Blue Spur Spear Fundamentals: Basic Defences from the Ground
Last week we looked at attacks with the spear as demonstrated in the Blue Spur curriculum; this week we'll focus on defences. There are six defences to practise: three from the high ward and three from the low ward.
Defences from the High Ward
- Forehand (against a high attack to the inside): snap your base hand in towards your hip as you straighten your lead arm. This brings the shaft across your body, beating aside an incoming blow on the inside line.
- Reverse (against a high attack to the outside): the opposite of the forehand parry, the spear starts on the same side as your base hand. Turn your lead hand palm down as you return to your normal high ward position. This defence can follow from a forehand parry, or from an invitation to the outside line. Make sure to turn the lead hand and keep it extended as you parry -- if you leave it palm up or pull back toward your body you will create an opening above your arm.
- Compass (against a low attack): circle the spear point from high to low ward on your outside line, pushing the oncoming low thrust away to the inside.
Defences from the Low Ward
- Forehand (against a low attack to the inside): sweep the spear across the body, clearing the inside line.
- Reverse (against a low attack to the outside): sweep the spear across the body, clearing the outside line.
- Compass (against a high attack): circle the point back up to the high line and make forehand parry.
For low ward defences make sure to keep the arms well extended so the spear can't simply be smashed down on your head. As you practise both attacks and defences pay attention to the position of the base hand, making sure it returns to its position in front of, but not attached to, the hip.
Current and Upcoming Classes
Riding and Horsemanship Level 1-2
This combined beginner and level 2 class is designed for students working towards achieving their first and second levels in both Riding and Horsemanship. There is one space left in this series. Although the series has already begun, if you have some prior experience you are welcome to join in for the remainder of the classes. If you are a complete beginner you would be better off joining the Beginner Riding and Horsemanship in October.
Mondays 21 September - 26 October
6:30 - 8:30pm
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
prerequisites: some prior experience recommended
Riding Level 3+
This series of six classes is tailored to the participants' needs as they work towards the higher riding levels in the program. Course curriculum consists of improving the quality of walk, trot and canter, lateral movements, quadrille and pas-de-deux work, mounted games skills, trot poles, gymnastics and jumping courses.
Mondays 21 September - 26 October
7:30 - 8:30pm
OR
Sundays 18 October - 22 November
noon - 1pm
cost: $200 + gst for 6 classes
prerequisites: Riding Level 2 or permission of instructor
Beginner Riding & Horsemanship
New or relatively new to riding? This class is for you! Learn everything you need to know to get your journey in the saddle started, from handling, grooming and tacking up, to confidently riding at a walk and trot. Course fees include a riding or horsemanship assessment on the afternoon of November 22nd.
Sundays 18 October - 22 November
10am - noon
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
prerequisites: none
If you have completed Horsemanship Level 1, you have the option of staying with the Beginner course or moving on to this class as you work towards your Riding Levels 1 and 2.
Sundays 18 October - 22 November
10am - noon
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
prerequisites: Horsemanship Level 1 and some riding experience
This series of six classes will cover the material needed to achieve either Horsemanship 3 or 4.
Sundays 18 October - 22 November
10:30am - 11:30am
cost: $130 + gst for 6 classes
prerequisites: Horsemanship Level 2
Mounted Combat - Beginner
Learn swordplay and grappling techniques from the ground and from the falsemount to prepare you for mounted combat. By the end of this course, you should be able to sign off your Mounted Combat checklist, and if you have your Riding and Horsemanship level 1 you will be eligible for Green Spur classes.
Tentative dates: Sundays 18 October - 15 November (to be confirmed)
Mounted Combat - Intermediate
This course is designed for riders who have achieved their Green Spur and are working towards the next rank. You will spend roughly half the time on horseback and the other half on the ground and falsemount working on your grappling, swordplay and spear skills. Each five-week course will have a specific focus to address one area of the Blue Spur checklist.
Tentative dates: Sundays 18 October - 15 November (to be confirmed)
Jennifer Landels heads up Academie Duello's Cavaliere Program. She has been swordfighting since 2008, and riding since before she could walk. She started the program as an excuse to combine those passions. Read more from Jennifer Landels.