Challenge Course

After the success of the "Princess Bride" themed challenge course at Emprise XIX and XX (2024 and 2025) the Madrone Equestrian Guild (particularly Annisa) is hard at work brainstorming a new and different but equally history nerdy and challenge course that incorporates both beloved games and historical riding figures.

We aim for the challenge course to be fun to riders of all levels. It will include historical maneuvers, swashbuckling sword work, challenging targets, and a fun theme. Some schooling is permitted, but riders will be asked to move forward if any element is refused more than twice.

For reference, below is the Princess Bride challenge course we used at Emprise XIX and XX.

Elements included:

"Farm boy, fetch me that pitcher"

• Take a pitcher off a hook, lift it, and hang it up again.

"The Princess's daily ride":

• Rope gate
• Travel obstacle

"You have a great gift for rhyme"

• Complete one of Fezzik's couplets

"Besting the Spaniard"

• Strike target with sword left handed
• Stick your sword into "the sand"
• Do a precise maneuver involving hind quarter turns in both directions
• Retrieve your sword and strike target right handed

"My way isn't very sportsmanlike"

• Throw a foam rock at a "boulder"

"Never get involved in a land war in Asia"

• Ride between two ground poles
• Choose a goblet, raise and return it
• Back out between the poles

"The three terrors of the fire swamp"

• Ride a precise course between "flame spurts"
• Make your way around the "lightning sand"
• Stab the ROUS

"Fezzik took great care in reviving the Spaniard"

• Ride a small figure eight around two half-barrels of water

"Now where is that secret knot"

• Pick up a small ring with your sword to enter the "pit of despair", then deposit the ring in a tub

"The six fingered man"

• Slice the cheek of one head, then the opposite cheek of the next, then stab the third
• If you knock one of the first two off it's "over too quickly" and you don't get to try for the rest