The Blue Spur Curriculum

Having completed our blog tour through the Green Spur, it's time to move on to Blue.

Blue Spur candidates are able horse-keepers with basic equine first aid knowledge, and are riding at a level that includes cantering, small jumps, and a secure and confident seat.  Swordplay from the falsemount and horse are part of regular training, and spear is added to the repertoire of weapons.  Accuracy and control are tested in mounted games, and Blue Spur candidates will have the opportunity to display these skills in public tournaments.

The Blue Spur Requirements include:

• Horsemanship levels 2 & 3
• Riding levels 2 & 3
• Swordplay from the Ground
• Swordplay from the Falsemount
• Spear Fundamentals
• Mounted Games
• Reading of Xenophon

How long will it take to get my Blue Spur?

As with all ranks, this varies from student to student, and depends on how often you ride and train.  For a student attending on the Integrated Program, which includes two Cavaliere Classes and one Mounted Combat workshop per month it would take about a year to cover all the curriculum material, which breaks down like this:

• Horsemanship level 2: two months (4 classes)
• Horsemanship level 3: four months (8 classes)
• Riding Level 2: six months (12 classes)
• Riding Level 3: six months (12 classes)
• Mounted Combat checklist: approximately 8 workshops

Achieving Riding level 3 is probably the most difficult part of the requirements if you haven't been riding a long time prior to starting the program.  There is no substitute for time in the saddle, and a rider working towards her Blue Spur should expect to take advantage of as many Open Barns, Games Practices, and additional riding opportunities as possible.  Part leasing a horse, or taking additional riding lessons is also highly recommended.

Over the next few months I'll cover the Blue Spur requirements in greater detail.  You'll be able to find these articles under the tags "Blue Spur", "Horsemanship" and "Riding".

What's happening this month at Red Colt?

The Dentist is Coming!

Or rather our barn vet, Dr Moats, will be here on Friday morning to do teeth.  Horses' teeth grow continually, and often require filing down to smooth out uneven wear.  Those of you in the Cavaliere Program who would like to observe some dremel action on equine enamel are welcome to come down and watch.  Please email me directly to make arrangments.

Cavaliere Classes

Our Cavaliere classes are nearly full for April (there may be one space left) but the good news is we switch to summer hours for May!  This means beautiful evenings at the barn from 4 - 7:30pm, with plenty of time to get your Saturday nightlife afterward.

Sundays April 14 & 28th: 1 - 4:30pm
Saturdays May11 & 18th: 4 - 7:30pm
Saturdays June 8 & 22nd: 4 - 7:30pm
cost: $60 ea; $200 for four sessions

Mounted Archery

Sunday May 5th, 1 - 4:30pm
cost: $60

All the mounted spaces for this workshop are full, but there are still spots available for working from the ground. You will still get all the instruction, and probably more shooting time than those of us introducing our horses to bows for the first time!

There are no prerequisites for taking this course from the ground, but if you have your own bow and arrows it will ensure you have more shooting time.

The Mounted Archery can be taken as part of the Integrated Package for May ($120 for Mounted Archery plus two Cavaliere Classes)

Prince Phillip Games are Back!

Yes, it's PPG season once more.  The Pony Club's first playday of the year is April 21st at Southlands Riding club, from 9am - 2pm.  This is the only playday that's in Vancouver -- the rest are at Panorama Ridge -- so if you want to come out and see the pros do Mounted Games, this is your chance to do it close to home.

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.