The Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival once again hosted the Championships. I was proud to be associated with such fine competitors, both Men and Women.

There was a combination of veteran competitors and a good many newcomers (not to jousting but to our style of jousting).

Callum Forbes from Kaitoke, Upper Hutt, New Zealand, flew over for one week of training just prior to the Tournament. This man really enjoys the sport of jousting, and once he got used to our heavier shields and lances, he progressed quite well. Callum heads up the "Order of the Boar", which is a jousting and medieval reenactment group that already have several local Tournaments to their credit. Not only was he a very astute student, but he was also a great help in preparing for our departure to Estes Park. He is one who always keeps a good attitude, and considering everything that went wrong prior to our departure, he had ample opportunity to get discouraged. How about going through six trucks to pull ten horses to Colorado? Thank you, Callum, for being a steadfast and solid Friend.

The weather was better than normal at this beautiful place. Our hosts were very gracious by once again supplying all Alliance Members and support people with rooms and meals.

Although our group has its share of partiers, no one could equal the group that was racing against cannon balls rolled down hallway corridors. The first to collide with the wall at the end of the hallway won. It is my understanding that they are on the "not to be invited back next year" list. For the most part, Alliance People conducted themselves Respectfully and Chivalrously.

The Jousting was once again the best in the world. Super hard hits were quite frequent. And all who participated can be proud that their care in jousting safely led to no major injuries. This is a great compliment to those who competed. There was one mishap when Pat Lambke's lance broke and before he could release his grip sufficiently it managed to cause a bruise to Steve Adams' upper leg, causing him to have to draw out of the second day of competition.

The scoring was quite close and the judging was done fairly. Several Alliance Members not competing helped in the judging categories. My thanks to them.

A very interesting moment came for me when I heard the unique cheering style that the audience developed completely on their own as they were watching an exciting match. It sounded like ... well you are just going to have to hear it for yourself.

The Skill-at-Arms contests were close competitions, although some had a few horse problems on occasion. The faster horses greatly add to these games.

Our Canadian Members came a great distance to compete. I enjoyed working with all of them and their beautiful horses. We were proud to have them join us.

Most Knights were on their game pretty well. Quint Ross, as always was very game and hitting hard. Bil Woodford, with his classical straight-legged style, jousted with steady concentration and a steady lance. Pat Lamke was certainly on his game as he won the jousting against a very respectable field of Knights while riding the brave Clydesdale warhorse, Nickodemus. Newcomer Bill Birch rode with the wind on Tuck the Tank. Tuck was doing very well prior to the Tourney, but when Bill opened him up in the lists, he needed a good reason to stop or turn. So goes the sport of jousting. One must ride his or her horse as intelligently and skillfully as possible, always taking the horse's personality into consideration. John Gruber and Callum Forbes got the opportunity to compete with some real heavy hitters. James Merilees rode his great spotted warhorse - both are true warriors. Experience and training will bring this pair into full bloom. Steve Adams jousted well in his first International Competition, although his only matches were on Saturday. His shield was always out their presenting a fine target.

As for our Women Knights ... well they had their own battle to wage. The top two competitors the last two years have been Cassandra Adams and Cynthia Morrison. These warrior women represent two different aspects of Jousting. Cassandra's strong points are in her ability to handle her charger easily and effectively. This won her the Women's Championship in 1998. Cynthia, on the other hand, has had nowhere near the time on horses that Cassandra has. Cynthia became the 1999 Women's International Champion by her sheer aggressive competitiveness. She kept that shield out there and she made the most hits. It was as simple as that. And when I say aggressive competitiveness, I don't mean she's sitting on Salazar with smoke coming out of her ears. The competitive spirit that she brings to the lists was first learned while competing in The Highland Games. Her aggression is only to hit the shield target. I can say she was a good sport the year she placed second and this year as well, as the winner of the event. That's not an easy task either.

For those of you who have never participated in the International Jousting Championships, it is a unique experience and it is also a lot of work. It's a place where you can be with fellow Knights from around the world. It's a proving ground where you can really test yourself and show your prowess. And it's a place to have some fun.

For those of you who have participated in these Championship, I Thank You for the spirit, respect and comradery you have brought to this unique gathering.

May Chivalry Live On!

James Zoppe
Founder and Director
American Jousting Alliance

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