I have the chance to attend a 4 day mounted archery clinic this September in Bend Oregon with Holm Newman and Katie Stearns. Very jazzed about the whole thing. Been a while since I have ridden and this will be a first time with Asian style bows, any sage advice for this novice would be greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Alan
First time for mounted archery
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Alan Flashing
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:36 pm
- Location: Oakland Oregon,USA
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robno
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Mon Jul 07, 2008 12:24 am
- Location: ?sterg?tland, Sweden
I guess only this:
Be humble.
You will likely feel like you have:
1) never held a bow before and
2) never really sat on a horseback before.
The former is because all those things about anchorpoints and whatnot are out the window on horseback. Even such a thing as how to nock the arrow will be and feel different.
The second, though, is dependent on what exactly you have done on horseback before, but assuming you're a typical rider then it will feel strange to lean different ways with all the balancing and counterbalancing. Picture yourself sitting on a high chair with feet dangling and trying to draw one rope/whatever away from you (bowhand) and at the same time towards you (drawhand) but these being of different weights. It's a movement which is not really difficult, but your reflexes from how you usually draw a bow might play a trick on you.
Not to discourage you! Far from it: These things are more a reason to try it, since it brings a new dimension to both archery and riding.
On a funny little note: After training for shooting from horseback I have become unable to aim while standing in the typical position (one foot towards target, other in 90 degrees out). I have to have feet next to each other slightly spread apart - more korean style I guess - and either facing forward and twisting upper body (with my "everyday bow" of 45#) or facing sideways (for heavier bows).
For other advice I bet someone who is more experienced is better at filling in.
Be humble.
You will likely feel like you have:
1) never held a bow before and
2) never really sat on a horseback before.
The former is because all those things about anchorpoints and whatnot are out the window on horseback. Even such a thing as how to nock the arrow will be and feel different.
The second, though, is dependent on what exactly you have done on horseback before, but assuming you're a typical rider then it will feel strange to lean different ways with all the balancing and counterbalancing. Picture yourself sitting on a high chair with feet dangling and trying to draw one rope/whatever away from you (bowhand) and at the same time towards you (drawhand) but these being of different weights. It's a movement which is not really difficult, but your reflexes from how you usually draw a bow might play a trick on you.
Not to discourage you! Far from it: These things are more a reason to try it, since it brings a new dimension to both archery and riding.
On a funny little note: After training for shooting from horseback I have become unable to aim while standing in the typical position (one foot towards target, other in 90 degrees out). I have to have feet next to each other slightly spread apart - more korean style I guess - and either facing forward and twisting upper body (with my "everyday bow" of 45#) or facing sideways (for heavier bows).
For other advice I bet someone who is more experienced is better at filling in.