Video: Demonstration of Mounted Combat in Armour

In November of 2013, Arne Koets, on his Andalusian gelding Maximillian, and Joram van Essen, on his Murgese stallion Zogo, did a demonstration of mounted combat in armour as the intermezzo at a dressage competition. The event took place at De Hollandsche Manege in Amsterdam, the oldest riding school in the Netherlands(still extant). Ben van Koert, who is both a film maker and jouster, was there, and he created this short video of the demonstration.

Arne Koets on Maximillian and Joram van Essen on Zogo, mounted combat demonstration
(video by Ben van Koert/Kaos Historical Media)

Here is what Arne Koets had to say about the demonstration:

"We did a display for my old student riding club H.O.R.S. in (downtown)Amsterdam. It was meant for a riding audience, so we tried to concentrate on riding in combat, but we combined it into a sort of story, which is kinda lost in the filmcut. It explains why I did any garrocha at all, which is not known from any 15th century sources. It just seemed like an appropriate way to show off in the story.

But we liked it enough to publish it, because we did some nice jousting 'at large' (without a tiltrail) and we were quite happy about the passades which are a huge focus of renaissance riding manuals and is very likely to be meant by some passages in Don Duartes work Bem Cavalgar." - Arne Koets

BTW, according to Arne, H.O.R.S stands for "something REALLY obscurely ancient Greek, the society was formed over 100 years ago." He later told me that it stands for hippos ouch raidioos sfalletai, which translated from the Greek means, 'a horse doesn't trip easily' 'even the best hose trips occasionally'.

Christmas Tournament at Khrabrovo 2014

written by: Dmitry “Dietmar” Savchenko

Christmas Tournament at Khrabrovo is an annual event, which opens the tournament season in Russia. It is related to the Russian Orthodox (and as well – medieval European) date of Christmas. This year we held our fourth event. As is traditional, we ran our tournament at Khrabrovo Horse Center (130 km from Moscow), which serves as stables for our war horses.

Sergey "Moros" Zhuravlev(left) jousts Yuri "Humphry" Bogunov(right)
(photo by Evgenia A Komarova)

Christmas Tournament is a private event which we run ourselves, trying to reach the highest possible authenticity level. We make high demands regarding costume and each knight’s equipment, as well as to appropriate ceremonies, qualified judgment and many other important issues. Christmas Tournament is divided into 3 parts: Jousting (solid lance), Foot tournament (two-handed swords and poleaxes) and Ceremonial feast.

Ceremonial Feast(photo by Evgenia A Komarova)

Three knights participated in jousting this year: Dmitry “Dietmar” Savchenko, Yuri “Humphry” Bogunov and Sergey “Moros” Zhuravlev. Three more knights joined the foot tournament. Judgment was based on the following: In jousting, broken lances for each knight were counted (and, of course, knocking out of the saddle). In foot tournament, in each fight winner was declared after 10 successful hits or knocking opponent out to the ground.

Marshal Sergey "Tankred" Vislenev(in red) faces jousters Sergey "Moros" Zhuravlev, Dmitry "Dietmar" Savchenko and Yuri "Humphry" Bogunov(photo by Evgenia A Komarova)

The scores for all the matches were decided by judges, headed by Marshal Sergey “Tankred” Vislenev and Herald Rafael “Ralph” Gukasov, who then reported the results to the Court of the Ladies. The final decision at the tournament belonged to the Court of the Ladies, who were guided not only by the Marshal’s scores, but also by each knight’s courtesy at field and feast.

The Court of the Ladies watches the jousting(photo by Evgenia A Komarova)

At jousting: The first match consisted of four courses(passes) between Dmitry “Dietmar” Savchenko and Sergey “Moros” Zhuravlev in which 4 lances were broken. In the fourth course, Dietmar got a straight hit to the right hand. His mitten gauntlet did not sustain and his forefinger was broken.

Dmitry "Dietmar" Savchenko(front) jousts Sergey "Moros" Zhuravlev(photo by Evgenia A Komarova)

In the second match, during the second course, Yuri “Humphry” Bogunov knocked Sergey “Moros” Zhuravlev out of the saddle. In those two courses 4 lances were broken. As a result, it was declared that Yuri “Humphry” Bogunov won the short, but intense jousting competition.

Sergey "Moros" Zhuravlev is helped to stand after being unhorsed by Yuri "Humphry" Bogunov(photo by Evgenia A Komarova)

At foot competition, each knight fought each other, and so without wounded Dietmar, each knight fought 4 times. All the participants fought with dignity, but the strongest was Leonid “Leon” Manevich, who won all his fights.

The foot competition(photo by Evgenia A Komarova)

After the competition, all the participants were invited to the feast, where our ladies could have a look on each knight’s good manners.

A Lady at the Feast(photo by Evgenia A Komarova)

The next day, Yuri "Humphry" Bogunov, who fought the best during the tournament and revealed his courtesy and manners during the feast, was declared the Champion of the Tournament.

Yuri "Humphry" Bogunov, Tournament Champion(photo by Evgenia A Komarova)

Edited to correct the spelling of Yuri's name, which was previously spelled 'Jury'.

Request for Information About Jousting Tournaments During 2014

I've started the list of Jousting Tournaments for 2014. Please check it out. If you know of any tournaments that are not included on the list, or if you have more information about a tournament that is already listed, please email me with the information and links.

Sarah Hay on Riley at the Grand Tournament of St Charles(photo by The Jousting Life)

Jarek Struczynski Wins the "Tournament of the Phoenix 2013"

Editor's Note: My deepest apologies for the lateness of this article, and my sincere thanks to everyone who provided information/pictures for it. They were prompt in delivering their help; I was late in delivering the article. My life was a bit complicated for a while.

This year's annual "Tournament of the Phoenix" was held the weekend of October 18-20 near San Diego, California, USA. The jousting competition included six competitors from five different countries: Jezz Smith of New Zealand, Wouter Nicolai of the Netherlands, Jan Gradon of Poland, Jarek Struczynski of Poland, Jeffrey Hedgecock of USA and (as a last minute replacement for the injured David Young of USA) Marc Hamel of Canada. In addition to the tilting(what most people think of as the actual jousting) competition, there were also a mounted melee and pole axe duels as part of the overall tournament competition.

Jarek Struczynski, Tournament Champion(photo by Clarence Alford Photography)

Polish jouster Jarek Struczynski earned the title of tournament champion, just beating his fellow Pole Jan Gradon by three points. Here is what Jan had to say about the tournament:

"I was invited to the TotP["Tournament of the Phoenix"] for the second time. I won the tournament back in 2011, and was very happy to come back together with Jarek Struczynski. I was really looking forward to jousting there as I really enjoyed the joust in 2011. I knew I was going to ride again on Petrus who is a great horse. I knew all the competitors except David Young, whom I never jousted before. Unfortunately, he damaged his hand prior the event and couldn't compete. Marcus Hamel, who was to be the Knight of Mercy stepped in.

Prior the tournament, we had a great time in California. We rode a cowboy trail with Chad Waldhauser, who also provided horses for the TotP, had some roping practice, and did a trail in Grasslands preserve. We also did some kayaking in the ocean, and organized probably the first kayaking joust ever.

Left to right: Jezz Smith, Wouter Nicolai, Jan Gradon and Jarek Struczynski - kayak jousting
(photo by Leslie Chappell Britt)

The competition at the TotP was very fierce, with many hard hits. For most of us, the weather was the challenge, as most of the Competitors came from much colder weather. For me, the foot combat was the most tiring event. After having fought 3 duels. I couldn't continue as I couldn't catch my breath, and this is when Marcus Hamel became my champion and fought my last duel and won for me. I'm very happy, that through the whole tournament, me and Jarek were very close in points and ended up on 1st and 2nd place. Of course I hoped to win the TotP, as it would be the first time that someone got the Phoenix prize twice, but still I'm very happy with Jarek's victory as he deserved it." – Jan Gradon

Jarek Struczynski(left) and Marc Hamel(right) joust(photo by J. Javier Camacho)

Jan Gradon(left) and Jezz Smith(right) jousting(photo by Brad Holderman)

More photos of the tilting by J. Javier Camacho(click to embiggen):

Photos of the tilting by Brad Holderman(click to embiggen):

During the course of the tournament, Marc Hamel, who had originally traveled to the event with the intention of being the non-competitive Knight of Mercy, ended up competing in the place of several jousters in both the tilt and the Pole Axe duels. Marc was already in California when David Young notified TotP that he was not going to be able to compete due to an injured hand. Marc had not brought his own distinctive armour, but was willing to compete in David's place if a suit of armour could be found to fit him. Fortunately, one of Jeffrey Hedgecock's old sets of armour fit Marc quite well, so he was able to step in and take David's place as a competitor.

Marc Hamel in Jeffrey Hedgecock's old jousting armour and shield(photo by Brad Holderman)

Later, during the pole axe combat, he not only fought his own/David's duels, he also stepped in to fight in place of Jan Gradon and Jezz Smith when they were unable to continue. Marc tied for first place in the pole axe competition with Jarek Struczynski and Jan Gradon(Marc obviously did a good job as Jan's champion).

Jarek Struczynski(left) and Marc Hamel(right) in a pole axe duel(photo by J. Javier Camacho)

More pictures of the pole axe duels by J. Javier Camacho(click to embiggen):

Here is what Marc Hamel had to say about the tournament:

“It was a great tournament. David Young let me ride his horse Hardy in his place, and the first session was excellent. We went for the poleaxe session – I was trying to forget that famous hit in the face that I received last year. I made all my 4 duels plus 2 others for Jan Gradon and Jezz Smith (they were too exhausted). Let's just say that I didn't rest much.

The second session of jousting was more tough. Jarek and I hit on each other like trains, and I injured my hand seriously and had to withdraw for the remainder of the session. The second day was good as well. Jarek and Jan were at the top of their game. As for me, I couldn't break my lances with efficiency, but I kept going because I could still provide a good target for my opponents.

A lance shatters against Marc Hamel's ecranche during the joust(photo by J. Javier Camacho)

I want to raise my lance for Wouter Nicolai. On the scoring board he may have finished last, but he rode a horse who was not easy to ride and never took any chances to break his lances unless it was perfect. I think of him as an excellent technician, with a great sense of honor, with clean runs every time. Jarek won the tournament with grace and humility, and I hope to be like him one day.” – Marc Hamel

Based on his honourable behavior throughout the tournament, Wouter Nicolai of the Netherlands was chosen to receive the Chivalry Award for 2013.

Wouter Nicolai, Chivalry Award(photo by Clarence Alford Photography)

Here is what Wouter had to say about the tournament and winning the Award of Chivalry:

"Participating at "The Tournament of the Phoenix" was a very good experience. I found it both a fun and a high quality event. I found it very difficult to adjust my riding style to a western horse(Spot). Despite my problems riding Spot, I found him an exceptionally good horse for jousting and melee. He is brave and responds well. While I enjoy doing jousting competitions, I am not really a competitive jouster. The reason that I joust is because I like the history of the tournament. I try to get as close as possible to experience a 15th century tournament. This makes the Chivalry Award for me personally the most significant prize. I am greatly honoured to be chosen to receive it." – Wouter Nicolai

As part of the overall tournament competition, there was also a mounted melee which was fought using wooden clubs. Jeffrey Hedgecock earned the most points during the mounted melee.

Jarek Struczynski(left) and Jeffrey Hedgecock(right) exchange blows during the mounted melee
(photo by Brad Holderman)

More pictures of the mounted melee by Brad Holderman and J. Javier Camacho(click to embiggen):

A short video of the mounted melee:

Post by Tournament Of The Phoenix.

Tournament of the Phoenix 2013: Mounted Melee(video from the Tournament of the Phoenix Facebook page)

The final scores of "The Tournament of the Phoenix 2013"
(photo from the Tournament of the Phoenix Facebook page)

The jousters of "The Tournament of the Phoenix 2013"
Left to Right: Wouter Nicolai, Jezz Smith, Jan Gradon, Jarek Struczynski, Jeffrey Hedgecock and Marc Hamel (photo by Brad Holderman)

In addition to the six jousters who competed in the main jousting tournament, there were six other competitors who participated in a Mounted Skill at Arms competition. Joel Hill of USA won the MSA competition.

Joel Hill stabs the "pig" during the MSA competition(photo by J. Javier Camacho)

Here is what Joel Hill had to say about the Mounted Skill at Arms competition:

"The competitors[main jousters] did not participate but rather acted as our mentors, gave us advice and cheered for us. Ann Schilling was the only competitor to hit the boar with the crossbow which was a big accomplishment." – Joel Hill

Ann Shilling during the MSA competition(photo by Brad Holderman)

The final scores of the MSA competition
(photo from the Tournament of the Phoenix Facebook page)

You can see more pictures from the tournament in the Tournament of the Phoenix 2013 album in Brad Holderman's Flickr account.

Joust For Fun: Aussie Jousting

This one is for all the jousters down under.

Kangaroo joust(image by unknown)

I found this fun image posted on Facebook. If anyone knows who created it, please let me know so that they can be given proper credit.