The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-06
~ ,srred field with it's array OF armored

..h,s encCIntrllnR edcn otneI WIN iaHSe'
'Ds and batileAxe for the favor of their
p H.. s,,sts only in history, but the tourna-
s,iu lives IN the United Stltes True,
s s'r. Of mail and visor have disappeared
~. o,ber accom- ailments Of medieval
VS. hut the modern knight is attended
= his squire and tutors and lists. hoping
vim one honor by making the lady he
..,,ro the queen of the day by feats Of
orsenlanship
Tho modern tournament is sport Pc
ala, 70 the Southern States, Before the
w., courses we're laid out in Kentucky and
.enpessee where some OF the best horses
,om the famous stock farms of these
hates were ri .den by noted horse men.
Since the war, however, the custom
a, become almost obsolete in that part
4 the South, but modern chilvary is
MI practised in the country along the
h,onsc and James rivers.
In Maryland, and her sister State. Vir-
dnia the country gentlemen may still be
ouud, preserving part of their easy-going,
nort-loving Gust oms Of old times. They
etsn a, least a few hunters in their stables
nd enough guns and dogs to ent ertain the
,olss parties of friends to whom their
bors are open in the hunting season.
The love of the tournament has descended
rom English ancestors. Many of the coun-
~ seats within few miles of Baltimore
ave courses on which yearly one or more
tournaments are arranged.
Adeld Of FIVE or six acres is chosen, with
DUMPS of trees affording shade for the
pectators
The course of a quarter OF mile is laid
nut in a straight line. On it are erected
1 equal distances three wooden arches.
rom the centre of each is suspended an
ron rod. At thu bottom of the rod is
dutch loosely holding an ivory ring. These
. inss vary from one to two and half inches
diameter inside.
The arch is sufficiently wide and high to
low an expert horseman to pass through
without touching the sides or top. he
must, however. avoid the iron rod from
rhich the ring is suspended, by bending to
ne side. The ring may be raised or low
red TO suit the mount Of the contestant,
nd the rings are so placed that each is
bout on level with the top Of the riders
houders
Beside each arch small stand is usually
rected for the Judge, who can tell whether
be horseman rides fairly or not. Some
lines the arches are decorated with ever
ueen and few flags, but this practise
dying out, and except for the marshal,
rntor and attendants, there Is little OF the
mblematc in the event.
The marshal, who has entire charge OF
be days proceedings. is elected with two
4 three assistants He In turn selects
quires, who supply the contestants with
~ A4oes desired, and move up and down
aylrse with their horses. keeping the
brGa at a proper distance
'Duf .ng the riding the marshal occupies
. paA near the starting point and gives
NJ vi rd to the riders.
yheS riders, all expert horsemen, are
suaNy attired in black coats, with hunt
lg boots and white canvas or corduroy
ro,lsers They wear crimson sashcs across
heir shoulders. meeting under the Left
Ann The plumes with which the hats
we're formerly decorated are seldom seen
except In what are known as the farm
tournaments.
The preliminaries being arranged and
he list of entries closed, the procession
which opens the contest starts. First come
he marshal and his assistants, then fol
ow the sql.ires, and last Of all the knights
Gtins two and two,
Each the knights assumes title, some.
lines taking the name Of county seat
pr some noted farm or plantation IN the
vicinity Among the .well-known titles
Maryland and Virginia are such as My
Lady's Manor, Beaumont, '-Loch Raven,
The Severn, -Loudoun, "Fauquier" and
Mount Vernon
The procession passes down the course
.mid the cheers of the assemblage ano
he music Of the band.
Knight Of Loudoun prepare to charge
alls the marshal
The knight selects his lance, rides te
the starting point which Ia about 300 feet
from the first ring, and poises his lance
30 that rs tip is as nearly as possible on
level with the row of rings. he raises Il
with his right hand about three feet bach
81 the tip. holding i, firmly in his armpit
|, The position is somewhat similar to that
taken by sportsme in shooting zone
handed"
Charge" cries the marshal
The horse, which has been trained to the
spolr, starts at gait between run anc
last trot Horse aud rider must be as
Steady as possible TO guide the point OF
NE lance inside the ring. and carry 1t from
rs support. The knight starts the horse
at the top Of his speed, and the first ring
ssecured amid the cheers Of the spectators
POSSIBLY the horse sweryes a little anc
causes him to miss the second, but he con
'uhles ard, # fortunate en- Tough, carries
away ne third on the tip Of the lance
~Hnmg TWO out of three, Checking his
morse as soon as possible he rides slowly
Jack ard prepares for his next turn.
As soon as he starts down the course the
marshal orders the next knight TO prepare
charge, and the latter takes his place
starting at the word He may secure one
ing or all or possibly none, Ii Deepen d.
4o' only on his own skill but on the horse
nerve Tor many a fine animl which would
Vac tne PRIZE IN jumping contest or come
Oi' ahead IN race il too nervous ano
"e'IYe 70 he successful here
e"ft riding Is required, for the time
'''o"Td % man 10 cover the course is only
Jew seconds In order 10 capture the
"ree fngs be- must not allow his lance
k''h' 70 vary two inches from its pois'
NAs the entire run. slight swerv,
'ay lose noi ouly one but all.
'''h There Is danger Of the ring slipping
rom fh' point, az u frequently does TIN
Atea gruIuaII,. ,t,Iar,,o- .o tbat m. rim.