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"The Sport of Kings."
Did you know that Loudoun County Virginia has a NATIONAL sporting competition?
Mt. Zion Church in Aldie, Virginia, is home to the annual NATIONAL competition event of the National Jousting Association.
It is here on the second Saturday in each October that the reigning year-long National Champion Jouster wins their title.
This year's competition will be held from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, on Saturday, October 11, 2008. Free admission - free parking. All ages are welcome. Bring a lawn chair, but no pets please.
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A jousting
competitor at the 2007 Mount Zion National Championship
attempts to spear 3 rings in a row at a full gallop.
The size of the rings are sometimes no larger than
a Life-Saver candy.
Photo by Haymarket Joe Photography |
The thrill of a rider and horse thundering down the track with the skill and precision
to "pick off" three small rings IS the present day sport of
jousting! Even though the origin of the sport is more than
160 years old in this country (see
the History of Jousting), there has been a recent revival
in interest and participation in "The Sport of Kings." Jousting
is the State Sport of Maryland and now includes clubs
from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Participants are from all backgrounds and all ages and compete
in four different skill levels.
When most people think of jousting, they think of the medieval knights charging against one another for a fair maiden's hand.
What the King figured out early, was that he lost a lot of good knights to injury that way! Tournament jousting (just called "tournament" in the early days) was the result.
Tournament was a way for knights to prove their combat skill and horsemanship, yet avoid unnecessary risk of injury.
Today, jousting (or ring jousting) is a more recreational sport, yet the competitive spirit of the knights and maidens remains alive and well.
It is not uncommon for participants and spectators alike to nervously watch and cheer as their favorites take their charge!
Riders from all five states participate in several of the larger tournaments during a season that starts in April
and culminates in State and National Championship Tournaments in October.
Each state (and region) involved also have smaller, local tournaments throughout the summer
and each come adorned with "bragging rights" for that season!! Local communities get in the act as well,
some sponsoring local tournaments, craft fairs, bake sales and art shows as part of a community event!
Browse these pages to see why so many are enjoying this
equestrian sport with the flavor of the past! Check out
our schedule
for more information on actual tournaments. A full listing
of Jousting events is now available. Visit our Jousting
Hall of Fame located in Natural Chimneys Regional Park,
Mt. Solon, (Augusta County), Virginia. You can go online
and get directions to visit us in person. If you are interested
in participating, visit the Learn
to Joust page. Enjoy your visit and please feel free
to e-mail us with any questions that you may have about
"The Sport of Kings."
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