[Ansteorra-archery] Steppes Archer Competition- August 2

[jspinks at ix.netcom.com]

Unto the Archers of Ansteorra- Greetings, Challenge, and Invitation to compete!

Although the Fates prevented the determination at Warlord of who was to hold the title of Steppes Archer for the coming year, we will be making the determination instead at Steppes Artisan.   Do you have what it takes to be the Steppes Archer- one of the best archers in all Ansteorra?

The competition will start at 11 A.M. real time and, as at Warlord, there will be two lists- one for crossbow and one for bow.  You may participate in one or both lists.  Crossbow will fire standing up.  At the end of the rounds- the best crossbowman will face the best bowman.   Archers and crossbowmen must score in each round in order to advance to the next round.  All archers of Bowman rank and above are encouraged to compete.  Unranked archers will be admitted to the list on their honor and the discretion of the Steppes Archery Marshal.

Two of the prizes for this shoot will be as before- 1 dozen Purpleheart footed period arrows contributed by the Steppes Bowyers and Fletchers Guild and a 6 foot oak longbow- English tillerd and linen backed.  

Since some are aware of this competition- all shall be made aware of the skill required to win this challenging shoot and thus earn the right to the title of Steppes Archer.  Art thou one of those with such skill?  Will you miss such a chance to try your skill or simply to improve it and measure it against others?

Round 1- Castle shoot- Can you help the barony in time of war and siege of the enemy?  Shooting for score from a distance through a narrow opening at the target on the other side.  This shall be a timed shoot and shall require that the archer must step behind a pavise after each shot to reload. Top 75% of archers advance

Round 2- The Hunt- Can you put meat on the Barons table?  A varmint target moves from left to right away from you and a deer target moves from rigtht to left away.  Scores according to diffiuculty of target and accuracy of hit. Top 50% of archers advance.

Round 3- Archers Bar- The enemy fires from narrow slits high on the castle wall.  Can you take out the opponent by putting an arrow through the slit?
One vertical and two horizontal bars- arrow must be completely within the black of the target to count.  Top 50% of archers advance

Round 4-  Fighting Archer- A moving archer is difficult to hit.  Can you shoot and move at the same time?  Archers get one shot at each of a number of targets at varying range as they walk down the firing line.  This will be timed to 30 seconds and eight targets.

Round 5- Crossbow vs Bow- Round to be determined.

Many champion archers will show their skill in this tourney.  Many are those that will participate and many are those that will find their skill does not measure up to the reqirements of the Steppes.  All archers that participate in this tourney can claim to be amongst the best of Ansteorra. Some (probably of Trimaran lineage) will be intimidated by the difficulty of the tourney and fail to challenge themselves and those that have the courage to compete.   

There will be a short break between rounds 1 and 2 for lunch and for those that bring their steel- knife and ax targets to practice on following the competition.  Some loaner knives or axes may be available but do not count on it.

See the Website for directions on how to get to the site of Steppes Artisan/Steppes Archer/Champion   http://www.steppes.org/artisan/

Jacque the Spink
Steppes Archery Marshal