The Jousting Life

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Charlie Andrews Helps Train the Next Generation of Jousters

Charlie Andrews (of the Knights of Mayhem), the Knights of Iron and members of Combatant's Keep all came together on Saturday, March 9, at Windy Knolls Farm in Sullivan, Ohio to give a clinic on contemporary competitive jousting. It was called the Equine Excellence Jousting Clinic 2013.


Charlie Andrews teaches lance handling at the Equine Excellence Jousting Clinic 2013(photo by Suzanne DeMink)

The ten participant slots were filled almost as soon as the clinic was announced, and on the day of the clinic, the stands were filled with spectators cheering the participants on. The participants were all female, ranging in age from teenage to grandma. It looks like the future of jousting is going to the girls.


The jousting clinic participants listen to Charlie Andrews. (photo by Suzanne DeMink)

According to Suzanne DeMink who was at the clinic taking photographs:

“Baron, Charlie's mount, decided early on in the clinic to set the girls at ease, so he dumped Charlie. The girls relaxed when they realized that everyone falls. None of the clinic participants fell, and they all had incredible control of their mounts!” – Suzanne DeMink

The participants were first taught a couple of the basic mounted skill at arms (MSA) exercises – cut and thrust, spear throw, tilting at rings and tilting against the quintain. Then, they actually got to tilt against jouster Kellyn Burtka of the Knights of Iron using a cardboard lance with a foam tip. The young lady who rode the horse named Gretchen was declared the “Cup Winner” of the clinic by Charlie Andrews.


The Cup Winner of the clinic as determined by Charlie Andrews. (photo by Suzanne DeMink)

The horse, Gretchen, was so cute that Charlie nicknamed her Ted E. Bear.

Charlie had this to say about the clinic:

“Cortney Lang, Mickaela Ellen, Liz Goldsmith, Mandi Combs, I am so proud of all of you and the other ladies who participated in the clinic!!!! You four were unbelievable though and could easily transition into jousting if you wanted to. I am honored that you will be coming to EA [Equine Affair] in Columbus and would love your help on the field and with the horses!!!! I'm still blown away we had close to 400 people in the stands to watch the clinic for 6 hours and had them till the very end to watch us joust. Ohio kicks A**!!!! Thank you Lynn Brenner for a great event and a first class facility.” – Charlie Andrews

At the end of the clinic, Charlie Andrews and several of the other experienced jousters put on a demonstration of jousting for the clinic participants and spectators.


Thomas Nader on his horse Bohdrum (photo by Suzanne DeMink)

Thomas Nader of Combatant's Keep had this to say about Charlie Andrews:

“It was an absolute pleasure to meet Charlie Andrews in the Lyst. Even as a mere exhibition, in borrowed kit, on a borrowed horse, he was spot on. An absolute professional.” – Thomas Nader

Video of a few highlights from the clinic:



You can see more pictures from the clinic in the Equine Excellence 2013 photo album.

You can learn more about Charlie Andrews and the Knights of Mayhem, the Knights of Iron and Combatant's Keep by clicking on their names/links.

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