Equestrian:Activity guidelines - Mounted games
Activity - Mounted games
General
Historical mounted games are drawn from historical competitions and/or designed to gain martial skills, modified for safety considerations. These include activities where:
- There may be multiple riders on a field at the same time, competing against others either individually or in teams
- You use your hands to carry, use, and/or throw something while interacting with other riders/horses.
Requirements:
- Equipment/simulated weapons must be padded, soft, or otherwise built or used in a way to minimize risk due to impact.
- The activity does not involve directly striking other participants with a standard combat weapon or rigid object.
- Sharp implements are not allowed.
- Weapons and games authorization
The following are examples of common games found in the SCA. Other games that meet requirements are allowed at the discretion of the equestrian marshal-in-charge.
Buzkashi
Buzkashi is a mounted game originating in central Asia where it has been played for centuries, and is still played today. The Qarajai form of the game involves players grabbing the carcass of a headless goat or calf, and then pitching it into a scoring pit. The Tudabarai form involves the players acquiring the goat and getting clear of other players.
In the SCA, a safer simulation version of the Qarajai form uses a stuffed animal and flat scoring circles, with limitations on corps-a-corps between horses and riders.
Dakyu
A Chinese and Japanese 8th-10th century horseback game, resembling a cross between polo and lacross. Two teams of riders use bamboo netted rackets, and attempt to throw their 5 colored balls into a goal while preventing the other team from scoring with their 5 colored balls.
Jereed
Jereed is a traditional Turkish game, dating back to 11th century, where players scored points by throwing a blunt wooden javelin at the opposing team's riders. In the Ottoman Empire, the game became very popular and widespread throughout the Ottoman territories. It is still played today in the Anatolian provinces at weddings and regional festivals.
In the SCA, jereed foam-tipped thrown weapon simulators are used. Teams can include riders, or riders vs. ground players.
Pato
Pato is a game of South American origin. Colonial accounts from Argentina describe indigenous riders wrestling over a duck in a basket. Once one rider had control, the duck was carried to a distant location such as an estancia. In the modern version played today, the activity evolved into horse ball.
SCA adaptation of this game include use of stuffed animals (ideally a duck) carried by riders, sometimes under the arm or under the leg. Local rules vary. Some include throwing the duck through a hoop, others include crossing a line. The degree of wrestling over the duck allowed varies.
Marshals running this activity should clearly state conventions and tailor them to the level and comfort of the participants.
Mogu/Mogoo
This activity is designed to allow blunted arrows to be shot at targets towed behind a horse.
- Archers may be on the ground or mounted.
- Mounted archers must have a Mounted archery authorization.
- Blunted arrows must be used. Blunts must be a commercial small game blunt, a SCA legal combat archery blunt, or equivalent.
- Arrows ends may be covered in fabric which allows them to be dipped in colored, powdered chalk to record hits.
Crest combat
Crest combat is adaptation to a type of historical tournament, where the only legal target is the crest on top of the rider's helm. Victory is attained by knocking your opponent's crest from their helm using a sword or baton before they remove yours.
- A sword or baton, or equivalent, may be used.
- A helm or fencing mask must be worn.