The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-24

two The procession passes down the
course to the starting point amid the
cheers of the assemblage and the music
of bands stationed at both ends of the
field.
The course consists Of a series OF three
wooden archways draped with flags and
bunting. From the centre Of each arch
is suspended an iron rod. To the end of
this an ivory ring is fastened so loosely
that a mere touch of the lance tip will
knock it off The arches stand in a
straight row, one hundred feet from each
other, the rings being about level with
the riders shoulders.
Knight of Loudoun. prepare to charge"
calls the marshal. The knight" selects
her lance, rides to the starting point.
which is about three hundred feet from
the first ring, and poises her lance so that
its tip is as nearly IS possible on level
with the row of rings to be secured. She
grasps it about three feet back from the
tip in her right hand, holding it firmly in
her arm-pit. The position is somewhat
similar to that taken by sportsmen in
shooting "one-handed" as it Is termed.
Charge" cries the marshal. The horse
STARTS at a cross between q run and a
fast trot. This IS a gait peculiar to the
tournament and can only be taught to the
horse at the cost OF months Of patient
effort. Both rider and mount must be
steady. for the point Of the lance has to
strike fairly in the centre OF the ring or
the attempt TO carry IL from its support
beneath the decorated archway is des-
tined to complete failure. Without an in
stant's pause for recovery the other rings
must be taken in the same way.
The charming feminine knight dainty
figure in her faultless riding habit,
charges furiously down the course. The
first ring is CALAMITY taken, and the au-
d.ence cheers. Possibly the horse swerves
and causes her to miss the second, but
she continues on. and by capturing the
third makes her record two out Of three
for the initial attempt
Checking her hrse as soon as possible.
she rides slowly back and prepares for her
next turn. But before she has had time 20
return 10 the starting point the marshal
has already given the word and another
rider is flying down the course. This Am
szon may be more successful and secure
all the rings. OF she may score an utter
failure So much depends on the action u
the horse that there is always present
thar element Of uncertainty which il the
chief charm OF any contest II is hard 70
get a horse with the proper nerve Many
q fine animal. which would take prizes
in jumping contests. IS too FESTIVE for
the strain of joustipg.
The swiftest riding IS required. for the
time allowed 70 cover the course r. but
few seconds. To capture an three rings
( the lance point cannot Be allowed 10 vary
more than two inches from its poiss dur
ing the entire run Then. even after the
ring hsS been landed. there IS the ever
present danger that u EIli slip from the
point. This frequently happens The
lance gradually snlarEes 50 that the rtnS
can slip back until 81 is firmly caught.
but even this precau;i0n dos not always
avail
As each ring IS Won OF lost Il = Scored
BY the judges. ard after each KNIGHT has
ridden three times. those who have taken
the smallest number % rings are crupP@d
oui and the rest bsgsn riding OF TIE
ties as u Is termed II large field q
contestants tea OF twelve are likely 20
secure al the FinSs during the frEt nd
suE 4 series - slightly smaller r4rSs
are then pat II the racks. ard each rider
= gwen three chances as before IN tbs
: way the spo-r cozt-ues ksSr sfter hoar.
unrA tire ae.d zarreEs down % Two CT
three competitors By deg-ees o1s SsisF
another loses. aid lie Last rs1e- 5 Vso-