Phillip Leitch won his second consecutive World Jousting Championship title aboard Valiant at Lardner Park.
The Birds of Prey exhibition was a fan favourite.
An epic weekend of medieval mayhem culminated in back-to-back World Jousting Championship titles for Victoria’s Phillip Leitch at Gippsland’s Lardner Park.
The brave Ballarat-based knight defeated Russian rival Sir Andrei Kamin by a single point in a ferocious final to claim the coveted golden chalice as 2019 champion.
Embracing his motto “Noa pavita” – don’t panic, the full time knight from Kryal Castle bested six other jousters aboard his stellar steed ‘Valiant’ before claiming a 4-3 victory in the final round.
“This is the hardest session I have ever experienced in historical lance jousting. It was an outstanding display of solid lance jousts and the hits across the competition were heavy; I feel honoured to win,’ Sir Phillip said.
“It was wonderful to see the crowds attending this event. Jousting is something which Australians really enjoy as they appreciate the horsemanship, the sportsmanship, and tough competition.”
Sir Marc Hamel of Canada finished third after being brutally unhorsed by Sir Andrei in the penultimate joust which concluded the match.
Sir Cliff Marisma was awarded fourth place and fifth went to Norwegian, Sir Per Estein Prois-Rohjell.
Almost 10,000 spectators, comprised of locals and travellers in equal measure with five per cent from interstate, travelled back in time to enjoy the sights and sounds of a past era recreated in painstaking detail over two captivating days.
An immersive pop-up medieval village complete with traders, artisans and historically accurate displays and demonstrations delighted all who travelled back in time for the weekend festivities.
Other activities included a grand parade and the Globe Inn – an ancient tavern serving traditional mead, archery and a Knights School for children, as well as birds of prey with swooping falcons and the powerful trebuchet, a massive catapult, originally created to destroy castle walls.
Vikings and foot soldiers also had their moments of triumph in the main arena, colliding on the battlefield in a breathtaking display of traditional warfare.
Knights demonstrated traditional foot combat as part of the weekend.
Event sponsors Latrobe Valley Authority and the Baw Baw Shire Council collaborated to attract the event to the Gippsland region.
The event was live streamed to record audiences around the world; all the action can be viewed via this link: http://www.epicentre.tv/events/2019-world-jousting-championship/
*With the World Jousting Championships