What is horseback archery?

Drawing on various equestrian traditions, above all those of Mongolia, Hungary and Korea, horseback archery is an age-old art that brings archery and riding together to great effect. It is an equestrian discipline rooted in a thousand-year-old art, and one that is practised more and more. So what exactly is horseback archery? We look at it in this article.

Horseback archery: what is the history behind this discipline?

Horseback archery is one of the oldest sporting disciplines there is. The activity has existed for at least 4,000 years. Horseback archery first appeared in the countries of Asia.

Originally, it was used mainly for hunting and for protecting herds. It then became one of the most effective disciplines when it came to fighting. From Genghis Khan to the Plains Indians of North America, mounted archers were found more or less all over the world and passed on to the following generations the culture of this thousand-year-old technique.

However, with the arrival of firearms and machines, bows and horses gradually disappeared from the battlefield. Today the discipline is practised largely as a sport and is attracting more and more followers around the world.

The qualities needed to take up horseback archery are many, which is why not every rider in the world can do it. To practise this discipline you need to be calm, skilful and focused. As for the horse, it must be balanced, obedient and forward-going, as well as balanced and calm. Some detailed information on the subject will help.

Which horses and which riders for horseback archery?

It has to be said that every breed of horse is suitable today for horseback archery, provided they have the best equipment on offer from La Sellerie Française. The horse does, however, need to be properly trained so that it does not take fright when the rider looses volley after volley of arrows. The horse must also be used to seeing the bow and the arrows in its field of vision. It must equally be used to travelling down the shooting line on its own.

Both ponies and horses are accepted in competition. That said, equines must be at least 4 years old to be able to take part in a competition.

As for riders, competitions are open to everyone with no age limit. A minimum level of riding ability is nevertheless required: in France, the rider must hold at least Galop 1. Riders are generally invited to wear traditional archer's costume or standard riding dress. A riding hat is also compulsory, and riders who wish to may attach a traditional headdress to it.

What equipment do you need for horseback archery?

The bows used in horseback archery must be of the traditional type and must not have an arrow rest. As for the arrows, they must match the rider's draw length, and the rider can either hold them in the hand or keep them in a leather or fabric quiver. Depending on the class, the targets used may differ.