Polish Reeds

by Ed Carthall aka Earl Edward Ian Anderson, KSCA. OL

History

We can document the reeds game in the Middle East and I have been able to document a lane and spin game that was played in Poland in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was used to train the hussars to ride into a pike block, strike the 1st rank and then spin and go back and get a new lance. I have combined the two games to make one that should be challenging and fun to do.

Objective is to ride down the lane knocking off the reeds with a sword as you go by. Enter the circle and spin your horse around and then ride back down the lane to the starting line. (rollbacks, pirouettes, and just stopping and turning are all "legal" depending on skill level.)

Set up

Set out a start line with chalk or flour.
Set up a lane that is 4 feet wide and 120 feet long.
At the end make a circle that is 10 feet in diameter.
Place the reeds on each side of the lane from largest to smallest.

The reed standards are to be between 42 and 62 “ tall

2 each of the following sizes 10” 8” 6” 4” 2” and 1"of reeds

Running the game

Get set and make sure that the lane is clear let the timer know that you are ready. Start the run removing the reeds as you pass with the sword. Enter the turn area and return to the start you may remove any reeds you missed on the way in. If you removed all the reed on the way into the turn around you will get a bonus points. Your time stops when you pass the start line.

Scoring

Scoring the game consists of a reed score + bonus + timing score – penalties = total score.

Counting the reeds

15 for the 1”
10 for the 2”
8 for the 4”
6 for the 6”
4 for the 8”
2 for the 10”

There are 126 total possible points from the reeds.

Counting the time

Sec	Points	Sec	Points
10 .1	100	20.1	60
10.6	98	20.6	58
11.1	96	21.1	56
11.6	94	21.6	54
12.1	92	22.1	52
12.6	90	22.6	50
13.1	88	23.1	48
13.6	86	23.6	46
14.1	84	24.1	44
14.6	82	24.6	42
15.1	80	25.1	40
15.6	78	25.6	38
16.1	76	26.1	36
16.6	74	26.6	34
17.1	72	27.1	32
17.6	70	27.6	30
18.1	68	28.1	28
18.6	66	28.6	26
19.1	64	29.1	24
19.6	62	29.6	22

Scoring the Penalties

Leaving the 10ft circle -25 points

Knocking over a standard -15 points

Leaving the lane -15 points

Dropping your sword -10 points

Breaking stride other than when in the circle -20 points

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