We’ve all got one. That self-inflicted bump on your head, scrape on your arm, or a knick on your cheek. We’ve all had that moment. The moment when you made a bad parry and deflected your sword into your own face. That time when you were making a circular flourish with a stick and clipped the side of…
This past Friday, Academie Duello held a rank exam with 14 students across both adult and youth programs examining for Scholar and Free Scholar levels. We had a tremendously full house with somewhere between 60 and 70 fighters on the floor and dozens of observers. Exams are challenging affairs and we are not afraid to put…
Riding Level 4: Mounting, Dismounting, and Stirrups The second item on the Riding Level 4 assessment is 2. Mount - Dismount. Adjust stirrups mounted. Obviously, by the time you've reached level 4, you already know how to mount and dismount. However, now we expect you to do so smoothly and lightly. Mounting You may use…
"Teacher teaches best what they most need to learn.” A friend of mine shared this bit of wisdom with me many years ago and it has stuck firmly with me. I have often found as a teacher that the topics I am most adept at sharing with my students are often the ones that I…
Riding Level 4: Turnout Just as we start marking you for your turnout in Horsemanship Level 4, we are expecting a minimum level of grooming and presentation in Riding Level 4 as well. Turn Out. Horse & Rider. AD shirt, boots, breeches, helmet, gloves We're not looking for shadbellies or show jackets, but at this…
"That is a really inefficient way to attack. What are they doing?" I think as my opponent winds up some particularly arduous looking strike. "Ah. Hitting me." This is a scenario I have encountered on many occasions in my development. I've entered into combat with an opponent expecting a particular type of response, only to have…
Our new Mounted Combat memberships are live starting today, which means members are now able to sign up for practice rides and our new Mounted Combat Practice nights. But, you ask, what exactly happens at a Mounted Combat Practice? Mounted Combat Practice Basically, these Monday evenings are the MC Program equivalent of Open Floor: an…
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This is the second part in a series on Awareness. Part 1 explored how to develop your ability to recall and diagnose what’s happening in combat through three games. In this post I’m going to delve into the second definition of awareness: Feeling, experiencing, or noticing something (such as a sound or sensation). Tactics Being…
Last week we rolled out our new Mounted Combat Membership with a special offer: buy your 2017 membership before the end of October and get November and December benefits for free. So what exactly are those benefits? Here are the details ... Mounted Combat Membership 10% Discount on Mounted Combat Program Courses This includes: Riding…
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Riding Level 4 Overview Now that I've covered all the Level 4 Horsemanship material for the Red Spur rank, I'll be moving on to Riding Level 4. To give you an overview, here's your checklist: Turn Out. Horse & Rider. AD shirt, boots, breeches, helmet, gloves. Mount - Dismount. Adjust stirrups, mounted. Position & Balance.…
There is a camaraderie that forms when you fence with someone and enjoy the experience. I’ve seen this in wrestling, sword fighting, and other martial arts. There is an intimacy to that kind of visceral connection that forges bonds. These types of bonds are not often formed in other places. This is especially true for…
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Horsemanship Level 4: Saddlery pt III Finally (yes, it's been a couple of months!) the last part of the Horsemanship Level 4 requirements is demonstrating how to correctly put on and remove a horse blanket. First take a look at these two videos, the first of Ali & Noah from Help! My Daughter Loves Horses! and…
When I first started going to the gym, it was with a colleague from work. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays instead of going home from work we would head to the gym together. We were generally there for an hour, sometimes we’d work out together, sometimes we would follow different routines. Though our approach to…
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If you can kick butt, does that make you a martial artist? Not necessarily. The word “art" is etymologically related to the word “artisan”. To the renaissance man, something was an art because it is based on well-ordered principles. A sound art is able to efficiently and effectively achieve a desirable end through a seamless alignment with…
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It is tempting as a teacher to always respond to this question with “Yes”. I have found that people these days seem to be hard on themselves and are terrible at accurately assessing their own progress—I certainly have seen this in myself. It is difficult to view progress subjectively because with learning comes a greater awareness of what you…
The days are just a little shorter and cooler, and the horses' coats are have gone from sleek to velvety, but there is still plenty of great riding weather left. Here are the fall riding and swordplay opportunities on offer through the Mounted Combat Program. Upcoming Courses To register for courses see the workshops calendar…
You’re not too old to learn something new. Unless you plan to die in 10 years, there’s still plenty of time to gain a notable level of proficiency. Perhaps you won’t be leaping five feet into the air or out-competing some young competitor, but the benefits for your mind and body actually increase over time.…
What an amazing weekend! The skies were blue, the temperature was perfect, the horses were on their best behaviour, and the participants were incredible at Carosella 2016. On Friday the focus was on Horsemanship, Riding, and Mounted Combat Skills -- ie, the core tracks of our Mounted Combat Program. For Horsemanship we had Diane Prosser…