Jousting hits world stage at Lardner
The thunder of hooves and the clash of wood and metal will dominate at Lardner Park in June next year when it is transformed to a medieval kingdom for the World Jousting Championships.
Fuelled by the popularity of shows like Game of Thrones, solid lance jousting is experiencing a renaissance as medieval festivals across the globe stage real-life competitions.
On Saturday, visitors to Lardner Park’s Harvest Fest 2018 gained a glimpse of what is in store as three of the jousters competing in next year’s World Jousting Championship smashed it up.
Australia is one of the leading nations driving jousting’s resurgence, boasting reigning world champion Phillip Leitch from Ballarat. Knights from England, France, Canada, Norway and the Netherlands will vie with Phillip and two fellow Australian qualifiers for the crown.
The inaugural World Jousting Championship took place at Sydney’s St Ives Medieval Faire in 2016. The St Ives tournament, together with the Tournament of St Michel (France) and Tournament of St George (Russia), are key qualifying events for the world championship also known as the ‘Three Saints Tournaments’.
The World Jousting Championship, at Lardner Park on June 1 and 2 next year, will offer visitors a complete medieval village, full flight birds of prey, Viking battles, a knightly foot tournament, archery, a trebuchet and even a Shakespearean tavern.
Solid lance jousting is the original extreme sport as practised by medieval nobility. Originating in the 11th century as cavalry training, jousting evolved into the high tournament of the 15th century.
The basic concept of the event is unchanged from medieval times: two armour-clad opponents charge at each other on horses at speeds estimated at 40mph while wielding 11-foot-long wooden lances. The goal is to break your lance on your opponent’s shield.
Lardner Park chief executive officer Nicola Pero said Lardner Park hosted more than 100 events each year, but the World Jousting Championship would go down as one of the most unique.
“Based on similar events held overseas, we expect up to 10,000 visitors each day to step back in time and sample food, music and activities that ruled when England’s first Queen Elizabeth reigned,” she said.
Event organiser Andrew McKinnon said they were excited about bringing the incredible bone-shaking spectacle of jousting to Gippsland.
“The World Jousting Championship isn’t just for show. It is the original extreme sport. Each competitor is a world class competitor, coming from France, Germany, England, Norway, Canada, Russia and of course Australia.
The event is being supported by Baw Baw Shire and Latrobe Valley Authority.
Mayor Mikaela Power said council had set its sights on attracting world-class events to the region and the World Jousting Championship certainly fits the bill.
“It will be a wonderful experience for visitors of all ages and will put us on the map as a destination for hosting major events,” she said.
Tickets are on sale now at www.worldjoustingchampionship.com.au