تحفة النظار في غرايب الامصار وعجايب الاسفار 10.7.3

10.7.3

There were many bows there, and when someone came who wished to be enrolled in the army as an archer, he was given one of those bows to draw. They vary in strength, and his pay is set according to how far he draws. Whoever wishes to be enrolled as a horseman: there is a target-drum set up, and he gallops his horse and strikes it with his lance. There is also a ring hanging from a low wall; he gallops his horse until he comes level with it, and if he lifts it off with his lance, that counts as good among them. Whoever wishes to be enrolled as a mounted archer: there is a ball placed on the ground, and he gallops his horse and shoots at it. His pay is set according to the accuracy he shows in this.