Rachel Toquothty of Chesterfield takes aim during the 2nd Annual Summer Sizzler, a mounted archery competition, on Saturday, July 23, at LZ-Grace Warrior Retreat/One Red Maple Barn in Back Bay. Toquothty was one of a number of participants who traveled to rural Virginia Beach. She is part of a group called Bad to the Bow. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]Ed. — From the Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, print edition.
BACK BAY — Mounted archers from Hampton Roads and beyond competed this past month during the 2nd Annual Summer Sizzler, a national ranking competition for enthusiasts of a unique, challenging sport.
It brought 15 competitors to LZ-Grace Warrior Retreat/One Red Maple Barn in Virginia Beach on Saturday, July 23, and Sunday, July 24, and it was hosted by 757 Horse Archers, formed five years ago.
Michelle Baca of Back Bay, president of 757 Horse Archers, was among the competitors, and she said she and others started the group for practical reason and to hone skills.
Among other things, they worked with the help of people such as Elizabeth Tinnan, a Tennessee horseback archer and instructor.
“It’s exhilarating,” Baca said. “It’s not only being able to ride the horse, but being able to hit the target. It can take quite a bit of courage to drop the reins on a running horse.”
Naomi Evans, 15, of Franklinton, North Carolina, said she found the sport through trainer and rider Lila Corey of Caballera Farm after seeking out barrel racing. Part of the appeal is that it is still a rare endeavor.
“Not a lot of people can say they rode a horse and shot arrows off of it,” Evans said.
Michelle Baca of Back Bay, who is the president of 757 Horse Archers, competes during the 2nd Annual Summer Sizzler on Saturday, July 23, at LZ-Grace Warrior Retreat/One Red Maple Barn in rural Virginia Beach. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]Competitors demonstrated skills including aiming behind the rider during the 2nd Annual Summer Sizzler on Saturday, July 23, at LZ-Grace Warrior Retreat/One Red Maple Barn in the Back Bay community in rural Virginia Beach. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]Annabelle Sharp, 20, of North Carolina was among the competitors in the 2nd Annual Summer Sizzler on Saturday, July 23, at LZ-Grace Warrior Retreat/One Red Maple Barn in the Back Bay community in rural Virginia Beach. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]Erin Erickson of Warrenton, N.C., and Kate Mitchell of Chesapeake check a target during the 2nd Annual Summer Sizzler. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]Sixteen-year-old Caleb Willis of North Carolina reacts during the 2nd Annual Summer Sizzler on Saturday, July 23, at LZ-Grace Warrior Retreat/One Red Maple Barn in rural Virginia Beach. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]Laszlo Beres takes aim at a target during the 2nd Annual Summer Sizzler, a mounted archery competition, on Saturday, July 23. It was hosted by 757 Horse Archers at LZ-Grace Warrior Retreat/One Red Maple Barn in Back Bay. Beres, also a pentathlete, said mounted archery is a challenging, rewarding sport. “You have to put two different skills together.” [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]Nicole Thomas of Chesapeake is seen during the 2nd Annual Summer Sizzler on Saturday, July 23, at LZ-Grace Warrior Retreat/One Red Maple Barn in the Back Bay community in rural Virginia Beach. [John-Henry Doucette/The Princess Anne Independent News]
Learn more about 757 Horse Archers on Facebook via @757HorseArchers or email 757horsearchers@gmail.com.
Way to say it, Naomi! I’m so proud of you! I’m too nervous to do any sort of competition.
Great action shots.