Modern Horseback Archery
For hundreds of years the knowledge of mounted archery was buried deep under the ground and seemed to be forgotten (even by the Mongols who still live a similar life to that of the Horse nomad even to this day).
The founder of modern horseback archery is Lajos Kassai from Hungary, who re-discovered this equestrian martial art and brought it to the 21st century, creating a new, fast growing sport.
After tremendous amount of research he reconstructed the legendary bow of the nomad people, keeping the exterior traditional, but using the best materials and the most advanced technology available on the interior.
The Kassai system is the most common used in modern horseback archery all over the world. There are Kassai schools at many places in Europe: such as the schools in Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and also in Canada and the USA. Several competitions are held every year, and more and more people join this dynamic new sport. It has therefore grown into an international organization.(HAWA- Horseback Archery World Association) Kassai fulfils the leading position and the decision making body by heading the Kaganate (modeled on that of the ancient Magyars), which functions on a basis of majority of votes.
The school has it's own training and examination system and has got different grades which are separated by the colour of the kaftan and belt.
Modern horseback archery is not anymore about winning battles, it is more like a spiritual path:
The archery technique used in the sport is the more than two thousand year old instinctive archery, rather then the 50 year old modern archery that lays the emphasis on the equipment, using more and more devices on the bow such as arrow rest,sight, stabilizers. Shooting from the middle of the chest might be a disadvantage on the ground but it is the only successful method from horseback. There are plenty of special exercises (like shooting at moving targets or flying discs) to improve these skills.
The connection with the bow represents the connection with our self .We can not blame the equipment for a bad shot, but us.
Horseback archers must practice riding bare-back first to improve riding skills and promote good balance. The goal is to use the upper torso independently from the lower body - which should follow every movement of the horse perfectly.
The horseback archer way is the way back to nature from our over-materialized, technology and money driven world. We want to find a special connection with the horses and master the use of the bow in order to reach full harmony in our life.
Lajos Kassai - Master of Horseback Archery
International training camp Hungary
On the competition course