Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 1 9 26 Shelton Fitzgerald, a 36-year-old from Seeley Lake, MT, is happy to drive four or more hours to practice with Montana Horse Archers. "e combination of horsemanship and archery provide a great opportunity for personal growth, the ability to overcome challenges, and a deep understanding of the connection between horse and rider," says Fitzgerald. "As an experienced archer but beginner horseman, I have come to realize there is much involved in combining the two effectively." Meghan Richardson, a professional woman who homeschools her two daughters, has gained much from joining Montana Horse Archers. "I was looking for something my oldest daughter and I could do together that would be challenging," mentions Richardson. "My daughter and I love to practice horse archery together—she likes to correct my form! Since joining, we have spent most of our time learning how to shoot properly and safely. Both of us look forward to attending as many clinics hosted by Montana Horse Archers as we pos- sibly can!" OLD SPORT, MODERN FLOW One thing Montana Horse Archers members talk about again and again is the thera- peutic nature of their sport. First of all, simply spending time with horses can reduce stress and improve overall health. Horse therapy has been used by medical professionals for years to improve the lives of various populations. Regardless of your background, working with horses can dramatically enhance the quality of your life. Moreover, archery can help people focus and tap into the strength of their mind and body. Simply standing and focusing on a target hones your intentions and blocks out distractions. Members of Montana Horse Archers constantly strive to honor tradition while practicing an optimal state of awareness where they can feel and perform their best. To learn more about horse archery in Montana, please contact Trish Wild by email: trish.wild@yahoo.com. Horse Archery music video www.distinctlymontana.com/horse192 DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL Moreover, archery can help people focus and tap into the strength of their mind and body. Simply standing and focusing on a target hones your intentions and blocks out distractions. Kylee Trish Wild "In the case of archery, the hitter and the hit are no longer two opposing objects but are one reality. e archer ceases to be conscious of himself as the one who is engaged in hitting the bull 's-eye, which confronts him. is state… is realized when he becomes with the perfecting of his skill, though there is in it something of a quite different order which cannot be attained by any progressive study of the art." -D. T. SUZUKI, ZEN IN THE ART OF ARCHERY

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