The Jousting Life

Friday, December 12, 2014

Favorite Moments From 2014: Photographers Andrew Wickens and Hanno van Harten

Without photographers, there would be no way for anyone who was not actually at the tournament to see what happened(or to record favorite moments for the participants to look at and later share). So even though they are not directly involved with jousting, they are very much involved with The Jousting Life. And I am extremely grateful for every photograph they allow me to use.

In this installment of Favorite Moments from 2014, a couple of joust photographers share their favorite memories of the 2014 jousting season.

Although he takes beautiful photographs of castles and landscapes, Andrew Wickens of ARW Photography in the UK, also takes fantastic photos of jousting. He chose to share a few photographs from his favorite tournament this past year:

Having to choose my most memorable moment of the 2014 jousting season is a rather tall order. It has been an amazing year, thousands of images from loads of events and meeting lots of new people from the jousting world. The one that stands out above all the rest for me as a photographer is the Medieval Festival at Leeds Castle with Destrier. The beautiful location of Leeds Castle with six days of competitions being highlighted by the Grand Tournament at the weekend.

Jousters L-R: Mark Caple, Andreas Wenzel and Benedict Green at Leeds Castle 2014 (Photo by ARW Photography)
Jousters L-R: Mark Caple, Andreas Wenzel and Benedict Green at Leeds Castle 2014
(Photo by ARW Photography)

The members of Destrier were already weary after three hard days at Herstmonceux Castle with all that the elements could throw at them. Still the shows were as thrilling as ever. The team put on what I believe was the first historically authentic mounted melee in the area – two teams using amazing horsemanship to block their opponents from scoring hits to their armour. This for me provided some extraordinary close-up's and great angles of the knights and their horses to photograph. Although sometimes it got a little too close....

Jouster Andreas Wenzel during a mounted melee at Leeds Castle 2014 (Photo by ARW Photography)
Jouster Andreas Wenzel during a mounted melee at Leeds Castle 2014
(Photo by ARW Photography)

The Grand Tournament was the highlight of the event, with the usual hard hitting action in the lists, although the action proved a little too extreme for two of the jousters with injuries to both Jason Kingsley and Mark Caple, both resulting in broken bones. Although Mark Caple went on to win the Tournament with his team member Andreas Wenzel.

Andreas Wenzel(left) jousts Stacy van Dolah-Evans(right) at Leeds Castle 2014 (Photo by ARW Photography)
Andreas Wenzel(left) jousts Stacy van Dolah-Evans(right) at Leeds Castle 2014
(Photo by ARW Photography)

As a photographer I get to see the action up close through the lens, and sometimes it's too easy to forget just how intense the action actually is. A truly great event and one I believe may be repeated next year. Keep an eye on events calendars. Put it on your must do list.

Finally, I would like to thank Andreas Wenzel and all the members of Destrier for an action packed and fun filled 2014, and to wish the jousters and crew all over the world a safe but hard hitting 2015. See you in the lists. And not forgetting the hard work from Zhi Zhu keeping us all informed with The Jousting Life. Keep up the good work. [Thank you, Andrew]

The jousters and crew of Destrier at Leeds Castle 2014 (Photo by ARW Photography)
The jousters and crew of Destrier at Leeds Castle 2014
(Photo by ARW Photography)

Hanno van Harten is one of three official photographers for the jousting group Stichting HEI in the Netherlands (the others are Vera Bos and Isis Sturtewagen). He shared several of his favorite pictures from the White Bear Tournament at Nyborg Slott 2014 and the stories behind them:

Ground crew member Nikky Kennedy at Nyborg 2014 (photo by Hanno van Harten)
Ground crew member Nikky Kennedy at Nyborg 2014 (photo by Hanno van Harten)

It was at the end of the show at Nyborg, and there was Nikky with all the stuff in her hands and in her own world, thinking about what has happened in the show. Taking that picture was a special moment for me. The crew works hard to put on a good show. Nikky is especially good with the horses.

Andreas Wenzel(left) and Dominic Sewell(right) Nyborg Joust 2014  (photo by Hanno van Harten)
Andreas Wenzel(left) and Dominic Sewell(right) Nyborg 2014 
(photo by Hanno van Harten)

It was the start of the parade in Nyborg and I see Dominic Sewell fixing something behind Andreas, and I think,”Yes, that is a nice moment.” ;)  I prepare to take the photo, and Andreas looks up at that moment and calls,”Noooo!”

Andreas Wenzel comes off his horse during a mounted melee at the Nyborg Joust 2014 (photo by Hanno van Harten)
Andreas Wenzel comes off his horse during a mounted melee at Nyborg 2014
(photo by Hanno van Harten)

During a melee at Nyborg, there was this funny small battle between Andreas and Joram. They are being crazy and trying to take their melee clubs from each other. The action is going up and up, and in the end Andreas falls from his horse, and the audience is reacting with “Owwww's” and “Ahhhh's” and clapping.

Siebren Doolaard, videotaping the action at the Nyborg Joust 2014 (photo by Hanno van Harten)
Siebren Doolaard, videotaping the action at Nyborg 2014
(photo by Hanno van Harten)

That's Siebren, when were making the video for the Stichting HEI teaser. It was great to work with him, and the result was so great! I'm proud of myself about that job.

Andreas Wenzel(left) jousts Joram van Essen(right), Nyborg Joust 2014 (photo by Hanno van Harten)
Andreas Wenzel(left) jousts Joram van Essen(right), Nyborg 2014 (photo by Hanno van Harten)

It's Always nice to hear the sound of breaking lances, and then the moment that I looked on the screen from the camera, and... YES! I have the full hit! And this was a double lance break. It was a great moment for everyone.

Do you have a favorite moment from 2014? Please share it in the comments.

Related articles:
An Interview with Andreas Wenzel, Chairman of the Destrier Jousting Troupe

Stichting HEI Posts about the White Bear Tournament in Nyborg Slott

Historical Jousting Tournament at Nyborg Slot in Denmark

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