What was once a necessary skill for warfare and hunting food, horse archery, is seeing a revival as a hobby and a sport through ancient and medieval enthusiasts.

Nestled behind a forest on a property aptly named Sherwood Park in central-west New South Wales, Rod and Michelle Walker instruct students in the tradition of horse archery.

At the workshop, riders gain the confidence to let go of the reins and shoot arrows at multiple targets positioned along a 200-metre-long run.

It's an activity that comes with great risks and requires a strong bond between animal and rider.

"You need to know that your horse is going to run straight, and it's not going to shy or buck or do anything like that," Mr Walker said.

"Your horse needs to trust you too, that you're not going to do anything silly while you're sitting up there on its back."

Paying attention to history

Students first learn to shoot arrows from the ground before advancing to horseback. ( ABC Central West: Luke Wong )

Mr Walker's interest in ancient and medieval cultures began in his teens when a re-enactment group came to perform demonstrations at his high school.

"I started paying more attention in history class and it just went from there," Mr Walker said.

For two decades he worked as a professional jouster, duelling in front of spectators at events in Australia, Europe and Asia and on television in the US.

"I jousted in Vanuatu once if you can believe that," he said.

Students and their horses are guided by instructors before tackling the riding on their own. ( ABC Central West: Luke Wong )

Inspired by the Scythian and ancient Greek warriors, these days Mr Walker spends countless hours designing and making his own leather armour and weapons.

In pursuit of historic authenticity he often rides using a basic pad saddle without stirrups.

"I'm very much into recreating the skill set of the ancient warriors," he said.

"I want to be able to do it the way they did it."

Although he doesn't compete, Mr Walker said mounted archery was one of the nation's fastest growing equine sports in the country.

"There are thousands of archers around the world and there are hundreds of competitions here in Australia and overseas," he said.

Ken Moon and Shirley Sim enjoy dressing up in period costumes when practising the medieval-era skill of horse archery. ( ABC Central West: Luke Wong )

Getting back on the saddle

Medieval enthusiast Shirley Sim is getting back into horse archery after a long break away.

She breeds Friesian horses on her property in Cowra and has trained one of them for the hobby.

It's an addictive pastime that drove her to convince her neighbour, Ken Moon, to also give it a shot.

"He used to squire for me but I think I hit him too many times with spears and lances and now he's on horseback as well," Ms Sim said.

"What little girl doesn't want to have a big black horse and be a 'knightress' or a lady in armour and have weapons and shoot arrows, the whole lot?"

When she's not working in disability services, Ms Sim relaxes by practising her bow and arrow skills on a short target run she built at home.

"I'm ten-foot tall and bulletproof at home when no-one is watching," she laughed.

"I thoroughly enjoy it, I just keep doing it, it's great fun. It's my whole life I love it."

City slicker Adam McKay doesn't own a horse but he is fortunate enough to borrow a ride whenever he attends a horse archery workshop. ( ABC Central West: Luke Wong )

Grabbing a ride when you can

Adam McKay from western Sydney does not own a horse but that didn't stop him from attending the weekend workshop.

During the week he toils away in his workshop as a professional armourer, crafting bespoke reproductions of medieval-era combat suits and weapons.

A regular exhibitor at period re-enactment events, it wasn't long until he came across the opportunity to ride other people's horses.

"I'm a city kid, so I come out here and get on other people's horses when I can," Mr McKay said.

"If I can turn up and have a shot, that's fine with me."