Cavalry Training Weekend 24th and 25th March

[John Conyard]

Each year Comitatus does a series of public cavalry shows across the UK. Generally they are late Roman, sometimes early and mid Roman, but 2012 is a major year for Greek re-enactment in the UK and we will be doing some Greek and Hellenistic displays this season. The events calendar can be viewed here: http://comitatus.net/events.html

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Our riders practice a great deal, and focus on specific skills and parts of the display every week. But we also have a duty to enable those who are interested in early riding to have a go, to experience it for themselves, fulfil ambitions or to further their riding experience.

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Mounting from a lying horse

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Mounting at the canter

Lots of people want to experience historical riding and we try to make it happen for the good of all. We supply saddles to groups and generally try to make re-enactment riding available to as many people as possible.

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Each year we hold a session to allow people to have a go at sitting in a Roman saddle, use the weapons and experience a little of what it is like to be a cavalryman during the classical period. Over the years Comitatus have introduced large numbers of people to early riding including several RAT members including Jurjen, Byron and Caballo. I’ve just noticed Caballo has even made it on the the Early Riding Group website. http://earlyridinggroup.org/

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This years big open session will be over the 24th/25th March at Atkinson's Action Horses, Eastrington, Goole, North Humberside. We will be camping in an authentic camp but modern plastic tents are welcome. It should not be too cold but please remember sleeping bags, cloaks, blankets, furs etc for a comfortable and warm night. There will be awnings, fires etc.

You do not need any experience to attend, but of course your experience will be taken in to account. This is a safe and fun weekend for all.

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If you are interested in attending this weekend send me a personal message through the RAT system pm or contact me through www.comitatus.net or via the Early Riding Group http://earlyridinggroup.org/


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We will send further details and what you can expect from the weekend.

[Musivarius]

That looks great John, I imagine it would be a very interesting weekend. Would you give people the chance to ride in those new helmets of yours? :wink:

[jvrjenivs]

It's a pity I can't come and join. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend with lot of riding and fun!

[Quinthalas]

Open to all ?

[M. Demetrius]

Is mounting from a lying horse differently done from mounting a horse that tells the truth?

[Quinthalas]

Is mounting from a lying horse differently done from mounting a horse that tells the truth?

Hahaha ! Brilliant

[Ammianus]

Would you give people the chance to ride in those new helmets of yours? :wink:

We have lots of lovely group helmets people can handle...if they come along :grin:

[John Conyard]

Hi David, well a lying horse is a bit like a trolling horse, but different. :wink:


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Hi Lawrence, I’m not sure I would want to ride in an oversize Pilos, but I may use a smaller version. The weekend will allow our old horses, and a new batch of horses, to work with infantry and shields. Our “stunt legionaries” will be turned into “stunt peltasts” and will be padding out the Pilos helmets in a variety of interesting ways. I am looking forward to the introduction of crescent pelta, it will make life more interesting than when hiding behind a big scutum. With uniform cloaks and helmets I am hoping for a certain amount of uniformity suggesting a single suskenia. http://earlyridinggroup.org/research_gre...units.html

In some ways I prefer the Pilos to the Boeotian helemt, since there are less sharp edges involved. Leather edging a Boeotian helmet makes a lot of sense. http://earlyridinggroup.org/research_pet...elmet.html

My Thracian helmet is a very strong design but it fastens in front of the chin rather than under it. Even with well padded cheek plates the helmet does move a little on the head, but you get used to it. I really enjoy riding in an Illyrian helmet, which allows me to hear and has excellent visibility, but which is a little early for the dateline I have in mind.

Jurjen it would be great to have you there, but save your cash and attend a public show one weekend. http://comitatus.net/events.html We would soon have you jumping on horses riding as a Greek bareback. As ever PM me if you want to stay. We can compare horse suppliers! :lol:

Amy, people are allowed to handle the helmets, as long as they polish them afterwards. mile:

[Quinthalas]

Thats pretty neat mounting from the horse laid down .

[richsc]

I'd just come to watch. Great looking work!

[John Conyard]

Just a short note to say a big thank you to all the interested parties. This is a major event to organise with infantry, Roman and Greek rider training, stunt work, gladiators and evening dancing. We have 30 booked for the weekend, including 18 registered riders of varying abilities.

Hopefully by now you should have received joining instructions and the draft timetable. The latter is aspirational and is unlikely to survive contact with reality but it gives you a guide.

If you have not yet received any documentation, please pm me via RAT or contact me via the new Comitatus website.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Just amazing.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Wow, wish I had been home for this! :lol:

[Robert Vermaat]

Just amazing.

What is?

[Quinthalas]

Well it was certainly fantastic weather for training.