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Nothing can prepare you for the thrill and satisfaction of shooting arrows from a running horse. It connects you to our warrior past in a way that is both visceral and exhilarating. The skills involved are ‘easy to learn’ – allowing you to quickly get a feel for this exciting sport. However, they will take a ‘lifetime to master’, potentially setting you off on a journey that will last, well, a lifetime.
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The History of Horseback Archery
Horseback archery is an ancient art, and one of the most exciting things we have ever done on horseback! This skill, beloved of the eastern steppe tribes and Persian armies, also has roots in the history of our own island.
Horses have been domesticated in Britain for over 4000 years and there are records of archery as early as 2500BC. In the declaration of Arbroath (1320) the Scots claim decent from the Scythian tribes of Eastern Europe, some of the world’s foremost horseback archers.
The Romans were met by Britons shooting from horse-drawn chariots, there are depictions of horseback archery on the Bayeux Tapestry and there is much evidence that horseback archery was used by nobles for hunting throughout the middle ages.
Kintyre is part of the ancient kingdom of Dalriada, which forms the setting for horseback archery tales such as Halfdan the Viking and Niall of the bow - a simple cowherder who won the hills of Morvern for his archery achievements.
Horses have been domesticated in Britain for over 4000 years and there are records of archery as early as 2500BC. In the declaration of Arbroath (1320) the Scots claim decent from the Scythian tribes of Eastern Europe, some of the world’s foremost horseback archers.
The Romans were met by Britons shooting from horse-drawn chariots, there are depictions of horseback archery on the Bayeux Tapestry and there is much evidence that horseback archery was used by nobles for hunting throughout the middle ages.
Kintyre is part of the ancient kingdom of Dalriada, which forms the setting for horseback archery tales such as Halfdan the Viking and Niall of the bow - a simple cowherder who won the hills of Morvern for his archery achievements.
Your Coaches Training & Qualifications
Here at Wilder Ways, we have been practicing our skills with some of the best horseback archers in the World. We started off at home and tried the taster sessions at ‘Les Amis’ in the Borders. Then we spent a week in Bulgaria with our Kassai master, Vladimir (The Way of the Horse and Bow) who immersed us in a training programme steeped in Eastern nomadic culture.
Nikki & Cara are qualified British Horseback Archery Association (BHAA) qualified club coaches having trained with the British No 1. Simon Harding. Simon taught us a range of techniques blending tribal and competition styles. We’ve also had to train our willing band of equestrian partners to put up with the twanging and clattering of archery equipment and to canter with no reins – which of course they took to with their usual ‘ducks to water’ style.
Nikki & Cara are qualified British Horseback Archery Association (BHAA) qualified club coaches having trained with the British No 1. Simon Harding. Simon taught us a range of techniques blending tribal and competition styles. We’ve also had to train our willing band of equestrian partners to put up with the twanging and clattering of archery equipment and to canter with no reins – which of course they took to with their usual ‘ducks to water’ style.
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What's Best For You?
Experience Days give you a grounding in archery skills and the opportunity to try it from horseback. During the day you will complete ground and mounted sessions, before putting these together to shoot from your horse. Lunch, featuring much of our own produce, will be provided in the farmhouse. For those of you looking for a longer adventure with us, please note that our horseback archery days also feature in all of our Action Adventure and Ultimate Horse Adventure holidays. |
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Experience Days |
INCLUDES A FULL DAY’S TUITION (10AM-5PM) INCLUDING GROUND AND MOUNTED ARCHERY SESSIONS, AND LUNCH AT THE FARM
2025 Dates by enquiry - please email [email protected]
or
available as part of our Ultimate Horse Adventure.
£225 PER PERSON. INCLUDES ALL RIDING, ARCHERY INSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT and farmhouse LUNCH.
2025 Dates by enquiry - please email [email protected]
or
available as part of our Ultimate Horse Adventure.
£225 PER PERSON. INCLUDES ALL RIDING, ARCHERY INSTRUCTION, EQUIPMENT and farmhouse LUNCH.
Description
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A day’s introduction to the exciting and ancient art of horseback archery.
Whether you are a complete archery beginner, or a regular on the BHAA circuit, join the Wilder Ways herd on one of our Horseback Archery days. These experience days give you a grounding in archery skills and the opportunity to try it from horseback. If you have done this before you can continue to develop your skills or just enjoy a different style. During the day you will complete a ground session before putting your new skills together to shoot from your horse. Lunch, featuring much of our own produce, will be provided in the farmhouse. |
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The day will start at 10am, please arrive at 9.45 to check forms and gear, and to allow us fit you with a helmet.
The morning session (2 hrs) will include an introduction to horseback archery, health and safety, and a ground archery session where you can learn/advance some of the techniques for shooting from a horse. Lunch will be at 1pm and is a good time to sit down and ask any questions about your experience. At 2pm we will head out to the yard and brush/tack up our horses. You will be provided with full assistance if you wish to do this yourself. During the afternoon session (2hrs) you will learn techniques for improving balance and twisting on the horse and how to shoot from horseback. By the end of this session you should be happy to shoot at several targets, even maybe trying at canter if you are a competent rider. After this session there will be a chance to ask any questions and just generally buzz about what you have just achieved! The afternoon ends at 5pm. |
If these dates do not suit you, please contact us and we may be able to offer you a similar itinerary as an Adventure to Order. View our full schedule to explore our other products throughout the season.
OR maybe this is the adventure for you...
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