Last week we rolled out our new Mounted Combat Membership with a special offer: buy your 2017 membership before the end of October and get November and December benefits for free.

So what exactly are those benefits? Here are the details ...

Mounted Combat Membership

10% Discount on Mounted Combat Program Courses

This includes:

Riding
Horsemanship
Mounted Combat
Horseback Archery
Friday Clinics

The discount is applicable on full courses and single class rates. Be sure to mention your membership to staff when you sign up. In November you'll be able to apply the discount to

Beginner Riding & Horsemanship ($30 discount)
Level 2 Riding & Horsemanship ($30 discount)
Level 3+ Riding ($20 discount)
Horsemanship 3-4 ($13 discount)

Who can use the benefit: anyone with a membership
Value: save $10 - $30 on regular courses

$5 Discount on Private Riding Lessons at Red Colt

Private lessons with any of our regular instructors at Red Colt are discounted $5 per session. Mention your membership when you book your lessons.

Who can use the benefit: anyone with a membership
Value: save $20 - $25 a month if you take weekly lessons

Two Free Practice Rides per Month

If you have a minimum of Riding Level 1 or the equivalent you can book up to two free practice rides on Academie Duello's horses, Jack, Flavie, or Tilly. Other horses such as Chicco or Princess are available for a $10 surcharge. Available times for practice rides are:

Tuesdays noon - 2pm
Thursdays 6pm - 8pm
Saturdays 10am - noon

Rides can also be taken during the Mounted Combat Practice sessions on Mondays from 6-8pm, though they can't be booked in advance and are first come, first served. A practice ride without a membership costs $35, so even if you only do one ride a month your membership pays for itself.

Who can use the benefit: members with Riding Level 1 or the equivalent
Value: save $50 - $70 per month on practice rides.

Free Mounted Combat Practice Sessions

Starting November 7th, we will be holding weekly Mounted Combat Practice on Mondays from 6-8pm. These are an opportunity to practice drills from the ground and horseback as well as controlled sparring and mounted games with the aim of achieving your Green, Blue, and eventually Red Spurs. The sessions are open to members at various levels within the program as follows:

Members with Green Spur or higher may practice swordplay and sparring from the ground and horseback, as well as mounted games and riding.
Members with Riding Level 1 or higher may ride and practice mounted games.
Members with Longsword Fundamentals, Mounted Combat Fundamentals, or the equivalent within the Mastery programs may practice swordplay from the ground.

Non-members with the above prerequisites may take part in the practices at a cost of $20 per session. If you don't yet have any of these minimum levels, use your discount to take some courses and lessons to get them!

Who can use the benefit: as above
Value: save $20-$100 per month

The Intangibles

The purchase of a membership creates a mental and financial incentive to use it. If you've been feeling like you want to spend more time in the saddle but you just don't get around to it, having a membership may be just the nudge you need to get you off the couch.

In addition, you get a sense of community, the chance to interact more with people who share your interests and the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing your money is directly supporting the horses we all love.

What does membership cost?

Year-long memberships run from January through December; half-year memberships run either January through June or July through December.

Year-long membership: $300+gst
Half-year membership: $200+gst

Bonus: buy your 2017 membership before October 31st, and get all these benefits for November and December 2016 as well. That's 14 months for the price of 12!

What does membership pay for?

One third of your yearly fee goes towards Red Colt Co-op facility to help maintain the facilities. The other two thirds help cover the costs of board, vet, and farrier bills for the horses in the program.

How do I get a membership?

Call, email, or visit the friendly and helpful folk at Academie Duello's front desk.

by phone: 604 568 9907
by email: info@academieduello.com
in person: 412 W Hastings, Vancouver

Upcoming Classes

Beginner Riding & Horsemanship

If you’ve never been on a horse, or if it’s been a long time, here’s the place to start. When you arrive at the barn at 10am you’ll begin with a horsemanship lesson, familiarizing yourself with the horses and their tack, as well as how to groom, handle and tack them up. Then you will have a riding lesson, working through the requirements of Riding Level 1 — the prerequisite to most of the fun stuff we do on horseback!

Sundays 10am – noon
6 November – 11 December 2016
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Stephanie Laversin

Riding & Horsemanship Level 2

This course is intended for riders who have taken classes through the program and are comfortable tacking up their own horses. Riders should arrive at 9:30am to tack up and warm up their horses before starting their riding lessons at 10am, followed by Horsemanship Level 2 or 3 lessons at 11am

Sundays 10am – noon
6 November – 11 December 2016
cost: $300 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Stephanie Laversin

Horsemanship Level 3-4

If you have your Level 2 Horsemanship and wish to delve deeper into horse care including topics such as trailering, vet & first aid, bandaging, foot & shoeing and conditioning this class is for you.

Sundays 10:30am – 11:30am
6 November – 11 December 2016
cost: $130 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Kate Landels

Riding Level 3+

This class is intended for independent riders who have achieved Level 2 or higher. Riders are expected to be tacked up and warmed up prior to class. Your own helmets, boots, and half chaps are recommended, as are safety vests for the occasional cross-country class, weather permitting.

Sundays noon – 1pm
6 November – 11 December 2016
cost: $200 + gst for 6 classes
instructor: Stephanie Laversin

Intro to Mounted Combat

Experience your dreams of being a knight as you take the first step in Academie Duello’s mounted combat program. This unique workshop brings together swordplay, riding, and horsemanship into an exciting session geared toward beginners.

Beginning riders are provided one on one attention during the riding portion. Those with previous experience will have the opportunity to ride independently and practise more advanced drills. This course is an ideal way to introduce yourself to both equestrian and swordplay skills and get started on a deep and exciting track of learning. Upon completion of the workshop, you will qualify to join us for further in-depth classes in Riding, Horsemanship, and Swordplay.

Sunday 13 November, 1-4pm
cost: $149 + gst
instructors: Devon Boorman & Jennifer Landels

You can sign up for these classes online, at the front desk, or by phone: 604 568 9907.

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.