This August saw the first edition of the UK 4 Nations horseback archery competition, with two “live” IHAA accredited stages in Gloucestershire and Suffolk as well as a postal match element for those unable to travel to either of the venues. We had 38 entries in total across the 3 tracks, a Raid 234, Tower 90 and a walk track from the Eurasian Cavalry Discipline, the Basic Chogan. Some competitors entered all 3, some opted to do just one or two but all entries counted towards their chosen nation’s total.

The first live stage took place in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, hosted by the Cotteswold Mounted Archers and run by IHAA level 2 judges Helen and Maria, aided by level 1 judge John. It was rather warm but a quick trip to the ice cream shop helped! There were some strong performances across the tracks and several new grades achieved as a result. A week later, the second live competition was held in Suffolk, hosted by BHAA club Alphamstone Arrows. Helen and Maria again ran the competition aided by fellow level 2 judge Mike. The youngest competitor was 10 year old Emily who put in a confident performance riding for Wales. Ross rode for Scotland in a kilt and the most unusual bow in the competition was wielded by Simon shooting all 3 tracks with a Japanese Yumi!

Postal match entries also came in during August from Ribble Valley Mounted Archers in Lancashire, New Leaf Triangle Horseback Archery in Leicestershire and South East Centaurs in Kent.

Podium results are as follows (full results available on this post):

Accredited competition

Raid 234

Ali Barnes-Short (IRL)

Nick White (ENG)

Ross Baugh (SCO)

Tower 90:

Ali Barnes-Short (IRL)

Cora Moore (IRL)

Eowyn Barnes-Short (IRL)

Chogan:

Ali Barnes-Short (IRL)

Oli Secker (ENG)

Nick White (ENG)

Postal competition

Raid 234

Charlie Madeley (ENG)

Caspar Sumner (ENG)

Katie Jones (ENG)

Tower 90

Issy Young (ENG)

Katie Keighley (ENG)

Katie Jones (ENG)

Chogan:

Lauren Fell (ENG)

Lynsey Henderson (ENG)

Charlie Madeley (ENG)

And team competition results (based on points earned per competitor according to place and then averaged out by the number of competitors):

England with 28.3 points

Wales with 23.25 points

Scotland with 23 points

Ireland with 17.1 points

Next year we already have a stage planned in Wales and are hoping to have a second one in Scotland, as well as running the postal again. See you all then!