Relive a sport that is 900 years old: jousting.  Founders of the American Jousting Federation, the Ravenswood School of Jousting is located in Alamogordo, New Mexico.  Karl Anderson, the owner of the school kindly took the time to answer some questions regarding the school and jousting.

Have you always been interested in horses and when did your interest in jousting begin?
I have always loved horses, and all animals for that matter. I became interested in jousting around 2000, but the opportunity to actually start a school did not happen until 2005 when I was living in Washington.

How much of your day/week is hands on with horses?
I try to spend at least 2 or 3 days each week working with horses.

As a business offering the service of teaching jousting to others, is it possible for someone to be a full time professional, earning a livable income?
Perhaps someday that might be possible, but at the present it seems to be seasonal, and therefore, part-time. I think as more people find out about our school, we may very well develop a waiting list for students. One of my goals is to develop an on-site living situation with chuck wagon meals, which would make it easier for students to travel from longer distances for an all-inclusive package (tuition, boarding, and meals). As for a “liveable income” — I think it is possible — with enough marketing, good horses, and good staff.

What are some of the necessities for running such an operation? Was it difficult to set up?
Sound horses, good staff, and liability insurance are all essential to such an operation. And of course, a passion for it is key as well. You have to love what you do — no matter what it is — in order to make it an enjoyable experience for others. If you get burned out, it will show in your teaching.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing this horse related discipline? Are there opportunities to compete?
I would encourage anyone who is interested to take our courses. But that is only the beginning. Practice has to continue, both for rider and horse. An excellent place for someone to compete is at the World Jousting Finals, held each year in Estes Park, Colorado. They offer a handsome purse for that competition, which is broken down into Heavy (full) Armor Class, and Light Armor Class. We hope to one day establish a competitive event in New Mexico as well.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
I am always up for learning more about horses. As animals, they are each as different as people are, so getting to know each horse on an individual basis (i.e. their disposition, character, loves, and fears) is something I enjoy. Endurance riding is something I am interested in trying.

Favourite horse memory?
I think my favorite horse memory is when I rode Freya, a 17.2 hand Percheron mare, in a parade on the Oregon coast during their 4th of July Jubilee Parade. When I was being positioned in the parade (#5 spot), I learned there were going to be 2 Scottish Bagpipers right in front of me, and there was a 40-foot fire truck 2 entries behind me — that was going to be blaring its horn and sirens throughout the event.
As I was sitting on her, waiting for the parade to begin, a lady walked up to inform me — out of courtesy –that she was unloading 4 llamas from a trailer about 20 feet from where we were. When the llamas came out of the trailer, Freya simply ignored them. Then during the parade, as the bagpipers finished each piece, she whinnied! The fire truck’s noise didn’t matter to her at all. She was a big hit, and I was really proud of her. It was her first parade ever, and she passed with flying colors!

Future goals?
The current issue of RENAISSANCE MAGAZINE features a story about our school. I think this will hopefully establish that waiting list for students we have envisioned and hoped for. Other future magazines articles will also help, I am sure. Getting the word out is what it’s all about, along with providing a safe experience that students will truly enjoy.

Best thing about your sport/profession?
I think the best thing about doing this is seeing the reactions that students have to simply accomplishing it, and the pride they have in their horse, or in the horse they are using for the class, and how the horse takes them through it all.
For a lot of people, trail riding becomes “old hat” — and they want something new and different to do with their horse. Jousting certainly offers that, and Ravenswood School of Jousting is an excellent place to do it!

“Feeling down? Saddle up, Its the only cure.”

tag: jousting, equestrian event, horseriding, equine association, renaissance fair

A horse lover since childhood, JoAnn S. Dawson lives with her husband Ted and their two sons on a horse farm in Maryland, where they operate a bed & breakfast and offer riding lessons, carriage rides, horse shows and a summer camp. She teaches Equine Science at a local college and is an actress and animal wrangler for film and television. Originally self-published, the Lucky Foot Stable series was a finalist for three national book awards.

Have you always been interested in horses and what are you currently doing work wise that relates to them?
I’ve loved horses since age 6 when my dad brought home a pony and told me to go round up the cows.  That was learning by doing!  Currently I own a riding stable and B&B, and lease another barn for trail rides.  (45 horses altogether)

We do lessons, pony rides, horse-drawn carriages, hayrides, summer camp, and trail rides.  My husband and I also teach equine courses at the nearby college and wrangle horses and other animals for film and TV.  I am an actress, member of SAG and AFTRA, and have had principal roles in film and TV.

How much of your day/week is hands on with horses?
I am hands-on with the horses every day for at least a couple of hours.

What are the general steps taken to get published as an author?
I began by self-publishing and worked very hard to get my books out on the market, then my series was picked up by Sourcebooks, after which I wrote a fourth book.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing writing about their love of horses and turning it into an income?
Horses are an endless source of inspiration and stories and are well loved by many people.  Animal stories in general, if well told, are always appealing to a large audience.  The love of horses comes easy; the writing ability is a gift.  I would suggest writing down your experiences with horses, turning them into a workable manuscript and getting honest opinions before looking for a publisher.

Is there anything else with horses you’d love to learn about or try?
I always wanted to foxhunt, I’ll get around to it someday!

Favourite horse memory?
My favorite horse “story” concerns my own horse, Painted Warrior.  I bought him at an auction when I was eight months pregnant with my third son.  I was not planning on buying  a horse that day but I saw him standing in the aisle (he had broken loose from his lead rope) and it was love at first sight.  I later found out how difficult his behavior was because he had been abused.  He was not mean at all, but distrustful, head shy, terrified, impossible to catch in the field, etc…
After years of patient care and training, he is now the best horse on the planet (in my opinion!)  He is 26 years old but still giving riding lessons, jumping 2’6”, doing trail rides, and acting like he’s 10.   It’s been a miracle to see him develop.

Future goals?
My future goals are to continue in the horse business and write more books!

Best thing about your sport/profession?
The best thing about this profession is working with a variety of different horses, being my own boss, meeting fascinating people through the B&B, working outside, and running a popular and well-respected business.

“A dog may be man’s best friend…But the horse wrote history.”

tag: equine novel, horse writing, horse book, bed and breakfast, horse courses, carriage rides