Jousting returns for a bout of thrilling fun!

The warhorses toss their heads nervously, stamping their hooves at either end of the jousting field. The crowd falls silent, holding its breath in anticipation. Even the frantic squires stand still as a sense of impending collision fills the arena. The knights remain motionless on their steeds, each gripping a hefty 12-foot lance aimed directly at their opponent across the field. Within their heavy armor, it’s dark, hot, and suffocating—a claustrophobic cocoon. Their view is restricted to a small slit in their helmets, just a quarter-inch thick and a few inches wide. The massive neck protection forces them to rely on their senses to feel the giant horse beneath them. They can’t lean forward to see its head, nor can they reach the reins if they slip. All they have is the distant figure of their opponent at the far end of the long, winding track.

With a signal from the marshal and the roar of the crowd, the horses charge. In an instant, they spring from a standstill into a powerful gallop. As they close the distance with a thunderous clatter and a blur of color, the knight braces himself, tightening his grip on the lance. The impact comes suddenly with a loud splintering of wood and a jarring shock to his chest. The world spins, and for a fleeting moment, all he can see is the blue sky through the thin slit of his helm, before crashing to the earth with a bone-jarring thud. As the noise of hooves and the roar of the crowd fades, he lies motionless, the pain in his chest radiating through his body, sweat stinging his eyes.

Welcome to the world of jousting—part history lesson, part rodeo, part demolition derby. ALL REAL.