The purpose of the American Jousting Alliance is to present safe, entertaining, exciting and competitive jousting tournaments and shows. This is being done in conjunction with pre-existing Renaissance Festivals, as well as establishing new tournaments and shows held solely for competition and entertainment. The tournaments we presented have all the excitement that one should expect at a medieval jousting tourney, but we take every precaution possible to ensure injuries are kept to a minimum.

James Zoppe has trained people and their horses for more than three decades, and has jousted for over 25 years. He worked with actors from Universal Studios and Circus of the Stars. He also trained the percherons used in the film The Fisher King, among others, as well as presented hundreds of live performances.

The American Jousting Alliance facilitates the training and development of qualified Men- and Women-at-Arms so they may compete in a friendly, gentlemanly manner in AJA sanctioned tournaments and events where comradery and good will are an important part of each competition. Another important aspect of the American Jousting Alliance is raising and training quality jousting and tournament horses for future Knights and Warriors.

Although this organization was started primarily to reestablish authentic and competitive tournament style jousting, the Alliance keeps another goal in mind: the importance of a positive role model. Today's society, many times that is overlooked and we believe that young people need positive role models in this sometimes turbulent world we live in today. We need more Heroes.

The Knight has always symbolized bravery and courage, dignity and respect, courtesy and fairness. Shouldn't young people, indeed people in general, value and need these qualities? If we can help inspire these qualities in others, we are doing a great deed. One is truly exceptional, and should feel a real sense of pride, when inspiring the human spirit.

Whatever your primary interest in the American Jousting Alliance - whether a jousting Knight, a skill-at-arms competitor, a performer, a member of the support team or perhaps simply a jousting fan or spectator - the Alliance has something to offer you!