Jousting

Australia competes with Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and New Zealand at jousting competitions around the world. They all are in the International Jousting Association, or IJA. Jousting first began around about the 10th century C.E. The first IJA competition was between Australia and New Zealand in 1999. They try to joust in the same style as the way medieval knights used to, even though it is present day. The goal is the same: they try to break their lance, or weapon, on their opponent. Although the competitors wear armor, they still get hurt. Judges give points for how well you hit the opponent with the lance. Australia’s team’s name is “Order of Ye Black Pryns.” Some would say that bloodshed, connects the countries, if only through jousting. The Full Tilt, the organizer of the battling, changes the time period from time to time. Now, they joust in the 15th and 16th century style instead of the 14th century style. They joust as squires would in the beginning, then they joust as knights would. People joust to entertain others for weddings, television or movie productions, or school shows. They only need an area of 10 by 60 meters to perform. It can be a competition as well as a performance. “Knights” from all around the world compete against each other. The current world champion, Sir Justin Holland, lives in Australia. There are only eight “knights” that compete in worldwide tournaments such as the Abbey Medieval Tournament.