My name is Sarah Clarke, I am a competitive horseback archer, mounted archery riding instructor, and co-leader of Seawinds Horse Archers Club alongside Lance Bishop here in Baxters Harbour, Nova Scotia. My passion is in helping our students create a true partnership with their horse, whether that be their own personal horse or one of our amazing Seawinds War Horses, so they can develop into confident and capable horseback archers.
 

My teaching is deeply influenced by the belief that every strong mounted archer begins as a strong horseperson. The foundation of my work includes mindfulness horsemanship principles such as  understanding the horse’s perspective, and developing a relationship where both horse and rider feel confident, calm, and ready to learn. 

As a competitive horse archer myself, I understand the drive to improve, the challenges that arise in training, and the importance of developing a horse who enjoys the work just as much as the human does. My goal is always to ensure that both sides of the partnership progress together in a way that is mindful, and fulfilling.
 

Alongside the physical and technical aspects of mounted archery, I place a strong emphasis on training the mind. Confidence, focus, emotional regulation, and mental clarity are just as essential as riding skills or shooting technique in a sport where performance depends largely on the rider’s internal state. I draw from sport psychology principles and my own experience as a competitive athlete to help riders develop a resilient, grounded mindset. Whether we’re working through performance anxiety, rebuilding confidence after setbacks, establishing pre-competition routines, or learning to stay present under pressure, my intention is to help riders understand their minds as deeply as they understand their horses. When a rider’s mental state becomes steady and intentional, their partnership strengthens, their performance elevates, and competition becomes a place of possibility rather than stress.
 

At Seawinds Horse Archers Club, I teach riding fundamentals for mounted archery, horsemanship, training and groundwork for better communication, and the skills needed to prepare a horse for this sport safely and confidently. Whether I’m coaching someone through their first arrows or helping a seasoned competitor refine timing and flow, my intention is always to strengthen the relationship at the heart of the work.
 

My mission is to help horse archers become riders their horses can trust, competitors who show up fully, and individuals who feel proud of the partnership they’ve built. Mounted archery is a beautiful balance of discipline and freedom and when horse and rider move as one, that is when you unlock your true potential!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and I look forward to connecting with you!