History of the Guild

The Horse Guild was formed in 1983 as a special interest offshoot of The Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia Ltd., a nonprofit group that recreates the Middle Ages. At that time the club had been experimenting with horses at their annual Battle of Hastings recreation for several years. After a battle reenactment had gotten pretty exciting one fall, Markland officers asked equestrians in their organization to get together and come up with a set of guidelines for future participation. This turned out in retrospect to be a case of unusual wisdom on the part of Markland. Since the folks at Markland actually asked people who knew something about horses to make up the rules, the Horse Guild was able to come up with some simple tests and guidelines for horses at events based on well known pony club and 4H practices. Markland has now long recognized the safety practices and authority of the Horse Guild to judge safe riders and riding practices. While we are not actually an official group of Markland, we are recognized as the individuals all questions about using horses at events in the organization must go through. Since that time the group has continued to be active at events in the Middle Atlantic Region over the years.

Horses of the Guild

Of course, our horses are the center of attention in the Guild.   Over the years, many fine animals have passed our way.  For a brief history of some of those horses, past and present, click here.