The sport of jousting began roughly 900 years ago. The research I have done seems to point to jousting becoming a sport because knights wanted to maintain their warrior skills with horse and lance. They also wanted a way to demonstrate their prowess and bravery. Contrary to what many people think, pitched battles were rare in the middle ages. Jousting tournaments were the next best thing.

The first tournaments were between two teams of Knights who jousted and fought over a large area of rural countryside. These first medieval tournaments were the war games of the time. They were very exciting for the Knights, although the local people didn't always share their enthusiasm. In their excitement, the Knights often rode through orchards, vineyards, and planted fields.

The next evolutionary step in jousting becoming a true spectator sport was the meleé. The meleé was entertaining to the spectators and dangerous for the Knights. Meleé was the name given when two teams of Knights met, normally in an enclosed area. In general, it was a free-for-all. This was easily the most hazardous form of the sport, and as a result, became increasingly rare with the passage of time.

The actual tournaments and tournament jousting as we know them, with two Knights charging at each other at the same time, started becoming popular around 1125-1130. These actual tournaments were defined by having an established point system, giving the judges a standard by which to determine the winners. Another important factor in the development of these tournaments was the center list, which is a barrier that keeps the horses from colliding into each other. These tournaments were generally orderly and very exciting events. Tourneys had begun to have a following and the popularity of the sport was spreading. Jousting tournaments flourished well into the 15th century. During this time period there were many variations and changes in the sport, such as type of shield used, the armour worn, the length of lances, as well as various rule changes. Still, a sport that lasted more than 350 years is extraordinary.

For whatever reasons, jousting is once again becoming more popular. It could possibly be the increase in popularity of renaissance faires and medieval themed dinner theatres. Or perhaps it is the modern world's love of a simpler time, when the clash of swords rang through the air, instead of gunfire; when the sports heros of the day wore suits of armour and rode beautiful and spirited chargers. No one really knows why jousting is gaining in popularity, not only in America but all over the world. It is not a simple question to answer. We do know, however, that the excitement and suspense that jousting brings, either in the imagination or while watching a skillfully fought match, is real.

The American Jousting Alliance was formed in 1995 to establish a safe standard by which modern day Knights could compete. Although there are many jousting groups throughout the United States, the Alliance approach to jousting in the 21st century is unlike any other. The overall goal of this organization is to establish jousting tournaments as a major spectator sport in this country. These modern day tournaments consist of almost two hours of high quality entertainment and competition. These tournaments consist of choreographed jousting segments, competitions in skill-at-arms games including ring spearing, shield quintain hitting and spear throwing, as well as Roman and Rosinback Riding. Of course, the actual tournament jousting contests are the highlight of a tournament.

Men and women compete as equals in the skill-at-arms competitions. In a tournament jousting contest, however, there is a men's division and a women's division. The tournament jousting matches are based on respect and trust between competitors. The approach is physical but not violent, a rough but gentlemanly sport. Each Knight holds or "presents" a shield in his left hand, at the same time aiming his lance in his right hand and locking it into position between his forearm and his ribcage.

The shields used are of the Norman style, roughly 20 to 22 inches wide by 34 to 36 inches long, and weighing 18 to 22 pounds. The shield absorbs a great deal of the shock from the lance blow, and it is the only target that the lance is allowed to hit. The lances used are 10 feet in length and are hand carved out of a solid pine pole, three inches in diameter honed down to 1-1/4 inches, with a blunt metal cap on the end. The hand grip is standard on all lances, however, the graper (the larger area that is used in the same way as a rifle stock) is various lengths depending on the size of the competitor.

Competitors are allowed to choose from what time period and what amount of armour or chain mail they wish to wear. Some prefer to wear a full suite, while others prefer transitional armour while still others choose chain mail. Mandatory requirements include a good helm and some type of neck and frontal torso protection.

There are four judges on the tournament field at four different viewpoints - two on the sides and two on the ends. They each award a Knight who makes a light hit to the opponent's shield one point, two points for a hard hit, three points for dislodging the opponent or breaking a lance, and three points for an unhorsing. At the end of each match, the judge either gives additional points or takes away points for a Knight's horsemanship, safety judgment, and sportsmanship. A Knight can be disqualified for repeatedly folding his shield, his horse repeatedly shying out of the list, or for injuring an opponent in an unsafe manner.

Injuries are rare because of the extensive training and qualifying trials necessary to compete, although bumps and bruises come with the territory. Since the American Jousting Alliance's first tournament in 1996, there have been no life threatening injuries to competitors and no injuries to horses. This is largely due to the emphasis on safety, the training of safety techniques, and knowing when to make a hit and when not to. Another important safety aspect is the lance we use in competitions. It is a basic medieval design that has a beveled hand grip rather than a vamplate. This design allows the lance to slide backwards either involuntarily or by the competitor intentionally relaxing the grip in an instant should the lance veer off the shield toward a dangerous area.

When jousting is done correctly, one can feel the tremendous impact that occurs when two competitors both hit the shield. It is a sound like no other. At time riders are dislodged and almost come out of the saddle. On rare occasions lances hit tip to tip. A good jousting match includes not only extreme force, but also includes finesse with shield and lance, skilled horsemanship, and strategy regarding where and how hard the lance hits its target. Although unhorsings do occur on occasion, they are discouraged rather than encouraged because of the high risk of injury. When taking all safety precautions possible, undergoing extensive training and wearing body armour from head to toe, jousting still remains a dangerous sport. It will never be 100% safe. And would any of us ever want it to be?

The horses ridden at tournament represent a wide variety of breeds. Lighter, swifter breeds such as Thoroughbreds, Quarterhorses, and Arabs are used for the skill-at-arms games, while the jousting horses are of the draft breeds, such as the Percherons, Shires, Belgians, Clydesdales, and draft crosses. A good warhorse can be a mare, stallion or gelding, it makes no difference. Some horses simply have an aptitude for jousting - they seem to like trying to intimidate another horse as they gallop down the list. Some horses relish the feeling they get from their riding taking or making a hit. Others learn to enjoy it as their confidence builds. A well trained jousting horse is a joy to watch, and even more exciting to ride.

As others who have ridden good horses know, having an ally, a partner in your work, is a very good feeling indeed.

Since good Knights and their jousting horses are hard to find, the Alliance has established a jousting training center for horse and rider at their headquarters in Lockwood Valley, located in Southern California.

A jousting horse breeding program has gotten under way as well. The criteria for an excellent jousting horse is athletic ability, calmness, intelligence, willingness and courage. A balanced and correct conformation with a nice head are also important qualities sought after in the breeding program. The need for well trained horses and riders is also growing, making the jousting school and breeding program very important to the solid and long term growth of the sport of jousting.

This sport is attracting a growing number of people from various backgrounds, from semi-professional jousters, stunt men and truck drivers, to people in the medical field, law enforcement and people with computer and financial backgrounds. The American Jousting Alliance has members throughout the United States, Canada, England, New Zealand and Australia. THe one thing they all have in common is the true exhilaration they feel when taking part in this great sport. Although winning is important, as is the case in any professional sport, how the game is played is equally as important. We have all seen highly paid athletes throw fits and tantrums during a game. The Alliance's approach is for all competitors, whether competingon a local, national or international level, to learn how to win or lose gracefully. It means a great deal to members of this organization to set a good example as role models for our children.

Tournament winners are awarded cash purses, as well as winning shields, lances and other jousting equipment.

The Knight of old represents a powerful image in all of our minds, and if this sport is going to grow, the Knights of new should not forget the positive virtues that this figure represents. Modern day jousting has many similarities with the jousting of the Middle Ages. It still takes strength, skill, bravery and a great deal of courage to joust. To come charging at a man on horseback wielding a shield and lance, closing in on each other, feeling the impact, the power of lance hitting shield, of shield hitting lance, facing this time and again and still being able to smile at one another and shake hands when it's all over, takes a special person. This is the stuff that heroes are made of. And what's wrong with having a few more heroes in this world? Jousting and Knights are irreversibly woven together. One without the other is not nearly as strong as both together. If we can keep these two together in a historical sense, as well as competing safely in the face of danger, then we will truly have a great new/old sport indeed, for now and for generations to come.

James Zoppe

Founder and Director
American Jousting Alliance

He has been jousting and training people and horses for over 20 years. Past credits include Circus of the Stars, work with Universal Studios and on the film, The Fisher King, as well as presenting hundreds of live jousting shows and tournaments.

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