With just over two weeks till Carosella 2013, I'm taking a break from our stroll through the Riding 2 Curriculum to feature some of the cool stuff you won't want to miss on the 27th - 29th of this month.
Friday 27 September
This day exists in the schedule to help you get the most out of the other two days of Carosella, especially if you are new to the Cavaliere program. If you can wrangle your way out of work or school for the day you'll find it well worth the time.
Mounted Combat
In the morning we have Intro to Mounted Combat from 10am - 12:30pm. This is your gateway into the Cavaliere program, so if you haven't done any courses with us before, we highly recommend you take this one. If you're new to horses you'll have a chance to groom, tack up, and get some time in the saddle. If you're new to swordplay, you'll learn fundamental longsword skills. If you're an experienced rider this is your chance to show us your stuff so we can assess your approximate riding level and determine if you're eligible to use a school horse in Sunday's Tournament.
Running concurrently will be a Single-handed Longsword workshop taught by Devon Boorman. This is ideal for those with some longsword background who would like to learn how to adapt the techniques for horseback, as well as those with other backgrounds looking to start with the core knightly weapon.
In the afternoon Roland Cooper will be teaching a workshop on Fiore-based Grappling and Pommel Plays designed to disarm, unhorse, or capture your opponent, and Devon Boorman will be instructing us on Spear & Lance techniques. These workshops are taught from the ground and are suitable for all levels of experience. If your riding session overlaps you are welcome to drop in as time permits.
Riding
Whatever your experience, there is a riding session to suit your needs on Friday afternoon.
Advanced riders may take Riding for Games & Combat at 1pm. In this session I will be addressing specific exercises and drills to improve your and your horse's game for both melee and skill-at-arms, including the use of volte, pivots and lateral movements, and when to use them.
Intermediate riders who wish to be assessed to ride school horses in the tournament or for mounted archery should take the 2pm session. This will focus mostly on determining your ability to ride safely and will cover the basic skills necessary for knightly games.
Beginner riders have a 3pm time slot available. This is a basic riding lesson, designed for those just starting out. Gain confidence and get to know our horses in a relaxed and friendly group session.
These sessions are limited to 6 riders each, so be sure to book early if you want to get in on them.
Mounted Games
Join our regular Mounted Games Practice session from 5-7pm on Friday. This is open to those with their own (or lease) horses, Cavaliere members with Riding 1, and those who have been approved to ride earlier in the day. You will have a chance to practise all the individual and team games for the tournament, and, time and space permitting, we will do a few mounted sparring bouts for those with their Green Spur rank. Non riders are welcome to come as well -- ground crew is always appreciated!
Check out the Carosella web pages to see the full schedule and register!
Before Carosella
There's still a lot happening in the rest of the month leading up to the big event, so why not come on out to the barn and get into riding shape now!
Shedrow II.2 Work Party
Saturday 14 September, 9am - 4pm
We had a fabulous team of volunteers over the Labour day weekend, and we're well on our way to getting the Shedrow finished before fall. However, we still need a passel of helpers and a whole bunch of ladders this Saturday to get the roof on. If you can lend your skills, your ladders, or just your hands to pass stuff up to people on ladders, we need you! Pizza and snacks provided!
Cavaliere Classes
Saturdays, 14 & 21 September, 4pm - 7:30pm
There are only two more Cavaliere classes before Carosella! Sure there will be more afterwards, but you want to get that Horsemanship and Riding signed off now so you can participate in the tournament, right? Besides, you'll be there this Saturday to help with the roofing, so you might as well stay and get a ride in ...
Mounted Games Practices
Fridays, 13 & 20 September, 5-7pm
Only two of these left for the rest of the year. Come out and sharpen your skills for the tournament or just have fun spearing rings, cutting blocks, and stabbing feedbags from the back of a horse!
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.