What we Do
We take both horsemanship and historical combat to the next level, for the ultimate challenge of riding and martial arts skill. Join our courses and learn how to use a variety of weapons and styles of mounted combat from around the world and through history, from medieval swordsmanship, to native American Horse archery and jousting.
We'll take you from the beginnings of sitting on a horse weapon in hand to full contact swordfighting on horseback if you so choose.
The Horse and rider together performing feats of skill, daring and bravery has throughout history and across the world been an object of fascination and wonder.
At the horsemen of Eire we take historical traditions of mounted combat from throughout history and breath knew life into them for the thrill of the adventure and what it teaches us about true cooperation with the horse.
Rossfechten - Medieval Mounted Combat
Rossfechten, the medieval German term for mounted combat, meaning literally "horse combat" best describes how we see what we do as it is a form of fencing where the horse is a full partner. The Medieval knights job was much less a tank for mowing down infantry and much more as elite strike forces riding in small groups behind enemy lines to take castles in lightning raids and fulfil daring mission. These medieval commandos needed a fighting system for these rapid and furious form of warfare The medieval mounted combat tradition was designed to prepare knights for the duels ambushes and skirmishes that they would face in such missions. But from this chaos came a warrior ethos of harmony with oneself and horse and tempering of the mind and body to achieve victory.
The fencing tradition of the mysterious medieval German fencing Master Johannes Liechtenauer are the most extensive and developed surviving source of knowledge on mounted combat and the fighting style of the medieval knight. His teachings show a fighting style demanding bravery, the utmost precision and mastery of the blade and unity with the horse. Covering a variety of weapons this is the ultimate challenge, combining two disciplines that in themselves take a lifetime to master, but with the challenge the glory.
Native American Horse Archery
Within 300 years of the re-introduction of horses to North America the Native American tribes of plains became what many 19th century officers called the greatest light cavalry force ever known. The native American archery style is fast paced and instinctive using short bows and fast draws for a fun and unique style of shooting perfect for horse archery and pursuits like archery tag. The archery is tradition is reproduced from surviving archery games, historical accounts and archeological records.
What We Offer
Lessons
Check out our range of courses and lessons teaching mounted combat and get your journey started!
Holidays
Visit the horsemen for a weekend of training in mounted combat, horsemanship and exploring Ireland's wonders.
Contact us now for available dates and a tailored program.
Kids Camps
Riding like a knight or a cowboy is a great way to engage kids in horses and history. Contact us for times for kids groups and dates for our children's camps.