2026
HORSEBACK ARCHERY CLINICS
Lance Bishop and Sarah Clarke offers introductory and intermediate level clinics through the Maritime provinces. Intro clinics usually happen at existing stables where riders have developed interest in getting started with horse archery.
The first clinic allows a broad introduction to the sport, covering the foundations of the archery style that works for horse archery (starting on the ground), preparation of attending horses to be brave to the archery and be ridden without rein tension on a short arena-bound track, and then finishing with a chance to see how far we can safely advance our horses in a weekend.
Each horse progresses at their own pace, and training is tailored to the individual needs of both horse and rider. Most horses will be ready to explore shooting from horseback within the clinic, others may benefit from spending more time developing confidence and understanding from the ground. The focus is always on meeting each horse where they are and supporting a safe, positive learning experience for everyone involved.
Each participant will have their own individual experience as there are many determining factors as to how far a horse is comfortable progressing in one weekend, but everyone who attends will leave feeling as though they have the right tools to continue there journey progressing in this new sport!
The first clinic at a new location or with a new group of participants lays the foundation for the unique archery technique that works on the back of a horse (taught on the ground in the beginning) followed by the education needed for our horses to become brave and safe when we let go of the reins and starts shooting arrows.
Subsequent clinics build on this and work towards the goal of establishing training tracks locally to help make the horse archery journey more accessible. Each successive clinics evaluate and refine the students' shooting techniques, present more advanced training drills, and prepare students for their first competition.
Clinics are insured through the Canadian Federation of Mounted Archery with the stipulation that riding participants must also hold membership with their provincial Equestrian Canada association.
All archery equipment is provided during these clinics.
Contact us for
available dates in
2026.
More information about the clinicians:
Lance is a certified mounted archery instructor with the CFMA as well as an International Judge with the World Federation of Mounted Archery. Sarah is a Equestrian Canada Licensed Western Coach with a background in horse training and development. Lance and Sarah are both competitive horse archers, they operate Seawinds Horse Archers Club side by side and thoroughly enjoy sharing their passion for this sport through these clinics. With different strengths they balance each other out to work together preparing the archer, preparing the horse, and bringing these elements together allowing the horse to set the pace.
Lance’s training curriculum primarily reflects the teachings of the Hungarian Master Lajos Kassai, founder of the Kassai School of Equestrian Archery and the World Federation of Equestrian Archery. Lajos Kassai is regarded as the father of the modern sport.
Sarah's mounted archery training is also Kassai focused, during these clinics she is there to give a hand with ground archery training but her priority and her passion is on the development of the horse within the sport and has a good eye for knowing when a horse is ready to progress.
Lance brings a calm, knowledgeable, and genuinely enjoyable teaching style that helps clinic participants feel confident as they learn. His down-to-earth energy and passion for this sport is contagious, inspiring riders at every stage of their development.
Sarah’s teaching style is intuitive, detail-oriented, respectful, and always centered on the well-being and understanding of the horse.
Together, they create a well-rounded and supportive learning environment where riders and horses feel guided, understood, and encouraged. Their complementary strengths allow participants to grow in both their archery technique and their horsemanship, building confidence while honouring the individuality of each horse-and-rider team.
What You Need to Host a Clinic
If you're considering hosting, here’s what you need to provide to ensure a safe, successful clinic.
We keep our requirements simple so clinics are accessible to a variety of facilities. Most barns already have the essentials or can easily create them with minimal setup.
1. Ground Shooting Range
A designated area for ground archery instruction, either indoor or outdoor.
Minimum Requirements:
20 m x 20 m open, level area
A safe shooting zone at least 50 meters behind the direction of shooting (no people or animals for at least 50 meters back)
Indoor ranges must have any walls in the direction of shooting be capable of withstanding being struck with arrows.
2. Mounted Archery Space
For the horseback portion of the clinic the ideal space would be located in an outdoor arena or an open field.
Minimum 60 meters in length.
Good footing for walk, trot, and canter
A safe shooting zone along the full length of the direction of shooting.
If located in a field, the ground must be level
3. Temporary Track
For the beginning stages of mounted shooting, we create a temporary roped track.
This setup is simple, inexpensive, and works well in both arenas and open fields.
Track Setup Guidelines:
Use pilons, jump standards, or poles spaced out evenly and attach light roping, high-visibility braided wire, or flagging tape to create the 50 metre track.
Can be set as a single line combined with an existing arena rail or double lines forming a lane.
Height of lines: approximately 50 cm
Width between lines: 2–3 meters
4. Targets
The most effective targets are easy to source and simple to set up.
Preferred Target Options:
Large rolls or large squares of hay (This is ideal)
Materials that will also work are: small and tight square bales, wood-shavings bales, peatmoss bales.
Targets should be stacked or arranged to create a surface area of at least 80 cm x 80 cm.
