Distinctly Montana Magazine

w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m 25 HORSE ARCHERY Montana Horse Archers, a horseback archery group based in Liv- ingston, MT, is one group that's celebrating history and carrying on the sport of horse archery. Led by Trish Wild, Montana Horse Archers is a private group associated with Horse Archery USA (HAUSA). In order to participate, members must follow HAUSA rules and regulations. HAUSA focuses on growing the popularity and competition opportuni- ties of horse archery while still making it a community-based and safety- focused sport. To join Montana Horse Archers, no experience is technically required. Although the group advises its members to eventually own their horses, ownership is not a prerequisite for getting into the sport. Trish Wild has several trained horses that beginners can rent as they're becoming acquainted with mounted archery. at being said, there are some very experienced horse archers in the group. All members, regardless of experience level, have the opportunity to learn from top clinicians from around the country. e group brings in a new clinician every month from May to September. Outside of their events, the group focuses on horse archery techniques, equipment man- agement, horse training, riding ability, and positioning. Although there are different horse archery clubs around the United States, Montana Horse Archers stands out amongst the rest. In addition to catering to various levels of expertise, the organization is dedicated to making the sport accessible for younger generations. eir "Hire a Squire" program pairs a youth applicant with a club member who can teach him or her horse care, grooming, horsemanship, and eventually provide the opportunity to learn to ride and develop archery skills. PERSONAL EXPERIENCES Jen Bainter broke out of old routines with the help of horse archery. "I think we all feel the squeeze of everyday life, the rush and grind of work, dreaming of faraway places, more money, and how nice it would be if there was magic in this world," reports Bainter. "I was a single mom working to support my daughter and grateful that I could have a few horses and escape into the mountains for some peace of mind. e day I saw the link for a mounted archery clinic, I knew, like a fire blazing through my veins, that this was the magic I had been seeking. From the day I shot my first arrow atop a horse, I felt wild, free, and powerful. Every day I practiced my archery, worked with my horses, and felt myself becoming bolder, stronger, and more confident." A ROUND 1200 B.C., ARCHERS BEGAN TO SHOOT BOWS FROM HORSEBACK TO HUNT, PROTECT THEIR LIVESTOCK, AND EN- GAGE IN COMBAT. Two types of horse archers quickly appeared after the start of horse archery. Some ancient tribes of nomadic warriors, like the Scythians, developed light archery. Light archers often rode in front to attack first and harass the opposing army. Due to their swift nature, these warriors could pressure and intimidate their enemies. In other civilizations, such as the Japanese, Russian, and Byzantine empires, heavy mounted archers were favored because they were invaluable in hand-to-hand combat. Working together as a disciplined unit, a group of heavy mounted archers had the ability to charge an enemy and inflict significant damage. As technology advanced, mounted archery was surpassed in warfare by other inventions. Even though the technical uses for the technique became limited, the act of mounted archery survived. Today, there are several schools of mounted archery around the world that are dedicated to honoring, expanding, and advancing the sport. by MACKENZIE MARTIN photos by KEVIN PAUL SPRIGGS R C H E RY O N H O R S E BAC K A L OV E TA L E A S O L D A S T I M E A

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