Get Back in the Saddle with the Mounted Combat Program

by Jennifer Landels

We're delighted to announce the return of scheduled Riding, Horsemanship, and Mounted Combat classes at Cornwall Ridge Equestrian, starting June 7th!

COVID-19 Precautions

We have always had small class sizes and plenty of open space at our stables.  Riding class size will remain at the maximum of four, and we are restricting Mounted Combat classes to six participants.  We will continue to livestream Mounted Combat on the second and fourth Sunday of the month for those who wish to attend but are unable to be there in person.  In addition, we ask that you follow these procedures for your own and others' safety:

  • Stay home if you are feeling ill, or have been exposed to someone who is ill.  We will credit you with make-up classes if you miss a class.
  • Wash your hands when you arrive.
  • Wear gloves for your entire time at the stables.  If you forget yours we have have disposable gloves at the vet area sink.
  • Please bring your own helmet, boots, and fencing equipment.  If you need to borrow equipment we will assign you loaner gear for the duration of your course for a small cleaning fee plus a refundable deposit.
  • Masks are requested during horsemanship and swordplay lessons.  You may remove your mask during your ride if you find it hard to breath effectively.
  • There is a limit of two horses in the west crossties at one time.  Leave the middle space empty, and give yourself extra time to groom and tack up in case you have to wait.
  • Maintain at least two horse lengths between yourself and the horse in front of you when riding.  Pass with at least one horse length between you.

    May we recommend one of our coveted Codex Manesse masks from Redbubble?
  • Maintain at least two sword lengths between yourself and others during ground-based lessons and solo drills.
  • For partner work requiring exchanges of blows, wear a face mask in addition to your fencing mask, and avoiding grappling.
  • Leave your tack and equipment out after your lesson.  We will clean it and put it away.

Thank you for your help in keeping our facilities safe.  We are cleaning equipment and high-touch surfaces frequently, and have alcohol spray and saddle soap available if you wish to clean any surfaces yourself before using them.

June Classes

To make it easier to commit to courses, we have switched to a four-week format for Riding and Horsemanship classes.  The per-class cost remains approximately the same.  Mounted Combat Fundamentals remains a three-week course spread over five weeks. Mounted Combat classes continue to be available using Academie Duello monthly tuition.

We now have hybrid online and in-person Horsemanship classes to make the most of technology in conjunction with interacting with living animals.  For those of you who live far away or who can't make it to the barn in person, you can attend the online portions of these series by donation (suggest donation $10, on our GoFundMe campaign).

Beginner Riding & Horsemanship

Just starting out, or been out the saddle for a long time?  This course is for you.  In these four two-hour classes you will learn to catch, lead, groom, tack up and un-tack a horse before and after your group riding lesson.  Our school horses are gentle teachers who will carry you safely while you learn to walk and trot through circles and turns, over poles, and around obstacles.  Included free with the series is access to our online materials, plus two bonus live chat horsemanship discussions over Discord with our knowledgeable teachers.

Beginner Riding & Horsemanship
Sundays 11am - 1pm, 7 - 28 June
21955 16 Ave, Langley BC
Online chat: Saturdays 10:30am - noon, 13 & 28 June
cost: $250+gst
Instructor: Eleanor Landels

Riding & Horsemanship Level 2

If you have taken Beginner Riding & Horsemanship, or if you are comfortable at the walk and trot, and are able to groom, tack up, and untack a horse on your own, you may be eligible to take Level 2.  Email jennifer(at)academieduello.com if you're unsure if this is the right class for you.  Riding work includes walk, trot, and canter on the flat and over poles.  Horsemanship material is similar to Level 1 but more in-depth. Includes access to our online materials, plus two bonus live chat horsemanship discussions over Discord.

Riding & Horsemanship Level 2
Sundays 10am - noon, 7 - 28 June
21955 16 Ave, Langley BC
Online chat: Saturdays 10:30am - noon, 13 & 28 June
cost: $250+gst
Instructor: Isabel Landels

Horsemanship Level 3

This course is taught in four online sessions and two in-person session over the course of three weeks.  Topics include stable & pasture, feeding, trailering, foot & shoeing, cooling out, signs of good health, first aid, and when to call the vet.  Horsemanship Level 3 is a requirement for the Blue Spur, or third level of the Mounted Combat program

Horsemanship Level 3
Sundays noon - 1pm, 7 & 21 June
21955 16 Ave, Langley BC
Online lectures: Saturdays 10:30am - 11:30, 6 & 20 June
Mondays 7pm - 8pm, 8 & 15 June
cost: $100+gst
or add to Riding Level 3 for $60
Instructor: Isabel Landels

Online Only Horsemanship
Take any of the level 1, 2, or 3 Horsemanship sessions by donation to our GoFundMe Campaign. Suggested donation is $10 per class, but whatever you can afford is absolutely fine.  Email jennifer(at)academieduello.com prior to the session you want to take and I'll let you into the class.  No proof of donation is required.

Riding Level 3

This class is for riders who are comfortable at walk, trot, and canter, and wanting to move on to jumping and/or more advanced dressage.  Riding level three is required for the Blue Spur.

Riding Level 3
Sundays 10am - 11am, 7 - 28 June
21955 16 Ave, Langley BC
cost: $190+gst
or add Horsemanship Level 3 for $60
Prerequisite: Riding Level 2
Instructor: Isabel Landels

Mounted Combat Fundamentals

This three-class series designed to train you in the fundamentals of swordplay for horseback, takes place every second week over five weeks.  No prior experience is required.

Mounted Combat Fundamentals
Sundays 1pm - 3:30pm, 7, 21 June, 5 July
21955 16 Ave, Langley BC
cost: $159+gst or $70 per class
Instructor: Dave Wayne

Mounted Combat Green Spur Class

Designed for sword practitioners at the apprentice (Green Cord or Green Spur) level, this class covers the swordplay skills you'll need to assess for your Blue Spur, and give insight into how swordplay alters from the ground to the horse.

Mounted Combat Green Spur Class
1st & 3rd Sunday of the month
21955 16 Ave, Langley BC
cost: $50 per class, or two tuition credits
Instructor: Dave Wayne

Mounted Combat Mastery

If you have your Green Spur or higher, come and join us on horseback to work on swordplay, riding, games, and sparring skills.  Those without Level 1 Riding are welcome to join us on the ground for on-foot versions of the plays and drills.  Limit of 6 participants per class till future notice.

Mounted Combat Mastery
2nd & 4th Sunday of the month
21955 16 Ave, Langley BC
cost: $75 per class, or three tuition credits
Instructor: Jennifer Landels

 

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.