Ring Jousting

Jousting is Maryland's official state sport.  The modern day form of jousting, Ring Jousting, is unlike traditional jousting as there is no duel between two riders.  However, the modern day form still  requires the rider have exceptional skill and horsemanship.  This usually takes many years of practice for both the rider and his horse.  This sport provides each rider an opportunity to charge at the rings 3 times.  Since there are 3 rings, this gives the rider a chance to spear a total of 9 rings.  These rings, ranging in size from 1 3/4" - 1/4", are suspended from arches in a track the length of 80 yards.  The size of the ring is dependent upon the  rider's class.  There are 5 classes:  Leadline, Novice, Amateur, Semi-Professional and Professional.  Novice riders are not timed but must maintain a gait greater than a walk.  Subsequent classes are timed and may not take longer than 8-9 seconds, depending on the location of the joust.  Each rider, in keeping with tradition, is given a title.  Meadowbrook Farms is proud of our jousters;  "Knight of Cherry Creek", "Knight of River Rat", "Maid of Purple Passion", and "Knight of Atlanta".