CAREERS
SO HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR WAY INTO A CAREER JOUSTING?
I
t was at the age of 14 that Karl Ude-Martinez, founder and owner of The Knights of Middle
England Jousting Display Team and Jousting School first discovered his passion for jousting, having grown up riding at the Warwick International School of Riding; the family equestrian centre run by his mother -
Janet Martinez. One weekend a jousting team from Wales were boarding their horses overnight, as they were performing at Warwick Castle. Due to asudden staff illness, the team found themselves a Knight short and asked Janet, if she had any good riders who could fill the spot –“Yes, absolutely –my son can do it!” and that was that –just a few short hours later Karl found himself cantering into the arena in front of 3,000 people, on an ex-racehorse called Sam taking part in his first jousting show and the rest, as they say, is history…. Today, the Knights of Middle
England is the UK’s leading jousting company providing jousting and live arena entertainment for the very same Warwick Castle, where Karl
rode in his first show as well as at other events and venues all over the Country. The team also run the UK’s only dedicated Jousting School and Amateur Jousting League where absolutely anyone can try their hand at jousting – even if you have never sat on a horse before! They also offer Horse Archery and Trick Riding training as well as all ‘regular’ riding at the family run Equestrian Centre.
Unique Mounted Experience Days Jousting Experience Days
LEARNHOW TO JOUST And master the medieval horsebackskills: Lancing the Gold Rings, Spearing the Peasant’s Heads, Strikethe dreaded Quintaine!
Take up lanceand experience the trills of riding down the tilt in the joustingfield!The Knights of Middle England run Medieval Jousting Experience Days at theirWarwickshire Jousting Arena and Medieval themed Hall, whichbring to life all the excitement, glamour andchallenges of this most fabledequestrian sport.
Specialist Skills Days
TRICK RIDING Comeand take partinone of our half dayTrick Riding workshops. Within the safety of our enclosed arena on speciallytrained horses on the lunge you
will learn the basics of classical vaulting techniques performing gymnastic manoeuvresonthe back of amoving horse.
Then progress on to the authentic CossackTrick Riding Saddle learning avarietyofbasicvaults, tricksand stands.
HORSE ARCHERY Taught by qualified archeryinstructors, youwill firstlearn to use your bowfrom the ground learning to nockand master speed leading your arrow.
Then mount one of our speciallytrained horses and practise nocking on the move as youride down the archeryrun unleashingyourarrowsupon targets!
•NoRiding Experience Necessary •Open to All Abilities •21st Centurysafety rulesapply •Large private Group Bookings welcome •SpectatorsWelcome
SO HOW DO YOU FIND YOUR WAY INTO A CAREER JOUSTING?
Obviously every yard needs grooms. No matter what the horses do, they still need looking after –although training horses for trick riding, jousting and horse archery is alittle more unique, as is preparing them for Film & TV work such as Game of Thrones or King Arthur. Grooming is agreat place to start, gain experience and work your way up. But what does it take to ride
in one of their fast, action packed jousting and stunt shows? You
have got to be avery experienced & capable rider, next on the list – you can’t be shy in front of a crowd! Performing to crowds of thousands daily, acting and performing experience is adefinite bonus. Karl is aprofessionally trained actor with theatre, TV & film experience and he combines this training with his equestrian skills when performing, writing and directing the shows. All training is offered for those
wanting to join the team, so it is avery exciting and unique opportunity for those who work with horses but would like to try something alittle different. Kelly Baddeley, who played the leading female role in their show this year ‘Wars of the Roses, Live!’ at Warwick Castle joined the company nine years ago with absolutely no jousting experience and is now one of the leading female jousters in the country. She also manages the yard of 25 horses and all team logistics. Kelly completed an Equine Science degree at Hartpury College and has worked for the company since graduating and is now akey part of the team, so despite what many people think, it’s not just ajob for the boys! The Knights of Middle England
For more information, call: 01926 400401•Email:
info@knightsofmiddleengland.co.uk LikeusonFacebook or followus@joustexperience
www.knightsofmiddleengland.com
are always interested in hearing from people who would be interested in joining the team with offers of weekend and seasonal work available –so if you think jousting might be for you then don’t hesitate to get in touch.
12
JANUARY/FEBRUARY2018
For the latest
newsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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