In 1862 Brigadier General Phillip Cooke compiled “Cooke’s Cavalry Tactics” to educate and train cavalry horsemen. Sir Wulfric Peverel of Meridies rewrote the relevent portions of the manual for SCA Equestrian use. Click here to enjoy!
On May 15, 2009, members of the Lance of the Argent Bear and House de Montfort, all denizens of the fair kingdom of Atlantia, created a medieval demo for the fortunate students of Shoal Berry Intermediate School in Duncan, SC.
The riders were competing for the honor of becoming the Queen of Camelot’s champion. About 150 students were divided into groups to cheer for their chosen knight. Who reigned victorious? Watch and find out!
Many thanks to sommerbrendan for posting this footage!
Lexington , Kentucky is the heartbeat of America’s horse country. Each year in April, elite riders from around the world gather at the Kentucky Horse Park to test themselves and their horses against the course at the Rolex Three-Day Event.
Three Day Eventing began as a complete test of the mounted warrior and his horse. Eventing consists of three phases. The first phase, dressage, mimics battle drills and regimental parades. Horse and rider must navigate a pre-memorized pattern of intricate movements. They are judged on balance, obedience and accuracy. For the veteran event horse, a thoroughly fit athlete amped up for the wild run which comes next, dressage is also a test of patience.
The second phase, cross-country, is a long, fast gallop over varied terrain and solid fences, as if a soldier were bearing a critical message to a distant ally. Horse and rider accrue penalties and can be eliminated from competition for going off course, refusing a jump, exceeding the optimum time, or falling.
The final phase is show jumping in an arena over fences that knock down at the lightest brush of a hoof. This tests the fitness, suppleness and continued obedience of a horse who has already completed the grueling cross-country test.
Only the most athletic, courageous and well-trained horses successfully complete a three-day event. Through their skills, such horses pay homage to great war steeds throughout history.
Below, Great Britain’s Lucy Wiegersma and Woodfalls Inigo Jones cleanly navigate the Duck Pond. Enjoy our extensive gallery of video clips from the 2009 Lexington Kentucky Rolex Three Day Event at Laughing Gypsy Photography.