Nope! We are able to teach you everything you need to know, whether that is the specific archery techniques you need for equestrian archery, or how to ride without reins.

Our system ensures that you are in control of your horse and are safe with the archery techniques before we let you loose to shoot from the horse.

Even those people who have prior experience with archery or riding will need to spend time on these skills separately first, to ensure that they know what is required in this new context.

If time is short (for example in our 3-hour Equestrian Archery Encounters, or a weekend workshop), we will teach you a simplified archery technique, and if necessary we will lead your horse so that you can concentrate on the bow and arrows.

No problem! At our base location in Langley, British Columbia, we have safe and well-trained horses for riders of all levels.

If you are coming to a clinic or workshop at another location, we can help you find a horse to train with.

Equestrian archery is a great sport to train together with your own horse, to deepen your relationship and to increase your horse's health and mental wellbeing through exposure to a variety of activities.

If your horse is healthy and rideable, talk to us about bringing it to our lessons, clinics or workshops. There we will assess its suitability, and teach you how to accustom it to equestrian archery.

Depending on the location, you will likely need to budget for haul-in fees when bringing your own horse.

For your archery sessions, wear clothes that are well-fitting, that you can comfortably move in and are appropriate for the weather.

We have access to a covered arena for training when it is raining, but still dress warmly if it is cold.

Avoid any baggy clothing, dangling straps or jewellery that might get caught on the bowstring.

If you have long hair, please tie it back out of the way.

Wear closed-toe shoes.

All archery equipment is provided for your first lesson.

If you have your own, feel free to bring it so we can assess whether it is appropriate for equestrian archery.

For your horse sessions, wear long pants that you can also comfortably move in, and boots with a smooth sole and 0.5–1 inch heels.

Riding helmets are mandatory when you are sitting on a horse, and will be provided for your first lessons.

If you continue training with us however, we recommend that you invest in your own helmet.

Bring a water bottle and snacky-snacks if you think you will get hungry.

Ongoing lessons:

We can teach ongoing private and semi-private horse riding and archery lessons to youth from 13 years and up. When they demonstrate commitment and progress in these foundational disciplines, we are happy to continue their training to become equestrian archers.

Our adult group lessons are for 16 years old and up.

Clinics:

We can run separate clinics for youth 13 – 16 years old, as they learn at a different rate to adults.

Our adult clinics and workshops are for 16 years old and up.

Participants over the age of 75 years are more than welcome. Please communicate with us in advance however, if you are over 75 years old and would like to join us.

No, there is not. We have large, steady, safe and well-trained horses, who are able to carry riders of all sizes.

Balance is more important than weight.

You will need to be able to climb the stairs of the mounting block, be able to swing your leg clear over the saddle to mount and be able to maintain your posture and balance in the saddle.

If you struggle with these skills, we can work with you to develop them.

Be aware however that falling off can have more consequences for heavier people, and there is no way to guarantee that you won't fall off.

Having said that, our program is specifically designed in a progression to building your confidence and competence while keeping you as safe as possible.

Horse riding is an excellent pathway to fitness, physically and mentally.

Equestrian archery techniques are different from those techniques shot by ground archers.

This is due to the different context: shooting at speed, at varying angles, from an unstable platform.

Depending on your goals and the time we have available, we can teach you a variety of archery techniques that are able to be shot from horseback.

These include thumb draw, Mediterranean (three-finger) draw, Persian and Slavic draws, with arrows held in the bow hand, draw hand or drawn from a quiver.

Technically, any kind of bow can be shot from horseback. However, equestrian archery bows are usually recurved, without a shelf or arrow rest (the arrow rests on the bow hand).

Our teaching bows are specifically designed for the sport, to help you learn easily and quickly while keeping you healthy and safe.