Jousting Tournament

Third Saturday in June and second Sunday in October

Sponsored by the National Jousting Hall of Fame and held since 1823 in Mount Solon, Va., this tournament for "knights" on horseback is reputed to be America's oldest continuous sporting event. The tourney, recalling the knights of old, is held at the Natural Chimneys Regional Park, where rock formations resemble castle towers.
Jousting contestants gallop full-tilt down an 80-yard course as they try to spear and pluck with their lances three steel rings from crossbars; this exercise is called "running at the ring." The rings are as small as 1 + 4 " in diameter.
Jousting has been practiced in the United States since the 17th century. Tournaments are also held in Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, but the Virginia spectacle is the oldest and the most prestigious. Accompanied by parties, these are high social points of the year. About 150 jousters run at the rings at the Mount Solon tournaments.

CONTACTS:
National Jousting Association
P.O. Box 14
Mount Solon, VA 22843
888-336-1861 or 434-983-2989
www.nationaljousting.com

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