Puttin’ On a Clinic! With Okanagan Khanate Mounted Archery Intro to Horseback Archery for Equestrian Groups 

Here we are at the dawn of a new year. While the arrival of winter certainly doesn’t mean the farm chores are any less burdensome (quite the opposite in fact), this season’s extended spell ushers in a perennial change in cadence that slows us down and invokes deeper contemplation.

We reflect on the year that has so rapidly passed by—seemingly without our knowing—and we are finally afforded reprieve to dream about the things we’ll do when the days are long once again. It is during this time especially that I find myself reflecting on all that OKMA has accomplished in only 2 short years, and all of the wonderful people we’ve had the pleasure of meeting along the way. This period has most certainly not been without its challenges, but much like the bleak winter grants contrasting beauty to the budding spring, so have the tribulations made our triumphs all the more enjoyable.

This past year OKMA organized at least one Intro to Mounted Archery Clinic every month from March through October in locations all over British Columbia in addition to regular practices, stables nights, competitions, training camps, and limitless administration in between. Introducing this extraordinary sport to people and coaching them through the first part of their journey has been indescribably rewarding. But arguably the greatest and most unexpected reward is getting to know entirely new groups of people, their personalities, their quirks, and their hospitality.

There is not a single event or group of people that has not left us with great memories, laughs, and introspection about how to develop our mentorship skills: we grow as they do. For a weekend we have the pleasure of exchanging perspectives and stories over a meal or around a fire at the end of the day. We get to help these great people overcome their challenges, whether it be the complexities of traditional thumbdraw archery, the working relationship with their horses, or a previous injury or mental barrier. When everyone parts ways there is a prevailing sense of mirth, accomplishment, and a yearning to take horseback archery to the next level. When all is said and done, that is really the metric for success after an Intro Clinic.

By Rick McCurrach

Naturally, we want to build on the foundations laid. We don’t want to show up in town with a one-time entertaining gimmick like some snake oil salesman from an old Western before leaving, never to be seen again. What we want people to be left with is the knowledge and techniques necessary to progress so that OKMA can run a Skills Clinic and a Grading Competition for them the following year, with the aim to have the hosting organization self-sufficient and able to run regular practices and competitions. Having this sort of apparatus is how people will be able to pursue their passion and progress in the sport to accomplish their goals. What we have found is that people who purchase their own equipment at the end of a clinic have a much higher chance of continuing, as they then have the ability to practice on their own or with their peers. Though, an even more important ingredient for continuity and success is community.

When we do clinics for pre-established clubs or organizations who meet regularly, especially equestrian groups, they have the facilities, equipment, and many others with whom they can practice and work together with to put on regular events. In contrast, when we put on open Intro Clinics for anyone to sign up, it is understandably more difficult for these people to find the same network of people and they often don’t have the facilities where they can practice regularly. Having recognized this from past clinics, and with the intent of maximizing our impact and people’s chances of success, OKMA has engaged equestrian groups from all over BC to put on Intro Clinics and get them started in this incredible sport.

Our schedule is flexible but there are only so many months which makes the calendar fill up fast! If your group would like to have us put on an Intro Clinic, we would love to hear from you and see what we can make happen.

Feel free to send us an email anytime at okanagan.khanate@ gmail.com.