Horseback archery is a fast-paced adrenaline ride that blends speed with accuracy. If archery wasn’t challenging enough, imagine trying to shoot targets while controlling a horse galloping faster than 30 mph. Though horseback archery had not garner more attention than it once was during the 19th Century, we are still witnessing people who's best in this ancient discipline. What may seemed to be an obsolete warfare turned out to be one of the few ancient art still living today.
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| Polish Horseback archer Anna Sokólska uses a custom-built, Asiatic-style horse bow with a 41-pound draw weight. “This bow is small and light in hand,” Sokólska said. “It allows me to easily turn and aim in every direction from the saddle. Photo Credit: wykop.com |
History
Mounted archery appeared for the first time during the Iron Age as a more practical replacement of the Bronze Age chariot. Horseback archery’s rich history includes armies of mounted archers fighting on Asian steppes and Native Americans hunting buffalo on the American plains. Horseback archery today is a serious sport in Asia, Europe and the United States. Sokólska began competing in horseback archery after taking an introductory class. She considers the sport another fun way to enjoy her passion for horseback riding. “In this sport you are not alone, but part of a team with your horse,” she said.
Horseback Archery in Malaysia
In recent times, horseback archery has developed into a sport rather than warfare. Malaysia doesn’t rank near the top. The country’s horseback archers struggle with training time, facilities and funding, but that doesn’t mean they’re not going to try. In fact, the revival of this ancient art has been documented in Nat Geo History's "Malaysia's Horse Archers"
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| Movie poster for Nat Geo History's "Malaysia's Horse Archers" Picture in courtesy of National Geographic History |
Din Mahidin, founder of Traditional Horseback Archery in Malaysia has been actively participating in international competitions, and has been a formidable horseback archers in our century.
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| Din Mahidin |
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| Din Mahidin in preparation for a competition |
Conclusion
Whether it be Din Mahidin or Anna Sokólska, it is still amazing to see people from all parts of the world to fight for the revival of this ancient practice. Many competitions has been held both in National and international levels with hope that this sport will not wilt with time. Horses had been a companion to humankind for up to the 21st Century. As such, should it not then be an obligation for us to continue the legacy of this companionship that had existed in the bloods of our forefathers?
Whether it be Din Mahidin or Anna Sokólska, it is still amazing to see people from all parts of the world to fight for the revival of this ancient practice. Many competitions has been held both in National and international levels with hope that this sport will not wilt with time. Horses had been a companion to humankind for up to the 21st Century. As such, should it not then be an obligation for us to continue the legacy of this companionship that had existed in the bloods of our forefathers?
Reference:
http://www.historyasia.com/shows/malaysias-horse-archers
https://www.archery360.com/2017/04/05/horseback-archery-strength-courage-precision-full-gallop/
http://www.historyasia.com/shows/malaysias-horse-archers
https://www.archery360.com/2017/04/05/horseback-archery-strength-courage-precision-full-gallop/
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