Mounted Combat Fundamentals

To acquire the Green Spur, the first rank of the Mounted Combat program, in addition to Horsemanship and Riding Level 1, you will need to be assessed on the Green Spur Mounted Combat skills.  These include Swordplay from the Ground, Swordplay Knowledge, and Mounted Combat Knowledge.  The knowledge sections are covered in past sections of…

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Striking from the Saddle

The final item on the Green Spur checklist is: Describe the mechanics required to keep your seat when striking from horseback. And here we come back to that Independant Seat once more.  It keeps cropping up because it is probably the most important component not just of mounted combat, but of all your riding endeavours. …

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The Mounted Arsenal

Swordplay Knowledge: mounted weaponry Aside from knowing your way around a sword, we also ask in the Green Spur that you have a basic knowledge of the types of weapons typically used from horseback: Describe two different types of cavalry sword Describe three alternate types of mounted weapons Broadly speaking, any type of weapon you…

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Sword Words

Swordplay Knowledge In the Horsemanship portion of the Green Spur curriculum you needed to know the common vocabulary of the rider.  Similarly, for the Mounted Combat checklist, you will need to demonstrate a basic level of swordplay knowledge: Describe the anatomy of the cut and thrust sword Describe two different types of cavalry sword Describe…

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Over, Across & Around: turning the sword

Swordplay from the Ground: the three turns of the sword The last of the swordplay skills you'll need to demonstrate for your Green Spur is an understanding of the three turns of the sword.  These turns have the same names as the turns of the body, which makes them easy to remember. It may be…

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Meeting with Swords

 Swordplay from the Ground: Crossing the Sword in Front and Behind For the Green Spur there are only two ways you need to worry about encountering your opponent's sword: from in front, and from behind. Crossing in Front This is most direct and natural way of preventing your opponent from striking you. As she delivers…

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Cutting: Fluid Mechanics

Swordplay from the Ground: Cutting Mechanics & Timing In previous posts I discussed the eight lines and the three points of origin (shoulder, elbow and wrist) of cuts.  To make your cuts effective, however, you need proper body mechanics and timing of hand and foot. Timing of Hand and Foot A cut is most powerful…

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Getting the Point to your Opponent

Swordplay from the Ground: The Four Thrusts of the Sword The knight's sword was not just a cutting weapon.  A well-aimed thrust delivered with the impulsion of a moving horse was a deadly combat technique.  It was also an effective attack from the ground. There are four basic types of thrust, defined by the orientation…

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Shoulder to Wrist: three types of cut

Swordplay from the Ground: Wrist, Elbow & Shoulder Cuts Not only are there eight lines on which to cut, there are three places from which to cut, wrist, shoulder and elbow.  For the Green Spur you are required to demonstrate all three types with the sword in one hand, and wrist and elbow cuts with…

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Cutting down (and up, and across)

Swordplay from the Ground: The Eight Cuts In the last three posts I've covered posture, movement and turns of the body, with or without a sword in hand.  Now we'll turn our attention to the sword and look at cutting and thrusting in the next few posts, beginning with the eight cutting lines.   Terminology…

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Taking a Turn

Swordplay from the Ground: Turns of the Body Last week's post on the Mounted Combat Green Spur Curriculum covered moving forward, back and side to side.  This week we're adding turns to menu.  Demonstrate the three turns of the body. 'Volta' is the Italian word for 'turn'.  (Dressage riders will recognize it from 'volte', which…

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Martial Movement

Swordplay from the Ground: Movement Last week I covered the essentials of a balance and martial stance.  Now we need to add mobility, without losing the effectiveness of that grounded posture, for the second item in the mounted combat checklist: Demonstrate methods of movement The movements we are looking for are: 1. Advance: take a…

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Taking a Stance

Last week I gave an overview of the Mounted Combat portion of the Green Spur program, which includes Swordplay from the Ground, Swordplay Knowledge and Mounted Swordplay Knowledge.  For the next little while we'll look at each of those checklist items in a bit more detail, starting with Swordplay from the Ground: Stance and Posture…

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The Mounted Combat Curriculum - Green Spur

Like the Mastery program, we have five ranks within the Cavaliere program, denoted by Spurs: Green, Blue, Red, Silver and Gold.  To acquire each rank you need to be a triple threat, demonstrating your skill in Horsemanship, Riding and Mounted Combat. Now that we’ve covered all the things you need to know and be able…

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Ride with Authority

The final item on the Riding Level 1 scoresheet is: 15. Demonstrate overall authority, safety & confidence This is similar and related to the last point on the Horsemanship Level1 sheet: 11. Demonstrate safety and common sense when working around horses In your riding test you will be marked on your habits from the ground…

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Safety in numbers

Or rather, safety with numbers, is this week's topic.  In other words, how do you 14.  Identify and maintain safe distance in group while riding and halted It's not enough to simply maintain the pace and direction of your own mount in relation to the fixed objects in the ring; you also need to be…

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