Traditional jousting and skill-at-arms training day

Hundreds of years ago, long before the phrase extreme even applied to sports, two knights astride heavy chargers would enter into the most breathtaking and recognizable contests of strength, skill and agility. They challenged each other for the sake of bravery, honor, courage, respect and even the favor of the court. Imagine what it would be like to learn the sport of kings....

Come train with us at our headquarters in beautiful Lockwood Valley, California. Nestled right in the middle of streams, majestic mountains and thousands of acres of the Los Padres National Forest, the ranch provides the perfect atmosphere in which to learn this exciting sport.

Training is customized and tailored to fit the goals of every student, however here is a general idea of what we teach:

• Basic riding skills, if necessary

• The importance of understanding and controlling the horse

• How to accurately spear rings and hit a shield with a lance at a trot and gallop

• How to accurately and safely throw a spear at a trot and gallop

• Medieval sword fighting, both on foot and on horseback, including various maneuvers that the horse can do to give a sword battle both excitement and diversity

• Running various jousting courses with weapons such as a sword, axe or mace as well as a lance and shield

• Jousting! First courses will be run without weapons, then we build towards a lance or shield and eventually both

• Choreographed jousting - what makes hits look dramatic, which areas to hit on the shield and how to safely take a fall

• If and when a student is ready, engaging in a full contact jousting match with another Knight

• Last but not least, and definitely most important, each student learns how to earn and keep their war horse's trust and respect

One of the most important concepts in our training, whether for skill-at-arms or jousting, is to learn what to do in a situation should things not go according to plan. The safety and well-being of both the horse and rider are our priority. The thrill of the sport and fun you'll have learning it come naturally.

We have a fine group of horses at the ranch. Each has a distinct personality which we match to riders depending on experience and skill level. Students are always welcome to bring and ride their own horse! We have plenty of room to accommodate a trailer during your lesson, however for longer term sessions boarding is available at an additional fee for your convenience.

Packages and Prices:

Package #1

Two Jousting and skill-at-arms training sessions each day. All horses and equipment included. Price per day $100

Package #2

Includes everything in package #1 plus, transportation to and from hotel (or place of lodging), noontime meal. Price per day $140

Package #3

Includes everything in package 2 plus, transportation to and from airport, in-house lodging (bed and breakfast), evening meal, additional outdoor activities such as; horseback trail rides, archery, spear throwing, sword practice, nature hikes, BBQ, other activities. Price per day $230

James Zoppe, founder and director of the Alliance, has been training people and horses for more than 30 years. He has worked with actors from Universal Studios and Circus of the Stars. He also trained the percherons used in the film The Fisher King, among others, as well as presenting hundreds of live performances.

Although the organization was started primarily to re-establish authentic and competitive tournament style jousting, the Alliance keeps another goal in mind: the importance of a positive role model. In today's sometimes turbulent world, positive role models are often overlooked. We believe in changing that, we believe in heroes. The Knight has always been a symbol of bravery and courage, dignity and respect, courtesy and fairness. We believe that all people, of any age, should have the chance to experience these ancient, noble qualities. If we can help inspire these qualities in others, then we are doing a great deed.