Coach's Notebook: What Is Horseback Archery (And Can Anyone Do It?)

The Horseback Archery Journal is a collection of insights, stories and conversations from the world of Horseback Archery, written by international coach and competitor, Emily Massey. Here you'll find training ideas, informational posts, competition reflections, and discussions with riders and coaches from across the sport.

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Horseback Archery has grown rapidly in the UK, and once you look into it, it’s easy to see why! Horseback Archery, simply put, is the sport of shooting a bow and arrow off the back of a moving horse. It’s exciting, addictive, and so different from the majority of equestrian disciplines that are already out there!

Whether you've never sat on a horse before, you're an experienced rider looking for a new challenge, or you're already an archer wondering if horseback archery is for you, this guide will explain everything you need to know to get started.

What is Horseback Archery?

Horseback Archery involves riding a horse, usually down a track which may or may not be straight, and loading and shooting one or more arrows (and yes, you need to let go of the reins to do this!). This might sound alarming at first, but horses are carefully trained for the sport, and riders learn how to control their horses using their reins in between shots, and their seat, balance and voice when shooting. In competitive Horseback Archery, riders gain points for how well they hit the target, as well as sometimes bonus points for hitting a certain number of targets, and speed points or penalties if they’re competing at a canter or gallop. Horseback Archery is all about partnership, horsemanship, accuracy, speed and timing.

Can anyone do Horseback Archery?

Yes! Horseback Archery is a sport for people of all ages and experience levels. The International Horseback Archery Alliance has multiple age categories in competition, including Children (under 13), Juniors (Up to 17), Young Riders (18-21), Seniors (22-49) and a Masters category for 50+ (yes that means that once you reach the age of 50, you officially get to call yourself a Master Horseback Archer!) There is also a branch of Horseback Archery known as Inclusive Horseback Archery (iHBA), which includes para-riders, and whilst this category is very much in it’s infancy, it’s certainly gaining popularity! Most coaches will teach a wide variety of ages, but if you’re looking for children’s lessons, it’s important to check with your coach if they have a minimum age, as this can vary between coaches.

In terms of ability, for many beginner sessions, the minimum requirement is simply being able to sit comfortably on a horse at a walk and remain balanced enough to let go of the reins. Every coach is different though, so it's always worth checking their requirements before booking. Of course, as you work your way up through the levels, the riding part does become more challenging, but to start with, a walk is all that’s required. There is even a British Grassroots Championship class for walk-only riders!

Do I need any archery experience?

Nope! Learning the archery side of the sport is at least 50% of the fun of learning Horseback Archery, and you can absolutely come into the sport having never shot a bow and arrow before (in fact, that’s exactly what I did back in 2017!) And if you’re already an experienced archer, then that’s great too, although do expect that there may be some differences between the techniques that you’re taught for horseback-specific archery compared to what you’re used to for other archery disciplines.

Do I need my own horse?

The short answer to this is no, however it does depend on certain factors. Many coaches in the UK are only able to offer lessons to those who have their own horse, or are able to borrow one (from a friend or family). There are currently 3 schools in the UK (at the time of writing) where you can hire horses to have Horseback Archery lessons, and there are many facilities across Europe and the rest of the world where you can attend intensive training courses that have horses available to hire.

For those who don’t own a horse, I’d recommend having regular lessons at a riding school, where you can work on your position and balance, regular ground archery lessons with a Horseback Archery coach, who will work on the horseback-specific elements of the archery with you, and getting in lessons at a Horseback Archery school when you can.

Many British Horseback Archers competing at International level don’t actually own their own horses, so it is absolutely doable!

I have a horse, how do I know if they’ll take to the sport?

You won’t know until you try, but training your horse for the sport is all part of the journey. In my 5 years of coaching, I’ve only ever come across a very small handful of horses who I truly didn’t believe that this was the sport for them. Good training involves desensitisation to the bow, arrows, quiver, targets, track and sights and sounds of shooting, which should be horse-led and done gradually. It also involves teaching the horse to enter the track calmly, stop at the end of the track, and keep their pace as set by the rider. I currently coach horses ranging from 3 years old right through to 31, and, in fact, horseback archery can be a fantastic discipline for older horses because it's often far less physically demanding than many other mounted sports.

Do I need my own equipment?

Absolutely not! Most coaches will have beginner equipment that you can borrow for your first few lessons. As you progress, it is likely that you will want to purchase your own bow, arrows, and perhaps a quiver, but for your first sessions, all you need is yourself. Your coach will be able to recommend equipment for you when the time comes to purchase your own (and if I could give you just one take away from this section, it would be to please consult your coach before you purchase anything!)

What makes Horseback Archery so special?

There are literally thousands of reasons that so many people are trying Horseback Archery and falling in love with the sport, but here’s just a few of them:

• Developing a better partnership and trust with their horse

• The emphasis on equine welfare (Horseback Archery is one of the few equestrian disciplines where you absolutely cannot force compliance!)

• Finding new challenges in every session

• Improving confidence in the saddle

• Being a part of an incredible, like-minded community

• The ability to compete and grade from home via postal matches and the IHAA grading system

• Having opportunities to train and compete with people from around the world

How do I get started?

If you've made it this far, chances are horseback archery has caught your attention.

The easiest way to get started is to book a session with a qualified coach. If you're looking for a coach, the British Horseback Archery Association has a list of accredited coaches across the UK, and if you're based in the North of England, I'd love to help you get started. At EJM Horseback Archery I run beginner clinics, coach at 2 clubs, and offer private coaching for riders of all abilities.

Use the contact form below if you'd like to book a session or simply ask a question. I'm always happy to help! 🙂