Destrier members face a tough challenge. This point is important to understand from the outset. For re-enactors familiar to historical displays the level of commitment and sheer hard work is a necessary feature to achieve the standards of horsemanship required. For riders looking for an exciting new "angle" to their sport the historical appreciation is an equally steep learning curve. Destrier recruits both and takes them to a new and difficult realm of their own pursuit whilst having to fully accommodate the other. Riding skills are as important as authenticity. When together, riding in accurately reproduced armour is exceptionally hard to learn and exhausting to do. Destrier offers the chance to develop performance skills, learn special riding techniques, share a passion for medieval history and enjoy the elation of working to achieve a great performance. Whether you wish to re-enact battles from horseback, participate in a contest of skill at arms, or test your nerve in the joust, the applause of the crowd gives a priceless reward.

At shows, in between performances, animals still demand care and the level of public interaction with the audience must be maintained. Learning and knowledge of horse care and history go hand in hand. Riding lessons and training sessions are costly; museum quality reproduction equipment is expensive. As a group of private enthusiasts the individual meets these costs. You truly have to love it to do it!! The above sets out the hard realities for a prospective member, but what are the benefits? You are the kind of person that finds challenges tempting then Destrier may be for you. The group itself has cultivated a fine reputation that continues to gain lustre. For both rider and re-enactor the experience of wearing and using reproduction historical equipment is both exciting and informative. Significant achievements have been made in this field of "Experimental Archaeology". Passing on this information is an uplifting part of keeping history alive. To hone one's skills in an otherwise disappeared discipline is something close to elation that cannot be so readily put into words. If this still sounds like it's for you, Destrier is keen to hear from you. Contact one of our members for a chat. The members come from all over England and Europe but meet up in winter (outside show season) once a month for training for the shows, where you can meet up with the team and investigate further.

For more information please contact Zoe Atkinson on +44 (0)7921 577 086

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