Nestled amid the rolling hills of Lewisburg, the uncommonly flat property of Rising Glory Farm boasts wooded trails, a charming creek, green hayfields roamed by livestock and a mounted archery expert.
An unexpected asset lies in the center of its 84 acres – a regulation-size track for mounted archery. Mounted archery is one of the fastest-growing equine sports in the United States, and Rising Glory Farm is the only farm in Tennessee offering lessons by a top-ranked archer.
Targeting the Sport
Established in 2000 by Chris Carlough and his late wife, Ida Marie, Rising Glory Farm first specialized in breeding and training Tennessee Walking Horses for pleasure riding. Ultimately, they diversified to agritourism and raising cattle, pigs, chickens and quail, in addition to boarding horses and offering mounted archery.
The farm’s mounted archery training, clinics and events are now spearheaded by Elizabeth Tinnan, the No. 1 seated mounted archery competitor. The Georgia native was introduced to the sport in 2014.
“As a self-taught rider, I rode horses every chance I could,” Tinnan says. “But I hadn’t found the equine discipline that suited me until I tried mounted archery.”
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The pastime quickly turned into a profession. In 2016, Tinnan founded Chattahoochee Horse Archers and, eventually, shifted operations to the Tennessee homestead.
Like Tinnan, students typically try mounted archery following other equine disciplines, though others come with traditional archery experience.
“People with archery backgrounds usually have to relearn the process because equipment and shooting techniques are different,” Tinnan says. “What works on the ground doesn’t necessarily work on the horse; whereas what works on the horse works both ways.”
Take Aim
Mounted archers use traditional, recurve bows that don’t have sights, pulleys or a shelf to enhance performance. Plus, the height and mobility of the horse must be factored in for timing.
“The faster the horse goes, the more the arrow drifts off the target,” Tinnan says.
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Prioritizing safety, Tinnan says two-hour introductory lessons begin on foot. She illustrates how to carry and use gear, demonstrates three shooting styles and helps students finesse their riding skills. Once the archer and horse are comfortable, students mount with equipment and proceed to load, draw and shoot – gradually working from a stand-still to walking to faster speeds.
“We take our time going step by step because, ultimately, archers must confidently let go of the reins to execute,” Tinnan says. “It’s challenging to twist and turn in the saddle while steadying aim.”
Practice sessions advance faster when one of the archery-trained horses from Rising Glory Farm is used, although students are welcome to train with their own horse.
Objectively judged on speed and accuracy, mounted archery competitions are scored with cumulative grading from multiple runs.
“There is a heightened level of trust between the horse and the rider, and I enjoy the opportunity to help my students nurture that relationship,” Tinnan says.
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In addition to leading lessons and clinics, she competes nationally and internationally.
“I am not a highly-competitive person. I really enjoy the atmosphere, people and horses more than the winning aspect,” Tinnan humbly says. “But competing helps me enhance how I can train students and engage more people in the sport.”
Tinnan is next slated to compete in the Versatility Open in June 2024. Her 11-year-old son may be her biggest supporter, but fellow archer Carlough is a close second. Cupid drew his arrow at Rising Glory Farm and, thus, the partnership of Tinnan and Carlough is now a loving bond of business and fun. For more information on mounted archery, visit risinggloryfarm.org or horsearchery.info.
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