Equestrian Draft:Games Behead The Enemy

Simulated heads are set on standards at pre-determined intervals. Riders weave between the poles, striking the heads from the standards with a simulated weapon or baton.

So far, this has not been shown to be a historically accurate game, it is however a piece of SCA cultural history, and a very good test of horse and rider's ability to work together, the rider's ability to control their horse while distracted by wielding a weapon, and a test of the horse and rider's balance and flexibility. Any horse and rider combination that can safely and accurately do this game are well prepared fundamentally for the majority of the martial games they will encounter in the SCA equestrian activities.

The course consists of a row of four posts/standards, 1.2-1.8 m tall, upon which are placed targets resembling "heads" and a marker post on each end without a target. The rider proceeds in a slalom, weaving in and out of the standards in a regular pattern while attempting to knock the targets off of their standards as they are passed. Only back-slice swings of mace or sword are allowed. It is not permitted to swing the weapon towards the horse or in such a way that would cause the dislodged target to hit the horse. After passing the last marker post, the rider then turns the horse around the last marker post and rides straight back to the starting/finish line without weaving or striking any missed targets.

Poles are set in a straight line either 6.5-9 m apart, including the marker poles. Place starting and turning poles (marker posts) at each end of the course. Adequate space is recommended at the start/finish line to give horses sufficient area to come to a stop safely.