Many countries have traditions which are kept alive by determined and dedicated individuals. One of these is Kassai Lajos, who lives and practices his art and sport in his own “Valley of Horses,” deep in the beautiful countryside of Hungary. Kassai, a bowmaker, is a keen student of Hungarian history and culture and, from his studies he learned of the superb horsemanship and archery of his forbears. Now, he is totally dedicated to the continuation of those skills which were so devastatingly practiced by his ancestors.

Kassai has a stable of horses, some of them pure Arab which, when not required for his archery practice, roam freely over his valley. When he requires them for his daily practice, they are ridden, mainly at a fast gallop, over a 90-metre course. At the centre and, to one side, is a stand with three targets placed adjacent to each other and set at such angles that arrows can be shot while approaching, at right angles and, having past, a Parthian shot is used for the last arrow(s). A Grand Master, such as Kassai, can get five arrows away while racing along the 90-metre track and usually get at least four scoring hits — all this in under 10 seconds and from a horse travelling at over 40kph.

The situation is perfect for all that Kassai is trying to achieve; a lush valley away from noise and pollution, a position overlooking the valley for his 150-year-old Yurta and a house that he had built for his creature comfort.

Kassai, after studying his history, began to think of a novel archery tournament. Based on the skills and expertise of the Hun hordes, he has devised a competition which both tests the horsemanship and the archery of the rider/archer.

The actual competition takes place on one day, normally, a Saturday. However, most riders assemble on the day before where, when possible, they have practice before the horse distribution is made; this is generally by the riders requesting a particular horse (11 to choose from); only Kassai, as host and organiser, doesn’t get a choice — he has to use what is left!

It was into this environment that Hilary Greenland, Mike Ashington, Martin Knight, Brenda and Ted Bradford ventured on Thursday, May 6, 1999. Arriving at Budapest Airport we were greeted by two charming Hungarian ladies (Esther and Edita) who, after cramming our kit into two small cars, transported us more than 200 Km to Kassai’s Valley.

Here we were taken to see Kassai at his regular daily practice (completing a lap in 6.34 seonds) which, after completion, he came over and welcomed us, inviting us back to his house. Here he asked us our expectations of the visit and after answering our questions, outlined the competition and routines. He then suggested that Mike and Martin (the horsemen) try their hand at Hungarian horse archery the next day.

As agreed Kassai arrived to take us to his Valley the next morning and, it wasn’t too long before Mike and Martin were mounted and on their way to the practice track, which also happens to double for the competition. Mike had opted to use a Hungarian saddle while Martin chose to use his own.

After a couple of demonstration runs by the Grand Master, it was Mike’s turn. His horse, Orca, was off ‘like a shot,’ completing the course in well under seven seconds and, although giving Mike a wonderful ride, it was rather marred by the saddle’s shape (ouch!). Martin was next to go but, using his own saddle and completing the course in about eight seconds, he wasn’t so discomfited. Mike’s horse was a little fractious and, allied to Mike being unused to the strange saddle, the day’s horse riding did not end too soon for him.

After their practice on horseback Kassai took them to the unmounted shooting practice area and asked them if there was anything they wished to know about shooting from a horse. After several questions we were given an amazing demonstration of Kassai’s unmounted practice routines, his technique of shooting three arrows in five seconds (he has the World record (recorded in the Guinness Book of Records) without the aid of a quiver, loading a bow with a 3-fletched arrow while at full gallop and how to overcome the strong wind-pressure while making a side-ways shot at over 40kph and, the technique of the Asian loose.

Watching Kassai go through some of his routines it showed just how superbly fit he is and why he is the Grand Master he has become.

Early the next morning, Hungarians in their National costume were arriving at the Valley, as were the competitors. Kassai had again transported us to the venue where Mike and Martin were soon on their way to the stables to collect their horses. Mike, complete with painful thighs, was again seated on Orca while Martin, who for the competition had opted to try a Hungarian saddle, was on a grey which we nicknamed Dobbin because, compared with the Arabs, he was a virtual stroller.

Making our way to the competition area we saw that a few hundred friendly Hungarians had gathered to watch and cheer on their friends. Some were wearing their national costume while others were more casually dressed in jeans, etc.

Following the preliminaries the first three mounted archers were presented to the audience. Then they walked away to the ‘collecting area’ and waited for the signal to ‘go.’ Once given, the fastest of the three horses set off round the curve and then at a gallop, passed through the ‘start gate’ to race to the ‘finish gate’ 90m away. Then it was the turn of the second fastest and then the slowest of the group had their turn. Three times the riders were allowed a ‘practice run,’ each individual deciding whether to just gallop past, go through the actions of shooting or, to shoot an arrow or arrows.

After the three practice runs it was on to the real thing. Each archer had nine passes in which he had to shoot as many arrows as he or she could. Most of the riders were novices and chose to put all their trust in one arrow at the centre target (2) and hope to make up points by finishing the course in a fast time.

The course is laid out as in the diagram with the centre target (2) scoring 1, 2 and 3; the approach target (1) 2, 3 and 4 while Target 3, presenting the most difficult shot(s), is the highest scoring with 3, 4 and 5; extra points may be gained if the course is completed in under 16 seconds but, only if a score on the run is achieved (e.g., a rider scores a hit on Target 2 and finishes the lap in 9 seconds, he scores a 3 for the hit and 7 for time). After nine laps the scores are totalled. Then the first group ride off, to be replaced by the next three who are presented to the spectators before starting their practice, etc., and so on until the event is completed.

Mike, to a tremendous cheer from the audience, managed to get one arrow on Target 1 but was adjudged to have shot from the wrong place and so scored no points; the fact that being the fastest to complete the lap on the day (6.43sec.) could not be taken into account. Martin, on “Dobbin” managed to hit Target 2 on a couple of laps and, although on by far the slowest horse (14.54secs), managed to get enough points for his first grade archer’s degree. So slow was “Dobbin” that a drum was brought out to try to get him to move just a little faster, Martin being given a bumpy ride by the gait.

Kassai was on a medium-paced horse which decided him to go for the five-arrow pass. Most of the riders had opted for a one-arrow lap, some for two and a couple had gone for three. However, it was not until Kassai came along the track as fast as his mount could bring him, that we were aware that he was going for the five arrows. On his first practice run he shot two arrows into Target 1, one at 2 and two (one missed) at 3 to finish the lap in 8.45secs.

Each lap he seemed to be completing in about the same time while shooting five arrows but, on the last lap of the competition round he was able to finish it in 7.38secs and, while shooting and hitting with four arrows! Some shooting!!!!!!

Kassai gallops in (left) Arrow nocked and drawing up to shoot the second of two arrows at Target 1; He shot one at the centre target and (centre) his fourth arrow at full draw (and right) shooting his fifth arrow with a superb Asian loose.

The competition was over and while the results were being worked out all horses were mounted and a “Christian Crusader Army” of cut-outs were placed around the target area and, on the given signal, all the horses were sent pell-mell along the track with the riders shooting at as many knights as they could — poor old “Dobbin” bringing up the rear!!! After the last horse and rider had passed and were well clear Kassai gave the order and all of the audience with bows just loosed their arrows at the “army” (some 50-60 yards away) in a superb “arrow-storm.” Several times the charge was made followed by the “storm of arrows” before all the competitors were lined up along the track and, with an oratory that we could not understand, each competitor was introduced and, we think, praise heaped upon their heads.

Apart from the Hungarians, there was an Italian, a German and two Englishmen taking part in the competition and, there was a film crew. Of course, Kassai won the event (who could possibly match his superb skill!). Mike, although not scoring any points, surprised and delighted the Hungarian audience with a display of superb horsemanship. Martin managed to get his feet on the first rung of the ladder and deserved the cheer he received when his name was called with his points total.

Who says Archery is like watching paint dry? If you think so, try watching Hungarian Horse Archery. It certainly is the most exciting and entertaining area of the sport that we have so far seen and we certainly hope that Kassai’s dream of making it into a World Class event succeeds. It deserves too! If you get a chance to see this action in the flesh, take it!

"The Glade Archery Magazine"