Membership in the Kassai Valley:
Conditions: The candidates have the opportunities to take a look into the running work from the Valley during the first Saturday of each month (Valley: Open Days), to recognise the rules and the atmosphere from the Valley. During these days can reach for help in using properly and correctly the bow and help in finding the correct direction in horseback riding also. If the candidate decides that wants to be a member of the Valley, than it has to present itself for the exam, during which has to execute the test.
The candidate interested of doing the test is only accepted if he/she has acknowledged the rules and made sure that the equipment is in good order.
The rules of test:
1. Running: the distance for women is 5 kms (4 circles), the distance for men is 10 kms (8 circles). 1 circle is 1250 m, the difference in altitude is 34 m. There is not flat track, either uphill or downhill. This type of running makes the task considerably more difficult. The length of time for one circle is 9 minutes, for women 36 minutes, for men 72 minutes. A test is invalid, when the person is not running on the path or exceeds the above mentioned length of time. After finishing the running test the person has 10 minutes to prepare to the riding.
2. Trotting on bareback: the person has to carry out the task in continuos trotting. For women 1 hour, for men 2 hours. The test is invalid if there is walk, stop or gallop. The only exception is when changing horses. The riding should be varied, containing the elements of the 2nd exam, cannot be monotonous continuos circletrotting. It is allowed to use a saddlepad (sweat-cloth, blanket), spurs, riding-switch. After finishing the riding-test the person has 10 minutes to prepare the archery-task.
3. Archery: women 250 shots in 45 minutes, men 500 shots in 90 minutes from 20 meter to 60 cm diameter of target. The test is invalid when exceeding the above mentioned time or if the number of mistakes exceeds 50%.
The total time of the test is 2 hours 41 minutes for women, and 5 hours 2 minutes for men. In case of exceeding the time the test will be invalid.
After the good passing of the test the candidate will need 3 proposers from the existing members of the Valley and they have to write their proposals for the benefit of the new candidate. Following this, the candidate’s membership is validated.
The new member can began its studies during training camps, in which will receive detailed teaching for the horseback archery practise. Following this can take place on competitions and exams in the Valley, also on the worlds any place where are functioning groups from the Kassai School’s World Association.
