Movie images of knights brandishing broadswords and musketeers cut and thrusting with a rapier fuelled the mind of a young Devon Boorman.
Decades later, it turns out there were plenty of others, not only keen on the film genre like him, but also intent on learning combat skills from a classic age.
That's why he is anticipating a bevy of would-be knights and musketeers to try their hand at the art this Sunday during an open house celebrating the 10th anniversary of Academie Duello's School of Modern Swordplay and mounted combat program, called Cavaliere, at Richmond's Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op (12320 No. 2 Rd.).
"For a lot of people in our programs, this is the first place where they've ridden a horse or swung a sword," Boorman said, adding how involved the sessions get depends on a number of factors.
"It depends on your level of comfort around big animals and maybe your balance, but we start at an appropriate point for each person," he said.
Classes are limited to age 12 and up. Spectators are welcome to the open house which begins at 10 a.m. with the introductory mounted combat workshop. At 1 p.m. there is a mini tournament and mounted games for experienced riders.
