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The Newsletter of the British Horseback Association

Issue 1, November 2009

Welcome to the Parthian Shot, occasional newsletter of the BHAA. In this inaugural issue we hope to give you an insight into the world of horseback archery from both a historical and contemporary viewpoint. In this newsletter you can expect to find articles on the finer points of riding techniques, archery skills, and opinion pieces regarding all aspects of horseback archery; including some historical background into the life and times of mounted archers throughout history. So without further ado let us saddle up with the - the original horse archers.

The Scythians by Rick Lippiett

Around 700 B.C., loosely allied nomad tribes conquered the steppes from the Carpathians to the Altai Mountains. The Greeks called them Scythians, the Persians named them “” or “Saccae”. The related words derive from “skuza” - an ancient Indo-European word for archer (cf. English shoot). Scythians thought of themselves as the people of the bow and called themselves “Skolotoi”. Their livestock, which were their lifeblood, were fed by the grasslands; and thus the nomad tribes had to move every time their animals grazed the area clean. Horses were at the heart of this mobility Scythian Nobles - From a romanticised painting and nomads spent almost their whole lives on horseback. They were also an active warrior nation and the Scythian mounted Much of the surviving information about Herodotus mentions a royal tribe or clan, an archers were much feared across Asia the Scythians comes from the Greek elite which dominated the other Scythians. Minor. Scythian armies took an active part historian Herodotus (c. 440 BC) who, in his Their sociopolitical structure was complex in the attack against the Assyrian city of Histories, made a study of both their culture and generally followed a confederation of Nineveh, and were richly rewarded by the and their belief system. clans – very similar to the Celtic tribes that Egyptian Pharaoh himself. would later come to dominate them in the “The Scythians do not have cities, no West. In the Bible, Jeremiah 5:15-16 says of them: fortified dwellings. All of them are horsemen armed with bows. No enemy can run from Often, compacts were made, sealed with “It is an enduring nation, it is an ancient them, because they are people who carry blood, when family connections didn’t nation, a nation whose language you do not their homes with them, people who do not exist. This was “blood-brotherhood”. A know, nor can you understand what they have cities or forts, and every one of them relationship sealed with blood was taken say. Their is like an open grave, all of are riding bowmen. A nation like that is very seriously and a man would have them are mighty men.” invincible and unapproachable.“ sacrificed his own life for his blood-brother.

Footnote: What was the Parthian Shot?

The Parthian shot was a military tactic made famous by the Parthians, an ancient Iranian people. The Parthian archers, mounted on light horses, would feign retreat; then, while at a full gallop, turn their bodies back to shoot at the pursuing enemy. The manoeuvre required superb equestrian skills, since the rider’s hands were occupied by his bow. This tactic was used by most , including the Scythians, , Magyars, Turks and and later Byzantine & Sassanids. At the the Parthian shot was a principal factor in the Parthian victory over the Roman general Crassus. The Parthian Shot Newsletter of the British Horseback Archery Association

Their physical features and stature are very evident from artwork depicted on Scythian coins and Grecian pottery – in the latter there is also some evidence of their colouring; including the oft-mentioned red and blonde hair.1

Scythians had a taste for elaborate personal jewellery, weapon-ornaments and horse- trappings. They executed Central-Asian animal motifs with Greek realism. They commonly used motifs on their possessions that were the so-called “Siberian animals” - a sort of mystical combination of different animals, from gryphons, to stags, eagles and of course their beloved horses. Warrior belts were made of leather, often with gold or other metal adornments and had many attached leather thongs for fastening of the owner’s gorytos (bow case), sword, whet stone, whip and . Scythian horsemen rode with no stirrups or saddles – merely a saddle-cloth. Scythian Culture - A set of modern Ukrainian stamps Herodutus goes on to describe them: “The Saccae, or Scyths, were clad in trousers, The intact artefacts from these “kurgans” Southern Russia a kindred tribe, the and had on their heads tall stiff caps rising show the Scythians’ interaction with , gradually overwhelmed them. to a point. They bore the bow of their country the developed cultures of the time and In the South and East they were either and the dagger; besides which they carried also their relative wealth in the form of subjugated or assimilated into the Parthian the battle-axe, or sagaris.” exquisitely worked gold. Some of that tribes. wealth was no doubt derived from being the The religious beliefs of the Scythians intermediators between west and far-east, Many nations would later claim to descend were a type of pre-Zoroastrian religion. and taxing the goods passing through on from the warlike horse-nomads. In the Archeological evidence has confirmed the the “silk road”. Artefacts extracted from the Ukraine and Crimea the fearsome Cossacks use of cannabis in funeral rituals, and the tombs prove that Scythians were excellent claimed descent from the mounted horse- drug was also used to induce trance and herders, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, bow lords - such as the famous Zaporozhian divination by soothsayers. Herodotus also makers, carpenters, coopers, and potters, Horde (as romanticised in Nicolai Gogol’s reported that Scythians regularly used and that their women had mastered Taras Bulba). It has even been argued that cannabis, both to weave their clothing and weaving, braiding, and felt making. They the Scythian peoples were the founders to cleanse themselves in its smoke for ritual traded with the Greeks and there was some of Celtic tribes of Scotland (Scotae) and purification. transmigration between the peoples - the Ireland, and the Germanic tribes such as Scythian philosopher Anacharsis visited the Saxons. Interestingly most of the latter Tombs excavated in the Southern Ukraine Athens in the 6th century B.C. and became seem to have placed less importance on have revealed important insights into their a legendary sage. the horse and the art of horseback archery culture. These tombs, or “kurgans” were seems to have been lost entirely as they about 50 meters of surface, and 4-5 During the 3rd Century B.C., in the migrated West. 2 meters deep underground. The burial site aftermath of several defeats to the Greeks was covered by piling large rocks over it, and Macedonians under Alexander the In the East, Scythian influences have been and then earth over the rocks, so it looked Great (and his father Philip before him), identified all through and even as far like a hill from a distance. In the Carpathian the Empire of the Scythians started to afield as Korea and . Various Korean basin, especially the middle and northeast disintegrate somewhat. By the 1st century artefacts, such as the royal crowns of the of Hungary, several of these burial hills can BC the Celts seem to have displaced the kingdom of Silla, are said to be of Scythian be found. Scythians from the Balkans. while in design.

Footnote: Blonde & Red-headed Asians?

1. There have been some studies of the mitochondrial DNA of the skeletons found in some Scythian “kurgans”. Skeletons discovered in kurgans in the Altai Republic showed characteristics “of mixed Euro- Mongoloid origin” – so the blonde & red-haired colouring and its origin remains a mystery. The Parthian Shot Newsletter of the British Horseback Archery Association

THE BATTLE OF JAXARTES 329 B.C. 1 The battle itself was forced upon ; he had already decided to accept the river Jaxartes as the north-eastern frontier of his empire, as it had been before. While the Macedonians started construction on a new city to mark the frontier, the native Sogdians revolted. During the suppression of the Sogdian rebels, and the heavy fighting that followed, an army of mounted nomadic warriors appeared north of the Jaxartes, eager to join in the struggle and take away the loot. Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander had inflicted a crushing defeat on the Scythians in 339BC, killing one of the last kings of the second Scythian empire, Ateus. Revenge and retribution would also play a factor in their willingness to attack the Macedonian armies.

The Saccae had occupied the northern bank of the Jaxartes, confident that they could beat Alexander’s men as they disembarked, but underestimating the harmony with which the Macedonian artillery, fleet, , and infantry collaborated. Firstly Alexander ordered that the crossing would take place en masse, so that the mounted enemy archers would be faced with more targets than they could strike at; and he ordered his artillery to cover the soldiers in the ships. (Catapults have a longer range of fire than bows.) The Saccae were thus forced from the banks by the powerful catapult and siege bows. For the Macedonians, it was now easy to cross the Jaxartes.

In all likelihood the Scythians would normally have withdrawn at this point. However Alexander wanted to neutralise the threat to his borders from the nomad armies once and for all and was not about to let the enemy get away so easily. Therefore as a second part of his strategy he ordered a battalion of mounted spearman to advance and provoke an attack from the horse-lords. The nomads did not recognize this sacrifice for what it was. In their society, in which blood feuds were common, no commander would have sacrificed troops to obtain a better position for the main force. The families of those who had been killed would immediately start a vendetta. Alexander, on the other hand, could send his mounted spearmen on this dangerous mission because his men were professionals and understood that they were not really left alone. To them, it was a professional risk.

Alexander’s vanguard was immediately surrounded and attacked by the Scythian mounted archers. Once they were engaged, their position was fixed and they were vulnerable to an approach by the Macedonian infantry and Alexander’s cohorts of Cretan archers. The nomads now found themselves caught between the Macedonian mounted spearmen and the rest of Alexander’s army. The Saccae tried to escape to the wings of the Macedonian lines, but there they were met by Alexander’s infantry.

This was the end for the Scythian army - about 1200 Saccae were surrounded and killed, including their commander Satraces. It was a splendid victory - over 150 prisoners were taken and 1800 horses were captured. As far as the Macedonians and Greeks knew, no commander had ever been able to pin down and destroy a nomad army – including the mighty Darius the Great. This was a boost for morale, and a psychological blow for the nomads north of the Jaxartes. Alexander’s main aim, however, had never been to subdue the nomads; he wanted to go to the south, where a far more serious crisis demanded his attention. He could do so now without loss of face; and in order to make the outcome acceptable to the Saccae, he released the prisoners of war without ransom. This policy was successful: the northern frontier of Alexander’s empire was never seriously threatened again.

1 The modern name for the river is Syr Darya and today the site of the battle straddles the borders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan – just south west of the ancient city of Tashkent (the modern capital of Uzbekistan) and north east Khujand (a city in Tajikistan).

Similar crowns, brought through contacts To the mounted archer the Scythian legacy with the continent, can also be found in remains profound and indeed there is little Kofun era Japan. better example of the perfection of as an art-form than that of the It is interesting to note that certainly in centaur – the mythical creature inspired Japan and Korea, horse-archery continued by the Greeks first encounters with the to flourish (and is still practised today in Scythian horse-lords. both countries). Similarly the Parthians, and later the Moghuls became renowned horse- On observing the harmony between the archers and there is some evidence that horsemanship and archery skills of the there was some passing on of knowledge Scythians, the Greeks thought that man and between the Scythians and these cultures. beast were united as one..

Footnote: The Move to the West and North?

2. Vendel Age Scandinavians (pre-dating the later Norse kingdom) were great horse warriors, fought from horseback and even imported the stirrup before the Avars brought them to general widespread use in . (The Avars probably copied them from the Chinese warriors of the Southern & Northern dynasties.) Scotae tribes also retained their knowledge of horses, but, like the Norsemen seem to have placed much less importance on martial by the ‘Dark Ages’. It is just plausible that these tribes were remnants of Scythian displacements and migrations from Central Asia. The Parthian Shot Newsletter of the British Horseback Archery Association

Blazing Saddles in with an urgent message for the Emperor, Should you attempt to leave involuntarily such as “Your Highness, The Mongol by the back door, both your legs rise up by Karl Greenwood hordes are looking a bit leery.” and hold the poleys. Should your horse baulk and buck causing you to go out the The great appeal of horseback archery, The introduction of the stirrup led to a front door, the poleys – well, they’re of no for me, is to see newcomers to the sport stability that allowed the evolution of use there, I’m afraid. You are the weakest get involved so quickly in two disciplines thrown into retained , and link - goodbye. at the same time, riding and archery. It so developed the armoured , the doesn’t really matter where on the target invasion of 1066, the Lineage of Monarchs Well, I never said it wasn’t a gamble. you get the – once you can loose an and The Really Useful Theatre Company arrow, the passion to do it better on the next – but that’s a different story for a different Stock and roping saddles also have very run means you are hooked! And the great day! deep supporting seats, as do the Spanish equaliser is that the competent participant and Portuguese (Iberian) saddles based on in one sport is usually a novice in the other. More relevant, it led to your good self sat bullfighting saddles. Many people quite For the Horse-riders new to archery, there on a Dobbin at the start of the run, ready wrongly assume that a bullfighting horse are articles elsewhere, but for the archers to rock (and not face-down in the mud is brave and unflappable – a brave and new to horse-riding, lets begin at the already), bum deep in the seat and heels unflappable bullfighting horse is very soon beginning. down. Now, call me presumptuous but I will a brave and unalive bullfighting horse. assume that the stirrups are attached to a No, no, no - what Pedro needs is a quick Horses are begot with problems and saddle of some sort - here in England, nine and reactionary horse who is quick on his design faults. One end bites, the other end times out of ten it’ll have Wintec written on hooves and a saddle to match. After all, a kicks and they are uncomfortable in the it. In my humble but nonetheless correct quick horse is only any good if one is still middle. Well, we can live with that, but opinion, - and here I shall show my love of atop of it and the bull not atop of one. These as we get into the saddle the main fault a good fight – English saddles are made by saddles have a high curved cantle (back) becomes apparent – no handlebars. Now, I Satan and his horde of evil pixies that frolic that curves around the rider and a smaller appreciate that humans have ridden horses naked to the music of snapping limbs. The one at the front. for around 8,000 years, but it wasn’t until English saddle undoubtedly leads the world 1748 that a brilliant young scientist called on thingummybobbies and wossnames, Isaac Newton invented gravity - and so we but it is flat, hard, slips round the horse thickos had to go and invent motorcars, as and doesn’t have a pocket for your mobile falling off became painful. phone.

Actually one of the best aids to not-falling- For horse archery, when quite often the off is the stirrup. Put the tread on the ball rush of the moment leads to all sorts of of your foot and jam your heels down and off balance situations –looking down for your legs get a locked-in feeling, as you are , at the feathers, forwards, backwards, supported should your weight swing to one sideways etc. I would look to the working side. Push your bum deeper in the saddle saddles of America Iberia and Australia and the locked in feeling is emphasised. where the riders weight could easily be a Want more? Sit up straight and lean back a little off balance by, say, suddenly hanging bit, then. a cow off a piece of string and swinging it round your head. Stock and roping saddles It is amazing to realise that the stirrup have two or three girth straps, to spread wasn’t introduced to Europe from the the load and so be nice and tight but Chinese until the 700’s. Yep, A.D. Seven not uncomfortable. At least one of these Hundred! The whole of the Roman empire girths will be a sliding cinch type strap, was born, grew, dominated the earth, led the completely variable to the size of the horse way in philosophy and science, invented unlike the too loose/ too tight buckle holes. cement, roads, skyscraper technology, knew The Australian saddle has leg poleys – Karl Greenwood, of the Stampede the distance from Earth to the Moon and semicircular plates that are fixed to the tree Stunt Company, staying firmly in his central heating etc ... but hadn’t worked of the saddle just above your thighs. Should saddle while he controls two rearing out how to stop slipping sideways onto the you slip sideways, your other leg holds onto horses at a performance. ground like a sack of spuds when rushing the poley.

Footnote: Choosing a Stock Saddle

The main thing is to make sure the stock saddle is of reputable make and quality. Indian copies of Aussie stock saddles tend to be much cheaper - but are generally poorly made and have a tendency to splay. Syd Hill of Brisbane are considered the best Aussie made, but others have good reputations. Expect to pay from £300 - £1000. Semi-stocks are popular in NZ, but difficult to find in Europe. Pearce-East of Gisborne are generally regarded as the best Kiwi made saddles and cost around £250 - 500. There are also English-made versions which are suitable - Trekkers of Yorkshire make one for around £400. The Parthian Shot Newsletter of the British Horseback Archery Association

There are enough working saddles from around the world to fill a book, and all are designed to keep the rider on board under The Horse Archer King by Ken Clark unbalanced conditions.

My vote goes to the Australian Stock – very There are lots of images of horse archers deep, very comfy and secure, and those leg around both in books and reproductions poleys give the piece of mind that you are of graphics on the Net. But there is one not going anywhere else, even on young you could own yourself and carry about in and spooky horses. your pocket if you so wished. Its an image of the Seljuk Sultan Rukn ad-Din Qilij And the poleys prevent your legs coming Arslan IV b. Kaykhusraw that appears on too far up if you get a bit excited and lean one of coins from his first reign. On it the forward, and so can remind you to jam your Sultan appears on horseback firing his It has been argued that many of these heels down, sit up straight and get your bow while hunting birds. We can tell that show astrological scenes but this coin bum in the seat. from the type of arrow he is using and he seems merely to celebrate the ruler has two spare arrows in his right hand. himself. Since most of the populace of If that’s not enough for you ... Well, lean (pictured above right) the area would still be Christian and back a bit, then! used to the pictorial coins of their former The Seljuks of Rum and their neighbours rulers (the Byzantines) such coins as the Ortoqids, Danishmends and this would have been more acceptable to Zengists of Anatolia and the Jezira were them that they might have been in many The Stampede Stunt Company performs Turkish amirs and Sultans of the 12th other Islamic areas. arena shows and holds courses in , and 13th Centuries who, unlike almost horse archery and stunt riding in E. Sussex. all other Islamic rulers, had pictorial It’s not a common coin and I don’t know www.stampedestuntcompany.co.uk representations on some of their coins. what you would have to pay to acquire one. It’s likely to cost a few coins.

BHAA & BHAA Merchandising

With Christmas coming up why not treat yourself or that special person to a BHAA fleece, jumper or even a thong? We’ve launched our new merchandise range. For anyone looking to brand themselves with some very cool gear and get noticed in the crowd, then take a look. We have everything from t-shirts to hoodies, aprons ane even maternity wear!

All you need to do is tap in the following magic letters on your web browser http://www.cafepress.co.uk/bhaa and you’ll be instantly transported to your very own slice of BHAA heaven.

Our stitched clothing line is coming soon too and once ready a link will go up on the Aussie ‘Poley Style’ stock saddle - high website as well as on the shop front. Happy shopping! cantle and no horn. This allows the rider to mould into the saddle. 3½” pads And don’t forget if you want to find out the latest from the BHAA, or just find out more and flat thigh pads. Prices range between about the aims and aspirations of the BHAA as an organisation, then go to: £300 - £1000 http://bhaa.org.uk

Footnote: Choosing a bow for horseback archery

A common question any starter to horseback archery asks is, “what bow should I buy?” With so much out there what should an eager young horseback archer be looking for? This question will be answered in full soon on our website so watch out for its publication on the News page up at http://bhaa.org.uk/blog/ The Parthian Shot Newsletter of the British Horseback Archery Association

Making Your Own Arrows Most will be helpful. Alternatively, if you soul whose beautifully made arrow hits your want to get really technical then wait until abandoned point. Submerge your points in by Dan Sawyer the next article and pick your own shafts. white spirit or acetone and slosh them The first step is to cut the shafts to the around. Then withdraw them and, holding As well as arrow components, you will need right length. For this will be them with pliers or similar, burn the spirit a few basic tools: perhaps 1/2” longer than your draw length. off over a flame. Check that they fit the epoxy adhesive (e.g. Araldite); superglue; For horseback you may want to go a bit shaft (you will occasionally need to a a hacksaw; a sharp craft knife/scalpel blade. longer, depending on how consistent your little bit off the end of the tapered shaft), draw length is. What you want to avoid is then fix them to the long tapered end with You will also need some more specialised drawing the arrow too far and having it fall an epoxy adhesive such as Araldite. equipment: off the bow! Measure the shafts, mark them a jig; taper tool(s); and cut them to size using a sharp hacksaw. Next you need to fit the nocks. These are fletching tape (optional but I think it’s much superglued on but before you do it, check easier than glue); fletching thread (optional Now use the taper tool (essentially a pencil that they fit squarely. Nocks must be but can save lacerating your hand). sharpener) to taper each end of the shaft. properly aligned. If you look at the end The shorter taper is for the nock, the longer of the shaft you will see the grain lines Then there are the components: for the point. running parallel through the shaft. The shafts; nocks; piles (points); feathers. string should run perpendicular to these There are several different types of arrow lines. The arrow will flex as it flies. This There are other refinements such as arrow points, falling into several divisions. You can affect your accuracy, which is why wraps, flu-flus, self nocks, footings, barrelled can choose between brass and blued steel arrows are spined to the right draw weight, shafts and a host more, but more of them in finish (largely a matter of taste but some so they flex the right amount with a given future. For now I’ll just look at basic arrows. people suggest that brass doesn’t adhere as impetus. The spine will be different well as steel); field or bullet tip (really only with and against the grain. To ensure You will need a set of well matched arrow relevant if you’re likely to be hitting trees, that you are not shooting arrows that are shafts. Ideally you should go to a shop target stands etc, as field points will make effectively too weak, you must have them and hand-pick your own shafts. I shall it easier to pull them out) and taper, screw flexing against the grain, which means the write another article in the future dealing or parallel fit. I suggest steering clear of string must run across it. Check this very with this, but for now I shall assume that parallel fit to start with as they are fiddly carefully before gluing! you are just buying a set of shop-matched to attach properly. Taper fit are fine and shafts. Most archery shops will supply probably the most common. I prefer screw At some point you will want to protect these. I personally have tended to use fit for my wooden arrows (not for bamboo). your arrows against the elements. I find thelongbowshop.com, who supply a variety Note that you should still glue screw fit it easiest to do this once points and nocks of wooden shafts for a decent price and arrows! are on but before fletching. Moisture in they have always served me well. Jason, the will make your arrows warp, so who runs it, is always happy to give advice. You will also have to choose a point weight. you basically need to waterproof them. There are many other options if you prefer. They vary from 60grains to about 150 You can use many different things for grains. For now, choose a middling weight this. Personally I tend to use Danish Oil, You will need to select the spine (which just such as 80 or 100 grains, depending on the which you can get from Homebase, B&Q, means stiffness) of the shafts. This can be strength of your bow. If you shoot a 40lb Wickes etc. Sometimes it’s combined with a complicated business, with which I shall bow that really pings the arrows out then woodstain, sometimes it’s clear. This is up deal in the next article, but as a starting choose a point of 100-125 grains. For a 25lb to you. I apply three coats to each shaft, point, assuming you have a standard bow bow you might want to stick to 80 grains. allowing each coat to dry before applying and a draw length of 26-29”, I suggest The next article will deal with this in more the next. Simply rub it on with a cloth and selecting a spine around 5lbs lighter than detail. work it in a bit. You can also use oil, your bow. If your draw length is longer, or (I’d suggest boiled rather than your bow especially fast for its weight, then Arrow points are usually greasy when you raw), beeswax (although this can make choose a higher spine. Precise spining is get them. Whether they feel greasy or not, pulling the arrow out of the target tricky), complicated and not necessarily accurate, you need to clean them before attaching or a host of other things. even if done properly! Consistency between them as any residual grease can hinder the arrows is more important than getting the gluing and you’ll leave points in targets, Now comes the fletching. Before you start, spine exactly right. Nonetheless I’d suggest which is annoying for you and for the poor use a sharp knife or scissors to snip off the speaking to the shop before buying. jagged ends of the quill to each feather

Footnote: Wooden vs Aluminium Arrows

Many horse archers prefer to use aluminium arrows for consistency and durability. So why use wooden? Some prefer the tactility of wood which is less slippery, they also make less noise which can make your horse less nervous... and, of course, they are cheaper. However, in all likelihood you will break more wooden arrows and you have a marginally increased chance of the arrow-splitting on horseback. So really it’s just down to personal preference. Some of the more advanced horse-archers are now even turning towards more modern arrows made of carbon-fibre - thus furthering durability and consistency of shot. The Parthian Shot Newsletter of the British Horseback Archery Association

These can hurt if they catch your hand! Put the on the jig and make sure Next you need to sort out your fletching jig. it’s against the backstop before pressing it This will generally consist of a stand that firmly onto the shaft. If you are using tape holds the shaft by the nock and a clamp then that’s job done. If glue then hold it for the feather. The two parts attach by a down fairly firmly for a few seconds to allow magnet. If you want to get technical and it set, then leave it for a couple of minutes. try to find the perfect arrow then it is a good It can help to run the flat of a craft knife idea to keep one or two shafts unfletched along the quill to press it down. Once it’s at this stage. They can be used to check stuck, carefully remove the clamp from the whether you have selected the correct spine, feather and rotate the knob on the jig. Stick as well as checking your bracing height, the other feathers on in the same way (these nock point and general tuning. are the ‘hen feathers’ – they are the same colour as each other but usually a different Put the shaft in the jig. There should be colour from the ‘cock’. a notch for the nock. There should also be a knob that you turn, rotating the You now have a fully functioning arrow. arrow through 120 degrees (you can get You can leave it there and the arrow will attachments for 2- or 4 fletch). This knob fly just fine. I suggest doing one of the should have a mark on it. This denotes the following two things to finish off. The starting position. Remember I said that easier one is to apply a blob of superglue the arrow must be aligned so that the arrow to the leading edge of each feather. This flexes against the grain? This is how you will help keep it on and give a little hand ensure that. If you align the marks on the protection. The other thing, which is more jig then the first feather you attach will be effective and looks far cooler, is to tie the the ‘cock feather’ (the one that points away feathers. from the bow when you shoot and is often a different colour for ease of recognition). It To tie your feathers, you will need some will be aligned with the grain. thread. You can get fletching thread from thelongbowshop.com or from many other Generally speaking, the feathers will have archery shops. Alternatively you can try a greater stabilising effect the further back regular thread. I don’t know whether this they are placed. Foot archers will therefore works. I use fletching thread, which is very place them as far back as they can without fine and strong. their fingers touching them when drawing the bow. On horseback you have to think At its most basic, tying is just wrapping about pulling them from your belt/quiver the leading tips of the quills. Starting on and nocking the arrow whilst moving. You the shaft a little in front of the feathers, may want to position your feathers a couple wrap thread around the shaft and up onto of inches forward to make them easier to the quill. The thread can be secured with handle. This is largely personal preference. superglue or by wrapping the thread over a loop and pulling it under the wrapping Having decided where you want the when you’ve finished. For the really feathers to be positioned, place the clamp traditional look, continue the wrapping on the magnet, pushing it back against along the feathers, pulling the thread gently the stop for consistency. I suggest then between the sections. marking the clamp with a permanent mark for future reference. Place the feather into Your arrows are ready. Now go and shoot! From top to bottom: the clamp so just the quill is exposed and the feather lines up with where you want it 1) A Fletching Jig 2) Types of point for wooden arrows - to go on the shaft. Apply either superglue use field points or bullet points! or fletching tape (which is just double sided 3) Arrow fletching and nock tape, so stick it to the quill, trim and then peel the backing off) to the quill.

Footnote: Compensating for Korean and Hungarian Style

Because the Hungarian style requires arrows to be held in the bow hand, the ideal fletching should be placed an inch or more forward of where the knock and shaft join. This allows the archer to grasp the arrow knocks without crimping the feathers. Korean style is less problematic in this area BUT it is a major aid to gave a brightly coloured &/or obvious cock-feather to allow the arrow to be placed on the string correctly at speed. Arrow length should be an inch or more longer than your maximum draw length The Parthian Shot Newsletter of the British Horseback Archery Association

The Centaur Approach trust the horse you are climbing on to. The elation and a joyous, “natural” feeling. other morning for example, I was on my That is why I entitled this article, The by Jay Red Hawk Appaloosa and he started to hump up, go Centaur Approach. The equation being half sideways and rear up. I hadn’t ridden him human, half horse.) Half human, half horse; a simple equation. in about 3 weeks. I was riding him bareback While we now know that centaurs don’t to go out and check on our main herd of 19 Remember that there is more than a really exist, the early Greeks saw cultures horses, using only a lead rope and a rope physical aspect to this. The mental aspect of various horse tribes, that rode without . is key. If you expect your horse to think clothing and without horse tack. From like a human, learn to think like a horse a distance, observing that and being I am not mean to a horse but I don’t put up first. Don’t just get on and ride and treat frightened by it, (because no one at that with any bullshit from them either. I tried your horse like a machine, and when you’re time period had any frame of reference for to encourage him to go forward, but to no done, put your horse up and forget about people riding horses) one can understand avail. I let him act up without reacting to it. Talk to your horse. Brush your horse out. this ancient misconception. it. So, when he realized he wasn’t going to Pet your horse sometimes when you are not get me off his back and he quit acting up, I even going to ride him/her. For those of you To ask a horse to put anything on its’ back turned him in circles for a few minutes and who do horse archery, learning about horse is altogether unnatural, let alone a human made him work off his behaviour. I walked training and horsemanship will make you a being. We walk upright, we smell like a him for a 1/4 mile, trotted him for another better horse archer, period. When I worked predator because we eat meat, our eyes 1/4 mile and then we came upon the herd. for actor Kevin Costner in Deadwood, South are in front of our heads, so physically we By that point I had control over the most Dakota at Tatanka a living history museum project predator to a herd animal...and we important part of his body; his brain. and visitor centre, I did bareback mounted hunt...we’re predators. Horses are very smart animals, however, archery demonstrations 6 days a week for 6 their teeth occupy more room in their months. I did receive one injury and ripped Many “credentialed” and “certified” riding heads than their brain...what does this teach a tendon on the side of the knee when the instructors who have books, dvd’s and offer us? Only the obvious, that a horse would horse I was riding stepped in a hole and clinics like to call bareback, a “natural” rather graze than have to think. That is stumbled down from underneath me. I approach. In fact, it is not. What is natural what they are designed to do. But horses do still made a bullseye and didn’t release my for a horse is to run from us. That’s why have a good brain and some are extremely arrow until I was upside down in mid-air. I they have four legs, big nostrils and lungs, intelligent. We just have to first understand do not recommend that you try that...ever. a big heart to pump blood and oxygen that they do not think like a human, and Always use a saddle when practicing horse 3 through their 700 - 2000 lb. bodies. It is before we can really get them to use their archery. the reason why they have eyes on the sides brains, we had better know how to think like of their heads, so they can see left and a horse. right when they are grazing, it is why they have big funnelled ears to hear predators Riding bareback is an incredible feeling. It approaching them. The only things is a borrowed freedom that is indescribable. “natural” that occur on a horse’s back is its When riding bareback, there are subtleties, own hair. Of course, there are other things ticks, muscle spasms, twitches and habits in nature that get on a horses back, like of physical behaviour that you will come to dust, mud, dirt, dander, flies, and several know and feel when riding bareback. Slight other insects. There are larger things in nuances that you will never know with a nature that can get on a horse’s back, saddle in-between you and the horse. You however, they have meat-eating canines, will learn much better balance on a horse claws and eyes in front of their heads and riding bareback. For men, we have to learn a horse will do what it can to not let that how to balance from our hips instead of our occur. shoulders. Women naturally balance from their hips. You must learn not to “lean” So, trust is the key. The horse must trust on the reins and find your “seat.” You will that whoever or whatever is climbing on develop inner thigh muscles you never it’s back is not going to harm it. The same knew were there. can be said for the rider. The rider must be able to trust her/himself, first and foremost. Cantering and galloping through an open However, it is a special thing, indeed, to field or pasture bareback is indeed an

Footnote 3: Saddle vs Bareback

Lajos Kassai is undoubtedly one of horseback archery’s leading authorities and, in his book, advocates that those seeking to begin as a horse archer should start off bareback and not use a saddle as this creates later “uncorrectable problems”. These problems are never expanded upon but it is certainly true that only students attaining a certain level of proficiency are allowed to use Eastern-type saddles in Kassai’s schools. The Parthian Shot Newsletter of the British Horseback Archery Association

Some Basic Tips to

1. Never get on a greenbroke horse or a horse you can’t handle bareback. If you don’t have control of a horses mind it is unsafe. A horse will always outweigh you and is always bigger and stronger. Lunge your horse first on a lunge line or in a round pen.

2. Always get on a horse that is seasoned, well trained and has a good disposition if you are an inexperienced bareback rider.

3. When starting out, get on a horse bareback in a controlled environment, such as an arena or corral that you and the horse are used to.

4. Don’t overdo it. Start off slow. You have to crawl before you can walk. Walk with the horse. Do circles, figure eight patterns, practice balancing without leaning on the reins and with the right amount of leg pressure, a steady slight squeeze. Do this for a half hour everyday for 2 weeks.

5. After 2 weeks, you will notice you are Jay Red Hawk is a horse archer, professional stunt rider, and published author. He is starting to have better grip with your recognized as the world’s leading expert on Lakota horse archery. You can read his legs. Walk for 15 minutes, warm up your chapter on Lakota horse archery in the book “Mounted Archery in the Americas” horse and then go at a “dog trot.” (A slow published by the longridersguild press and available through Krackow company trot) Do this for 2 weeks. (www.krackow.com) or Amazon.com.

6. When you have accomplished steps Mr. Red Hawk has appeared in National Geographic ( May 2004) and in 2003 was the 1 through 6 for a month, try cantering first man to hunt a buffalo off horseback using a sinew-backed bow and stone arrow around a round pen, corral or arena. points in over 100 years. You should be ready. Do this for another 2 weeks before you go out into a field or Jay can be contacted by e-mail: pasture. Safety first, always! [email protected] 7. When a British film crew asks you to ride bareback in a herd of buffalo for a J Red Hawk History Channel series, simply tell them 15260 Bend Rd. “Bullocks!” and put on a saddle! (Sorry, Box Elder, SD that one was just for me!) 57719 USA

Footnote: Kassai & Redhawk

I asked Jay about Kassai’s methodology and his views were as follows: “I know of Kassai and he knows of me, however, I disagree with his Spartan school of thought. Riding bareback first for many inexperienced people is not safe and a good way to get hurt and lose confidence. We are not living in 500 AD Hungary. While I would agree with Kassai if we were having to train horse archers to fight the Romans or the Visigoths or the Teutons, in modern times things are different. Always use a saddle as a beginner.” The Parthian Shot Newsletter of the British Horseback Archery Association

International Horseback Archery & Cirit Competition Sivas, Turkey 2009

October saw the coming and going of an important stage in the international development of horseback archery. For probably the first time in hundreds of years Turkish soil again felt the thundering hooves of mounted archers. Sivas, in the eastern Anatolian region of the country, was home an international horseback archery and Cirit competition which saw competitors travel from the UK, Germany, Turkey, Poland, Iran, Korea and Hungary. The one time capital city of the Seljuks (a mounted warrior empire) surrounded by rough Steppe like topography witnessed a marvellous weekend any who were present Jehad Shamis - BHAA Secretary, flying the flag in Turkey will be hard pressed to forget.

The competition, rather than being a hollow The main reasoning behind these (as one would in battle). The game itself quest for medals and glory, was intended differences was to make the course a little was of terrible quality and the non-Turks from its conception to do three things. To more challenging. The “Jarmaki” shot (the were clueless of rules and did not have the 1) introduce horseback archery back to the wrong side of the track) was an essential same reactions of their Turkish team mates. population, 2) gain exposure for horseback shot for any mounted archer worth his salt. However, the crowd loved the mistakes, archery at a national level in order to gain Qabaq saw the revival of a centuries old bloopers and all round amateur-nature of funding 3) gather together those interested horseback archery game played in Turkey, the match and it brought many smiles to in the traditions of horseback archery Egypt, Iran and where riders had to many faces! and 4) to develop an alternative to the gallop past a 6-8 metre high pole and hit a “Hungarian style” competition. It would be target at the top of it. Whereas traditionally Overall the competition was a great fair to say that all four aims were achieved. the target consisted of a pot of gold or a success. Turkey demonstrated its culture, dove waiting to be set free from an accurate heritage and hospitality well to all The tournament organisers were fully shot, the competitors simply had to hit a competitors and has won many friends now conscious of what was happening in the rice pan stuck at the top! Even so, the game internationally. Perhaps most importantly, horseback archery world and a decision was an amazing success as all competitors the Culture and Tourism Ministry in Turkey was taken early on to use the opportunity felt an extreme joy at doing something have been on the phone to the organisers to show case traditional Turkish style both traditional and different to the usual asking how they can be supported and horseback archery in competition form. horseback archery activities. what funding they can offer. It appears that There is no reason for the Hungarian a fantastic amount of money has already style to maintain its dominance and The competition took place only on the been pledged to next year’s competition. consequently competitors were introduced Saturday, with Sunday being used as a And this is in all honesty what the to the “Mamluk style” course as well as demonstration day for the public and VIPs competition was about; like-minded people Qabaq (gourd-shooting). The Mamluk alike. A great show was laid on including with one aim coming together to help a course was essentially similar to the Korean a brief demonstration of Qabaq and an country develop horseback archery. It is a style course other than one target was international match of Cirit. Cirit was an rare and special thing and we must hope on the “wrong” side of the track meaning old Ottoman equestrian martial arts game that these types of people are given the riders had to shoot over the horse’s head. which helped improve the cavalryman’s strength to continue their great work. If you On top of this, between each gallop, targets prowess with a on the battle field. get the chance, go to Turkey in 2010! You moved positions ensuring riders did not get In essence the game involves trying to won’t be disappointed. into a robot like comfort zone. launch a stick at someone’s body and then escaping as quickly as possible Neil Payne - Chairman of the BHAA

Footnote: The BHAA and competing abroad

2010 is going to be a busy year competition wise. Competitions are planned in the UK, Sweden, Poland, Japan and not to the mention the European Championship (venue TBC) and the World Championship in Korea. We are keen to help our members experience competing abroad so if anyone is interested please do register your interest. Simply send an email to [email protected] to ask for details. As soon as dates and locations are confirmed, BHAA members will always be first to know. This information will then also be made available on the News page at http://bhaa.org.uk