*Forgive the pun. I know all you horsemen out there are eagerly looking forward to this type of shedding:
For that you'll have to wait for Mother Nature's good graces. Today though, we're looking at
Swordplay from the Ground: Shedding the Blade
The Blue Spur curriculum requires you to
Demonstrate shedding the sword while standing firmly and while moving forward and sideways.
In shedding the sword you to yield to the pressure of your opponent's sword, directing her blow away from you, which will allow you to respond with a tutta volta as discussed last week. For example, if you meet your opponent's mandritto fendente (downward cut from the opponent's right side) and shed the blade by raising your hand(s) to direct it away and to your right, your sword is then free to deliver a roversa to your partner's right shoulder.
Shedding is a response to pressure and requires judgement to use. It is the pressure of your opponent's sword that both allows you to redirect it and generates the force for your counter-attack. If your opponent delivers a very soft blow, yielding your sword will not direct her blade far enough away from you, and may simply give the line to her.
In this assessment we are looking for the following the ability to redirect your opponent's sword in the desired direction while shedding, and ability to deliver a counter-attack after shedding the sword. These plays should not result in collections or deflections. Allow your sword to follow the direction of your opponent's blow to most effectively shed and re-use the energy of the attack for your own counter-attack.
Work Party & Open Barn
The next work party and Open Barn will be held this Sunday from 10am - 1pm at Red Colt, prior to Cavaliere Class. We'll be fixing fence boards, continuing our assault on the blackberry bushes, and building the burn piles for our Spring bonfire. Come out and pick up a hammer or some secateurs, or, if you're just curious about the program drop by and see what we do.
Upcoming Classes
Cavaliere Class
Sunday 16 February 1 – 4:30pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $60
Horsemanship, Riding and sword drills for all levels of riders and swordsmen
prerequisites: none, Intro to Mounted Combat recommended
Swordplay in the Salle
Sunday 23 February 1 – 4pm
Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, 412 W Hastings, Vancouver
cost: $60
Escape the winter weather and practise your mounted combat techniques from the ground and from the falsemount in this special indoor mounted combat session.
Mounted Combat Workshop
Sunday 2 March, 1- 4pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $60
Swordplay from the ground, the falsemount, and from horseback.
prerequisites: Intro to Mounted Combat or permission from the instructor
Cavaliere Class
Sunday 16 March 1 – 4:30pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $60
Horsemanship, Riding and sword drills for all levels of riders and swordsmen
prerequisites: none, Intro to Mounted Combat recommended
Swordplay in the Salle
Sunday 23 February 1 – 4pm
Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, 412 W Hastings, Vancouver
cost: $60
Escape the winter weather and practise your mounted combat techniques from the ground and from the falsemount in this special indoor mounted combat session.
Cavaliere Class
Sunday 30 March 1 – 4:30pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $60
Horsemanship, Riding and sword drills for all levels of riders and swordsmen
prerequisites: none, Intro to Mounted Combat recommended
Intro to Mounted Combat Workshop
Sunday 6 April, 10am – 1pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $149
A taste of everything in the program. Learn about grooming and tacking up, get some swordplay fundamentals, and ride a horse with sword in hand.
prerequisites: none
Package deals
Cavaliere 4- and 12-packs are available. These packages are valid for all classes offered in the Cavaliere program, as well as for private or semi-private lessons.
4-pack: $200 ($50 per class)
12-pack: $480 ($40 per class)
When you purchase a package you are automatically signed up for all upcoming Cavaliere program classes. If you are unable to make a class and let the front desk know in advance, you will be credited for a future class.
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.