Mother nature challenged Sylvan Glen’s equestrians once again on authorization day! Gale force winds howled through spring’s sunshine and deep mud, knocking over equipment and carrying conversations away. Our intrepid equestrians refused to be swayed and gathered on the fields of honor at the Bower farm.
An Imposing Silhouette: Rachel and Pierre Pointelle, Scott and Cassandra, and Lady Banshee
Lord Gunnarr and Lady Banshee traveled down from Endless Hills to conduct authoriztions and direct the merry mayhem. Lady Bathory Rose accompanied them. Participating equestrians were: Scott, Noel, Rachel, Mark and Kirsten. Paticipating equines were: Cassandra, Sioux, Dolly,and Pierre Pointelle. Rosamund ground crewed– thanks Rosamund! The newborn colt studied the grown warhorses from his lookout in the roundpen and impressed us all with his levade (a controlled rear used during mounted warfare as defense against artillery and elephant warriors.)
The authorization process first tests the rider’s control of the horse with the reins carried in one hand, leaving the other hand free for a weapon. Riders performed figure-eights and transitions (changes in gaits) to prove their communication with their mounts. We then took up weapons and demonstrated the games.  In Gunnarr’s words, all riders passed the authorizations “with flying colors.”
Mark and Dolly Behead the Enemy:
 Noel and Sioux Tilt the Rings:
Kirsten and Pierre Pointelle Gallop the Reed Chop:
We put our horses and equipment away and reconvened in the barn. Bathory Rose brought forth examples of her beautiful horse barding and caparisons. The patient Pierre Pointelle (made even more agreeable by Rachel’s endless apple supply) modeled the exquisite equine garb.
Mark, Kirsten and the Endess Hills contingent then joined Margarita, Bera, and Snaebjorn at the fairgrounds to discuss layout and scheduling for the upcoming Siege of Glengary.  The site is perfect and the autocrat is amazing. We equestrians invite you join us in September… and for all the practices leading up to an unforgetably good time!
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