Championship 2024

"My inspiration for this year draws on the 14th century story The Knights Tale (Canterbury Tales) by Chaucer. In this work, Palamon and Arcite both proclaim their love for Emelye. They fall out of friendship as they engage in a bloody duel, but Theseus arrives to put an end to their unchivalrous behavior. Theseus is convinced to be merciful and, having forgiven them, proposes a grand tournament to settle their dispute instead.

Overview of Equestrian Competition Challenges:

 Riding pattern

 Quintain

 Archery (w/ Reeds-style alternate choice)

 Javelin

Detailed Competition Elements:

Riding Pattern:

With each side having amassed 100 of their finest knights, there was great festivity and a grand procession throughout the city. To represent this, riders will introduce themselves and their horse before riding a pattern. The pattern will draw from Ride Before a Prince elements and may be completed at any gait.

Quintain:

Festivities and pageantry abounded throughout Athens leading up to the tournament. The armies danced and jousted with heroic fashion in the days beforehand. Therein, riders will be asked to demonstrate their prowess with a lance by tilting against the quintain.

Archery Task (or Alternate Reeds Option):

Before the tournament, Palamon, Emelye, and Arcite prayed at the temples of Venus, Diana, and Mars respectively. For the competition, riders will be asked to shoot a single target, symbolic of Emelye's visit to Diana's altar. Due to the special authorizations and training for mounted archery, riders may choose to wield a sword or 'torch' and complete a reeds-style element to light the altar instead.

Javelin Task:

Theseus gathered the knights the morning of the tournament and proclaimed: "Ne no man shal unto his felawe ryde but o cours with a sharpe ygrounde spere." He desired no loss of life, and therefore ruled that each knight astride a horse would be limited to the use of spears. Riders in the competition will demonstrate their prowess by throwing a single javelin into a target.