A total of 80 yards. Standard time to complete the course is 9 seconds in every class except Novice which is not timed. Some are just boards nailed to convenient trees so the iron may be suspended over the track. Some arches have a supporting post on each side of the track, while others are half arches with only one post and an arm out to hold the iron. Some arches are cemented permanently into the ground while others are portable.
Some people prefer the portable type of arches for several reasons.
They may be moved from one site to another with very little trouble, so that if a track becomes too deep a new one may be started. They may also be transported to other locations when holding a joust or exhibition. The coupling consists of three short pieces of 1 inch pipe, each ten inches long. These are welded with the one in the center. A cap is welded to the end to close it.