Equestrian:Conventions - Use of weapons and equipment

Use of weapons and equipment

See activity guidelines for the following conventions:

• Target areas
• Rules of engagement
• Acknowledgement of blows

General

1. Primary responsibility is to have control of your horse.
   1. You may only use weapons and equipment that you can safely control while riding/driving.
   2. Swords, lances, other items should be tossed clear of you and your horse in order to regain control if needed.
2. You are responsible for the speed of your horse relative to other horses, people, and equipment, and for controlling the impact of your weapon.
3. You are responsible for knowing how to and when to use release methods to avoid entanglement of weapons. These include: releasing your grip (let go), and the raising elbow and windmill method.
4. When interacting with ground crew:
   1. Do not point weapons at ground crew when approaching them.
   2. Do not throw weapons at ground crew, or at the ground close to ground crew.
   3. Weapons should be pointed tip up or down when receiving them from or handing them to ground crew.

Weapons

Swords

1. May be used in both a forward strike and a backwards strike
2. Thrusting is allowed in skill at arms.
3. Thrusting is allowed in Rossfechten.
4. Thrusting is not allowed in mounted combat.

Lances, spear and javelins

1. Throwing: You must not throw a spear or javelin at a ground target within close proximity of the horse (within 5 feet of the horse).
2. "Tent-pegging" refers to striking a target on the ground while holding a metal-tipped spear or lance.
   1. The overhand technique (hand on top of the lance) must be used. The shaft must be held in line with the underside of the forearm, and the grip must be maintained at all times during the strike and the follow-through of the lance after the strike.

Defensive equipment

1. Defensive objects can be used to parry or deflect your opponent's weapon. Examples include bucklers and shields that are safe for the user, opponent and horses.