NVBW 'Saint Georges'
Members of the Dutch Association for Riding Arms Skills (NVBW) 'Saint Georges', which was founded in 2004, acquire at the highest level the skills that cavalrymen used to need to in order to survive on the battlefield. The association is also active in the competitive sport 'tentpegging' and in collaboration with the Equestrian Centre Muiderberg, their give spectacular cavalry shows on a professional level on equestian and historical events
TRAININGS
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Accompanied by specialised instructors, the NVBW trains weekly on Saturdays in small settings and monthly (usually on Sundays) in large settings on the outdoor grounds of the Equestrian Centre Muiderberg.
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THE RED HUSSARS
The NVBW cavalry demonstration team 'The Red Hussars' shows what the cavalry is best at: surprising, flexibility, resisting obstacles and the ability to attack quickly.
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TARGET COURSES
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We facilitate targeted training at all levels for riders and also horses for, for example, the Military Riding Proof, ridden re-enactors, honorary escorts, actors and extras.
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WHO WE ARE
A unique club
The NVBW is a member of the International Tentpegging Federation (ITPF) and is the only approved Dutch association that focuses on the use of sable, lance, carbine and revolver on horseback. Also in competition.
Since 2018 the NVBW forms the European Tent Pegging Association (ETPA) with England, Germany and Norway. Place of the association is Equestrian Centre Muiderberg (also the centre of the ETPA).
The NVBW currently has more than 35 active members.
Because of the potential safety risks, unexperienced members first practice with non sharp training weapons. Safety and horse welfare are leading for the NVBW and Equestrian Centre Muiderberg (home base of the NVBW).
This is "Riding Arms Skills
About 150 years ago in the British Empire the exercises of cavalrymen grew into a sport also known as 'tentpegging' because originally wooden tent pegs of army tents were used as targets for sable and lance. Other competition components are: ring stitches with sable and lance, orange cleaving and a course with jumps, stabbing sacks, balloon shooting and ring stitches. All competition parts are performed at gallop. Most competition disciplines are originally regulatory cavalry exercises. The collective name of all (competition) disciplines is 'Mounted Skill at Arms' or 'Riding Arms Skill'. The sport is practiced worldwide.
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General Information
The Dutch Association for Riding Arms Skills (NVBW) 'Saint Georges' was founded in 2004 and currently (2020) has about 35 active members. Location of the association is Equestrian Centre Muiderberg. Members of the NVBW train themselves at the highest level in skills that cavalrymen used to have to master in order to save themselves on the battlefield. The club is also active in the competitive sport 'tent pegging'.
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Demonstration team
Under the regime of Napoleon Bonaparte 1810-1815, the Dutch cavalry was among the best in Europe. This tradition was continued until the Second World War. The NVBW demonstration team wears the uniform from around the time of mobilization 1914-1918 and shows what the cavalry is best at: Speed, maneuverability and the ability to attack quickly. Especially on terrain that is difficult for vehicles to pass. The demonstration shows a section cavalry (6 riders) on reconnaissance. With hit and run tactics, enemy positions are quickly eliminated and dislocated. In addition, various weapon skills with sable and lance are demonstrated. In this way 'museum weapons' come to life and the audience can see how effective these seeming primitive weapons are.
About the horses
The horses that are used have had no special training. It speaks for itself that the horses are suitable for military use and are trained with the horses on a regular basis. Most horses are equestrian center horses of Equestrian Center Muiderberg. Some members of the NVBW use their own horse. Not all riding horses are by definition suitable for military use; horses that are temperamental, easy to control but above all not frightened are the most suitable.
There is a historical context with the horses being used: When the stock of Irish horses was exhausted in 1918, a claim of 150 to 200 riding horses or horses more or less suitable for that purpose was held in the country. These horses were sent to Milligen to be made suitable for military service. (Young) horses were trained after a stay of one or two years at the Remonte Depot in Milligen, near the Hussars Depots, and after a training period of one year were handed over to the field squadrons.
About the sport
About 150 years ago, in the British Empire, cavalrymen's exercises developed into a sport also known as 'tent pegging' because originally wooden tent pegs from army tents were used as targets. Other competition components are: ring stitches with sable and lance, orange cleaving, course with jumps, stabbing pockets, balloon shooting and ring stitches. All competition parts are performed at gallop. Most competition disciplines are originally regulatory cavalry exercises. The collective name of all (competition) disciplines is 'Mounted Skill at Arms' . Tent pegging is practiced worldwide.
