Katie Stearns

Johnny Snyman tells about the coming introduction of horseback archery to South Africa.

Horseback archery is an exciting and recognised martial-art sport practised in many countries today. It is a discipline which teaches ancient skills, where man, horse and bow become one. The exciting news is that 2011 will see horseback archery officially launched in South Africa.

Horseback archery will add an exciting new dimension to both traditional archery and the different equestrian sports in South Africa. The South African Horseback Archery Association (SAHAA) is expected to be formed in February. It will enable horseback archers from South Africa to train and qualify and then to compete in international horseback-archery events, such as the recent world championships held in the USA.
During April Neil Payne, chairman of the British Horseback Archery Association (BHAA) and his assistant Jehad Shamis, both champion horseback archers, will be conducting three two-day workshops to help lay the foundations for horseback archery in South Africa.

The workshops, in association with and on invitation by Blue Moon Riding and Livery Stables, will be held at Blue Moon Riding Stables, situated in the south of Johannesburg in the Walkerville area and easily accessible from the N1. The workshops will be held over two full days each and will cover the following skills:

Horsemanship:

• Getting to know the horse; mounting and dismounting and tacking up
  
• Getting the horse familiarised to archery equipment
  
• Shooting off the horse while it is being led at a walk
  
• Shooting off the horse unassisted
  

Archery:

• Basic equipment knowledge
  
• Learning to shoot without looking at the bow and string
  
• Learning to shoot using the thumb-release technique
  
• Shooting the bow from different angles
  
• Groundwork for shooting from the horse

The courses will end in a friendly competition amongst the participants to help develop their newly acquired foundational skills in horseback archery. Bookings for the course are essential and will be made on a first-come-first-served basis. A 50 per cent deposit is required to confirm a booking.

Workshop dates:

• 11 to 12 April
  
• 13 to 14 April
  
• 16 to 17 April

Course fees are R550 per person. Spectator fee is R50.
Beverages, snacks and light lunches will be on sale at the canteen. Those interested in experiencing the exhilaration of horseback archery can contact Aishah Hartman at 011 854-4078 or 083 519 9704. Fax: 086 607 9069.

Come along and learn the historic skills of blending horsemanship and archery in the wonderful sport of horseback archery!