Mounted Archery
The pinnacle of martial archery—shooting from horseback
Mounted archery represents the convergence of two demanding disciplines: horsemanship and archery. For millennia, mounted archers were among the most feared warriors in the world—from the Scythian horse archers who terrorized the ancient world to the Mongol cavalry that conquered the largest land empire in history.
At Academie Duello, mounted archery is the culmination of our martial archery program. You'll develop both ground and mounted skills before combining them at speed.
The Complete Martial Art
Mounted archery demands mastery of:
- Archery fundamentals and instinctive aiming
- Horse bow and thumb draw technique
- Balanced, independent seat on horseback
- Coordination to shoot while riding at speed
The Discipline
Where horsemanship meets archery
Mounted archery is not simply archery performed on a horse—it's a distinct martial art that demands its own techniques and timing. The archer must learn to move with the horse, using the rhythm of the canter to time their shots.
Balance
You must maintain a secure, balanced seat while your hands are occupied with the bow. Core strength and leg position are essential.
Timing
At canter, there's a brief moment of suspension when all four hooves leave the ground. This is when you release—the stillest moment in the horse's stride.
Partnership
The relationship with your horse is central. You must trust each other completely for effective mounted archery.
Training Path
A progressive approach to mounted archery
Ground Archery Foundation
Master the fundamentals of archery on the ground. You'll learn proper form, develop consistency, and begin working with the horse bow and thumb draw technique. This phase typically takes several months.
Horsemanship Development
Develop a secure, balanced seat through riding lessons. You'll learn to control the horse with your legs and seat, freeing your hands for the bow. Lessons are conducted at our partner equestrian facility.
Mounted Introduction
Begin shooting from horseback at the walk, then the trot. You'll learn to maintain form while the horse moves beneath you, developing the coordination to nock, draw, and release in motion.
Canter and Competition
Progress to shooting at canter—the traditional gait for mounted archery. Learn the various traditional courses: the Korean track, Hungarian track, and others. Compete in mounted archery events if desired.
Mounted Archery Styles
Traditional techniques from around the world
Forward Shooting
Shooting at targets ahead or to the side of the horse. The most common style, used by most mounted archery traditions.
- Korean-style: multiple targets on a straight track
- Hungarian-style: targets at varying distances and angles
The Parthian Shot
Shooting backward while riding away from the target—the legendary technique of Parthian and Mongol cavalry.
- Requires advanced balance and rotation
- Historically used for hit-and-run tactics
Jarmaki
Rapid-fire shooting at a single close target. Tests speed and accuracy under pressure.
- Maximum arrows in minimum time
- Demonstrates combat shooting ability
Qabaq
Shooting upward at an elevated target. A traditional Ottoman discipline demonstrating precision.
- Target mounted on a tall pole
- Tests vertical accuracy and timing
History
Warriors who changed the world
Mounted archery appeared on the Eurasian steppes around 900 BCE and quickly became the dominant form of warfare across vast stretches of the world. The mobility and firepower of mounted archers allowed small forces to defeat much larger armies.
The Scythians terrified the ancient Greeks and Persians. The Parthians dealt Rome one of its worst defeats at Carrhae. The Huns helped bring down the Western Roman Empire. The Mongols under Genghis Khan and his successors conquered more territory than any empire before or since.
Today, mounted archery survives as a competitive sport and living historical practice. International competitions draw participants from around the world, and the techniques of ancient horse archers are being preserved and passed on to new generations.
Getting Started
Prerequisites for mounted archery
Mounted archery requires proficiency in both archery and riding. Here's how to begin:
- 1
Complete Beginner Archery
Build your archery foundation with our 4-week beginner course.
- 2
Develop Asiatic Composite Bow Skills
Progress to the Asiatic composite bow and thumb draw through our ongoing archery classes.
- 3
Learn to Ride
Develop a secure, balanced seat through lessons at our partner equestrian facility.
- 4
Join Mounted Sessions
Once both skill sets are solid, begin integrated mounted archery training.
Begin Your Journey to Mounted Archery
The path to mounted archery starts with ground archery fundamentals. Start with our beginner course and work toward this ultimate martial archery goal.