Goal of ARCHed: Educating to Excellence

ARCH-ed: Educating to Excellence is a forward-thinking initiative aimed at empowering horseback archery (HBA) coaches, animal care specialists, and sports managers with the knowledge and skills needed to elevate the standards of HBA across Europe.

We recognize that to secure a thriving future for horseback archery, we must go beyond improving technical riding and archery skills - we must also enhance how the sport is managed, ensure high standards of horse welfare, and build resilient international partnerships across the HBA community.

In short, we don't just want better riders. We want better coaches, healthier horses, stronger clubs, and a thriving sport ecosystem - and this project is how we'll get there.

Why Are We Doing This?

Horseback archery is a beautifully complex sport. Success demands not only a skilled rider and precise archer, but also a healthy, well-trained horse and a well-managed club environment. Yet today, across Europe, we face several critical challenges:

  • lack of HBA-specific horse care knowledge (warm-up protocols, saddle fitting, physiotherapy).
  • Weak sport management practices in small and emerging HBA clubs.
  • Fragmented international cooperation, worsened by years of pandemic isolation.
  • Limited access to mobility and professional development opportunities for HBA staff.

Ignoring these gaps would mean jeopardizing the sustainability of our sport. ARCH-ed Excellence is designed to tackle these head-on - boldly and practically.

Specific Aims

1. Advance Animal Care Excellence - develop innovative educational resources for horse health, hoof care, saddle fitting, and rehabilitation practices tailored for HBA needs.

2. Strengthen Sport Management Capacity - create and distribute new modules for marketing, promotion, financial management, event organization, and facility management.

3. Expand Mobility and Networking - facilitate cross-country workshops and professional exchanges to foster a pan-European HBA community.

4. Promote Digitalization and Sustainable Practices - incorporate the use of online learning platforms, hybrid events, and modern digital tools to reach wider audiences while reducing environmental impact.

5. Boost Visibility and Growth of HBA - organize open-day clinics, participate in European Week of Sport, and actively promote the sport through modern media campaigns.

Who Benefits?

  • Coaches and Trainers - gaining access to cutting-edge methods in coaching, management, and horse welfare.
  • Animal Care Professionals - learning HBA-specific horse management and physiotherapy best practices.
  • Sports Club Managers - receiving critical upskilling in running sustainable, competitive clubs.
  • The Broader HBA Community - experiencing better organized events, healthier horses, and a stronger, more connected European sport scene.

Our Vision

We envision a future where horseback archery clubs across Europe operate at the highest standards of professionalism, sustainability, and inclusivity. A future where HBA is recognized not just for its spectacle, but for its care for animals, its support for healthy living, and its contribution to Europe's vibrant sporting culture.

ARCH-ed: Educating to Excellence isn't just about training individuals - it's about building a legacy for horseback archery.