Cupid's arrow miss its mark? Maybe you were just moving too fast! For those with a need for speed there are two events coming up this spring that are likely to set your heart a-flutter.
Mounted Games Clinic
Date: March 30th to April 1st
Closing date: February 24th
Place: Maple Ridge Equi-Sport Centre, 21973 132nd Avenue, Maple Ridge, BC
Clinicians: Pola Anastasia Preugle (Germany) & Jim Dunn (Guelph)
The newly minted Mounted Games Association of BC is hosting a clinic and competition with Jim Dunn, head coach of the Canadian MGA, and Pola Preugel of the International MGA, rider and coach for German and European teams. The two clinicians will be teaching advanced and beginner groups simultaneously. The clinic consists of 1.5 days of work with the clinicians and a 1-day competition.
You do not need to be a member of CMGA in order to take part, and the clinic is open to riders of all ages. There are indoor and outdoor rings, so the clinic will run rain or shine. Stabling will be available on site. For more information and entry forms contact fuzzyholly(at)telus(dot)net.
Even if you're not able to take part in the clinic, this is a fabulous opportunity to watch and learn many of the skills that have evolved from knightly games and still have direct application to mounted combat.
Note that the above promo was with footage from World competitions. If you're intimidated by the speed, here's some footage from the clinic that took place in Maple Ridge last fall. Bonus points if you can spot a Red Colt denizen!
Kassai Horseback Archery World Cup
Our friends at Borsos Torz Horse Archery Club in Mount Currie are hosting a weekend of competition and demonstrations on May 26th & 27th.
Saturday the 26th features a member-only Horseback Archery competition, followed by an Open on-foot competition, as well as sword, spear, tomahawk and whip demonstrations, and an evening cooking contest.
On Sunday is the Open Kassai Archery World Cup. It is open to anyone who can demonstrate a single shot from a cantering horse. (Note that horses are not provided, but making friends on site might land you a borrowed mount).
For details go to the web page, www.horsebackarchery.ca, and click on the 'news' tab, or chat to Robert or Zoltan next time you're at Mounted Combat. It looks to be a fabulous weekend!
Coming up in the Cavaliere Program
Riding & Horsemanship
February 26th is Assessment Day in the Riding & Horsemanship series. If you are wanting to do your written tests or assess for either Horsemanship or Riding levels please let me know a week in advance, and sign up at the front desk for class #4. The cost for the class is $30 for Horsemanship (includes written and/or practical tests); $60 to include a riding as well.
The next series of four begins Sunday March 11th.
Open Barn & Work Party
The 26th is also a chance to come out to Open Barn and practise your Cavaliere skills from 2-4pm. We will also be holding a work party that day, so all hands are welcome and appreciated as we put together a new shelter (we need at least 8 bodies for this), tarp the roof of the outdoor stalls, and ready the paddocks for newcomers.
Intro to Mounted Combat & Mounted Combat
The next intro course on Sunday March 4th is already more than half full, so don't delay if you were hoping to sign up for that one. Curriculum focus for the regular Mounted Combat in March is spear, which is loads of fun if you've never done it before (and even if you have).
Jennifer Landels, Maestra di Scuderia
Academie Duello Cavaliere Program
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.