Horseback Archery

Historical BackgroundThe ancestors of the Hungarians belonged to the nomadic tribes of the steppes.They arrived into the Carpathian basin in 896 from the environs of the Ural. They moved from the East to the West duringthe great invasions. They brought with them a very high standard of cavalry culture.

In horseback archery the handling of the reflex bow and the horse must be in perfect harmony.

Reflex Bow

The Perfect Shot

The use of horses widens the possibilities during battle, because the archers are able to change their places quickly. With their easily

maneuverable horsed archers, Hungarian armies were powerful and feared.

During the centuries horseback archery was forgotten.

Since the second half of the 20th

century was reborn as a sport.

Horsback archery in the 20-21.centuries

Contemporary horseback archery is

a special mixture of art, sport and tradition.

Lajos Kassai drew up the system of modern horseback archery. He owns many world records in this old-new sport.

Lajos Kassai

The Track

In the course of the competition, contestants have to gallop – standing in the saddle – along a 99-meter-long track, continuously shooting arrows, turning forward, to the side and backwards.

The Competition

The Equipment