5.-6. March 2011

The european horsebackarchery developed well during the last 10 years. Once communities was grown in different countries, the first international competitions were held - in Hungary, in Germany at Abdul Majids place in South-Korea and soon on many other places.

This was the beginning of cross-border friendships, knowledge transfer, discussions at the edge of competition events, people began to recognize activities abroad and a multicultural scene of people who love this amazing sport on horseback was born.

While the sporting development ended today in solid contest forms like the hungarian and the korean style, Mogu, Qabaq and more, to find the roots of tradition was a less or more lonely thing.. some enthusiasts studied old literature, found out more about weapons, styles and ancient training methods. For example, in the beginning of horsebackarchery in Germany, most archers shot with mediterran release. Once some of them found the benefits of thumb release, more and more changed to this method while they simultaneously changed equipment. Or Poland, for example: Every time I visit competitions there I´m deep impressed of the traditional garment and equipment many of the competitors wear. Or look in Turkey: fast horses, brave men and revival of old sports..Hungary with incredible many horsebackarchers.. the list is long, each of us has made its own developments and experiences. To share them with others is a challenging and valuable task.

When starting abroad you can experience very many variaties of horsebackarchery. For some of us horsebackarchery is more than a sport, it is a way of life. This - quite enthusiastic - sight offers much more possibilities and personal training and development goals for everyone. Different weapons - not only the bow - are used on horseback, future competitions may combine pure sport contest (like written above) mixed with use of ancient weapons, performed by horsemen in traditional outfit.

Kuriltai 2011 is an attempt to pool the knowledge of the different european actors, to open a discussion about sports future, it is maybe the first step to an virtual european knowledge pool or for joint european courses and training camps or ... from the common conversation can result too many ways to mention them all in advance. Let us together think about it. Let us spend a weekend together without competition and sport, but on a historical place in the middle of Germany, about an hour from Frankfurt Airport (FRA),

To give the european operations a structure and a common platform is not an easy task, but is worth to try it. It is not the goal to set up a new (european) club or something similar. When we will start something together it should be a completely voluntary thing without obligations and constraints based on the principle of reciprocity and fraternity..

 

Tradition is not to preserve the ashes
but to pass on the flame