Falcons, Horses & Archery, Oh My!

Story appeared in the 2019 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.

BY HAYLEY PICARD, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
ALUMNI ERIN JARDINE (’09)

Following your passion can take perseverance and sacrifice. Yet, sometimes the chance to discover a career that funds your obsession still requires a more traditional path to locate the unexpected links that will bring the two together.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do these activities as a woman in historical times. Yet in 2019, it’s accessible and I can fulfill my passion while infiltrating the historical construct. It’s cool.”

Erin Jardine (’09) has come to understand this more than most, as she continues to create a world where she can pursue her love of the ancient arts of horse archery and falconry, while still putting food on the table.

“A lot of my opportunities to continue horseback riding came from my time at QMS,” opens Jardine. “Being immersed in the horse world was what I wanted then, and I will probably always have that desire. QMS was huge for helping me get my act together so I could attend university and to confidently say I could care for my own horse.” For Erin though, the chance to own her own horse would not arise for another ten years as post-secondary studies placed her love of horses on hiatus.

After graduating with her B.A. in history and English literature from Acadia University, Erin found herself working in an office in East Vancouver, itching under the collar to do something different. She wanted to use her critical thinking skills each day, yet use her hands as a member of a different work culture. “I have always been a ‘tom boy’ and prefer the non-chatty work environment a construction site offers,” explains Erin. “So I decided to study for my Red Seal Construction Electrical. The raises came and I felt great about myself.” With the change to a more consistent schedule and a solid source of income, the dream of owning her own horse rose to the surface. Then she watched the jaw dropping stunts in the opening scenes of Wonder Woman, and her world tilted again.

With stunning warrior women in battle armour riding horses at full speed shooting arrows in combat, Wonder Woman made Erin’s mind spin. She reached for her laptop to Google activities in the real world that emulated the fictional isle of the Amazonians. The search opened a door to the world of horse archery and the various BC communities that offered her the chance to pursue it.

“I have always had an interest in archery, so I signed up for a clinic in horse archery and loved it,” she reflects. “There is always so much room to improve in archery. You are continuously working on your mindset, form and breathing. And the results of your efforts are clear. If you have a bad day shooting it will show on the numbers board.” Yet few stables in Canada are willing to permit their riders to practice shooting projectiles off-horse. When she found a stable in Kelowna that was friendly to horse This new life junction provided Erin with an extremely unique opportunity. Her love of history could now be experienced in the flesh. “My history and English degree went hand-in-hand with being able to reenact historical maneuvers,” she says excitedly. With the increase in movies and TV programs that highlight ancient combat such as Vikings, Game of Thrones and The Great Wall, Erin noticed a surge of interest in the sport. “It’s great that mainstream media has helped people become interested in historical figures such as Genghis Khan and how his army actually executed their style of warfare,” admits Jardine. “Understanding the executional differences between horse archery and target archery is key to success in the sport.”

Even within the archery world, horse archery is unique and comes with its own challenges. “In historical combat, horse archers would have been in close proximity to their foes, ambush style. So when practicing horse archery, you’re basically practicing to shoot at moving soldiers at a lower level than your horse,” clarifies Erin. “You’re practicing for battle and there is a lot of pressure on you.”

“It is a huge skill to build—to have that warrior rage spirit yet perform. It is a delicate balance between warrior rage and the chill of a foot archer,” according to Jardine. “By performing this sport you even get to experience dressing in traditional archery gear, allowing you to better understand why soldiers wore what they did.”

Erin’s ability to attempt the ancient sport of falconry presented itself on set while filming a music video, and she jumped in with arms wide open. “I’ve always been drawn to raptors. My first tattoo was an eagle, and when I was on Vancouver Island, I always thought it was amazing to see the eagles everywhere and observe their behaviour,” reminisces Erin. “So I begged the handler to train me. I went to her facility as many weekends as I could to learn about how to keep a falcon.” Thus, her move to Kelowna looked like it would work perfectly to achieve her long-range plans to add this additional passion to her repertoire.

With a robust wine growing region, falconry is an increasingly popular natural pest abatement method. “I’m slowly building my knowledge in this area and working through some personal ethical issues on keeping a wild creature in captivity,” Erin admits. “I’m playing the long game as I would also need the money to establish a proper living situation for them. It’s not cheap and I’m trying to figure out the life balance!”

Erin’s ability to even participate in equestrian, archery and falconry is only possible due to her modern life in Canada. Traditionally male dominated sports, Erin has found it extremely rewarding to become part of a community that is headed by a woman in BC’s Okanagan. “I wouldn’t have been able to do these activities as a woman in historical times,” she clarifies. “Yet in 2019, it’s accessible and I can fulfill my passion while infiltrating the historical construct. It’s cool.”

This modern day Amazonian warrior can be seen smiling like a crazy woman as she surges through the practice trails aiming at targets from the back of her beloved La Cheval Canadien, Eden. With high flying dreams of falconry in her mind, Erin lives her life authentically and with no apologies.

“Everything feels better when you achieve aspirations on your own steam. I made some extreme choices to be able to do this, and it took sacrifice,” admits the QMS alumni. “But it felt so good to attain my goal. If your dream is something that might seem weird or unattainable, break it into smaller steps and everything will seem a little easier. Once you get closer to your target it won’t seem so big anymore.”