Category Archives: Equestrian

Planning An Event? Include Equestrian!

02 Monday Oct 2023

Posted by in Equestrian, Officer Announcements

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Greetings from the Chair of the Equestrian Office!

Temperatures are dropping and leaves are turning into their autumn colors. It is October, which for me and many fellow planners is the time to think about the year to come. 2024!

Are you planning an event, is it outdoors, in a park, or on the hills? Wouldn’t it be beautiful to include horses at your next event? Yeah, but….. you might not know how, what is needed, or where to start; then contact me, THL Gesa van Wellenstein. It would be my pleasure to connect you with an equestrian marshal in your area, help you to check out your site and answer any questions you might have.

Even if the area might not be big enough for equestrian activities such as games, mounted archery or jousting, there might be opportunities for mounted procession, trail rides, or meeting the war horses. And don’t forget, we also have drivers in our kingdom. Maybe adding a carriage would enrich your event.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any question or concerns and possible suggestions on how we can grow our equestrian program, educate the populace, and keep the dream going.

In Service

THL Gesa van Wellenstein, KEO of Æthelmearc

First ever Myrkfaelinn equestrian practice!

29 Saturday Jul 2023

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For the first time since forever, the central region of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc will host an equestrian event! And as Dominionites generally jumps in with both feet, the Dominion of Myrkfaelinn is not only hosting an equestrian event, we’re hosting the Kingdom Equestrian Championships!

But as our locals have rarely participated in sca equestrian events, or helped work one, we thought it wise to organize a local practice first.

Do you have a horse?
Are you interested in learning equestrian games?
Would you like to authorize in said games?
Perhaps even enter the Championship the month after?!

Then come join us at the first ever Myrkfaelinn Equestrian Practice from 10AM to 5PM on Sunday, August 27th, 2023!

Thus, in preparation for A Day of Tournaments which includes the Kingdom Equestrian Championship to be held the weekend of September 8 to 10th, the Dominion of Myrkfaelinn has organized an Equestrian Practice. It will be held Sunday August 27th, 2023 at Sheffield Farm near Ithaca, NY, and will give equestrian participants the opportunity to authorize in general riding and mounted games.

Mistress Ysabeau Tiercelin is the Marshal in Charge (MiC) and will bring game equipment, including heads, reeds, spear, rings, quintain and birja.
This way both the equestrian participants as well as the ground crew can familiarize themselves with the equipment before A Day of Tournaments. As there is always a need for Ground Crew, we very much welcome non-riders to be of service and come train with us in preparation for the Kingdom Championship.

No idea what these games entail? I found this PDF to be quite helpful starting at Chapter VII, page 23.

There will also be a Barding Petting Zoo for those interested in sewing ‘clothing’ for their horse to look their best come the Tournament!

The facility includes a polo-sized indoor riding arena as well as an outdoor arena. It has spacious stalls (I have to check if we can use those) and a large viewing floor with full view of the indoor arena. For those interested trail riding, the site also offers carriage-groomed trails through fields and woods.

Directions: Sheffield Farm, 451 Sheffield Road, Ithaca NY 14850
For a bird’s eye view of the property, the Landtrust did a beautiful write up.

Icelandic Greni and his rider Elska having fun in the arena.

Interested?
Riders, please give us a heads up if you are planning to attend, and might need a stall.

For the non- riders, this is a great way to get introduced to the horse side of the sca before our Day of tournaments and Kingdom Equestrian Championship. We are always looking for people to train and help out with the ground crew.

Looking forward to seeing you, and your mount of choice – whether it be a cantankerous fuzzy one, or a level headed wooden-stick one 😉

Mistress Cristina (autocrat) and Mistress Elska
(PM me if you need a place to crash – also for your pony!)

Event Announcement: QRC/Equestrian Games

03 Monday Apr 2023

Posted by in Equestrian, Event Announcements & Updates, Fencing, Rapier

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When arriving at the site for Queen’s Rapier Championship and Equestrian Games this Saturday, April 8, you will be directed as to where to park. Parking is limited, so if it’s possible to carpool, that would be optimal.

Below is a map of where parking is in relation to where you’d be entering the site.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the autocrat, Meesteres Odriana vander Brugghe (Jennifer Bahor), via email at  or via Messenger.

See the full event announcement online.

Virtual Marshal Meetings First Tuesday of Each Month

28 Monday Nov 2022

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The next monthly Virtual Marshal Meeting is Tuesday, December 6, this time at 7 p.m.

This is an opportunity for all SCA equestrian marshals or marshals in training to get together and learn about how to keep our equestrian program fun and safe for all participants.

During these monthly meetings we will talk about various topics surrounding our equestrian activities, i.e. insurance, paperwork, delegating workload and responsibilities and general safety in & out of the horse arena. The purpose of these meetings are to ask questions and learn from each other.

We will meet on the first Tuesday of each month, generally at 8 p.m.

See the Facebook group here.

Equestrian Sewing on October 30

17 Monday Oct 2022

Posted by in Costuming, Equestrian, Event Announcements & Updates

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Come create garb for our Equestrians!

Are you an equestrian who could use some garb or one who has the knowledge of good riding garb to share? Are you a sewer or costumer and can lend your talents to those who need garb and want to learn to sew more? Please come join us on Sunday, October 30 from noon to 5:30 p.m.

Our castle (755 Stonegate Drive, Wexford PA 15090) is still a construction site so please park on the street and walk down. We do have two big rooms for sewing but more machines, irons, and ironing boards are welcome!

Duchess Sir Ariella

The Ministry of the List

22 Thursday Sep 2022

Posted by in Competitions, Equestrian, Fencing, Heavy List, Service

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“Be honorable yourself if you wish to associate with honorable people.” ~Proverb

Sitting in the front row of every scored Tournament for Heavy Weapons, Fencing, or Equestrian activities is a person with a clipboard making sure that the rules are followed, the scoring is honest, and that everyone that came to fight that day gets onto the field. These are your Ministers of the List, typically referred to as the MOL.

The MOL is a warranted position, like a Marshal, so membership in SCA, Inc. is required to act as an MOL. There is no membership requirement to be in the training (MOLlet) program, but you would need a membership to become warranted. Warrants expire concurrently with your membership, so you would update your warrant information with the Kingdom MOL when you renewed your membership.

The value of having a dedicated group of people to do this is manifold:

Before an event, the Marshal in Charge works with the MOL to review the kind of tournament that they wish to run. The MOL can also assist in planning out a tournament by offering suggestions for format, including alternate plans that can be deployed if the number of anticipated fighters changes.

During the planning phase of the event is also when it is most helpful to the MOL to know just how many people they will need the day of the event so that everyone may arrive prepared and ready to go for the tournament(s) that day.

The day of a tournament, it frees up the Marshals to conduct inspections and run the tournament. It also ensures that the business of reviewing authorization credentials and providing authorization paperwork is conducted enough before the tournament so that the fighters can then focus on their pre-game activities.

What does an MOL do?

Before the tournament, the MOL may work with the Marshal in Charge (MIC) to determine the best format for the estimated number of fighters, if the MIC isn’t sure what kind of format they would like to run. The general preference is for the MOL to be engaged before the event is bid as a regular part of the event staff. Often, though, MOLs will be contacted after the event is bid and the MIC will have an idea of what kind of tournament they would like to run. You would then work with them to see what they are able to provide for you – usually a table, cover of some variety, and a chair – and what time they would like the tournament(s) to happen.

The day of the event, the MOL checks in fighters by viewing/confirming their authorization is current and to score the tournament. Tournament is used very broadly here, it can be anything from a simple bear pit to a double-elimination tournament. It doesn’t have to be Crown to be a tournament.

During the tournament, the primary job of an MOL is to keep score and help keep things moving. The MOL will then provide a list of winners based on what criteria has been determined for winning. The MIC is usually the one that announces the winners in court.

MOL is a job that requires focus and fairness. It’s the MOL’s job to make sure that the score is correct and the correct person is announced as winner. It just takes time to understand how to score a variety of formats. The focus of training is to make sure that you are comfortable with the scoring.

How do I become an MOL?

First, contact your local MOL or the Kingdom MOL to arrange a couple of visits to a table at a tournament. This will give you a better idea of what is involved and what you can expect. If you see that being an MOL is as awesome as it sounds, then you would arrange to become a MOLlet and work with a mentor to learn how to sign fighters in, check authorizations, and score the main tournament formats:

● Round Robin
● Bear Pit
● Single-Elimination
● Double-Elimination

This is done using on-the-job training and, if needed, a mock tournament can be held to run infrequently-used formats like double-elimination. There are also some online resources that you can use to learn/refresh your memory on how to run a variety of tournaments.

If you aren’t sure if this is something that you’d enjoy doing, please contact the Kingdom MOL, Odriana (mol@aethelmearc.org), and she will help you find a table to join so you can see what being an MOL looks like in action and see if it’s the right fit for you.

Courtesy of Meesteres Odriana

Maple: The Sylvan War Horse of Æthelmearc

18 Sunday Sep 2022

Posted by in Equestrian, Royalty

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In the glorious year of A.S. 47 during the reign of their Royal Majesties Andreas and Kallista, Maple, a Belgian mare, made her first appearance during the Kingdom Equestrian Championships in the Barony of the Endless Hills.

With thundering hooves and fierce demeaner she carried her warrior boldly through the challenging course, and a few minutes later during the same event, Maple was carrying another warrior with gentleness safely through the obstacle. This impressed the court and left them astounded. This massive 2000 lb war horse, strong as she could be, also demonstrated that she is also just a gentle giant who is here to protect and serve our glorious Kingdom and Mounted Warriors. That day Maple started her journey within the SCA.

Photo credit to Michelle Bauer

Over the recent years, Maple established a solid place in her Barony of the Debatable Lands. She has served her glorious kingdom of Æthelmearc by processing many Royals and Highnesses into Court over the past 10 years. She paraded proudly during the SCA 50 Year Anniversary and carried TRM Byron through the procession. His lovely wife was riding Maple’s friend Daisy, another war horse Maple shares her pastures with.

During the Middle Kingdom’s 50-year anniversary, the procession was cancelled due to weather, but Maple was present and stood happily for some Royal pictures. Of course, Maple did not miss the opportunity to participate in Æthelmearc’s 20-year anniversary celebrations and provide transportation for TRM into court.

Maple loves attention and enjoys making humans smile. She agreed to pose with the pasture sister Daisy for pictures during Debatable lands 12th night celebration in the winter of 2019. This picture opportunity was well appreciated and attended by all.

Marching in processions, parades and posing for photo opportunities is not what makes Maple a war horse. Her athletic skills during the equestrian games and in the jousting list is what earned her the title of Sylvan Horse of Æthelmearc. During the equestrian championship Maple carried four different riders through the challenge course and came out victorious. At the end of that day, King Byron called Maple into his court and bestowed her with the title “Sylvan Horse of Æthelmearc.”

Earlier this year, Maple aided His Highness Byron to claim his throne during spring coronation.

Since then, Maple has carried many riders to their victories in the baronial championship in her homeland. Since 2017 all the Barony of the Debatable Lands champions rode this wonderful strong and majestic war horse Maple. This fact earned Maple an Iron Comet during the Iris Festival earlier this year, from the Debatable Lands.  Additionally, Maple has been mentoring and training new SCA equestrians, and was available for rider’s authorizations in games, mounted archery, and jousting. In fact, Maple was used to authorize over 20 riders, 7 mounted archers and 16 jousters between 2016 and 2019.

Today, Maple is over 25 years old, and enjoys her life with her equine friends on the farm in Gibsonia PA. She enjoys her trail rides and eating fresh grass and clover. She always appreciates additional treats like apples and carrots. Occasionally, she is making guest appearances at community events, and is always looking forward making others smile. After so many years in service, Maple is started a new adventure this summer. Since Pennsic, Maple has started training experienced archers, who are brave enough to join the Kingdom’s Cavalry, in the skill of mounted archery. We will be looking forward to the fruits of her new adventures!

Iris Festival (June 4th) Reminders

01 Wednesday Jun 2022

Posted by in Arts & Sciences, Competitions, Equestrian, Event Announcements & Updates

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  • ‹From the event steward for Iris Festival and Kingdom Equestrian Champs, With Iron Comet Challenge, THL Hara Kikumatsu.

The Barony Marche of the Debatable Lands Iron Comet Challenge, Japanese Iris Festival, and Kingdom Equestrian Champs event is only a few days away, on June 4th. We hope for a beautiful, fun-filled day.

Last minute reminders:

1. SCA Covid protocols as of the event date will be enforced. Please be prepared to show your vaccination record or proof of a negative Covid test upon arrival at the event or at event setup Friday evening.

2. No food will be served, so bring food and drink. No glass bottles please.

3. Remember sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, a chair to sit on and, if you have one, a pop-up for shade.

4. There is handicap accessible parking, next to handicap restrooms, and an all gender changing tent. There are also separate Lords & Ladies changing tents.

5. Service animals only (other than the horses). They must be on a leash.

Iron Comet Challenge Rules:

1. For adults to be eligible for the iron comet challenge, you must enter the A&S competition, and have fought in at least 3 of the four non-equestrian martial tournaments.

2. Scoring will be done by tournament winner get 10 points, second 9 points, etc for each of the tournaments. The scores are added.

3. Youth iron comet winner will be determined by a combined archery, thrown weapons, and arts and sciences tournaments score.

4. Youth scores are tallied for only the youth, not as part of adult scores.

A Little More on the Event:

Here is the event page: http://debatablelands.org/events/2022-06-04%20Japanese%20Iris%20Festival.php. The event will have fencing, thrown weapons, heavy fighting, and archery tournaments. In addition there is kingdom equestrian champion tournament for horses and riders. There is also a arts and sciences competition with no theme. There is an equestrian arts and sciences competition. In addition to the arts and sciences competition, there is a arts and sciences display with an Asian theme.

The combined iron comet challenge is combination of the results from all the non-equestrian competitions.

The event will be held in the horse arena at Brady’s Run, 121 Brady’s Run Rd, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Preregistration is closed, but you can pay at the door with cash or check.

Cost:
Adult Event Registration: $12
Adult Member Discount Event Registration: $7
Youth 17 and under are free.

Still Time to Pre-Reg for Iris Festival & Kingdom Equestrian Champs!

29 Sunday May 2022

Posted by in A&S Competition and Display, Competitions, Equestrian, Event Announcements & Updates, Fencing, Heavy List, Rapier, Thrown Weapons

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This Saturday, June 4th, The Debatable Lands welcomes Their Majesties and Highnesses to our Japanese Iris Festival as Their Majesties hold The Kingdom Equestrian Championship! This event has something for everyone – martial activities of all types, and A&S. And yes, even jousting! Check out the event announcement.

The site is in Southwestern PA (courtesy of the Shire of Steltonwald) at Brady’s Run Park in Beaver Falls. You can pre-register online until TOMORROW, MAY 30th through SCARS:
https://members.sca.org/apps/#MtgDetail/00001314 .

Cost for the event is super affordable and family-friendly: Adult registration (non-member) is $12. Adult member registration is $7. People age 17 and under are FREE.

This event also features the IRON COMET CHALLEGE (see below) and of course, Royal and Baronial Courts. Here’s the schedule for the day (tentative):

Site opens – 9 am
Part 1 Equestrian Champs – 10:30 am
Fencing tournament – 11 am
Thrown Weapons tournament – 12 noon
Arts and Sciences Competition – 1 pm
Part 2 Equestrian Champs – 1:30 pm
Heavy tournament – 2 pm
Archery tournament – 3 pm
Jousting (weather permitting) – 4 pm
Court – 5:30 pm
Tear-down after court

Have questions? Check out these FAQs:

Q. What’s the Iron Comet Challenge?

All are welcome to participate in the separate fighting, fencing, archery, and thrown weapons tournaments, as well as an A&S competition (no theme).

But for those elite few who want to test their skills as well-rounded medievalists, you can enter the Iron Comet Challenge – enter at least 3 out of the 4 martial competitions, and the A&S competition (required, all levels welcome), and be an Iron Comet Challenger competing for the highest composite score. Who will prove to be the best of the best?

You welcome to come and enjoy the competitions separately without competing in the Iron Comet Challenge, of course.

Q. Tell me more about the Arts and Sciences activities.

The competition has no theme, and all are welcome to enter it.

We are lucky enough to also have an A&S display – if you choose, there is a theme of Asian Arts and Sciences to celebrate the Japanese Iris Festival! Displays not adhering to the theme are also welcome.

There will also be a poetry competition for Japanese forms of poetry, including haiku, tanka, and if we feel brave, collaborative forms such as renga and renku.

Q. Will there be event-provided food?

Not this time, no, due to the pandemic. The event will not provide food. But please do bring your own and enjoy a picnic! (No glass bottles)

Q. What else should I know to prepare for the day?

The event is outside, but the weather forecast looks beautiful! There are a couple of shelters but you may want to bring chairs and maybe a pop-up for a place to relax.

There are three public changing tents – lords, ladies, and all gender. The all gender changing tent is next to accessible parking and accessible restrooms.

All COVID protocols will be enforced, so please remember your vaccination card (or picture of it) and ID (membership card is fine) or else your proof of negative COVID test.

Other than horses, only service animals allowed.

Q. Tell me a little about the Equestrian stuff.

The event is only open on Saturday, but those with horses are welcome to arrive Friday night. Contact THL Gesa for details.

For the Equestrian Champs, there are games and riding before prince activities hosted by Aethelmearc current Kingdom Equestrian Champion Gozen. There is also an A&S element. Contact Mistress Gozen for details, or check out the Aethelmearc Equestrian Facebook page. Activities are part of the kingdom equestrian championship, but it is open to all riders. There is also a jousting tournament!!
See you there!

Virtual Equestrian Marshal in Training Program

19 Sunday Dec 2021

Posted by in Announcements, Equestrian, Event Announcements & Updates, Kingdom News, SCA @ Home

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Starting January 4th, 2022, there will be monthly Virtual Equestrian Marshal Trainings. These training will be open to anyone interested in our known world.

Our virtual Equestrian Marshal in Training meetings will occur on the First Tuesday of the month at 7PM EST.

Each training session is designed to last 90 minutes, depending on questions. The monthly meetings will be posted on the SCA Equestrian Facebook page, and if possible, emails can be sent out with meeting agenda and log in information.

  • This virtual Equestrian Marshal in Training Program will primarily cover the SCA Equestrian Handbook, Weapon inspections, and Event / Practice planning including all required paperwork and marshal reports.
  • Each Kingdom will be responsible for adding additional information to this program which is specific for their Kingdom.
  • The Æthelmearc Equestrian Marshal in Training will be on a separate day to be announced. These virtual trainings will cover the theoretical sections of the Equestrian Marshal in Training program.
  • The program requires hands on sections as well. Please arrange hands on training (i.e. weapon inspection, mock authorization, organizing an event or marshaling a practice) with your Kingdom Equestrian Officer.
  • The goal to be is to record these trainings for future references and provide additional training videos as we move forward over the next few months.

Requirements for becoming an Equestrian Marshal in Training (EMIT):

Becoming an SCA Equestrian Marshal is not as easy as showing up and saying you want to be a Marshal.

Being an Equestrian Marshal requires a good knowledge of horses, horsemanship, riders, games and the SCA’s rules and regulations.

There are a number of steps which must be completed, under the supervision of an Equestrian Marshal (EQM) in good standing with the Kingdom, in order to become an Equestrian Marshal.

You must demonstrate your knowledge in all these areas in a defined sequence in order to be approved and warranted as an Equestrian Marshal.

1) Establish and maintain membership in the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA).

2) Find an Equestrian Marshal to sponsor / train you and get another to recommend you. Both must sign your EMIT log to document this sponsorship.

3) Authorize as a General Rider and authorize to participate in Mounted Games and maintain these authorizations.

4) Approval of the Kingdom Equestrian Officer is required to become an Equestrian Marshal in Training

 

For more information, please visit the Facebook event page here