Equestrian Activities within the Kingdom of An
Tir
by - THL Catelin Spenser, EM - An
Tir
So, you’ve got a horse, or an inkling
towards the horses and you’d like to know if there’s a niche for
you?
Most definitely!!
The following information is taken from the
Kingdom of An Tir’s Equestrian Handbook and outlines some of the basic
information needed to take part in horse activities in the SCA.
Horses have been a part of the SCA for more
than 25 years. Equestrian activities occur in every kingdom of the Known World.
Although their numbers are small in comparison to other martial activities, SCA
equestrians are dedicated to their sport and most willing to assist an
individual in getting started.
Equestrian activities take place in a
variety of forms and venues: Martial Games and contests, Non-martial games and
contests, and non-competitive events to include, training sessions, quests,
trails rides and camping events. A martial competitive event is an event where
one or more of the competitive games involves skill-at-arms in conjunction with
horsemanship. A non-martial competition event is an event where none of the
games involves skills-at-arms.
Equestrian activities within the SCA
endeavor to recreate the equestrian pursuits of the Middle Ages.
The Equestrian Handbook outlines
information on the following recognized activities:
Ring Tilt
- A classic display of accuracy with lance or spear. Rings of various sizes
are suspended from an metal or wooden arm and riders attempt to spear them on
the tip of their weapon.
Quintain
- A display of lance work against a simulated opponent. A shield is attached
to a horizontal arm that rotates about an upright post. A padded, weighted bag
may be attached opposite the shield. The rider approaches, with lance couched
and strikes the quintain as would have been done to an approaching
opponent.Beheading the enemy - Simulate heads are set on poles at
predetermined intervals. Riders weave between the poles, striking the heads
from the poles with simulated sword. This is a timed event.
Pig Sticking - Spearing objects on the ground. Targets or simulated heads are
placed on the ground and the rider attempts to spear the object with his
lance.
Cup Carry
- Carry a cup of water from the starting line around a set point and back to
the starting line. This is a timed event, the amount of water left in the cup
figures into the final score.
Ribbon Race - Two riders are given a piece of ribbon to hold between them as they
ride a set course. This is a timed event, if the ribbon is broken or dropped
the score is altered accordingly.
Flag Race
- A flag is picked up from a holder in the ground, carried to another holder
and placed there. Another flag is picked up and carried back to be placed in
the holder at the starting line. This is a timed event.
Keyhole Race - from a starting line a rider races into and out of a keyhole shaped
figure laid out on the ground. They then return to the starting line. This is
a timed event.
Javelin Toss - Throwing a javelin through a ring as the rider goes
by.
Flat work
- The horse is ridden at various gaits over a predetermined course. The course
may include cavaletti, water hazard, slalom etc.
Quest - A
test of skill or intelligence. A trail ride with points to locate, puzzles to
be solved and/or skills to be demonstrated.
Archery -
from horseback
As
with any martial activity within the SCA, equestrian events are governed by
marshals. These marshals report to their kingdom Equestrian Affairs Officer, who
in turn reports to the Society Equestrian Officer. The Society officer is the
liaison between the equestrians of the Known World and the corporate structure
of the SCA.
The Kingdom Equestrian Marshal is
responsible for seeing that an Equestrian Marshal (EM) is present wherever a
horse is at an event, and that the special SCA equestrian liability insurance
has been activated for that event. Without these two things equestrian
activities can not take place. The Equestrian Marshals are a kingdom wide group
responsible to and reporting to the Kingdom Equestrian Officer of An Tir. The
primary considerations for appointment to the post of equestrian marshal are the
demonstration of skill in the equestrian arts, common sense and the ability to
exercise self-control and diplomacy in dealing with others. An Equestrian
Marshal must maintain such visibility in the SCA equestrian activities that
he/she is accepted as an authority in the filed by members of the marshallate of
the kingdom of An Tir.
An EM must be at least 18 years
old.
An EM must be an authorized
ridre.
An EM must have competed as an
authorized rider in a minimum of three equestrian events within the past two
years (waived if no events were conducted).
An EM must pass a written test
administered by the Kingdom Equestrian Officer.
An individual may be selected as an
marshal by the Kingdom Equestrian Officer only after having been recommended
by two authorized equestrian marshals.
General considerations and rules for SCA equestrian
activities
Each rider, recognizing the
possibility of physical injury to himself or his mount in competition shall
assume unto himself all risks and liability for harm suffered by means of such
competition.
Riders shall behave in a courteous
and chivalrous manner and with due consideration for the safety of others at
all times.
Use of edged steel for demonstration
on objects and actual live mounted combat, and jousting in particular, is
expressly prohibited.
In order for a rider under 18 years of age to compete in the games the
following requirements must be met:
Minors must have a parent or legal
guardian present and be authorized.
The parents or legal guardian must
have spoken with an EM who will explain to them the hazards and risks
involved.
The minor, and minor’s parents or
legal guardian must sign a waiver allowing the minor to
participate.
The minor is required to wear an
approved Snell riding helmet at all times while mounted.The minor must ride
their own horse.
Rider Authorizations and Demonstration rides
In order for a rider to participate in any
manner they must first perform a demonstration ride at the fastest gait in which
they intend to compete. Equestrian activities are performed at three levels -
beginner (walk only), intermediate (walk-trot/jog/intermediate gait), advanced
(walk, trot, canter or gallop). Individual riders shall be responsible for
demonstrating their own skill level and that of their horse. If the judgment
proves to be incorrect, they will be asked to ride at a lower level. Once having
completed a demonstration ride satisfactorily to the EMIC a specific rider on a
specific horse may thereafter perform at future events at that level unless the
EMIC of such event deems performance at that level to be unsafe.
It is possible for a rider to be authorized
at different levels on different horses depending on the horses
suitability/experience level with SCA events.
Frequently Asked
Questions:
Do you joust?
No, SCA insurance and liability
prohibits jousting. The quintain event is a re-creation of the exercises used
to prepare a knight for this activity.
I don’t have a horse, can I
ride?
Many active equestrians in the SCA do
not own horses. Most often these individuals seek out others within the
Society, in their kingdom or local branch who do own horses and private
arrangements are made. On occasion an event takes place where rental horses
are available or can be brought to the site. All of the usual rules for
authorizations apply.
Can children participate?
Absolutely, children must be at least
five years old and able to stay in the saddle unassisted and control their
mount unassisted to be eligible for a minors “permit to ride”. All minors must
wear, while mounted, ASTM or Snell Equestrian Riding
Helmets.
Do I need
special equipment to participate?
As you begin you venture into SCA
equestrian activities you’ll want to take some time to determine what time
period you’ll want to model after. In order to participate in an SCA activity
you’ll need to wear clothing appropriate to the time period 400-1650, dressing
your horse is a little different. There are many ways you can hide or disguise
your everyday tack to blend in. Many riders compete in covered English or
Western saddles. Some have done great amounts of research to come as close to
authentic as possible, including building saddles and tack for their
persona.
Can we
get together to practice?
Anytime equestrians gather in an
official SCA practice, an EM must be present and the Equestrian insurance
binder must be obtain from the Society corporate offices, through your kingdom
officer. Such practices can be unofficial outside the sanction of the
SCA.
Are helmets
required?
For minors while mounted at all times
and for anyone participating in any jumping/leaping activity. Helmets are
always encouraged.
I have a cart horse, can I get involved?
While formal activities have not yet
been written for cart horses they are being worked on in an experimental
basis. Many of the games can be modified to be done with a cart. Check with
the Equestrian Marshal In Charge (EMIC) of your local event for more
information.
Can I
fight on horseback?
Mounted contact (including boffer and
heavy weapon contact) are prohibited.
How can I get my horse ready for SCA
events?
Many of the events are much the same
as might be performed at a Gymkana or Playday. Getting your horse used to the
lance and spear in the comfort of familiar surroundings is always helpful.
Getting your horse accustomed to the barding it will wear and banners blowing
in the breeze, will also make your first event more
enjoyable.
How can I get more
information?
Please visit the page created just for SCA
horse activity. especially in An Tir