Loxwood Joust backing bid for jousting to be made an Olympic sport

The Loxwood Joust is a medieval-themed fun day out based at Loxwood Meadow - the UK’s only permanent jousting arena - off the B2133 between Wisborough Green and Loxwood.

Maurice Bacon, organiser for the Loxwood Joust said: “We have had to extend our event from one weekend to two weekends in August due to the popularity of this jousting event, so we fully recognise the importance of this bid and how popular this sport is.

“As the owners of the only permanent jousting site in the country, we wholeheartedly back the petition to have jousting recognised as an Olympic sport.”

Although most people associate jousting with the idea of chivalric knights and their adoring maidens, the use of heavy cavalry – armoured warriors on horseback - was a vital battlefield weapon in medieval times.

Jousting originally provided these knights with practical, hands-on preparation in horsemanship, accuracy and combat simulations, and kept them in fighting shape between battles.

What was initially intended purely as military training quickly became a form of popular entertainment which is still enjoyed today. The skill, showmanship and dedication required to achieve this can only help to make jousting a very strong candidate for the Olympics.

Taking place on August 6, 7, 13, and 14, The Loxwood Joust offers a programme of medieval revelry, with fast-paced, all action jousting tournaments headlining each day’s events, along with displays of weaponry, archery and cannon fire as fully armoured knights meet in a thunderous battles.

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