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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
 England
794 Posts |
 Posted - 26 Sep 2013 : 3:16:12 PM
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I've been fortunate enough to be offered the opportunity to work with a selection of Friesian horses  .
I'm to learn all about Historical - in this case Medieval - Equine Re-enactment. 
Ridiculously exciting prospect!!
The Lady who owns two of the horses lives 5 doors up from me, and her horses live in the field behind our house.
Her and her husband take part in jousting and other skills at arms activites up and down the UK, and during the summer, travel Europe with their horses and like minded friends doing Battle re-enactments as part of festivals and shows.
Miranda [the lady] has known me for about 15 years now, as her daughter is friends with my brother, and obviously, parents get chatting etc etc.
She knows my riding, and has asked if I would like to join their team, help with the riding, and do photo shoots and some film work in the new year. So I'm going to ride the friesians tomorrow and Sunday, and to do some test shoots, and then from there, learn to ride medieval style, and how to joust etc. 
In March, I have the option to join Freya to their crew of horses. Giving her a 'proper' job will help her. I won't be jousting with her, but she'll be dressed up in Arabic finery [as will I] and she'll do some flag work
Had to share, I can't wait!! xxxx
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Splash&Freya. |
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Nichole Waller
Gold Member
England
1168 Posts |
Posted - 26 Sep 2013 : 3:43:51 PM
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| How exciting.... Get some pictures tomorrow and then post them. I've always liked the look of Friesians but have never ridden one |
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leiat8
Gold Member
590 Posts |
Posted - 27 Sep 2013 : 10:29:21 PM
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That sound brilliant!!!! Iv always dreamt of doing that kinda stuff and tried to dress my old boy bracken up as a ringraith from lord of the rings (ill send you a pic on facebook to laugh at.lol)
Do keep us updated :) and pics are a must!! |
     
Casper, Hannah, Hector, Bracken, Fargo |
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martha615
Gold Member
England
1053 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2013 : 09:42:39 AM
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| Just don't let Freya have charge of any actual weapons... |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 28 Sep 2013 : 10:45:00 AM
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Sounds like really good fun, would also vote to keep Freya away from the weapons  |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
England
794 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2013 : 08:37:52 AM
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Lol, well I has an amazing weekend safe to say!
Friday was introductions and having a little play with Boreas to get a feel. We tacked up [very carefully after I was told how much the saddles cost] and hopped on... He bolted with me, I stayed on and then we were all good!
He is 16.3 and a half... But with his war saddle on, it's closer to sitting at 18hh. Little bit of a heart attack when he bolted, but quite comfortable to be honest!
After I'd had a wonder around with a trot and canter, we went for a little ride down the road [where they are, just over the road and up a bit from my yard] so the hack was to just get a feel and get him listening in a different environment, as they don't hack a lot.
Completely in love.
He is 8 years old and was only cut last year... Biggest neck you ever did see, and none of this weedy back end business you so often see in Freisians. These two are built like Rhinos.
So that went well, and I was more than happy to go on Sunday again for some actual medieval sessions.
WOW!!!!
So amazing.
I rode Boreas again, and Miranda got me going one hand... So much more responsive... Pirouettes and all sorts down to a fine art within 5 minutes.
Started some 'skills at arms'
The T post - 2 ribbons/rings attacked to the ends of the t's and as you canter past, you grab one, then halt at the other end, present, and go again and grab the other.
Miranda had me at full tilt galloping and grabbing them, best fun I've had in ages!!!!
Then onto the polystyrene head. Sits on a post, I had a sword [an actual sword... Not a blunt stick] and you gallop past and the aim is [obviously] to hit the head, which was also such good fun! Plus, I didn't accidently chop Boreas' neck in half, so yay me!
Finally I did the javelin.
Bloody sharp spear, which weighed 15kg, and you rest it on your boot. I've made a hole in my Dublins... Not happy, but nearly Xmas so never mind...
You gallop along with it, then as you come to 'point', launch it at the straw woven target on the floor, and hope you hit bulls eye...
I did it all and 'passed' with flying colours  Felt on top of the world!
So next Friday, I'll finally be allowed to run on the joust rails. I haven't done this yet because the horses get so excited it can be a bit scary even for Martyn and Miranda.
But god, I'm looking forward to it  !!
So with Freya, they've fashioned me a flag, which is their coat of arms, and she'll learn to let me carry that and give it a wave... Then we'll move on to the ring and ribbon exercise.
She won't be a jousting horse... Not enough mass to wear the saddle, and you can't do it in an English saddle because of the way the riders may fall when hit.
Fine by me lol 
So that was my weekend.
Everything hurts, and I could happily curl up under my desk and go back to sleep, but I'm so happy with myself none of that matters! xxx |
Splash&Freya. |
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Nichole Waller
Gold Member
England
1168 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2013 : 2:27:31 PM
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| Wow that sounds amazing... Would love to see some pictures |
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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
England
794 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2013 : 2:54:51 PM
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Unfortunately, no photos apart from one, and I'm just stood still learning how to hold the pike without smacking myself in the face.
But I did take a quite a few of Miranda on Boreas, she hadn't ridden him for a week, so had a little play while I got ready to ride Contessa.
I'll try and get those up later. Flickr doesn't like my computer at work for some reason.
There's one photo on my facebook of Boreas. . .. He's just so gorgeous!
Hang on...
Here he is
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151419533013039&set=a.10150128517263039.257725.564928038&type=1&theater
That's Miranda riding him... I was getting my saddle sorted... Midget legs!!! xxx |
Splash&Freya. |
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Kazhak
Silver Member
Australia
352 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2013 : 10:58:49 AM
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Gaah.. So Jealous right now..
the insurance companies here where I live just wont cover that kind of activity despite the fact thats the sort of thing I want to do..
so glad you had fun sounds like an utter blast.. & what a beautiful big boy he is..
me I want to do horse archery but they don't run the stuff here in tasmania either.. :( |
     
Last Picture Taken by Matt Bennet |
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AnnaMaisy25
Gold Member
England
794 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2013 : 11:04:27 AM
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| Come to the UK!! There are lots of horsey archery bases near me... I won't be doing that though, as English Heritage doesn't like Archery displays... Just swords, knives, lances and javelins. Woop woop!! xxxx |
Splash&Freya. |
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Change of riding
