Intro clinics

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What better way to get started than to take an mini clinic with an experienced and registered MA3 instructor to see if this sport is for you!

We provide all the equipment needed, but you are more than welcome to bring your own. No compound bows are allowed, though, so leave those beasts at home. In a basic 3-4 hour intro clinic, we start with archery safety, equipment, and basic shooting skills while stationary. You will learn to shoot while holding several arrows in your bow hand, the thumb draw shooting method, and shooting while skipping on the ground to simulate a mounted motion. You will also practice the front- and rear-shot, which is any shot you take that's not directly parrallel to you and your horse. 

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We spend time getting your horse acclimated to what it will be like for them to not only carry you, but your new, noisy, potentially frightening equipment. This desensitization process starts while you are on the ground.  Next, we will cover carrying the equipment while you are mounted and throwing down equipment on the ground to practice for any type of emergency situation.  You will start with using smaller weighted bows while mounted as they are easier to handle and learn with.

​Safety comes first!! You can't rush the process as your horse is learning.  If your horse is taking his/her sweet time to acclimate, you may also use one of our horses to learn on.  From these intro clinics, you can take away tips to practice at home or come practice with us as an MA3 member!

Clinic dates and registrations

We offer Intro Clinic dates during the Spring and Fall. 
​Locations vary so contact us for details!​ 
AMA Facebook - Contact us here

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fees:

1. MA3 Dues: Part of your fees goes to MA3 for insurance purposes.

2. AMA Dues: These will make you a member for one year and also cover additional insurance.
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3. Clinician Payments: The final portion of the fees go to our very talented and knowledgeable clinicians that will teach you the basics of mounted archery. 

Tanyon, Beverly, Stacey, Alex, and Sophie with their ground targets.

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In  these  clinics,  you'll  Learn  How  To. . .

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1. SHOOT ON THE GROUND

Learn shooting and safety techniques from the ground, and how to shoot while in motion.  Even if you have never shot before, you will be taught and have time to practice while on the ground.  We take this one step at a time and soon most are shooting quite well within an hour!  You will even learn how to shoot while walking and skipping and when facing backwards to simulate back shots while on the horse.
We will teach you various nocking styles (how to get your arrow onto the string).  There are several draw styles (how you pull the bow string back) and we will give you a sound basis before you ever shoot from the horses.

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2. Desensitize the Horses

This part CANNOT be rushed!  It is vital to develop a trusting bond with your horse and we do not wish the horse to be fearful of archery.  Some horses take to it easily while others need many practice sessions to be steadfast but safety remains key.  Sometimes this takes several months for reactive and sensitive horse.
We introduce the horse to all the equipment, sights, sounds and movements of the archer well before we ever shoot from their backs.

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3. Shoot from​ the Horse

We begin the final stage with someone holding your horse as you shoot at a standstill. Next, we'll then move onto the walk. Once the horse is trusting and calm and the archer is ready, they walk on their own. Finally... the trot.  Cantering comes later, once we know you and your horse are safe and capable.
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 The horse must also be taught track or course work. This is the defined lane of travel the horse moves in that is outlined by safety ropes.  We teach the horse how to maintain tempo when the reins are dropped, learn voice commands, and how to stop safely so you can shoot in a safe manner.