The Grand Tournament of St. Wendel trailer

The thunder of hooves, the crack of breaking lances and the sharp ringing of swords hitting armour... all sights and sounds from a past era, the time of emperor Maximilian I, the 'wise king'

In honour of the 500 year anniversary of the visit of emperor Maximilian the city of Sankt Wendel organizes a grand authentic knightly tournament. The best jousters in the world, from three continents and seven countries, were invited to a competition at the highest sporting level of a quality that hasn't been seen for hundreds of years.

These will meet in this line up for the first time, to compete with one another in strength, honour and horsemanship and to determine the worlds' best knightly jouster of our time.

As opposed to the 'spectacles' and especially stunt shows often seen these days, the tournament at Sankt Wendel will be an actual combat without a choreography. The best man actually will win!

The riders will fight with authentic sharp weapons, the best equipment and noblest horses, trained under the leadership of the Fürstliche Hofreitschule in Bückeburg. These horses, trained for years in the 'Haute ecole' dressage have been specifically prepared for this moment in the spotlights in order to honour the war and tournament horses of the medieval and renaissance times.

The competitors are altogether extremely well trained riders and fighters, who are experts in this field. One of the riders, for instance, is also committed to this theme in his civil life. With a PhD for his internationally acclaimed work in arms and armour research, with a focus on the medieval and renaissance tournament material, as well as weapons and armour from this particular period.

The tournament will take place on three consecutive days (Friday through Sunday; 31st of August - 2nd of September 2012)

http://www.turnier.sankt-wendel.de/