Mounted Combat

The ability to fight from horseback was an essential skill for any gentleman or knight. Academie Duello’s mounted combat program builds on our core system by incorporating riding and horsemanship skills with single and two-handed swordwork and grappling techniques.  Our mounted program also incorporates use of the lance and spear as well as javelin and at higher levels, mounted archery. Our historical sources include the works of Fiore dei Liberi, Paulus Kal, and Peter von Danzig, as well as riding masters Xenophon, Antoine de Pluvinel, and William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle.

Academie Duello stables its horses at its partner farm, Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op in Richmond.  Here students learn to ride and gain hands-on experience with horses while progressing through the ranks of the Cavaliere (Mounted Combat) Program.

There are three paths of learning in our program:

• Horsemanship – to achieve a true partnership with your mount you will learn to care for and handle horses from the ground.  The horsemanship levels progress from simple handling and grooming, to conditioning, equine first aid and advanced stable management.  Our levels of advancement are structured after the Canadian Pony Club’s stable management stream.
• Riding – English riding lessons are available for beginner through advanced levels, and experienced riders may choose the level appropriate for them.
• Mounted Combat – working first from the ground, and then on the wooden falsemount, you will polish your weapons skills before progressing to mounted games and combat with live horses.

Visit our Mounted Combat program page to learn more about stepping into this unique pursuit.