Great weather and the beautiful forests of the Lake Tahoe area were a great combination at this year's Valhalla's Renaissance Festival and add to that a larger arena, compliments of Steve Bailey!
The tournament got off to a little bit of a slow start. Oh, the show was fast paced enough, but it was the hitting that was a little off that first go round on Saturday. But after that it got rougher! After Saturday's second tourney go round and after watching the videos (compliments of Ann Bassett) that evening, it was very evident to me that we were headed in the directio of an extreme sport. A sport that few would want to participate in if it kept going on the track it was on. For in that second tourney go round I saw too much blood (superficial but a sure sign that it could get worse) as well as lances ricocheting off shields and going in every direction, including near misses to the hindquarters of Warhorses.
Now, I've always believed in the realism of good jousting, but I know when we are approaching the point of "redlining it". Things can change awfully quickly when a Knight or horse is badly injured. Fortunately, this has never happened within our Alliance, but we have had some very close calls. I always tell people who begin jousting training that this is a potentially dangerous sport. It's easy to get hurt, but it is the trained professional who can joust safely. Oh, there will always be bumps and bruises, but we should all strive to keep it that way.
Before the tournament on Sunday we went over these fundamentals and fine points. I am proud to say that everyone toned it down just a little, with not so much tension in the air, the way it should be. Fun and exhilarating!
The horsemanship was well exhibited during all the competitions. John Swanson rode and jousted very well after a two year absence from this tournament. Brenda Zoppe competed in the rings and spears on a swift (and slightly crazy) palfrey, Argus. Her deliberate and calm style of riding Argus kept him from getting too wound up. Everyone rode quite well.
To me, this was a very significant tournament because it demonstrated how Knights can regulate their hits to be hard and impressive, but not too hard. The tournament ended with Clif Bassett riding his great Warhorse, Suzanna, winning his second tournament in a row, and a newly carved tournament jousting lance. Clif won this tourney last year as well.
New Alliance Member Andrew Brotherton, trained by Clif Bassett, showed a lot of promise. He is definitely game and brave in the lists. It was good seeing John Swanson back in the saddle and hitting better and harded with each match he had. Steve Adams jousted with cracked ribs, but you would never know it. Brenda Zoppe's rides were safe yet exciting. No matter how many times I see her ride, I still enjoy her style.
The Tournament of the Lake ended with no hard feelings. I believe everyone concerned really enjoyed themselves, and that's the way it should be.
My thanks and regards to our Tournament Judges and our Ground Crew, without whom we could have presented this Tournament.
May Chivalry Live On!
Tournament Results
Tournament Jousting
Clif Bassett - 70
Steve Adams - 60
Andy Brotherton - 57
John Swanson - 56
Ring Spearing
James Zoppe
Spear Throwing
Clif Bassett
James Zoppe
Founder and Director
American Jousting Alliance