One of the most thrilling events at the annual Doña Ana Arts Council Renaissance ArtsFaire is a competition between brave knights mounted on their fearless steeds. Jousting is a way for knights to show off their courage and skill on horseback and you can see it in action at this year’s faire, November 5 and 6 at Young Park.
The Order of Epona is a troupe of expert equestrians based in Fort Collins, Colorado, who travel to Renaissance fairs to bring these ancient tournaments to life. Their riders, like Knights of the Round Table, are mostly men, but they also have fair maidens who choose to fight the good fight rather than simply present a favor to the winner of the match. Jousting takes place on horseback, but the performance also includes daring sword battles.
Jeremy Johnson, who along with Dave Batzer founded the Knights of Epona, says, “Both horse and rider must be physically fit. Knights must undergo a minimum of one year basic training until riding becomes second nature. That way the knight can focus on lance and shield control, which in itself take a few months to master. Our noble steeds must also undergo training in the basics and only if they have the correct mindset will they get to continue on. Safety first and foremost.”
Jousting in days of old could certainly result in fatalities or severe injuries, the goal was to strike the opponent with the lance and even knock the other knight from his horse. The knights of the Order of Epona work hard to keep it safe for horse and rider while making it exciting for the audience. “The knights will fall off from the force of the hit or a staged fall from time to time, but they are well padded and have protective gear. Learning how to fall is also key. It is an extreme sport and one does know that before entering the list. With that said, any equestrian sport can be dangerous; it’s literally the nature of the beast,” Johnson explains.
The horses used by the Order of Epona are not your average riding horses. These are large, sturdy steeds capable of carrying a fully-armored knight into battle. Johnson says they use Shires and Gypsy Cobs, both draft horse breeds most people rarely see in person. Think of a horse about the size of the Budweiser Clydesdales and you’ll be on the right track.
While the humans get to choose to do this exciting work, the horses are chosen. Do they enjoy it, too? Johnson says, “Miss Brina, Sir Ronan's black Shire mare, loves to joust. She will give the other horses dirty looks and will put her shoulder in the hit.”
Horses and riders will line up opposite each other on their own sides of the list, or barrier, and charge at high speed, with lances at the ready. That’s the moment when all their training and preparation will pay off, with only one knight being proclaimed the winner.
Johnson sums it up by saying, “Giving people an experience, happy memories, smiles and cheers — that’s why we do what we do.”
The Order of Epona will perform twice daily, 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.
The 45th Annual Renaissance ArtsFaire at Young Park is open Saturday, November 5, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, November 6, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person at the gate with children 12 and under entering for free. (Tickets are also available on-line, with a small convenience fee, at www.riograndetheatre.com). Young Park is located just south of Lohman Ave. on Walnut St. in Las Cruces. For easy parking, there is a “Royal Carriage” (free park-and-ride shuttle) running every 15 minutes from the south-west corner of the Mesilla Valley Mall parking lot. More information may be found online at www.daarts.org or by calling (575) 523-6403.