As many of you know, Flavie has been the cornerstone of our Mounted Combat program. Solid, dependable, and bombproof, she carries our most timid beginners and our heaviest riders, with a trot that's heaven to sit. She's a pro at lessons, horseback archery, mounted games, and sparring, able to turn on the speed or the steady as needed.
She's also turning 20 on the 11th of May.
This year, we'd like to give her one last chance at motherhood. Flavie's a proven broodmare, having had foals before she came to us, and we'd like to add one more to continue her legacy as the star of our program.
We also want to help preserve the heritage of our national breed, the Cheval Canadien. The Canadian Horse is an amazingly hardy and versatile breed that excels at eventing, driving, and trail riding. If that weren't enough, the Canadian is the closest breed in size and conformation to the mediaeval destrier pictured in manuals like Fiore, Talhoffer, and the like. This horse was made for what we do!
The Cheval Canadien nearly became extinct in the last century, and through enormous effort was brought back to viable levels. However, due to the cost of breeding and raising horses, registrations of Canadian Horses have dropped significantly in the last decade, and the breed is considered endangered once more.
We'd like to do our part to help the Canadian Horse survive as a distinct breed: one that not only excels in so many disciplines, but that is also ideally suited to Mounted Combat. If you'd like to help too, take a look at the GoFundMe campaign we've set up to cover the costs of breeding Flavie. Consider dropping a few loonies in the jar so that next spring you'll be able to visit Flavie and an adorable new Canadian foal at Red Colt.
You can find the campaign here: https://www.gofundme.com/2uexs258
Flavie and the rest of us in the Mounted Combat Program thank you for your support!
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.