Horace A. Ford (1822–1880) is known as one of the greatest target archers of all time.

Biography

Horace Alfred Ford first picked up the bow in 1845, and a mere four years later won the Grand National Archery Meeting held in the United Kingdom. He proceeded to win an unmatched, eleven consecutive championships, and a twelfth "comeback" win. His high score - that of 1271 in the Double York Round in 1857 - remained archery's high mark for over 70 years. Ford founded the Cheltenham Archers in 1857, which is still running up to the current day. He is also the author of Archery: Its Theory and Practice, one of the all-time classics of archery. Several members of his family were good cricketers, including Francis Ford. His father was solicitor and bill discounter George Samuel Ford. Ford owned, in partnership with his father and brother, the Bryndu Colliery from 1842 and was a director of the Bristol and South Wales Railway Waggon Company (Limited). Ford died in Bath, England on the 24 June 1880.

Victories

Grand Archery Meeting Birmingham 1858, 1868 Grand Archery Meeting Hastings 1867 Grand Crystal Palace Archery Meeting 1859, 1861, 1863, 1867 Grand Leamington and Midland Archery Meeting 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1867, 1868, 1869 Grand National Archery Meeting 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1859, 1867 Grand Western Archery Meeting 1863, 1868