White Oak District

Jousting

Maryland’s Official State Sport

(Version 2023-0406)

Lead: Troop TBD (Marvin Arthur—volunteer to help me!)

Who: Scout BSA Troops.

What:

• Jousting was a traditional sport that was engaged by the kings in Medieval and Middle Age times, and the one which became the official sport of State of Maryland in the year 1962.
• A traditional ring joust is a test of skill and “horsemanship” where riders pass through a series of arches, attempting to spear three dangling rings and present them to the judges.
• There are three regulation rides for three rings, allowing a knight or maid to capture nine rings for a perfect score.
• In keeping with the traditions of Jousting within the State of Maryland, participants are known as “knights” or “maids”. Participants should choose a fitting name for themselves, such as “Sir Knight of Silver Spring” or “Maid of Cloverly”. Use your keen imagination.
• Starting ring diameters range from about one and three quarter inches.
• Tie-off rides can be conducted with rings as small as one quarter inch in diameter.
   

When: Saturday, May 13, 2023; 1:30pm till about 5:00pm

Where: Colesville Presbyterian Church, 1200 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20904

Event procedures:

• Build yourself a wooden “push horse” with 4-wheels that may be pushed by two scouts safely and ridden by one scout. (See example designs in this flyer; add push design)
• Dress as a knight or maid to be a rider and compete in the jousting. Wear a bike helmet for safety.
• A troop may enter one knight/maid per active patrol.
• Make a lance from a “broom stick”, not to exceed 4-ft in length, fitted with a 16D nail as the point.
   

Event Cost: $20.00 per Troop

Event rules:

• Event scoring will include:
  • Best horse (looks like a horse)
  • Best dressed Knight/Maid
  • Best speed
  • Number of rings collected
     

The “horse” will be pushed by 2-scouts about 30-feet, where the “horse” must meet “full gallop” and the Knight/Maid must spear a series of 3-rings along the run.

Three “rides” with the most collected rings out of 9-rings

Sample Horse Design above. Also consider “rocking” horses and wheels

Approximate “saddle” height should be about 2-ft 6-in.

Horse design and size is completely at the rider’s discretion.

Be sure to add a “bar” to push the horse.