Old King’s School sets the scene for medieval joust

Horses will charge, shields will buckle and lances will break as the Old King’s School courtyard is transformed into the setting for the Winterfest Joust this weekend.

Andrew Beattie

Horses will charge, shields will buckle and lances will break as the Old King’s School courtyard is transformed into the setting for the Winterfest Joust on Saturday and Sunday.

This year it will be Australia versus the US in a classic grudge match.

Andrew Beattie, who will be ­defending the honour of Australia, has an ­impressive jousting history behind him, being crowned tournament champion in New Zealand in 2010 and winning the Ironfest and Winterfest events in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

But his opponent, American Dale Walter, has other ideas and will be looking to regain his dominance at the Winterfest joust after having problems with his horse last year.

“It should be an interesting match-up,” Mr Beattie said. “He’s a bit of a monster.

“He is 30 kilograms ­heavier than me and his horse is about 80 kilograms heavier than mine.”

As well as the Winterfest joust the festival will include horseback and ­infantry combat displays, roaming entertainers and shops.