CAID Equestrian

Great Western War XIV had its biggest equestrian showing yet, as 22 horses and their riders participated in a variety of activities. Thanks to the tireless efforts of THL Virginia Read and her deputies, THL Reina MacCormick and Lady Tierrynna CaerNarvon, equestrian arts took center stage throughout the War. Full details and pictures will follow, but here are some of the highlights:

-        Mounted armored combat made its first appearance at GWW, with not one, but two melees held on the Main Battlefield;

-        Equestrians collaborated with the Constable’s Office to authorize riders for the first-ever Mounted Patrols at GWW;

-        Eleven riders from three kingdoms participated in the Inter-Kingdom Equestrian Competition – see the results here;

-        Equestrians from HRM Mora’s Guard and Court challenged the Chivalry to mounted combat – watch this site to find out who won!

If you have ideas or suggestions for next year’s equestrian activities at Great Western War XV, send them to equestrian@sca-caid.org.

Lord Gabriel MacMahon was named the Equestrian Champion for Her Majesty Cassandra in a hard-fought competition on October 29, 2011 in Calafia. Lord Gabriel’s brother Lance was the runner-up, winning the title of Calafia Equestrian Champion for the year. Spectators enjoyed an afternoon full or contests, as well as thrown weapons matches, a fine barbecue dinner – and the surprise spectacle of a wedding proposal, as Lord Gabriel proposed to his Lady Rebecca in Opening Court. (She accepted.)

Huzzah to all the competitors!

Great Western War (GWW) is the major camping event in the Kingdom of Caid, SCA for Southern CA, Vegas NV, and Hawaii. The 14th GWW will be held October 5-10, 2011. The event is held at Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area, 13601 Ironbark Rd, Taft, CA 93268.

Gate opens Wednesday, Oct 5, 2011 at 12 PM. Site closes Monday, Oct 10, 2010, 12 PM.

Site Fees:

Arrive Wed-Thu: Adults $50 ($5 NMS applies without proof of membership); Youth 6-17 $40 (4th+ in same family free);

Arrive Fri-Sat: Adults $45 ($5 NMS applies without proof of membership); Youth 6-17 $35 (4th+ in same family free);

Day-Fee only: Adults $25 ($5 NMS applies without proof of membership); Youth 6-17 $15.

All Children 0-5 free, all pets $1/day; no additional fee for RV (all Dry RV, no hookups). Cash only at Gate.

Event co-Stewards: Dame Ismay of Giggleswick and Duke Edric Aaron Hartwood, stewards@caid-gww.org

Equestrian Activities at GWW

Thursday, October 6, 2011

10AM-12PM: Angels Baronial Championship (Equestrian Arena) — Gules and Or embellish the start of our events with delightful celebration of the Barony of the Angels as they chose their Equestrian Championship to represent them on the field of mounted combat in the next year. Prizes from this exceedingly gifted and creative barony are highly coveted by horses and humans alike each year with rumors of another exquisite basket of horse goodies to delight our mounts!

2-3PM: Mounted Combat Practice and Authorizations (Equestrian Arena) – Any riders wishing to participate in the mounted combat demonstration on Friday are required to attend this special authorization and training class. Both horse and human must meet armor requirements and be authorized at this time for mounted combat. Attending the class does not guarantee authorization for the mounted combat demonstration.

3-4PM: Mounted Watch Practice and Authorizations (Equestrian Arena) — Any riders wishing to participate in mounted security patrols are required to attend this special authorization and training class including “dos” and “don’ts” of assisting the constabulary staff. Both horse and human must be authorized at this time for mounted patrol; pre-existing general riding or other authorizations will not be accepted in lieu of this class. Attending the class does not guarantee authorization for mounted patrol.

4-4:30PM: Castle Charge Practice (Main Battlefield) — Any riders wishing to participate in our castle charge are required to attend this special authorization and training drill series. Both horse and human must be authorized at this time for the charge due to its proximity to spectators and fighters; pre-existing general riding or other authorizations will not be accepted in lieu of this class and ability to follow orders and control a horse up to a hand gallop calmly and with quick response is required. Attending the practice does not guarantee authorization for the castle charge.

4:30-6:30PM: Lake Procession (Outer Loop Trail, departing from Main Battlefield) — Welcome to CAID, now go get dressed. Pull out the best barding, caparisons, trappings, and attire for an annual favorite as we process around the site and enjoy the lovely Lake Buena Vista at sunset from atop our noble steeds.

Friday, October 7, 2011

9:30-10:00AM: Mounted Combat Demo – Watch as armored warriors demonstrate weapons handling and tactics used for combat on horseback. Special horse and rider armor and authorizations required; please see Thursday’s schedule.

10:00AM (or on Field Marshal’s command): Castle Charge (Main Battlefield) — Our “cavalry” maneuvers actually have one. Join us as we bring the pageantry to the battlefield with our kick-off charge to start the day’s fighting. Feel what it’s like to have an army backing you up and a kingdom cheering you on as we canter through the castle and put the “war” in “warhorse.” Special authorization required; please see Thursday’s schedule.

11AM-12PM: Mounted Archery (Equestrian Arena) — Learn to shoot from horseback or brush up your skills before the Fall Queen’s Equestrian Championship. The first portion of this class is dismounted to learn the basics, followed by a mounted practice portion. No experience from horse or rider is required. A limited amount of loaner gear is available but please bring gloves for both of your hands.

3PM-5PM: Inter-Kingdom Equestrian Championship (IKEqC) (Equestrian Arena) — Test your martial arts skills against riders from around the Knowne World in this year’s IKEqC challenge. Riders from each kingdom compete in Reed Chop, Behead the Enemy, and Rings using standardized courses, and each rider’s score is submitted to the international database. Could you be the highest-scoring rider in the SCA? Mount up and find out!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

10AM-12PM: HRM Mora’s Equestrian Championship (Equestrian Arena) – Take the field of honor to vie for the privilege of becoming the Equestrian Champion for Her Majesty. Riders of all skills are encouraged to take part in this tournament, and to show their prowess and martial skills in various games. Bring your finest trappings, barding, and banners to bring color and pageantry to Her Majesty’s field. Please bear in mind the honor and responsibility of serving as Her Majesty’s Equestrian Champion before competing for this title. If you would like to compete, but do not live in Caid or do not have the time to commit to serving on Her Majesty’s court, please consider competing “hors concours” (for the joy of competition but not for the title of Champion) instead.

3-5PM: Gamblers Choice Tournament (Equestrian Arena) — Each rider determines which field obstacles and war and tourney training techniques to attempt within an allotted time. The most points accumulated wins, but there are many different combinations to choose from! Skill, time, and strategy will determine the winner.

7PM-9PM: Equestrian Potluck (Equestrian CAMPSITE) — We knew you wouldn’t want to leave our four hooved heartbreakers so bring a chair, your feast-gear, and a pre-cooked meal contribution for 8-12 to share and join us in letting our manes down, catching up, and telling some of the most humorous and fun horse stories and gossip anywhere in the War.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

9AM-10AM: Chivalry Challenge (Equestrian Arena) – Join Master Conall mac Seaghain as he leads Caid’s unbelted equestrians against the Chivalry in a mounted skill-at-arms competition. Knights, can you put the “cheval” back into chivalry? Riders, can you succeed against the Society’s most elite fighters? Saddle up and find out!

10AM-12PM: Celtic Challenge Bareback Tournament (Equestrian Arena) — The thrilling quest-based mounted bareback tournament returns as we bring Celtic lore alive in this audience favorite. Watch as riders rely on their wits and balance navigating their way through our very special course in celebration of Samhain and the evolution of Halloween. Bareback pads are allowed and special points are given for dressing in Celtic form. Riders are encouraged to participate at whatever gait they are the most comfortable.

3PM-4PM: Horse 101 (Equestrian Arena) — Bring yourself and the children for a combination of read-aloud stories about horses and hands-on horse keeping techniques including grooming, leading, tacking, and feeding horses treats. This activity is specifically designed for people who love horses but do not have their own, are having understandable “horse withdrawal” while on site (who doesn’t, right?), or would like to learn more about them.

Riders at the Starkhafn Equestrian Championships were featured in a new website dedicated to equestrian activities in Southern Nevada. “All Vegas Horses ” covers equestrian events in multiple disciplines including – now – medieval equestrian combat. You can read more about it here: http://www.allvegashorses.com/events/starkhafn-equestrians-run-full-tilt

Escorted by a mounted procession of riders from around the Kingdom, Baron Conall mac Seaghain, Caid’s Kingdom Equestrian Officer, was elevated to the Order of the Pelican on March 26. The ceremony was held before the populace of Starkhafn as part of Starkhafn’s anniversary festivities.

Starkhafn’s equestrian practices got some local publicity, when a reporter from the View News came out to watch. See the full article here: http://www.viewnews.com/2011/VIEW-Feb-15-Tue-2011/North/42164912.html

Lord Richard and his horse Valor were featured in a recent story by The Renegade Rip, an online news provider, in their story on Great Western War 2010. To read more about our Kingdom’s amazing annual camping event please CLICK HERE.

We sing the praises of warriors on horseback,
First into battle in a rumbling of hooves, with a hail of arrows and a skillfully wielded lance
Integral to victory, but woefully anonymous in the pages of infamy – until now!  

It’s double the tournament, double the fun, in this fast-paced day as the Barony of Altavia and the Shire of Darach select their new champions. The championships will be held back-to-back so that riders may compete in both events. Eric space for rapier and armored combat will be available throughout the day, thrown weapons will be on site, and an interactive arts and sciences demonstration on historical crafts will also be present.

 This site features ample trailer parking and direct access to a recreational trail head for riders. Popup space is available, but please do not bring pavilions. No overnight lodging is available on site. Local hotels are available; contact the autocrats for suggestions. For out-of-town riders needing stable facilities, please see the local stable list below.
The Barony of Altavia and the Shire of Darach call forth all skilled wordsmiths to compete in the glorious introduction of Caid’s gallant individual equestrians. The introductions may be presented either by their authors or, for those whose quill’s creations exceed the capacity of their own voices, a substitute bard will be available to transform their written words into a thunderous spellbinding wonder. The skilled demonstration of wit and wordplay will be judged by such dignitaries as the Baron and Baroness of Altavia, the Seneschal of Darach, and/or other renowned members of Caid. Four winning entries will be chosen – one for each of the finalists of the two lists

Autocrat (Altavia): The Honorable Lady Virginia Read, equestriandeputy@sca-caid.org
Autocrat (Darach): Dame Ismay of Giggleswick, constable@darach.org
Linda E. Hyde
805 1/2 Oso Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023

Course Designer (Altavia): Lady Erycha von Scotte
Course Designer (Darach): The Honorable Lady Virginia Read, equestriandeputy@sca-caid.org

Schedule:
7:30AM – Site Opens
9AM – Riding Authorizations
10AM – Opening court / Announcements
10:30AM – Darach Equestrian Championship
12:30PM – Lunch break / Horse Obedience Class
1PM – Altavia Equestrian Championship
3PM – Site tear down
4PM – Site closes

Event Location:
Arroyo Simi Equestrian Center
3495 Chickory Leaf Place
Simi Valley, CA 93063
http://www.rsrpd.org/park/arroyosimiequestriantcenter/arroyosimiequestriantcenter.html

Directions:
From Northridge – Take the 118W and exit Tapo Canyon Rd. Turn left at Tapo Canyon Rd. Turn right at Royal Ave. Turn left at Sequoia Ave. Turn left at Chicory Leaf Place. The equestrian park is at the end of the street past the standard grass and playset-filled park.

From Ventura – Take the 101S to exit 43B (the CA-23N) and go towards Moorpark/Simi Valley/Fillmore. Take exit 17 for Olsen Rd. Keep right at fork and merge on to Olsen Rd. Olsen Rd. changes names to Madera Rd. Turn right at Royal Ave. Turn Right at Sequoia Ave. Turn left at Chicory Leaf Place. The equestrian park is at the end of the street past the standard grass and playset-filled park.

Train Transportation:
This site is located within ten minutes of the Simi Valley Amtrak station. If you would like to arrange a pickup or dropoff to the train station please contact Dame Ismay of Giggleswick, constable@darach.org one week prior to the event. For more information on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner Train schedules please CLICK HERE.

Site Fee:
$8 for members, $13 for non-members. Please make checks payable to SCA Inc./Shire of Darach.

Local Hotels:
Grand Vista Hotel
999 Enchanted Way
Simi Valley, California 93065
(800) 455-SIMI
http://www.grandvistasimi.com/

Local Overnight Stabling (Call in advance to check for availability and restrictions):
Day Creek Ranch
2131 Olsen Road,
Simi Valley, CA  93065
(805) 358-2422
http://www.daycreekranch.com/

Classic Equestrian Center
2182 Tierra Rejada Rd.
Moorpark, CA 93021
(805) 428-6868
http://www.classicequestriancenter.com/

Site Steward: Sir Edward Oakenheart, coronation@carregwen.org
Equestrian Steward: THL Richard Surefoot and Master Conall mac Seaghain

Location:
Live Oak Camp
SP 59, Highway 154
Santa Barbara, CA, 93105

Description:

The Shire of Carreg Wen would like to invite you to join us in the beautiful hills above Santa Barbara for Coronation and Queen’s Champion in June.  This will be a camping event held at Live Oak Camp, the same site at which the King’s Hunt event is held.  The Site will open at 12:00 on Friday, June 3^rd and close at 7:00 pm on Sunday, June 5^th.  The activities on Saturday will include the Final Court, Coronation, and First Court.  Please be aware the Courts will be held outside.  There are many trees and much shade, but the ground will be dirt and grass.  Saturday evening there will be a feast followed by dancing.  The cost of the feast will be $10.  Please e-mail feast reservations to the autocrat.  Sunday we will be running ALL of the Queen’s Champion Tournaments.  Yes, you heard right, the site has the capabilities of running all the tourneys on the same day.  So after an evening of festivities and camping, join us for Heavies, Rapier, Youth, Equestrian, Archery, and Thrown Weapons Queen’s Champion.

Merchants are welcome.  For merchant information please contact Dame Collette Vitraria at merchants_coronation@carregwen.org

The Site Fee for the weekend is $20 for Adults and $8 for Teens 13-18. Children less than 13 are guests of the shire.  There will be a family maximum of $56.  If you are joining us for just the day, Site fee will be $8 for Adults and $4 for Teens 13-18. Again Children less than13 are guests of the shire.  A nonmember surcharge of $5 will be charged.   Make checks payable to SCA Inc./ Shire of Carreg Wen

The address of Live Oak Camp is 4600 Highway 154, Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Directions:

Take route US-101 toward Santa Barbara.  Once in Santa Barbara take the CA-154 W, towards the mountains.  Follow it over the hill and back down into the valley.  You will be almost to the bottom of the grade when you will turn right.  It is easy to miss the entrance and have to circle around. As soon as you see the greens for Rancho San Marcos Golf Course to your right, slow down. The camp shares its entrance off Highway 154 with Rancho San Marcos Golf Course. Take a left once you’ve passed through that entryway.

Mounted Archery Training at GWW

Equestrian Autocrat: The Honorable Lady Virginia Read, equestrian@caid-gww.org
Equestrian Deputy – Scheduling and Tournaments: Lady Tierrynna CaerNarvon, dncngtiger@yahoo.com
Equestrian Deputy - Stable Manager: TBD

Great Western War will occur from October 5-10, 2011 at the beautiful Lake Buena Vista in Taft, CA. Current activities include the Angels Baronial Equestrian Championship, mounted archery, a castle charge, Celtic Challenge – a point and speed based bareback tournament, and a lake trail ride processional. More information will come as scheduling is finalized.

On-site camping and stabling are available. You may bring your own stall(s) at a discounted stabling rate.

For more information including horse registration please visit: http://www.caid-gww.org/equestrian.php

If you are coming from out of state and need to request a loaner horse please contact equestrian@caid-gww.org

Loaner horses are not always available and are done on a private party basis with another rider. It is HIGHLY recommended that you request to be put on the mount list as soon as possible.