To acquire the first rank of the Mounted Combat program, the Green Spur, you will need to be assessed on the Green Spur Mounted Combat skills. These include Swordplay from the Ground, Swordplay Knowledge, and Mounted Combat Knowledge. The knowledge sections are covered in past sections of this blog, and can be studied on your own. Swordplay, however, needs to be learned with a sword in your hand, and Mounted Combat Fundamentals is the course designed to cover these skills.
Mounted Combat Fundamentals
Before we let you get on our horses and swing swords around we want to make sure you can use them competently from the ground. Historically, a mounted knight also needed to know how to fight from the ground since being unhorsed in battle was extremely common. In this six-week course you will learn:
- Proper stance and posture
- Methods of movement: advance, retreat, sideways step, passing step, triangle step, pivot step
- The three turns of the body: volta stabile, mezza volta, tutta volta
- The eight cuts of the sword true and false
- Cutting from the wrist, elbow, and shoulder
- The three thrusts of the sword
- Proper cutting mechanics and timing
- Crossing the sword in front and behind
- The three turnings of the sword: volta stabile, mezza volta, tutta volta
The last day of the course includes an assessment where you will have the opportunity to sign off these skills. Once you have those under your belt, along with your Riding & Horsemanship Level 1, you’ll be able to participate fully Green Spur activities, including Intermediate Mounted Combat classes and Mounted Sparring.
Fundamentals FAQs
Q: What are the prerequisites?
A: None. This course can be taken with no prior riding or swordplay experience. If you have already done Intro to Mounted Combat, Intro to Swordplay, or a different Fundamentals course you will have a head start, but everyone else will catch up quickly.
Q: Do I need to have a horse?
A: No. This course takes place entirely on the ground and on wooden falsemounts, which allows you to focus on your swordplay technique.
Q: But I want to get on a horse. When can I do that?
A: Sign up for one of our Riding & Horsemanship courses to get your level 1 Riding assessed. Once you have that and your Mounted Combat Fundamentals you will be able to take our weekly Mounted Combat classes ... from horseback!
Q: How old do I have to be?
A: The course is designed for adults and youth aged 14 and up. Children between the ages of 8 and 14 may take the course, but they may find the swords are heavy. An alternative for kids wanting to learn swordplay is our Youth classes or Knight Camp.
The next Mounted Combat Fundamentals starts this Sunday. Sign up online and get started on the road to Mounted Combat!
Mounted Combat Fundamentals
Sundays 18 Mar – 22 Apr, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Cost: $135 + gst, or bundle with Riding & Horsemanship for $99
Instructor: Ben Davis
Prerequisites: none
About the instructor
Ben Davis is a triple threat scholar with a Blue Cord (the second rank in the school) in Rapier, Longsword, and Bartitsu. He is currently working towards topping that off with his Blue Spur at the next Carosella. Aside from that he is a fun and friendly instructor who will infect you with his love of the art.
Sign up for Mounted Combat Fundamentals online or call Front Desk at 604 658 9907
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.