Jousting returns to Poway this weekend
By Pat Kumpan
The Poway Valley Riders Association arena will once again be transformed into a scene from “A Knight’s Tale” on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as six armoured knights meet for an international competition, the Tournament of the Phoenix.
Competitors will accumulate points as they pit themselves against each other in foot combat with axes, mounted melee, and four sessions of jousting. Other events include archery contests with costumed archers using traditional bows and arrows.
Gwen Nowrick and Jeffrey Hedgecock, event sponsors of Historic Enterprises in Ramona, mix an educational aspect of the sport into the competition, which allows spectators to get a better understanding of jousting, he said.
“Most people have the misconception that the point is to knock the other person off the horse,” Nowrick said. “Breaking the wooden lance on your opponent’s shield is the main goal.”
The event will also showcase the “Festival of History,” where over 100 members of the Southwest’s Living History associations will present a living time line of history spanning from Rome through the European Renaissance.
“Hands on History” will offer activities for all ages, and vendors will have a variety of goods and food.
The preview day will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with jousting at 1:30 p.m. this Friday at PVRA, 14336 Tierra Bonita Road, Poway. All tickets are $10 at the gate, or $8 in advance.
Weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with jousting at noon and again at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday this weekend.
There will be six scored events over the course of two days, which makes this a medieval triathlon, according to Nowrick.
Competitors from the U.S., England and Poland will battle it out for the Phoenix prize. Various equestrian displays, falconry, music games and activities are part of the festivities.
During competition days ticket prices are as follows:
• A one-day adult ticket is $18 at the gate, or $15 in advance, while a full weekend ticket is $30 at the gate, or $25 in advance.
• A ticket for senior citizens, (62-plus) military or children (5-12) for one day is $15 at the gate, or $12 in advance, while a full weekend ticket for the same age groups is $25 at the gate, or $20 in advance. Children 4 and under are free.
• A family four-pack for a day is $60 at the gate, $49 in advance, while a full weekend ticket is $99 at the gate, $86 in advance.
For more details, call 760-789-2299 or visit historicenterprises.com.