[MR] Update on Equestrian Activities at Storvik's Novice Tourney in July

[Kim Toyofuku]

Greetings,
Since Lady Brandwyn was kind enough to pass this information on to me, I thought I'd post it for those who are interested since I didn't really see it posted to either list and didn't want to send it prematurely. If I missed it and it was posted, I do apologize. For anyone who has sword rejects - very bashed swords which are going soft in the middle - please let us know since they would make excellent lances to be used on that Saturday.
 
Yours in Service,
Kim of Wolfshaven
MoAS, Barony of Storvik
 
From: BRNDALSTON at aol.com
Date: Fri, 28 May 2004 17:27:45 EDT
Subject: Re: Atlantian Cavalry Demo and Authorizations at Storvik's Novice Tourney
To: kim_wolfshavensca at yahoo.com, baronessbeatrice at hotmail.com

I will be sending out info packets with a pre-registration form for bringing/renting horses as soon as we get the prices on them finalized. 

I will list you in the interested parties and send you the info packet via email soon. 

There are special requirements for minor authorizations that any minors who are interested in participating will have to go through. Baroness Beatrice can fill you in on what you need to do before the event. Just have the parents of the minors contact her BEFORE the event. 

One rule that the society has on authorizing minors is that they must be authorized on the horse/pony that they will be using that day of the tournament, using the same equipment. This means that if your son authorizes at this event, using a rental horse, then he will have to authorize again at the next event if he does not have the same rental horse and use the same equipment. This is a rule from the Society equestrian rules, not an Atlantian rule. The other rule is that we do not have the equipment required for smaller children, so I don't believe Beatrice will authorize any children twelve or under. They have to have scaled down game props for safety reasons, and we don't have any made so far. Hopefully that will be coming soon in Atlantia, but it won't be this year. 

If I remember correctly two advanced riders can share one horse, two intermediate riders can share one horse and three beginner riders can share one horse (this includes spliiting the rental cost). The reason more beginners can share a horse is because they are only allowed to ride at a wal k at all times and the intermediate and advanced riders are likely to tire out a horse more quickly because they compete at higher speeds. So you can send in your registrations in pairs, etc. for sharing horses. The pre-reg form will have that option on it. 

Everyone who wants to ride or be ground crew will need to take the safety class which will be offered at the event. Currently we are planning to teach the class during the lunch break. This class is one hour and will authorize participants as Non-Riders. The cost is $5.00 per person to get the authorization card. If a person also authorizes as a rider that day, they only have to pay the $5.00 once and will get both authorizations on their card. 

You will need closed-toed shoes (preferrably boots with some kind of heel) and pants of some type (even if worn under the skirt. You don't want to ride with bare legs against the saddle or you will get pinched). Try not to wear garb that dangles, has loose long sleeves or ot her things (neclaces, belt pouches, etc.) that can get caught on the saddle or weapons. You also don't want things that will flap in the wind a lot and scare the horses around you. 

All minors will need a riding helmet. It is reccommended that adults wear one, but it is only required for minors. I have one helmet that I am bringing for people to use, but more will likely be needed. I think bicycle helmets are ok, aren't they Bea? I will have to check the rules on that, though. 

Minors must also have one of their parents or legal gaurdians in site and paying attention to them while they are on a horse (at all times they are on the horse - the parent must be there and watching the child). 

Loner equipment will be provided, but if you have some of it that you can bring for your own use, that would help out. 

The swords are pieces of rattan with strapping tape on them, but no basket hilt (can have a hilt - but you don't need one and is safer without it). We do not use lanyards on the weapons in Atlantia due to the danger of getting the ropes caught on the saddle horns. The length varies - anything that is legal for a heavy weapon sword (except great sword - too long) is ok. In fact the swords fighters reject after they start getting too bashed up and have soft spots work great for the games. 

There will be lances available. If you are interested in making your own lances or swords, let me know and I can give you more specific information on their construction. 

If you already own a saddle, you might want to bring it. You may or may not be able to use it depending on the owner of the horse you rent and whether it will fit the horse or not. But some people prefer their own saddles, so if you want to, bring it along. Just be aware that you might not get to use it. 

Don't forget sunscreen and water. 

Can I get the modern and SCA names (if any) for any interested people so I can put them on my list? This wil l help us determine how many rental horses we might need. It would also be helpful to know what each of their riding experience is (i.e.: never been on a horse, ridden twice at summer camp, was born on a horse and think I am a centaur...that kind of stuff), and contact information, and if they are going to bring a horse or rent a horse. 

We will go over the games and are planning a demonstration so you can see how they are played. The authorization process is to ride the Saracen (Beheading the Enemy) game at the level you wish to authorize at. 

Here are the levels of authorization: 
Non-Rider - People who help on the ground on the list field with resetting the games and retrieving weapons, keeping an eye out for safety issues, etc. Minors can participate outside the list field, but we are discouraging them from helping on the list field for safety reasons. Non-rider authorizations consist of taking the safety class. 
Beginner - may compete only at a walk at all times (even trail riding may be only at a walk) 
Intermediate - may compete at a walk or trot 
Advanced - may compete at walk, trot or canter (advanced riders should compete at a canter whenever possible, but may compete at slower speeds if they feel they need to for safety reasons like riding a green horse or using a saddle they are not familiar with, etc.) 
Special Authorizations - right now Atlantia is not doing any special authorizations, but we hope to soon be adding mounted archery, mounted combat, and actual jousting. The rules on many of these special authorizations are still being experiemented with. 

Schedule: 
Currently we are planning to provide a mounted demonstration of the games in the morning. Hopefully to get it going by 9 am. It will probably not take very long to demonstrate the four main games. 
After the demo, we will have a practice time where people can practice and do their authorizations. I am currently planning on this from 9:30 to 1 1 am. Those sharing horses should try to give eachother equal time in the saddle to practice the games. There will be marshalls and experienced riders available to assist as needed, but we can always use more ground crew people. Anyone who wants to help reset the rings or heads is more than welcome to help out at this time and throughout the day. 

At 11 we are planning to break for lunch until 1:30 pm. During that time I will give the Safety class (that is supposed to last only one hour - I will try not to be long winded about it). Ground crew and riders need to take this class to complete their authorizations. 

After lunch we will get back on the horses and the advanced riders will do another demonstration (possibly - we may skip that). Then we will begin the Mounted Novice Tournament. (Details on exactly which games will be included and the scoring are still being worked out - I will send that info as soon as I get things straight). There will be prizes for this to urnament (which I am providing). I would be tickled pink if we could present the prizes during the evening court (if that is when they hold it) or at the feast (not as good, though, since the southern cavlary members will likely have to pack their horses up early and take them to the stables nearby. They may not be there for the feast.) But this is something the autocrat, Their Excellencies and I can work out and let you know about. 

We plan to wrap things up by 4pm on the horses, then cool them down and take them back to the stables (we are trying to get stalls at nearby stables for the people bringing their own horses to keep them in overnight. That way they won't have to be trailer tied overnight, the horses will be safer and those who hauled them up from South Carolina can take a rest before they have to drive the 12 hours or more back.) 

I hope this isn't too much information. I don't mean to overwealm you. 

If you have any questions, please don't hestiate t o email me or call me at 757-488-3597 (leave a message if you get the machine). If any of your newcomers or insterested people have questions, give them my contact info and I will do my best to answer their questions. 

Thanks so much for your interest and I can't wait to see all of you. 
Brandy 
(Northern Regional Deputy Equestrian Marshal) 


		
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