A quick note, my trip up to the site after not having felt well most of the day was not the best in the world either.  Combine feeling ill with a horse pulling during loading and putting a good rope burn on my hand and allow two hours of sitting in traffic on the interstate not hardly moving (four miles in two hours) to allow it all to settle well and you get the idea.  Combine that with my good friend Edmund having a blow out and being hours behind me, at least until I was stuck in traffic and you get some idea of my thinking it was going to be a bad weekend.  I should have known better.  We arrived to stalls already made up, water in the buckets and in general very well set.

Saturday we started the day with some breakfast and much needed coffee.  There was some general discussion between folks present but classes did not start until yours truly got going at 9:00am, with a welcome and given a state of affairs for the Equestrian College.  I figured I would be thirty minutes and have a few questions.  After the first hour and only being half way through the notes, Peitre graciously bowed out of one class to allow me to continue.  The discussion on several issues was really good and general nature of the questions said to me such a sit down discussion from dean to marshalate is needed on regular basis.

During this time it was open riding to participate in whatever games and practicing that anyone wanted to do.  Apparently the classes and especially discussion through out was so interesting that everyone seemed to have forgotten about the riding.  Up next was a discussion about the balsa wood jousting experiment, that again I headed up, as I wanted to get that out there in front of everyone.  There was a good sharing of equipment and much discussion that followed.  Much gratitude to Edmund for his insightful comments during this session as well.  I do apologize for regrettably never getting to the jousting demo by the way – there were several issues.  First, balsa to make tips arrived late, though it could have been worked around.  Lonesome (the newer horse) is a bit green about it and Angel (the backup) came up lame Saturday afternoon).  Hopefully everyone will make it to Siege next weekend and get to see some of it.

During the afternoon, I personally got in some riding on Jack and he was being his usual high strung self, made all the worse by his extreme herd bound attachment to Angel.  Once I got him going at the games good a few times we slacked off and let him have off (at this point, thinking we may do jousting later or on Sunday morning sometime).  I got back over for some of a class on elegant attire for your war horse.  Some of it looked really good and I would love to get my chamfron/crinets finished up.  I have inspiration now.

I don’t recall what order things occurred in next, but I know there was a class on the history of the warhorse which was well done and something else that I am failing to recall now.  Later, several headed out for a trail ride around the farm, which is where Angel showed up lame.  As Jack was having such issues I felt this was a strong suggestion I should not make this trail ride.

I think there may have been another class in there, but I was beat and went to have dinner and get some refreshment.  Later, toward dusk, we were entertained His Excellency, The Baron, playing his guitar and singing.   A bottle was passed a few times and after moving to a bonfire as stories starting to come out the bottle was passed a few more times.

Sunday morning we awoke and after a hot breakfast and more coffee (seeing a theme?) we heading over to do some games practice, get some pointers, and work on getting some folks authorized.  All went extremely well and we now have three new riders in the kingdom.  If you see them, a hoo-bah for Enkara of Darkhorse, Patrick von Brandenburg, and Sir Jasper of the Lakes.  Additionally, during the Sunday morning time frame I wrapped up the testing for two new marshals and hoo-bah is also in order for Erelwin Sarpo & Azzah bing al Bardawi al Murabbiyyah al Rualliyyah (yeah, that is just two names).  Congratulations are in order to all!

I was seriously thinking of heading out after lunch on Sunday, but Patrick’s two session class on historical mounted combat techniques was too much for me to pass up in the end.  I stuck around to see that and it was very interesting.  I was proud of that moment when asked about left to left passes and I was able to cite that in Germany some styles in late period with full breastplates were right shoulder passes at tilt.  The class was very interested and the mobile wooden mounts (very similar to some illuminations I have seen) added a lot to the class.  I still have a doubt or two about a couple of moves working when at speed (even the trot) but will explore that at another time.

Again, if you missed it this year you should put it on your calendar for next year right now!  Truly a great event, even with traffic issues and lack of jousting due to lame horse.

Immediate Upcoming Events:

Crystal Chamfron – Not Just Horsin’ Around is coming up first.  The event is out on the western edge of the kingdom and will be occurring June 25-27.  I went out last year and had a blast.  The group out there is very enjoyable company and very good competition as well.  (I would go again this year, but Border Raids is the same weekend and I think I should make an appearance as it is just down the road.

Middle Kingdom Equestrian Symposium is a few weeks after that over the 4th of July weekend (July 2-4).  A new idea and one I am totally behind.  It will be a day of classes both mounted and dismounted covering a variety of things regarding SCA equestrian.  I have not seen a complete list of classes, but I know that it includes some basics of getting your horse reading for an event to what is involved in becoming and equestrian marshal.  I have just this evening cleared my schedule to attend the event and I will be present a class or two myself (at this point I am do not know if it will be with horses in tow or not).  Regardless, I encourage everyone to make it out and it is in a very central location near Lafayette, Indiana.

The following weekend of July 9-11 will see the equestrians at the Siege of Talonvale.  The last couple of years the focus has been jousting due to the attendees having that as a primary interests.  I will be the equestrian marshal for the event and would love to do some of the more traditional games if there are those attending that will have horses and are interested.  Additionally, we will be doing a balsa wood joust demonstration/tournament, the newest experimental activating allowed to us SCA equestrians.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• I am getting access to the page that you land on if you click equestrian on the new (and improved) Midrealm website.  I will only have a few short pieces of information there and still point things to our primary webpage (which will hopefully be found more often that way).
  
• There is going to be a slight schedule change on the reporting for marshals coming in the near future.  Expect it move up by a couple of weeks, as my superiors need reporting information before I am getting myself.  I will be conferring with regional and senior marshals about this shortly.
• Speaking of which, at the symposium I would like to met with all marshals attending for about thirty minutes at some point.  We can work this out from a time perspective in the near future.  Just know I am looking forward to that.
• I look forward to seeing everyone in the near future at one of the events listed above or some other event that we have such an opportunity for otherwise.
  

On to day one of the war!  Day one of the war was really kind of boring to the non-initiated.  By that I mean to say, I was really finishing up the last of my preparations and meeting up with a lot of old friends.   For some I suppose such activities would be absolutely mind numbing.  And I suppose, in some ways that is the case for me as well.  But then again, part of what I am after is the mind numbing aspect of enjoyment that comes out of such activities for me that I do not typically get to experience in my regular day to day life.

The morning started off with a slow getting up and getting going.  I had prepped the week before by slowly cutting down the intake of coffee – a questionable period beverage, especially for the extreme western part of Europe I portray.  That being said, morning was not going to happen much with out at least a tasting of the beverage that Napoleon and I both agree, “Gives an advantage over our enemies.”  As my enemy in the morning was going to be burr removal from to heavily laden horses, I was going to need all the help I could get.

Easy enough after some coffee was found to start on the horses.  Jack had a heavy burr population in his mane and Angel’s tail was dense enough to be almost solid.  Jack’s mane being thicker was the reason of the burrs in his mane and not Angel, but I can not figure the tail.  Anyway, I started on Jack and it was going to be a chore.  Edmund (Chris) offered to work on Angel, his thought being the tail would be easier.  I had to agree with him given the amount of burrs in Jack’s mane.

After about an hour, maybe closer toward two, lots of baby oil, and some swearing over not having brought a proper mane comb, Jack was free of burrs.  Angel still had a few in her tail, but was quickly hitting the spot where it was getting cleaned out.  While there were a few piles of white mane hair from Jack, it is so thick you could hardly notice by looking at him.  As the last burrs come free of Angel though, the last foot of length on her tail basically fell off as well, coming free as well.  More is the pity on that score but an year from now and hopefully no one will be the wiser.

Next up was some intensive grooming, given the guys had been literally grabbed right out of the field.  Given the location to a much warmer climate in Mississippi then the wet and drear climate we left in Kentucky, there was a lot of shedding going on as well.  After another hour or so with the shedding blade it was time to get up and take each of them for a spin.

This was going to be either fun or something best approached with trepidation.  Neither had been ridden nearly enough over the winter and especially leading up to heading toward the war.  Both cold and wet weather combined with stolen saddles had kept me virtually away from riding the entire winter.  Jack has a history of almost always being a handful in general and especially the first ride after even a few weeks off.  Angel on the other hand had taken nearly a year off without any serious work and while I expected little from her, one can never be sure.

Edmund, knowing the history of Mad Jack Jouette (Jack’s full name) was so excited.  As he all but yelled in delight, he got out and set up his video camera to catch all the excitement.  It was with amazement that I the saddle was cinched without issue and with minimum assistance holding Jack, I swung up and leg over.  To my incredible amazement Jack was almost still.  At a little urging to move off though, he was ready to go and fast.  Still, nothing compared to the show I had expected to possibly give Edmund.  Really, his only issue was being even more herd bound with Angel then he was before – which was saying something consider his issue about it before.

After a good little ride off and about, I came back, switch out saddles and took Angel for a bit of small spin.  She was good as well, though a bit more herd bound then ever before as well.  After a short bit, Edmund agreed to take her out some more.  While he did that, I trimmed Jack’s feet up a bit.  I can do it, but I am way to fat to do it often.  My farrier friend had missed me the Saturday before though, and they needed at least some evening at the very least.  After a good rest, I finished up the afternoon with a hastily done trim on Angel, getting her fronts only and vowing to do the rear feet later.

At this point I was more then exhausted, very hot and sweaty, and well past being hungry.  We headed over to Phil’s Grill for some grub.  Phil’s is good part of my reason for returning to Gulf Wars, offering a delicious mix of foods, most of from the Mediteranian area.  I am always up for the gyro, with sauteed veggies (whatever is the choice of the day) and all the salad toppings a person could want.  It is not so much something to eat with hands, but rather a fork.  There are also options like grilled chicken, portabello mushrooms, dolmas, and much more.  It is an omnivores dream of delectable tastes and has been my personal meal plan the last two wars and always a special treat even before that.

I think somewhere in there we checked out a large portion of the vendors.  I managed to stay with in my budget constraints and not go crazy.  I think Edmund picked up some rattan though.  I did note a few things I would have to look into in more depth later in the week.

Upon return to near to camp, the processional meeting was upon us.  For those that do not know the Known World (as it is called in the SCA) is divided into kingdoms.  Each kingdom has royalty, selected through marshal prowess and winning a tourney.  Typically it is a King and Queen, currently reigning as well as heirs, having won the right to reign next.  At this war, usually all of them mount up on horses and process through the populace, prior to the war officially beginning.  At the end, they each declare which principal kingdom with which they shall align.  Lots of pomp and such, but a lot of exposure for the horses and those of us doing that part of things too.

Jack and Angel were going to be separated.  Something I had not thought about before, but they both have the issues with herd bound being but the two now.  So, that was something look forward to in the morning.  Jack was going to have His Highness of the Middle.  Angel was looking like Her Majesty from Aethelmarc.  They both went for a practice ride to get a feeling of things and we talked about the barding and such and how things would work in the morning.  It all went well.

Later, we walked around site, hooking up with some old friends and running into a few folks that I had spoken to for sometime without having met in person.  We got word on a couple of parties, some of which were literally walking around, to occur later in the week so that was a good bit of information.  A chill was in the air though and after some thought about the long hard day, a plan to turn it was hatched.  A last check on the horses and a turn in was in order.

* – picture of His Highness in the procession, credit to Jennifer Dudley!

** – a few picture galleries are planned to be added at the end, credit to several people.

*** – I wish I could have taken pictures, but even when I am not fighting or riding, I marshaling or something and lo, though I had a camera, it never made it out of the bag in which it was packed.  I suck!

• pay up and get storage unit contents
• purchase tent (Panther Regency?)
• make/check tent poles for tent, along with ropes
• purchase horse trailer(?)
• clean armour
• restrape armour
• blue armor (puchase of tank/torch)
• organize armour packaging
• redo cloasure on bar grill  basinet
• roll front edges on vambraces (trim down a bit?)
• repair/fix guantlets
• nix padding for padded liner (period style) both helms
• purchase aventail/camails X2 and install
• ? of voiders and skirt or habergon – looks like habergon is right
• jupon or arming coat
• spiff up some garb
• make a new piece or two of garb (better stuff)
• order chuasses and braies
• use above to pattern a few more
• order turn shoes
• make chamfron and crinit (w/ eye protection)
• get saddles/tack out, clean and oil
• get bottles for cordial
• bottom cordial (simple syrup 2:1?)
• labels for cordial?
• ride a bunch on Jack and some on Angel
• fix one suitcase
• make a choice about 1350-60 versus 1390-1400?
• make a sheild, heater curved opposite (jousting)
• make side/back plates for churburg #13, strap, use…

I used the graphic above because I am pretty sure that I if I do one thing a day I will be pretty close to completion by the time GW rolls around.  Keep in mind the list is kind of crude at this point, like garb for instance needs to be broke down more into what specifically are goals for the war and listed out separately.

Intorduction to SCA Equestrian

Raynold of Wharram, Dean of Midrealm Equestrian College

Contact: raynold at eligius dot org or (859)324-5566

• What do we do?

  • Video

  • Slide show

  • Activities include, but by all means not exclusive:

    • traditional training exercises

      • behead the enemy

      • tilting the rings

      • tilting at the quintain

      • pig sticking / tent pegging

      • mounted archery

    • gymkhana/pony club exercises

      • relays

      • follow the course/maze

      • rescue the maiden

    • arts and sciences

      • horse garb/armour

      • medieval tack/saddles

      • researching riding styles, tournaments, and more

    • marshal activities

      • crest combat

      • heavy mounted combat (*)

      • jousting

    • other

      • processions for the populace

      • parading the royal family

      • special demonstrations/competitions

• Why are we (equestrians) in the SCA?

  • Horses are a big part of Medieval life

    • basic transportation – one (and mostly only) step above walking

    • horse and cart

    • horse and plow/land

  • Militarily even larger part of the picture

    • most nobility had horses for war

    • knights by late 14^th early 13^th had several for a campaign (not always used though)

    • cavalry comes to its own with stirrups, lances, and tactics

    • period can even be described as rise and fall of the heavily armed horseman

• All about the horses

  • historical classification was by type/job – NOT breeds – no registry’s predate 1700′s

  • historical size was much smaller then we typically think

  • your modern horse

    • any really will do

    • more concern placed on ability and willingness to do activities

    • calm and easy going is better then hot and flashy

  • Availability of horses

    • sometimes rentals

    • lesson barn horses

    • buddy up with someone

    • REMEMBER – horses have owners and they can say NO

• All about the Riders

  • First a bit of history

    • EVERYONE was generally familiar with horses

    • anyone expected to ride and work them, started very young and it became 2^nd nature

    • cleared the way for biggest and most ranking

  • Modern world & SCA

    • very limited set of population knows horses

    • even fewer are accomplished riders

    • starting out

      • get some lessons

      • buddy up

      • don’t exaggerate your abilities

      • expect it to take TIME, and then remember your partner (the horse) may have a different schedule in mind on top of that

      • get experience and a good seat and THEN start the medieval stuff

  • Minors, horses, and SCA

    • minors are allowed to participate and even compete

    • they may not live steal (any steal weapons)

    • must wear an approved riding helmet

• Safety

  • It is the number one thing!

  • Attire

    • should not be to loose or extravagant

    • spurs, if used at all, should be blunt pricks

    • closed toe shoes and recommend a heel when riding

  • Helmets are the recommendation

    • required for minors

    • required for jumping by everyone

  • HOLD is the same in equestrian

    • as quickly and safely as possible stop

• First Event/Expectations

  • Equipment

    • tack – English, western, or other – all fine

    • don’t worry about things like period correct to begin with

    • barding and such can come later (work with the horse)

    • don’t expect to start in armor

  • Take it slow and work up to things

    • both you and horse may take some time

    • better to start slow and work up

  • Have FUN!

Other Resources:

Midrealm Equestrian Site: http://www.midrealm.org/equestrian/

SCA Equestrian Site: http://www.sca.org/officers/equestrian/

My Page: http://www.eligius.org/

(*) pending final approval process in Midrealm at current

Weather aside and the slight spookiness that a couple of mounts had in regards to the nearness of the large modern semi trucks, the event was awesome.  It was great to see so many incredible friends that I have missed over the last year or so all in place at that.  The time we had around the field, on the field and even at court was more then awesome and especially when followed up with the comraderie, not around a fire, but still with a beer at a fine dining establishment was great.

A quick run down, the event had a couple of authorizations in the morning.  Those went pretty good and for those trying, keep up the work and I am sure you will get to a higher level at some upcoming events in the near future.

This was followed by some skills types of games that did include some challenges and some just competition.  All of this was going toward one half of the determining the new Mid-Realm Equestrian Champion.  After all the competions in the morning, including at least four different event, THL Zuriel had a good lead and later did recieve recognition for that feat.

After a short break for lunch, Lady Rowan offered up one of her amazing challenge courses.  There were some things out there that would have been tough for anyone, especially given the wind.  This was used as the other half of the equestrian championship.  After all of it was totalled up, Lady Enna had a clear lead and was winner of the challenge.  Combined with the morning scores she had posted (a second to Zuriel), her total pointed to her being the recommendation for equestrian champion.

During court it seemed like there were more equestrians recognized then anyone else.  Of course later, we learned that Her Majesty, Runa had originally joined the the SCA becuase of equestrian pursuits.  A quick run down of who recieved things was THL Timotheous, myself (recieving my White Chamfron), Baroness Ioan (recieveing her White Lance – awesome), and Lady Enna (named current Midrealm Equestrian Champion, the first in several reigns.

A special things goes out to Lady Rowan for oganizing the event.  Another to THL Zuriel, who we know acting as a liason to the Royalty on our behalf (and somehow managed to surprise us all).  And one more to Baroness Ioan for pictures and especiall the group, who along with her worked on the new spiff tabards seen the in the picture above.  By the way, the picture above is from her and there are more on her website at Natural Destrier.  I am going to get all of them for my personal collection but you will have to go there to see all but the one I am posting above.

First, let me say, while I am thinking of and lest I should forget, much thanks to the hosting barony for hosting the event and inviting out the Midrealm equestrians.  Also many thanks to the marshals and marshals in training who helped with running things throughout the day as well as were the ones that I saw running around at the end of the day breaking things down.  An especial thinks goes to Lady Finna (I hope I got that right) for being the Equestrian Mashal in Charge at the event and aside from wind pulled off a flawless event.

The event saw a field of eight horses show up and I believe eight riders though I may have missed a swap out somewhere.  It was lovely that each rider had a horse.  There was one authorization that went very well.

During the early hours of the event some major wind was blowing and it did topple the tent that was being used for registration and resulting in some paperwork having to be duplicated.  Early the competition a number of fun games were arranged and suited well to the riders that were present.  Later in the day a challenge course was had that looked very exciting.   It actually made me long for my won trusty horses and I even half thought of checking to borrow a mount to run through it.  Then I recalled my for heading up was to marshal.

One slight disappointment that I had with the event was the number of authorization.  I do realize we do not always get to do things on our planned schedule, but at one point I thought I was going to be authorizing ten riders, some for crest combat and jousting.  My disappointment with that was slight though and I am sure I will get the opportunity in the near future.

There were some old friends from the Kingdom of Aethelmarc.  It was nice catching up with them.  There was some smack talk going on between competitors from kingdoms.  As had already been discussed in some circles an equestrian war of sorts between the two is on for Afternoon of Fun event in early October.

In regards to my trip up and such, it was about five and half hours of driving up and again the same amount driving back.  Needless to say, as it was a day event and I had that drive and still breaking in the new truck engine I left out early in the morning without horses.  I did find about half way up though, that the Bitzer dog and somehow managed to stowaway in the car during the dark hours when I was putting stuff in the car for departure.

My one thing that I wish as I sit here now is that I had some pictures. My camera got busted and I just have not gotten around to ordering a replacement for it as of yet.   So if you are reading this and have some from the event let me know.  Perhaps by the next equestrian event at Baron Wars – stay tuned!

Events 2009

• Brendokenfest
  April 25
  Barony of Brendoken
  Tuscarawas County Fairgrounds (Dover, Ohio)
• Baron Wars
  May 9
  March of the Marshes
  Everette E. Carter Park (Bowling Green, Ohio)
• Push for Pennsic
  June 12 – 14
  Hawkes Keye
  Lebanon, OH
• Crystal Chamfron
  June 27
  Shattered Crystal
  Wood River, IL
• Clancy Day
  July 10 – 12
  Shire of Starleaf Gate
  Camp Rotary (Ray Township, MI)
• Havoc in Hastings
  Sept 5-7
  Canton of Three Walls
  Hastings, Michigan
• Afternoon of Fun
  October 2 – 4
  Shire of Eastwatch
  Burton, OH

Currently there is a movement to make the membership money from those members residing here in the U.S. stay here in the U.S. to support the IJA stateside and get it really going.  This involves a number of things, including the creation of non-profit corporation status with the U.S. and the ability to get an umberalla liability insurance policy to be able to tap into for events.  That last one is going to be a major step toward really moving foward with the organization and having a regular group of events spring up at various places.

To that end, as is the case with so many things in this world, the seed money to get that process going is simply just not there right now.  I know that more then a few of the readers of this blog are probably interested in eventually taking things to the next level.  Currently it has been suggested that membership will run $20.00 per person annually.  Further, in order to get the funds to be able to proceed with things like formation of the corporation, getting things in order on the insurance and a few other things, like websites, that perhaps a five year membership be made available.  Further it has been even suggested that perhaps if anyone that wanted did that move they could get the remainder of 2009 membership for free.

I realize this not apply to very many people, but if you have ever though you may want to go there eventually (think really good looking period armour, full wood lances with balsa tips, and perhaps 1000′s watching jousting competitons and exhibitions) then I would encourage you to inquire so you can get in the ground floor of making this grow in a major way.