The Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium is coming up this weekend. If you have any interest at all in western martial arts, whether as a current practice or from a historical point of view, this is an event you don't want to miss! Although there are no specific Mounted Combat workshops taking place at VISS, here's a handy guide to what those of you in the Cavaliere Program may find most helpful.
Guy Windsor's Armizare Track
This three day intensive will focus on the works of both Fiore and Vadi. Since we use Fiore as a base for our mounted work this workshop will be very relevant in helping you achieve your Mounted Combat from the ground qualifications for the Green and Blue Spur. Vadi will be icing on the cake, and nine hours of intensive work over three days will give your swordplay skills a tremendous boost.
Bob Charette's lectures
Bob Charette has a wealth of information on historical fighting, and will be giving two lectures: one on Fiore's Armour, the other on the transition from Mail to Plate. These will be interesting for the historical infomation alone, but also pertinent to those considering eventually fighting in armour from horseback. Bob will also be doing private and small group lessons in the week following VISS, which is an amazing opportunity. Check out this blog for more on Bob, and how to book a lesson.
The Saturday Evening Gala
Okay, so this isn't a workshop or lecture, but it's a rare chance to hobnob with the wider world of Western Martial Arts practitioners. Academie Duello isn't just a school, it's a huge family, and the guests and instructors who come from all over the world to learn and teach at VISS are our extended family. This reunion happens only every two years, and you don't want to miss it. Besides, our galas are a whole lotta fun, and who doesn't need a chance to shed the barn clothes for a cocktail dress and some dance moves now and then?
Of course these are just three of the dozens of cool things happening over the weekend. You can buy a full symposium pass, an audit & lecture pass, or just a gala ticket. Whether you usually practise longsword, rapier, bartitsu, or are just getting started with martial arts, you will learn something valuable about tactics, body mechanics, or historical context from any and all of the workshops you manage to attend. These instructors are top-notch and the value for money is immense.
Having done the full symposium at both prior VISS weekends, I can't recommend it highly enough and I can hardly wait for the weekend. I hope to see you there!
Current & Upcoming Cavaliere Program Classes
If are interested in joining a series that has already started, and have permission from an instructor to do so, please contact the front desk directly at 604 568 9907 or info@academieduello.com to register.
Mounted Combat Skills
Saturdays 4 – 25 April, 3:00 – 4:30pm
Academie Duello, 412 W Hastings St, Vancouver
$120 + gst
Intro to Mounted Combat
Sunday 5 April, 10am – 1pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$149 + gst
Mounted Combat Playday
Sunday 5 April, 1pm – 4pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$15 + $15 for use of school horse
Horsemanship Level 3 or 4
Sundays 8 & 15 March, 12 Apr – 3 May 10:30 – 11:30am
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$130 + gst
Mounted Combat
Sundays 8 & 15 March, 12 & 19 April, 1:00 – 2:30pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$200 + gst
Beginner Riding & Horsemanship
Sundays 12 Apr – 17 May, 10am – noon
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$300 + gst
Level 2 Riding & Horsemanship
Sundays 12 Apr – 17 May, 10am – noon
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$300 + gst
Riding Level 3+
Sundays 12 Apr – 17 May, noon – 1pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$200 + gst
Beginner Horseback Archery
Saturday 2 May – 10am – 1pm *tentative – date may change*
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$149 +gst
Intermediate Horseback Archery
Saturday 2 May – 2pm – 5pm *tentative – date may change*
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$75 + gst
Cavaliere Assessments
Sunday 3 May, 1:30 – 4:30pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond
$50 for partial assessment (Horsemanship, Riding OR Mounted Combat)
$80 for full assessment (2 or 3 of the above elements)
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.