We Ride Sport and Trail Magazine December 2018

love from such a wonderful group of outstanding horse archers,” says Diana Troyk, host of the Duel in the Desert competition. Ms. Troyk founded Desert Warriors of the Southwest (DWSW), a mounted archery club in Scottsdale, AZ. Ms. Troyk competes as a mounted archer and has won multiple awards in the sport in the US and around the world for almost a decade. This 2018 contest marks the second time she has put on this gathering to celebrate this relatively newly emerging sport.

The Duel in the Desert is a MA3 affiliated event held on a world class competition track maintained by DWSW member and instructor Greg Ogburn, who currently holds the world record in the K2-3-3 . The runs consist of The K2-3, The Hun, Scythian, Qabak, and an exhilarating cross country course with multiple 3D targets and wild west themed targets.

After opening ceremonies where the riders displayed their elaborate costumes each representing a different tradition in the sport; it was time to see what these skilled riders were made of. At the starting line the first rider of the day, eyes on the target ahead, cues their horse and in a split both are bound for glory.

"I love mounted archery because there is always something to work towards and to learn. The community and kinsmanship that we feel for each other is immediate and powerful.”

Said fifteen year old Sophia Felix, a horseback archer from Eagle Mountain, Utah and member of the Alpine Mounted Archery club, won an amazing six awards at this competition

Joey Ogburn a member and instructor of DWSW felt the contest was a success due to the unique cooperation amongst the participants, “It ran very smooth due to the buddy system in my opinion. Each competitor was assigned a buddy… It kept every competitor responsible and supportive of one another. I watched some of the more experienced share tips to their buddies to help improve their next run. It’s not like this in any other sport!”

Another success of the day was World Class Champion Mehai Cozmi of Living Arrow Horseback Archery who rode his way to a stellar showing with several awards.

Chris Yung a stunt performer featured in HBO’s Westworld and Marvel’s Black Panther, won five awards in the student division, he quoted, “I have a deep appreciation of martial archery and the war archers of the past and present.”

A highlight of the contest was World Class Champion Lukas Novotny and his record crushing performance. He broke an American record for the K2-3 at over 93 point!. Lukas is also is the maker and founder of world renowned Saluki Bows.

But for every competitor there are several volunteers behind the scenes providing vital support for the contest. Cindy Forr, a volunteer came to observe and learn helping where she could; delivering food and water to the time keepers, announcers, arrow retrievers, & score keepers who couldn’t leave their tasks. “The contestants constantly supported, encouraged and cheered for one another and am inspired to give horseback archery a try!”

Erin Halloran a horseback archer all the way from MI came to watch the competition. “To witness some of the world’s best competing in the US at this incredible venue was amazing! I look forward to competing next year.!”

As the last group of riders completed their final runs silhouetted by the golden sunset, I realized how lucky I was to be a part of this event and family of horseback archers. When the sun sets and we must all return to our lives in the diverse corners of the world that each of us occupies, like all families we look forward to our next meeting in fellowship and camaraderie.

DWSW president chose Mini Angel Eyes (website) as a benefactor to donate part of the proceeds of the competition

Websites needed:

DWSW

sw-mountedarchery.com

MINI Angeles

https://www.miniangeleyes.net/

Lukas Saluki Bows

http://www.salukibow.com/

Living Arrow Horseback Archery

https://www.facebook.com/livingarrowhorsebackarchery/

Vincent McLean

esproductions.net

CONTINUED >>

The Duel in the Desert is a MA3 affiliated event held on a world class competition track maintained by DWSW member and instructor, Greg Ogburn. Greg currently holds the world record in the K2-3-3. The runs consist of The K2-3, The Hun, Scythian, Qabak, and an exhilarating cross country course with multiple 3D targets and wild west themed targets.

During the opening ceremonies riders displayed their elaborate costumes, each representing a different tradition in the sport. Afterward, it was time to see what these skilled riders were made of. At the starting line the first rider of the day cues their horse, eyes on the target ahead, and in a split second both are bound for glory.