Imagine galloping on your horse while shooting arrows at targets as you fly past them. Imagine feeling like an ancient warrior from thousands of years ago. That’s Mounted Archery, and it’s one of the most exciting equestrian sports you can possibly try!
What IS Mounted Archery?
Mounted Archery (also called Horseback Archery) has its roots in ancient warfare and hunting. Picture this: thousands of years ago, armies of mounted archers thundered across the Asian steppes, shooting arrows from horseback in battle. Native Americans hunted buffalo on the American plains while riding their horses at full speed and shooting arrows with incredible accuracy.
Today, this ancient warrior skill has become a thrilling modern sport! Horseback Archery is hugely popular in Asia, Europe, the United States, and now right here in South Africa. Different competitive styles reflect various cultures and traditions from around the world.
Here’s how it works: You ride down a track (usually 90 metres long – that’s almost the length of a football field!) at a canter or gallop while shooting arrows at targets positioned along the way. Some targets need side shots, others require front shots or back shots as you approach or ride away. It takes coordination, timing, balance, courage, and a whole lot of practice!
How does SANESA Mounted Archery work?
SANESA offers several different types of Mounted Archery classes, each with its own unique style and challenge.
The classes:
- Lead Rein (Level 0): Perfect for absolute beginners!
- Raid Style: A speed class with targets at different angles (Levels 1, 4, and 7)
- Tower Style: Shoot at three targets stacked in the middle of the track (Levels 1, 4, and 7)
- Mini Tabla 4: Four targets, and YOU choose your pace! (Level 1 only)
- Tabla 4: A serious speed event with four targets (Levels 4 and 7)
Cool bonus: You can also apply for MAASA (Mounted Archery Association of SA) grading through your SANESA entries, which officially tracks your progress in the sport!
Safety first
Because Mounted Archery involves weapons (bows and arrows!), safety is EXTREMELY important. These rules exist to keep everyone safe:
Mandatory clinic:
ANY new rider who wants to do SANESA Mounted Archery MUST first complete an official SANESA/MAASA clinic. You’ll need to provide proof of attendance before you can enter classes.
The only exception: If you’re already training with a MAASA recognised coach/instructor, you’re exempt from the clinic, but you’ll need a letter from your coach confirming this.
Other safety requirements
- Helmet mandatory: All riders MUST wear riding helmets at all times, even the person leading your horse in Lead Rein class!
- Closed shoes required: No sandals or open-toed shoes. You need proper footwear!
- Equipment checks: Judges will inspect all equipment before competition.
- Follow all range safety rules: Listen to officials and follow instructions.
The different classes explained
Let’s dive into what each class is like. We’ll start at the beginning and work up to the most challenging!
Lead Rein Class (Level 0) – Everyone starts here!
This is where EVERYONE begins their Mounted Archery journey.
How it works:
- Someone leads your horse from the non-shooting side (they need a helmet too!)
- You walk the entire 90-metre track at a steady pace.
- There are five targets positioned along the track.
- You get one warm-up/practice run to get comfortable, then three scoring runs.
- You must nock your arrows and shoot while walking – arrows shot while standing still don’t count.
- Here’s something cool: You can shoot more than one arrow at some targets, and all hits count towards your score!
Important: The person leading your horse can’t help you with nocking or shooting arrows. This is YOUR challenge to master!
Raid Style Class
Ready to ride solo? The Raid Class is where things get really exciting! This class has six runs on a 90-metre track with targets placed at different points and angles.
What makes it thrilling:
- You shoot at targets from different angles – imagine shooting to the side as you pass, shooting forward as you approach, and shooting backward as you ride away!
- Only ONE arrow per target (so accuracy counts!)
- Arrows must be drawn from a quiver or belt attached to your hip, waist, thigh, or back.
- You can start with one arrow already nocked on your bow.
How each level is different:
Level 1: Can walk, trot, or canter – you choose! Only your arrow scores count, not how fast you go. Perfect for building confidence.
Level 4: Must canter or gallop (no walking or trotting!). Only arrow scores count – speed doesn’t matter yet.
Level 7: Must canter or gallop, and NOW time matters! You get speed bonuses for going fast, BUT only if you hit at least one target. Miss everything, and your speed doesn’t help you!
Tower Style Class
The Tower Class also has six runs on a 90-metre track, but here’s the twist: all the targets are grouped together in the middle of the track at the 45-metre mark. There are three target faces mounted on a tower, and you need to hit them as you pass:
- One target for a front shot (as you gallop toward it).
- One target for a side shot (as you fly past it).
- One target for a back shot (as you ride away from it).
The goal: Shoot as many arrows as possible at the three targets before you cross the finish line. You can shoot multiple arrows at the same target – all hits count!
Rules for Tower:
- You can carry arrows in your hand, in a quiver, belt, or sash.
- You can start with one arrow already nocked.
- Shoot as many arrows as you want – every hit scores points!
- BUT arrows must be shot between the start and finish lines.
How each level is different:
Level 1: Can walk, trot, or canter. Only arrow scores count. If you’re NOT going for MAASA grading, you do four runs. If you want official grading, you do all six runs.
Level 4: Must canter or gallop. Only arrow scores count – speed doesn’t affect your score.
Level 7: Must canter or gallop, and time limits apply! Go too slow and you get penalties or even score 0 for that run. Go fast, and you get time bonuses, but only if you’re hitting targets!
Mini Tabla 4
This class is ONLY for Level 1 riders, and it’s absolutely brilliant for building confidence! Here’s what makes it so special:
- 90-metre track with four targets to aim at
- YOU decide whether to walk, trot, or canter
- One arrow per target
- One practice run plus three scoring runs
Here’s the exciting part: Your target points are multiplied based on how fast you go!
- Walk: Normal target points
- Trot: Target points x 1.5 (50% bonus!)
- Canter: Target points x 2 (double points!)
This rewards riders who are brave enough to go faster, but you can still compete successfully at a slower pace while you build your skills. It’s perfect for challenging yourself at YOUR level!
Tabla 4
For Level 4 and Level 7 riders, the Tabla 4 is serious business; it’s the ultimate speed event!
The setup:
- 90-metre track with four targets
- Must canter or gallop – no exceptions!
- One arrow per target
- One practice run plus six scoring runs
- Targets score 2-4-6 points (outside ring to inside ring)
- Special bonus: Hit all four targets in a single run and you get four extra bonus points!
For Level 7 riders: Speed bonuses and penalties apply based on how many targets you hit and how fast you complete the track. The more targets you hit, the bigger your speed bonus multiplier! But go too slow, and you’ll face penalties.
Equipment you’ll need
Mounted Archery has specific equipment rules for safety and fairness. Here’s what you need to know:
Bows – what’s allowed
- Only recurve or longbows WITHOUT arrow rests
- NO traditional bows with cutouts for arrows
- NO compound bows or crossbows
- Judges will check all equipment before the competition to make sure it’s safe
Why these rules? Traditional recurve and longbows are what ancient mounted archers used, and they’re the safest for shooting from a moving horse.
Arrows – super important!
ONLY arrows with feather fletching: This is critical! Plastic vanes cause arrows to fly erratically and dangerously. Feather fletching is a safety requirement.
- Arrows must be drawn from a quiver, belt, or sash attached to your hip, waist, thigh, or back.
- You CANNOT carry arrows in your boots or chaps.
Horse requirements
Not every horse is suitable for Mounted Archery. Your horse needs special qualities and certifications:
Horse Track Safety Assessment – MANDATORY:
ALL horses MUST be certified SAFE for Mounted Archery before they can compete. This means your horse has been assessed and approved to work around bows and arrows. A signed assessment form must be attached to the back of your horse’s passport.
Other requirements:
- Passport with up-to-date vaccinations: Your horse must have a passport with current AHS and Flu vaccinations. No passport = no competition!
- Registered on SANESA: Your horse must be registered on the SANESA system.
- Soundness check: Horses will be checked for soundness and injuries before competition.
- Maximum four classes per day: A horse can only do a maximum of four Mounted Archery classes per day.
- Proper warm-up: You must warm up your horse adequately before competing.
Why these requirements? Mounted Archery is physically demanding, and we need to make sure every horse is healthy, fit, and comfortable with the activity. Your horse’s welfare comes first!
Important competition rules to know
Here are the key rules you need to know for competition day:
60-second rule: You have 60 seconds to start your run after the green flag goes up. If you don’t enter the track in time, you’re disqualified for that run.
Stay on track: If your horse leaves the track during a run, you’re disqualified for that run. Keep your horse between the lines!
Maintain your pace: For Level 4 and 7 classes, you must maintain canter or gallop. Any arrows shot at walk or trot score 0 points.
No stopping to nock: You can’t drop to a slower pace just to nock your arrows. This is part of the challenge!
Ties: If there’s a tie, the rider with the highest arrow score (not speed points) wins.
Border hits: Good news! If your arrow hits exactly on the border between two zones, you get the HIGHER score!
Falls: If you fall off during a run, you’re disqualified for that run and score 0. Fall twice in the same class, and you’re disqualified from that entire class. Safety first!
No assistance: Horses can’t be led onto the track by an assistant (except in Lead Rein class, where that’s the whole point!).
Top tips for Mounted Archery success
Want to become an awesome Mounted Archer? Here are some pro tips:
- Attend that clinic: It’s mandatory anyway, but it’s also the best way to learn proper technique and safety. Don’t skip it!
- Practice on the ground first: Get really comfortable with your bow and arrows while standing still before you try it on a moving horse.
- Trust your horse: Your horse needs to be calm and steady around bows and arrows. Spend time desensitising them to these new objects.
- Learn to ride no-handed: You need to be able to steer and balance using just your seat and legs while your hands are busy with the bow.
- Practice nocking while moving: This is SO much harder than it looks! Start at walk, then progress to trot, then canter.
- Look at your target, not your arrow: Just like in regular archery, you aim with your eyes. Trust your instincts!
- Start in Lead Rein: It builds your skills safely.
- Breathe and stay relaxed: Tension makes everything harder. Stay loose and flow with your horse’s movement.
- Find the rhythm: Every horse has a rhythm to their gait. Learn to release your arrow at the right moment in their stride.
- Safety always comes first: Never point your bow or arrows at people, and always follow safety protocols without exception.
Why should you try Mounted Archery?
Mounted Archery is perfect for riders who:
- Love adventure and trying something completely unique.
- Want to experience what ancient warriors felt like.
- Enjoy the challenge of combining two difficult skills.
- Love speed and excitement.
- Want to develop incredible coordination and balance.
- Are fascinated by history and historical riding.
- Have a calm, steady horse who isn’t easily spooked.
- Want to compete in something spectacular and unique.
When you successfully hit a target while galloping on your horse with the wind in your hair, you’ll feel absolutely unstoppable – just like an ancient warrior charging into battle!
Ready to become a Mounted Archer?
If Mounted Archery sounds exciting (and honestly, how could it not?!), here’s your path to becoming a Mounted Archer:
- Check your riding skills: You should be comfortable and confident riding at walk, trot, and canter before starting Mounted Archery. You need good balance and control.
- Attend a SANESA/MAASA clinic: This is mandatory and will teach you all the basics safely. You’ll learn proper technique, safety rules, and get to try it in a controlled environment.
- Get the right equipment: You’ll need a suitable recurve or longbow, arrows with feather fletching, and a quiver or belt to carry them.
- Make sure your horse is suitable: Your horse needs to be calm, steady, and willing to be around bows and arrows. Get them professionally certified as safe for Mounted Archery!
- Start at Lead Rein: Everyone starts here, no exceptions! It’s the safest way to build your skills and confidence.
- Practice regularly: The more you practice, the better you’ll become at combining riding and Archery skills. It takes time!
- Be patient: You’re learning an ancient warrior skill that took years to master even back then. Celebrate every successful hit!
Remember: Mounted Archery combines two skills that each take years to master on their own. Be patient with yourself and your horse, always put safety first, and celebrate every single target you hit. You’re learning to do what ancient warriors spent their entire lives perfecting. How incredibly cool is that?
For more information about SANESA Mounted Archery and to find clinics near you, visit www.sanesa.co.za
