Horseback Archery, also known as "Mounted Archery" or "Equestrian Archery",
is a fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping sport of shooting arrows from a bow on a horse at full gallop, combining speed, precision, coordination, balance and an absolute connection between archer and horse.
This sport belongs to one of the styles of Archery, it is one of the styles of Equestrian Sports and in several countries it is considered a Martial Art.
This activity has been used throughout mostly all human history by most civilizations and armies.
In ancient times it was one of the most effective techniques for war and hunting.
*Archery on horseback is a sport that is part of the UNESCO list of
Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Currently, it is one of the most exciting and demanding sports (it requires strength, coordination, equestrian and shooting skills), and more colorful (there are competitions with traditional costumes according to the cultural heritage of each participating country).
Due to this, it currently has a large participation and growing popularity throughout the world (mainly Europe, Asia, North America) and now Mexico.
The athlete who practices it is defined as a "horse archer": a rider armed with a bow, capable of shooting arrows while riding at a trot, canter or gallop. This term is used in most countries in the world.
The term "mounted archer" appears in medieval English sources to describe a soldier who rode into battle but dismounted to shoot. This term is only used in countries like the United States and Canada.
Although there is no historical evidence on the use of the bow and arrow on horseback in Central and South America, Horseback Archery Mexico promotes the rich culture of the Mexican Mestiza race through the mixture of elements such as the horse, the bow and the arrow.
In the history of our country, the only warriors on horseback in New Spain were known as "chinacos", they wore an outfit similar to that of the charro and their most important weapons were spears and swords.
Origins of the sport: It has been practiced since the s. IX BC in Central Asia and by most civilizations throughout human history for war and hunting. The most famous horse archers have been the Mongols, Ottomans, Huns, Persians, as well as the Native Americans. It is currently one of the modern sports with the greatest historical legacy, the most practiced and the fastest growing, especially in Poland, Hungary, Scandinavia, Australia, South Africa, Mongolia, Turkey, China, Japan, USA, Canada and now Mexico.
International organizations: There are 3 international organizations that regulate the activity, the regulation and the classification system of the competitors and their member countries:
1. The IHAA (France) (International Horseback Archery Alliance)
2. The WHAF (Korea) (World Horseback Archery Federation
3. The WFEA (Hungary) (World Federation of Equestrian Archery)
Modern competition: In modern competitions there are styles:
Korean, Turkish, Hungarian and Polish Track, the latter cross-country; with the modalities of walk/trot, half canter or canter and canter. In all the speed of the horse, the number of arrows per target (speed to shoot arrows) and the accuracy in points on the target are scored. The objectives are from 7 to 35 m. away.
Every year World Championships, World Grand Prix, European Championships, European Grand Prix are held, as well as traditional and historical competitions such as the "Spirit" in the Mongolian capital of Ulan-Bator. National competitions are also organized in each and every member country.
Equipment: The Horse Archery equipment currently mixes ancient and modern forms, designs, techniques and technology.
The bow must be short, light and easy to maneuver, so as not to hinder either the archer or the horse and to be able to draw in various directions from the saddle or saddle. The quiver or quiver designed for this sport, waist, back or thigh and charcoal or bamboo arrows with 4 natural feathers and nocks for rapid shooting.
The most recommended unmodified saddles are those used for dressage, work, all-purpose, these can be the Portuguese, Spanish (rejoneo) and Italian (buttera type), since the horse is handled without a rein and must have the necessary stability to obtain an optimal balance. There are also Asian, Hungarian, etc. chairs. specific for horse shooting.
The most recommended horses are "endurance" and can be Arabs, Quarter Horses, Maremanno, Icelanders, Mustangs, Mangalarga Marchadors, Fox Trotters, Rocky Mountain's, Draft, Thoroughbred, etc.. what is sought more than a certain type of breed in a horse for this sport is that it has:
• A smooth, regular and controllable slow canter, a working canter and a canter.
• Trained using leg aids, and not rely on bit/reins for direction or speed.
• Be well socialized and able to work with other horses. Confidence is an advantage, because while working in a group there is a constant movement of horses that need to run away from the group and then calmly walk towards the group.[1]
• Be accustomed to the sound and movements of both the bow and arrows. They must be able to walk, jog and run smoothly, without stopping or changing speed.
Technique: It is a more dynamic shot than any other style of static archery. In archery on horseback, sights or a shelf are not used and the arrows are loaded without seeing (blind-nocking) while riding the horse without a rein (reinless), directing it only with the legs and voice. Archery technique on horseback is based on a combination of muscle memory, as an archer and as a rider; excellent balance, strength, coordination and the ability to subconsciously calculate the arrow's trajectory, distance and target depending on the speed of the horse, since the archer will always be shooting while moving.
Shooting arrows rapidly while rein-controlling a galloping horse are the unique challenges of this sport.
It is a fun and challenging way to enjoy our passion for horses.
[1] https://mountedarchery.net/about-2-2/training-your-horse/
