To acquire the Green Spur, the first rank of the Mounted Combat program, in addition to Horsemanship and Riding Level 1, 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.
Mounted Combat Fundamentals
Sundays 22 Jan – 5 Mar (no class 19 Feb)
1pm – 3pm
Instructor: Aaron Lamontagne
$135 + gst. Register here.
Mounted Combat Package - Save $25
When you sign up for both Mounted Combat Fundamentals and Riding & Horsemanship (either Beginner or Level 2) you save $25. These are purchased credits you can apply to any upcoming series, so you have the option of starting the courses at the same time or staggering them as your time allows. Available here.
Beginner Riding & Horsemanship
If you’ve never been on a horse, or if it’s been a long time, here’s the place to start. When you arrive at the barn at 11am you’ll begin with a horsemanship lesson, familiarizing yourself with the horses and their tack, as well as how to groom, handle and tack them up. Then you will have a riding lesson, working through the requirements of Riding Level 1 — the prerequisite to most of the fun stuff we do on horseback!
Sundays 11am – 1pm
22 January – 5 March 2017*
*note: no class 19 February
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Stephanie Laversin
Register here, or bundle with Mounted Combat Fundamentals and save $25.
Riding & Horsemanship Level 2
This course is intended for riders who have taken classes through the program and are comfortable tacking up their own horses. Riders should arrive at 9:30am to tack up and warm up their horses before starting their riding lessons at 10am, followed by Horsemanship Level 2 or 3 lessons at 11am
Sundays 11am – 1pm
22 January – 5 March 2017*
*note: no class 19 February
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Stephanie Laversin
Register here, or bundle with Mounted Combat Fundamentals and save $25.
Riding Level 3+
This class is intended for independent riders who have achieved Level 2 or higher. Riders are expected to be tacked up and warmed up prior to class. Your own helmets, boots, and half chaps are recommended, as are safety vests for the occasional cross-country class, weather permitting.
Sundays 10am – 11am
22 January – 5 March 2017*
*note: no class 19 February
cost: $200 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Stephanie Laversin
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.