Our goal is to have fun playing with horses while learning more about horses, horsemanship, and the history of equestrian arts. We offer classes about horses, horsemanship, equipment making, and horse history at various SCA events including Collegiums, Arts & Sciences Tourneys, Equestrian Practices, and Kingdom Equestrian Meetings.
It is often asked if people need to own a horse to participate. The answer is, "No."
For people who want to ride but do not have access to a horse, there are SCA-oriented group riding lessons are typically scheduled every month at local stables. In addition, there are occasionally events where rental horses are available. There is also the option of making friends with horse owners and arranging a mentorship. Many horse owners are interested in working with someone who is enthusiastic, interested in learning from them, and willing to share in the large amount of work involved with owning a horse. Some horse owners also have horses available for a part or full lease.
There are also many non-riding options where people can come and help out with the equestrian college in other ways. We often need help with setting up and taking down the games equipment, ground crew, heralds (especially at equestrian specific events), helpers acting as Chatelaines for a day at Equestrian activities (there is usually a big need for this type of help), Autocrats for Equestrian events, and we have even needed help running an Equestrian Jousting and Foam Weapon Crest Combat list. If it needs doing at a fighting event, it probably needs doing at an Equestrian event or Equestrian activity.
If any of this sounds like fun, consider joining the West Kingdom Equestrian e-mail list.
For more information, contact your Mists Equestrian Officer, Mistress Marguerite du Royon.
Upcoming Activities
Events with Horses in 2008:
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Mists/Cynagua War, May 9-11 in Napa
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Arts & Sciences Tourney, June 14-15, in Milpitas at Ed Levin Park
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June Crown, June 20-22 in Woodland
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Equestrium, Aug 1-4 on the coast
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Purgatorio, Aug 22-24 at Tres Pinos
Lessons:
Western/English Riding Lessons, Saratoga:
There are regular mixed English and Western riding lessons typically held once a month at Garrod Farms Stables in Saratoga. These are held usually on Fridays when there is not an SCA camping event, starting between 4:00 and 5:00 pm. All levels of experience are welcome, and lessons are in a covered arena. Riders must wear a helmet and shoes with a heel, and loaner helmets are available from the stable. These lessons are 1 hour long and cost between $35 and $50 per lesson depending on how many students attend (horses are provided by the stable).
Mists Equestrian Practices:
Mists EQ Practices are being held in the South Bay (at Ed Levin Park EQ arena) in 2008, with dates as follows:
- June 8
- July 20
- September 21
Each of these practices starts at 11:00 AM and runs until around 2:00 PM. We will be focusing on learning drill maneuvers (riding as a group to a musical quadrille), and may also include medieval EQ games, jousting practice, or trail rides depending on the interests of those who attend.
New riders who are interested in practicing the gymkhana type, scored games played in the SCA will have a chance to get their horses used to the equipment and authorize to ride at these practices. As riders get more experienced with SCA Eq. activities, this group hopes to branch out into Styrofoam jousting, boffer crest combat, and equestrian archery.
If you do not have a horse, you will need to arrange for one ahead of time, However, groundcrew assistance for grooming, resetting games equipment, and weapons assistance is always needed, and sometimes an owner may be willing to lend their horse – but you have to show up to know if this is an option!
These practices are also a great opportunity to fill out your Marshal-In-Training experience! Please contact Mistress Marguerite for more information.
EQ Workshops:
Whether it be sewing horse garb/barding, silk banner painting, making EQ games equipment, or making riding helmet covers, whatever your SCA equestrian interest we can probably help! Workshops are planned for after the tourney season, October-December, on topics TBD depending on interest. But if you have any areas where you would like assistance, please contact me and a workshop can be scheduled in advance.
For all Equestrian activities:
If you have already authorized, then bring your Equestrian authorization card. If you don’t have your card with you, then you will need to reauthorize, so take care of your EQ card! If you are not yet authorized, you will need to do so before riding at any SCA event or practice.
Authorizations require demonstrating familiarity with SCA equestrian rules, knowledge of basic horse safety, and maintaining control of the mount at a chosen gait
Wear shoes that fully enclose your feet, and bring your lunch.
If you are interested in joining the West Kingdom Equestrian e-mail list on Yahoo, where we communicate about upcoming events and plan our activities, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WestKingdomEQ/
In Service,
Mistress Marguerite du Royon
Mists Equestrian Officer
