundamentals
Before you get on a horse with a sword in your hand it is essential to have good fundamental swordplay skills from the ground. This six-week course covers the basic Mounted Combat skills needed for your Green Spur. Students who have achieved these skills along with Riding and Horsemanship Level 1 will be eligible to participate in Mounted Combat classes on horseback. This workshop is intended for novice practitioners with the longsword.
Mounted Combat Fundamentals
Sundays, 1:30 - 3:00pm
18 August - 22 September
Prerequisites: none
$165 + gst
Pony Camp
A five day Riding & Horsemanship camp for kids aged 6 to 12. Children will learn how to lead, groom, tack up, and care for 'their' ponies throughout the week. Each day will feature a riding lesson, a horsemanship (stable management) lesson, plus fun games and activities all about horses.
Pony Camp
Mon - Friday, 19 - 23 August
10am - 1pm
$425 + gst
Intro to Mounted Combat for Horse and Rider
This course is intended for established riders looking to add mounted combat to their repertoire. Spend the morning learning swordplay on the ground and with our school horses, then in the afternoon introduce your own horse to mounted combat in a controlled situation with the help of our expert instructors. Haul-in and stabling is included. Some school horses available for the afternoon session as well.
Intro to Mounted Combat for Horse and Rider
10am - 5pm
$350 full day
$200 morning only
$200 afternoon only (for participants with prior Mounted Combat experience)
Cavalier Camp
A riding and knightly skills camp for youth aged 8-14. Ride into the past this Spring Break! More than just a riding camp, this five day adventure includes riding, horsemanship, history, and an introduction to mediaeval martial arts. In the morning students will learn to care for and ride their destriers (horses), and in the afternoon will learn the basics of the longsword, spear, and bow.
The perfect summer pastime for the budding equestrian knight or archer!
Cavalier Camp
Mon - Fri, 26 - 30 August
10am - 3pm
Full camp: $575 + gst
Mornings (riding) only: $425 + gst
Afternoons (knightly skills) only: $200 + gst
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.