The second checklist item in the Swordplay from the Falsemount section is:
Demonstrate proper defences and counter-attacks to all attacks from in-front on the far and near side.
In this section we are looking for the ability to deal with descending, rising, and horizontal attacks on either side of the horse, performing core defences of the horse, and the ability to do both defences and counter-attacks in a way that are safe to your horse and your partner's horse.
Defend your horse as well as yourself
When parrying, deflecting, or shedding the sword make sure you direct your opponent's sword away from your horse, as well as from yourself. Parried cuts can often direct your opponent's sword onto your own horse's neck. Practise from the falsemount to condition your reflexes into defensive manoeuvres that don't endanger your horse. When shedding the blade make sure to shed not just around your body, but your horse's as well. Directing the blades upward is the generally the safest option.
Counter in a manner safe for your horse
Having successfully parried or shed an attack, the most direct line of counter-attack may unfortunately have your horse's headin the way. This limits the number of counter-attacks available, so again, practice from the falsemount is an ideal way train only the lines of attack that avoid your horse's head.
The opponent's horse is not a target
In genuine battle the other horse was often a legitimate target. However, we love and value all our horses, so in our training we do our utmost to avoid hitting any of them. Not only does this mean you may not deliberately attack the other mount, you must make sure
- your defence does not send your opponent's sword into her own horse,
- your counter-attack does not touch a horse either collaterally or in follow-through
- and if your attack is defeated you control your sword so it does not touch a horse.
These are a lot of factors to take into account, and a lot to think about, which is why practice from the falsemount is an important step in training. It allows us to make mistakes, correct them, and train to avoid them without our horses suffering from our errors along the way.
When training from the falsemount it is important to carry the tenet of 'proper respect'. Just as we treat blunted swords as if they were sharp, we should treat the falsemount as if it were flesh and blood. If you imagine the wooden horse is real, you will begin wincing every time you accidentally hit it (you'll even catch us patting and apologizing to our falsemounts when this happens). This helps build sensitivity, empathy and awareness, which is vital if we are going to keep our horses safe while we ask them to put up with us hitting each other with swords from their back.
To get more falsemount practice, come out to the Mounted Skills Workshop this Sunday from 1- 4pm at Academie Duello. This is a chance to focus on these core mechanics without the distraction of horses that have minds of their own!
Congratulations
Congrats to Will and Robyn who assessed their Riding and Horsemanship Level 1 on Sunday, and to Karissa who passed her full Horsemanship Level 2. Great job, everyone!
Upcoming Classes & Events
Mounted Combat Skills
Sunday 27 April 1 – 4pm
Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, 412 W Hastings, Vancouver
cost: $60
Instructor: Greg Reimer
This indoor Mounted Combat session is a chance to practice your swordplay, spear and wrestling skills from the ground and the falsemount, without the distractions of weather or four-legged creatures.
Horseback Archery – Beginner FULL!
(contact the Front Desk to get on the waitlist)
Saturday 3 May, 10am – 1pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond BC
cost: $90
Instructor: Robert Borsos
Prerequisites: none
In this three hour workshop you will spend an hour and a half on the ground learning the fundamentals and body mechanics of Hungarian style horse archery. You will then have an opportunity to shoot from both the falsemount (wooden horse) and real horses led by experienced handlers.
This workshop is appropriate for
- beginner archers and riders
- experienced archers who would like to learn to shoot from horseback
- experienced riders who would like to add archery to their repertoire of mounted skills.
Horseback Archery – Intermediate
Saturday 3 May, 2pm - 5pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond BC
cost: $60
Instructor: Robert Borsos
Prerequisites: Beginner Horseback Archery plus Riding Level 1 or equivalent
This workshop is intended for those who have already taken Beginner Horseback Archery. We will spend about an hour on the ground refreshing our shooting skills, then move to horseback for the remainder of the workshop.
Intro to Mounted Combat Workshop
Sunday 4 May, 10am – 1pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $149
Instructors: Jennifer Landels & tba
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
Mounted Combat Workshop
Sunday 4 May, 1- 4pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $60
Instructor: tba
Swordplay from the ground, the falsemount, and from horseback.
prerequisites: Intro to Mounted Combat or permission from the instructor
Cavaliere Classes - NOTE NEW TIME & DAY
Saturdays 10 & 24 May, 7 & 21 June, 4 - 7:30pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
cost: $60 ea
Instructor: Jennifer Landels
Horsemanship, Riding and sword drills for all levels of riders and swordsmen
prerequisites: none, Intro to Mounted Combat recommended
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.