Park Sung Min clicks her tongue and motivates her horse to run even faster. He breaks into a fast gallop, and Park Sung Min rises in the saddle, raises her bow, and sends an arrow hurtling toward the shooting target a few meters ahead of her.

She misses the target, but it doesn’t stop the young woman. Park Sung Min barely sits in the saddle before she rises again. A few meters further on, the next target awaits. Park aims, and this time she hits it.

Background of Horseback Archery

Although it may seem like it, I’m not observing the filming of a Western, and Park Sung Min is neither an actor nor an American.

Instead, I am standing in South Korea, in the small town Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province south of Seoul, where I watch the last traditional equestrian martial arts competition of the season.

It has only been 35 years since the restoration of South Korea’s traditional equestrian martial arts began. Although the sport is more than 230 years old, it disappeared at the beginning of the 20th century.

Today, the equestrians on the farm in Hwaseong are fighting to revive and reinvent the sport. That means live performances, help from Gyeonggi Province’s capital city Suwon, and a lot of hard work.

How do you revive a sport if you only have one book from 1790 as your guide? And why have a couple of equestrians and martial artists spent most of their lives rediscovering and promoting South Korea’s cultural heritage?

I went to Hwaseong to find out.

Traditional Attire

The farm is small and consists of a stable, a paddock, and two riding arenas. The horses look at me just as curiously as the competition’s riders and spectators, who normally don’t see foreigners in this part of the country.

The day starts at 12 o’clock with a competition in South Korea’s traditional martial arts kisa—horseback archery.

Some of the participants are dressed in traditional Korean clothing which, unlike breeches, are loose, white trousers with wide legs. Park Min Song is also wearing a hanbok top, similar to South Korea’s traditional clothing. The hanbok shirt is sky blue and tied together over the chest with a small, red ribbon.

Just before getting on the horse, Park Min Song ties on a pair of silver bracers to protect her forearms from whiplash from the bowstring.

How Horseback Archery Works

The competition is simple: Gallop your mount and fire a few arrows at some shooting targets. The points are awarded according to how quickly and accurately the equestrian shoots.

The equestrians use different strategies. For some, it’s about making the horse run as fast as possible. For others, like Park Min Song, it’s the precision of the shots that matter.

After just over an hour, Park Min Song wins the competition.

The young woman has been riding for nine years, and for seven of those, she has been training in Korean equestrian martial arts. Today, she is part of a performance group established by Suwon city that demonstrates equestrian martial arts during Korean national holidays and events.

“I always liked working with my body, and I did martial arts before finding out about this horse sport,” says Park Min Song. “It’s really interesting, because it’s a mix of learning about the history of my home country and exercising.”

A Family Activity

It’s primarily families who have turned up for today’s competition. Many of those I speak to say that they are fascinated by the sport, mainly because it’s fun and challenging for children and adults alike. They also enjoy the connection it has to their history and culture.

After the horseback competition comes the highlight of the day, which is an archery competition for elementary school children.

The spectators move from the riding arenas to a shooting range, where a number of children are already lined up and ready to compete in 15-meter archery. The winner is 12-year-old Han Tae Hyung, who has been practicing archery and horseback archery on the farm for two years.

His mother learned about the sport through some friends, and since Han Tae Hyung is fond of horses, he decided to start practicing.

“I love to ride, and all the horses have become my friends,” he says.

For the traditional equestrian martial arts academy, which is organizing today’s competition, it’s essential to get young people interested in Korean cultural heritage, says Kim Kwang Sik.

Equestrian martial arts remain relatively unknown in South Korea, and Kim is struggling to raise awareness about the sport. Because for Kim Kwang Sik, this is much more than a sport.

The Only Book Left

Kim Kwang Sik has always been interested in Korean culture and heritage, but it was when he got his hands on a book from 1790 that he found his life’s calling. The book is called Muyedobotongji, and was written by a military officer, philosopher and martial artist by order of King Jeongjo, Korea’s 6th king.

The book is a basic guidebook for Korean soldiers, and consists of 24 martial arts techniques, six of which are performed on horseback. The book is essential for Korean equestrian martial artists, as all other writings about Korea’s traditional horse martial arts were lost during Japan’s occupation of the Korean peninsula from 1910-1945, when a lot of traditional Korean culture was forcibly destroyed.

Only Muyedobotongji remains, and it’s the only thing Kim Kwang Sik has used to learn and eventually revive the old sport.

“I had a sense of duty to preserve Korean culture,” he says. “I’ve been doing it for more than 30 years, and now people who are interested in Korean history and traditions come here to learn about it.”

Bringing the Sport to Life

When he decided to work on bringing back the old sport, Kim Kwang Sik was largely on his own. He had to figure out for himself how to train the horses to be calm around swinging swords and bows and arrows. The martial arts book (whose copy can be found in a small office next to the stable) left a lot to the imagination when it came to the execution of several of the techniques.

“One of the things that makes this sport fun is that it’s a way of half reading a book and half figuring it out yourself,” laughs rider Bae Kuk Jin, who has practiced traditional equestrian martial arts since 2008, and who also participates in today’s competition.

But Kim Kwang Sik’s hardest task has not been training horses nor interpreting writings and illustrations from 1790. It has been getting funding and support from the Korean government.

“There is no national support to revive the equestrian martial arts,” says Kim Kwang Sik. Only Suwon city has supported the sport and created an equestrian martial arts team.

“Suwon city is the first city that is trying to preserve this,” he continues. “They have asked the government to help because it’s important to preserve.”

However, support might be on its way. In 2017, Kim Kwang Sik managed to get the martial arts book on UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage list, and that’s a start.

When I ask Kim Kwang Sik why it means so much to him to preserve and revive traditional equestrian martial arts, he has only one answer.

“I’m not sure if I believe in Buddhism or not, but I think in my previous life, I was a soldier,” he says with a smile.

This article about Korean horseback archery appeared in the June 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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As things continue to get more expensive, it’s no surprise that lots of riders have looked for creative ways to afford to keep doing what they love, whether that’s recreational trail or national competitions. Sponsorships can look appealing on the surface – I could get paid to show my own horse? Sounds too good to be true and that’s because, for the most part, it is. Here are the ins and outs of becoming a sponsored rider in the equestrian world (and what you really get you of it).

What is a Sponsorship?

If you grew up in the sports world, the word “sponsorship” may excite you. You think of million-dollar Nike deals being made with hard-working athletes just to wear their shoes during a game and talk them up online.

Wouldn’t it be nice to be paid to show your horse? Unfortunately, in the equine world, this type of sponsorship is definitely a unicorn – rare, hard to find, and even harder to get.

“Almost every sponsorship we’ve seen within our clients are product sponsorships,” shares Aaron Taylor, president and founder of NewStyle Digital, a marketing and advertising agency with many clients in the equestrian world, including both sponsored riders and companies with sponsors. “We really haven’t seen any monetary sponsorships, which even include globally-recognized riders. Because the equine world is so niche, most brands within the industry cannot necessarily afford to pay their athletes. However, they do offer product sponsorships that are very first-class.”

Most equestrian sponsorship deals are for product: you receive free product in exchange for using the items and talking the company up on your social media, in interviews and while competing.

While it might not sound complicated, sponsorships are not something you should go into lightly. After all, businesses are expecting something in return for the free product they have given you, no matter how low the price point.

Does Being a Sponsored Rider Affect Your Amateur Status?

Most organizations including the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), allow amateurs to be social media brand ambassadors or social media influencers who receive remuneration in the form of goods and even cash. However, it’s always best to double check the rules of every organization you plan on showing under, as rules change yearly.

If you find your organization does not allow amateurs to have sponsorships, then you have to ask yourself if it’s worth it to give up your status for a bit of money or free product.

“I think that no rider should lose amateur status over receiving free products from a company as a sponsorship,” shares Taylor. “I understand that when a rider is technically getting paid [in money] they should have to deal with this issue. As an example, college teams are sponsored by brands and they get free products, this doesn’t mean that they should all lose their amateur status. There are many influencers who are sponsored by brands that don’t even actively compete. Should they be considered professionals? My advice here would be to not lose amateur status over some free stuff, it really just isn’t worth it.”

On the flip side, if you find someone willing to foot your entire show bill, including lodging and transportation, you may decide it’s worth losing your amateur status within the organization you show under, if applicable. And while extremely rare, some people have luck asking family members, bosses or – in the case of youth – their parent’s bosses for sponsorships. Youth usually have better luck with this approach than adults, but you never know – your boss just might like the idea of sponsoring you on the weekends. In these cases, the companies are doing it more for the “giving back” aspect then getting something out of it, and are usually happy with logo placements on trailers and stalls.

Why Become a Sponsored Rider?

The first question you should ask yourself is why do you want to be a sponsored rider? If the answer is just to get free stuff, you may want to rethink your plan.

Think about what made you purchase your latest saddle pad or show shirt? Did you see it on Instagram or TikTok being used by your favorite equestrian? Brands have quickly adapted to the influence social media has on their customer’s buying habits.

“Many [sponsored] athletes receive custom products to their specifications, and at any time,” explains Taylor. “The good thing about this dynamic is that when you see a sought-after athlete wearing or using a specific product, they’re using that product because they like it, and not because they’re being paid to use it.”

This also means that businesses are looking for riders who can help them increase brand awareness and, ultimately, their sales. “Most companies and brands sponsor athletes that have leverage where they do not,” Taylor adds. “That leverage could be their social media following, their industry presence or their stats.”

Advice From the Professionals

Allegra Peardon, 19, is a sponsored rider who competes in jumpers with Fédération Equestre International (FEI), Fédération Française Equitation (FFE) and USEF. She has almost 35K followers on her TikTok account.

Peardon reached out to companies herself for sponsorships, but also had companies contact her.

“The goal was to make more connections in the horse world and get my name out there as well,” Peardon says about why she decided to get sponsors. “It’s always good to have a relationship with different types of businesses because it helps you get your name out as a rider while supporting brands that you believe in and stand behind.” Her current sponsors are Equisite Elements of Style and Purvida Healthy Horse,

Her advice to anyone thinking about going after sponsorships is to make sure you research the companies and pick ones where you genuinely like the product.

“My second piece of advice is that you shouldn’t look for sponsors just for benefits on your part,” she says. “A sponsorship works both ways. Being sponsored is great, but you also need to be committed and ready to establish a strong connection before anything happens. Once you find a company that you appreciate and would love to support, that’s where the magic happens.”

“I think the most helpful advice we can give a rider looking for sponsorships is the realistic expectation of what they’re going to get out of it,” says Taylor. “Essentially, you’ll be getting free products and maybe even featured on their website, social media accounts or advertisements. If you’re set on finding a sponsor, I think approaching brands that you personally love and use are where you should gravitate towards. More than likely, your sponsorship benefits will primarily include free products, and the last thing you would want to do is not like the product you’re getting.”

Also read- Common Legal Issues in the Horse World

Next Steps to Becoming a Sponsored Rider

Still want to be a sponsored rider? Having some kind of social media following is helpful. Elizabeth Tinnan is a mounted archery competitor, trainer and clinician. She has 5.4k followers on Facebook. Being from a more niche sport, you may think there is not a lot opportunity for sponsorships, but she is currently sponsored by Steve’s Archery Leathercraft, Stonewall Saddle Company and Wild Montana Leathercrafting. All three of these are product sponsors.

“The sponsorships I have were obtained by reaching out to each company or through my testing, feedback and support for their products,” explains Tinnan.

“Just like other non-equine sports, companies sponsor athletes who are winning, who are well-known or have a large audience that they would like to reach,” says Taylor. “As for social media followers, there is not an exact number of followers you would need to have on any particular channel. However, your following should be large enough (and also engaged enough) to display that you are someone with influence on their followers.”

And while you can go it alone, research companies and reach out to them on your own, you may decide that for your dreams, you need someone in your corner. That’s where a company like NewStyle Digital comes in. They help riders get sponsorships as well as help companies find riders to sponsor. They may be a good place to start if you are not sure if your profile is ready to take on sponsorships.

“We will typically review their physical and digital ‘resume’ and image to see what may need improvement,” shares Taylor. “From that point, we can provide services or suggestions to help them in their search for sponsorships.”

At the end of the ride, sponsorships can help an equestrian become more well-known, and of course give you some cool perks in the way of free products. But you have to prepared to think of it as job, with duties and time commitments that you need to follow through with or you will lose them. Coming at it from this perspective and not just “I want free stuff or a way to show my horse for free” will help ensure success for both rider and company.

This article about becoming a sponsored rider is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Developing a special partnership with a horse takes equal parts hard work, perseverance, and passion, but once formed, such a bond can last a lifetime. For Japanese-American cowgirl Miko Moriuchi McFarland and her American Paint Horse, Sparkle Grady One Eye (“Bandit”), an unshakable relationship has helped them stand out from the crowd while making a career of trick riding and accomplishing amazing things together during their 18 years together.

Conquering the World

McFarland and Bandit, an overo gelding with one blue eye and one brown eye, have competed in a plethora of disciplines, including mounted archery, extreme cowboy racing, drill team, western pleasure, horsemanship and trail.

As a professional trick-riding duo, they also helped found and train the Trixie Chicks Trick Riders, and have performed trick riding and Roman riding in countless rodeo circuits, including the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Some of their most notable experiences include carrying the American flag during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., and exhibiting alongside the Budweiser Clydesdales.

According to McFarland, who lives in Lexington, Ky., her special partnership with Bandit is what made it all possible.

“It’s a great thing to have the kind of partnership with an animal where you don’t even have language as a common ground, but you have this unspoken relationship where you understand each other,” says McFarland. “In many ways, I feel like I know Bandit better than I know myself, because he’s always been that steady presence in my life.”

Learning Together

McFarland and Bandit have been fast friends ever since she bought him as a green 3-year-old in 2003. At the time, McFarland was trick riding professionally in Dolly Parton’s Stampede in her hometown of Branson, Mo. When she was little, her parents ignited her passion for horses with riding lessons and the gift of an ornery Shetland pony, but at the time she met Bandit, it had been years since she’d had a horse of her own.

“I put myself through college by trick riding in the Stampede,” says McFarland. “I would go to class during the day and perform six nights a week. I also saved up enough money to buy [Bandit], a little stud colt, from the show’s production manager. Several horses from his bloodline were already established trick-riding horses in the show, so I thought I’d take a chance on him. He had a willing attitude and a cool confidence about him, but no experience, and I was a feisty, overly confident college graduate.”

Faced with the task of training her first horse, McFarland wasn’t sure how to begin. But the man who sold Bandit to her gave her a piece of advice that she’s never forgotten.

“He was an experienced cowboy who was a very calm, gentle hand with the horses,” she says. “One of the things he told me was that my responsibility as a horse owner was to make sure that I was always setting Bandit up for success in any experience or situation. I took that to heart. Of course I made mistakes along the way, but I wanted to learn as much as I could from as many different disciplines and sports as I could.”

Made for Trick Riding

Over the course of their first years together, McFarland made sure to expose Bandit to as many situations and experiences as possible, including introducing him to a variety of disciplines, such as western dressage, horsemanship and Extreme Cowboy Racing.

By the time Bandit was 8 years old, McFarland decided he was ready to learn to be a trick-riding mount. In addition to drawing on her own experiences training trick-riding horses for the Stampede, McFarland took Bandit out west to train with the Harry Vold Rodeo Company in Avondale, Colo.

“At the time, there were probably less than 100 people in the United States who were actively trick riding,” she says. “Trick riding has become more popular over the last 10 years or so, but for a while, it was a dying sport. The Vold Rodeo Company are renowned rodeo professionals who were the go-to people at the time to learn how to trick-ride.”

During their time in Colorado, McFarland worked carefully with Bandit, teaching him how to get used to the way her weight might change and shift as she performed different trick-riding maneuvers on his back, under his belly or around his chest and sides.

“Everything I asked him to do, he did with a willing attitude,” she says. “That’s something that has always impressed me about Bandit.”

Turning Points

Bandit’s willingness to please was put to the test during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky. During the closing ceremonies, McFarland and Bandit were honored with the task of carrying the American flag.

“They wanted us to do it in a liberty stand, where you stand on top of the saddle and ride at a full gallop,” says McFarland. “The only catch was that there were 20 other horses in the arena. That part was intimidating for me because I knew I could account for Bandit, but I didn’t know if the other horses might spook.”

As they prepared to enter the arena, McFarland gathered the flag and her courage in both hands and made Bandit a promise.

“I told him, ‘Let’s carry this flag and represent the United States well, and if you can do your job, then I promise I will take care of you the rest of your life,” she remembers. “You don’t have to worry about anything—just help me get through these next few minutes.’ I was so nervous!”

Within moments, a star-spangled McFarland and Bandit galloped through the arena at full speed. With her horse running steadily and smoothly beneath her, McFarland stood proud and straight atop Bandit’s withers, the stars and stripes flowing gracefully from her outstretched hands.

Affinity for Archery

After that ride, she knew it was time that she and Bandit find new ways to enjoy their partnership. In 2009, McFarland tore her ACL in a riding accident on a different horse, so she knew that her trick riding days were numbered.

Over the next few years, McFarland and Bandit worked together to coach and train the founding members of the Trixie Chicks Trick Riders, now one of the country’s most popular trick riding teams. They also embarked on a variety of other adventures, including learning mounted archery.

“I enjoy mounted archery because it welcomes riders and horses of all breeds and backgrounds,” says McFarland. “It doesn’t matter what breed of horse you have or what discipline you ride. It doesn’t matter what kind of tack you use or what training your horse has. Everyone can compete together because what matters is your strategy and your partnership with your horse.”

The Next Generation

While Bandit continues to be one of McFarland’s main riding horses, he has taken on a new role as leadline pony for her 5-year-old daughter, Emii. Now 21 years old, Bandit is demonstrating a new talent for gentleness and slowness as he introduces Emii to the world of horses.

“As a trick rider, you achieve an entirely new level of partnership with a horse when you trust him with your life by doing trick riding stunts in a high-intensity, high-speed performance,” says McFarland. “But it’s a whole other level when you can entrust your child’s life to a horse. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner than Bandit because he’s been able to do everything I’ve ever asked of him, from high-voltage performances to being a leadline horse for my daughter. That’s one of the things that makes him so special.”

Proud to Stand Out

On a more personal level, McFarland has learned a lot of valuable lessons from Bandit. As a Japanese-American, she says it hasn’t always been easy to be a part of the horse industry, but Bandit has shown her the value of standing out in a crowd.

“Bandit commands attention wherever he goes, and he wears his colors loud and proud,” McFarland says. “I think that’s helped me find my courage and my own level of comfort in knowing that I may look different, and my name may sound different, but in the arena, it’s all about the partnership with your horse and what you can do, rather than who you are or what you look like.”

It’s a lesson she hopes to pass on, not just to her daughter, but to other young men and women establishing their places in the horse industry.

“People are being more intentional about confronting prejudices nowadays,” says McFarland. “It’s empowering to see people of color representing themselves in the horse world. Like Bandit’s markings, I choose to wear my heritage as a badge of honor. Every single person is special and unique and brings qualities and experiences to the horse industry that will only help us grow. No matter your background, you can make your mark in the equine industry because horses help level the playing field.”

This article about Miko McFarland’s trick riding career appeared in the October 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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I had grown up riding. I was the stereotypical no-fear, horse-crazy girl. And in a flash, that love had been taken over by heart-seizing fear. Just talking about horses would cause my heart to race and my breathing to get shallow. It was a fear that couldn’t really be reasoned with; it overpowered my body and made me want to run in the other direction.

Goal of Overcoming Fear after a Riding Accident

But deep down, I wanted to get back on again. Finally, my husband said I should try. My first step was to go to an expo, just to be around some horses. We watched a mounted archery demonstration, and it sparked a passion in me. I wanted to do that. For the first time in eight years, something was battling with the fear. It gave me a goal—something to focus on.

For the next two years, I would slowly push my fear down, thanks to a dutiful older Norwegian Fjord mare. She not only helped me get over those essential first steps, but I learned mounted archery with her.

The first revelation that helped me was to set small goals. One was just to get on. Then, to walk around. Next, to try and trot. I didn’t canter for at least a year.

The second thing I discovered was to listen to myself. If the voice inside me told me not to do something, I listened. I needed to take it slow, and if all of me wasn’t ready, then I didn’t do it.

Third, I needed a dream—something to stay focused on that made me want to ride so badly that I could fight the fear. And that’s where a Gypsy mare came in. Ever since I saw my first Gypsy horse when I was in high school, I was smitten. As a little girl who had dreamed of owning a Clydesdale, they seemed perfect.

In June of 2018, I found her. She was not too far away and was named Merida, after the bow-wielding Disney princess from the movie Brave. Could it be more perfect? One look into her eyes the day I went to see her and I knew she had to be mine.

Go Bitless?

She and I bonded quickly, thanks in part to my use of positive reinforcement training. But I could tell she wasn’t happy in a bit. My trainer suggested bitless. So did a friend at archery. But that scared me, which was odd, since I had grown up riding in hackamores.

I knew I didn’t have more control with a bit then I did bitless, but again, my fear used the excuse of the unknown to rear its ugly head. But I wanted my mare to be happy. So, I got a sidepull.

The fourth important revelation I had for conquering fear is to breathe. Music helps psychologically, but also you have to breathe to sing. I sang a lot that first day as I swung my leg over my now bitless mare. She was so much happier! We have been bitless ever since, even for competitions.

Which brings me to my fifth discovery. Competition. It gives you goals, something to focus on. It gets you out of your bubble with other horse people. I really found my confidence at shows.

Since 2018, Merida and I have competed at local open shows, breed shows and International Mountain Trail Challenge Association (IMTCA) mountain trail events, all bitless. She was the 2019 and 2020 Ambassador Mare for the Gypsy Horse Registry of America and the 2020 Halter and Performance Mare Champion.

We’ve won high-point awards at the open shows, and a Reserve Champion Trail title at a breed show. She was the 2020 worldwide high-point winner for the IMTCA pony division. And we were the 2019 International Registry of Bitless Equestrians’ Horse and Handler of the Year. But her most important win was helping me gain my confidence.

Remnants of Fear After a Horseback Accident

I still get a little fearful now and then. Unknowns are what really drive my fear, I think because it was an unknown horse that bucked me off. Now I actually push myself to do unknowns. In March 2021, we competed in IMTCA mountain trail bridleless and came in 4th place. That was a huge deal for me, not because of the placing, but because I had the courage to take my girl bridleless outside of our own arena.

I am not sure the fear will ever leave me completely, but I’ve learned how to stop listening to it—to respond to it with: “I can do this. You are wrong. You don’t have power over me,” instead of letting it control me. If you are struggling with the same fears, just know you are not alone. You can do it. Just take it one step at a time at your own pace.

To follow our adventures, like our Facebook page or follow our Instagram profile.

The post Overcoming Fear After a Riding Accident appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Recovering Confidence

Kaitlin Akvan bought her horse Koda as a yearling. “Each milestone was exhilarating,” says Akvan.

“The only mile marker we could all do without is that first fall. The first time I fell off Koda was like a fireworks show. The next few months were filled with lots of spooking and a lack of confidence from both of us. I thought perhaps I had bitten off more than I could chew.”

One day some friends told her about a mounted archery clinic. “I thought it sounded cool, but I was also nervous,” she recalls. “The morning of the clinic, I thought there was no way I could let go of the reins to shoot a bow.” But by the end, Koda was trotting while Akvan shot arrows. Next for her was overcoming her fear of field archery.

“Galloping around in the woods without your reins and shooting a weapon? That was way different than an arena course,” Akvan says. She pushed on, however, and this past summer she competed on a field course.

“On our last [field archery] run, I finally felt the confidence I had been seeking,” she says. “For the first time since that bad fall, I trusted Koda and let him take me around the course without trying to micromanage him. It was the best feeling—total freedom, and that partnership I’ve always wanted.”

Combining Two Passions

Marissa Scalzo has ridden since she was 10 years old, and is also a ground archer.

“Putting my two favorite sports together seemed like a dream come true,” she says. “I think the idea of connecting with a horse so closely that you could shoot off them seemed amazing and almost unattainable. I was not expecting mounted archery to help with my confidence. In fact, I almost expected the opposite; I was sure that I would never be comfortable enough in my seat at a canter to be able to shoot a bow!”

But Scalzo found that confidence, and she now shoots at a canter on whatever horse she’s riding, since she doesn’t own one herself.

“I feel much more confident riding different horses, knowing that my seat is strong, my touch is light, and my mind is connected with my mount, all thanks to mounted archery.”

Firsthand Success

I, too, was a nervous rider due to a bad fall some years ago. Something about dropping those reins makes you pick up confidence and put down fear. Concentrating on a target and aiming makes your nerves go away. Within a year I was cantering, and not just down the archery lane. I now have the courage to canter down the trail.

Even if you don’t lack confidence, mounted archery gives you a strong bond with your horse and heightens your skill as a rider. It also has a way of drawing people into equine activities.

“My husband wasn’t really into riding until we watched a video of horse archery,” says Kristen Andersen, co-leader of Northwest Nomad Warriors in Washington State. Her husband, Canyon Coppola, is now the leader of a club and on the Board of Directors for Horse Archery USA. The sport offers great potential for couples or families to enjoy an activity together on horseback.

This article originally appeared in the January 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Mounted Archery appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Gracie Waymer is a mounted archer based in Texas. She and her horse, Diana, a 5-year-old Egyptian Arabian, train and compete in the sport, and now Gracie is getting ready to compete in the world championships in South Korea!

The Sport of Mounted Archery

Gracie explains that there are two different types of mounted archery that she typically trains in: sports track and field archery.

“The sports track has barriers, so the horse runs in a straight line,” she says. “The focus is on training [for] speed and accuracy.

“Field archery has no barriers and is typically in an open field, so the horse must be guided around the course using bodyweight and leg pressure because your hands are full with a bow and arrow,” Gracie continues. “The focus is on training, good horsemanship, and accuracy.”

Learning From the Ground Up

Gracie practices with her bow and arrow on the ground, too, to improve her accuracy. She started out at an indoor archery range a few years ago, before she’d heard of mounted archery, but she found she had to re-learn some of her skills once she started on horseback.

“I heard about A Company Mounted Archery in my town of New Braunfels, Texas, that taught mounted archery,” she says. “At my first lesson, my coach, Trey Schlichting, had to re-teach me how to shoot because mounted archery is a martial art and requires a martial form of shooting.”

It only took one lesson for Gracie to get addicted to the sport. Now she trains every day and travels across the country for competitions. She says she spends more time at A Company than she does at her own house.

Gracie started in the sport less than two years ago, but she’s been riding horses her whole life.

“My family moved a lot when I was younger, so I was not able to own my own horse until just recently,” she says. “I would often ride friends’ and neighbors’ horses and took lessons at my local barn.”

Diana is Gracie’s first horse, and they’ve been working together at mounted archery since their first day together. Gracie says Diana is super athletic and has a sweet but strong personality. Gracie also rides lesson horses in practice, including an 18-year-old Quarter Horse named Patti and a 10-year-old Quarter Horse named Zoe.

The World Horseback Archery Federation Championships

In 2018, Gracie is training and competing with the U.S. Cultural Heritage Team for Mounted Archery, and they’re headed to South Korea for the World Horseback Archery Federation Championships in October. It’s a huge undertaking that Gracie and the team are training hard for, but Diana will be sitting this one out.

“In the culture of mounted archery, we all share our horses with out-of-state or international competitors,” Gracie says, explaining that she’ll ride borrowed horses at the competition.

“To prepare for the championships, I have been doing much more training on the sports track,” she says. “We’ll have six different events, each representing a different form of battle or hunting through history. Each country is to represent its own early history. I will be representing a Native American style of shooting.”

Give It a Try

Gracie says that if the sport of mounted archery interests you, and you have a little bit of riding experience, you should give it a try!

“After years of riding both English and western, I found that mounted archery is one of the most empowering things you can do,” says Gracie. “Dropping the reins to pull back a bow is a level of trust unique to horseback archery.”

There are mounted archery clubs across the United States, along with instructors and clinicians who will travel to different barns to teach up-and-coming horseback archers.

To find out more about mounted archery in your area, visit www.horsearchery.us.

The post IRL: Archery on Horseback appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.