Maryland Jousting Tournament
Association

 

 

 On March 5, 1950, the first meeting of the Maryland State Tournament Association was held in Overlea, Maryland. Since only four people were at this meeting, it was decided that another meeting should be arranged before abandoning all hope of creating a successful organization. 

Ken Enfield
Knight of Excalibur
The four people that were at the first meeting were Mary Lou Bartram, George Bartram, Henry Fowler, and Raymond Owen. The second meeting was held at the same locality on March 26, 1950, and 22 riders were present. It was at this meeting that the association was officially organized, and officers elected. The first President was George Bartram, the Vice President, Charles Brady and Secretary/ Treasurer, Mary Lou Bartram. The membership fee of $1.00 was established, and the purposes of the organization defined. It was here too that a standard set of riding rules was first written and approved unanimously by all those present as the proper rules by which jousting tournaments should be conducted. These rules are reviewed each spring, and changes, if approved, are incorporated in the rules.
 The official name of the organization, at that time, was the Maryland Tournament Association, although it was later named the Maryland Jousting Association, and as of March 1951 it became known as the Maryland Jousting Tournament Association, Inc.
It was decided that the Maryland Jousting Tournament Association should hold annually a State Championship Jousting Tournament. The first such event was held in October 1950 in Glen Burnie at Ritchie Raceway Trotting Association. Since this first championship tournament, various organizations have been co-sponsors with the Jousting Association in these annual affairs.

Bruce Hoffman
Knight of Maple Hill
Our first Banquet was held in Glen Burnie on March 4, 1951, at which time some sixty members and quests were present, representing ten counties and Baltimore City. At a business meeting following the Banquet a set of By-Laws were adopted, which have been revised and amended from time to time.
Photo Info

The association has been instrumental in promoting the sport of jousting among spectators, participants, and sponsoring organizations. During the 1962 session of the Maryland General Assembly, the Honorable Henry J. Fowler, a member of the Maryland Jousting Tournament Association, Inc. introduced a bill recognizing Jousting as the Official State Sport of Maryland. It was quickly passed and was signed into law. Members of the Maryland Jousting Tournament Association are proud of this achievement, for jousting is a unique and 
colorful sport steeped in tradition and pageantry. Members of the association show a genuine interest in the progress and well-being of the association and sport of jousting. It is felt that with this continuing spirit and cooperation, the Maryland Jousting Tournament Association, Inc. will continue to prosper and expand, carrying with it the tradition and glory of an age-old equestrian sport.
The MJTA's goal is to promote the Sport of Jousting 
as a family sport, where members of all ages may compete, and to make every effort to keep alive the quaint, colorful, ancient traditions of the Age of Chivalry which are associated with the sport, and to do  as much as possible to make it unique in its own right

Josh Weesner
Knight of Atlanta

Mike Virts, Sr.
Knight of St. Marks
10 Times National Champion
19 Times Maryland State Champion
A law was passed a distant moon ago here----
Proclaiming Jousting as “THE SPORT” thru out our land!
King Henry is the Ruler of The Court here,
He rules the Table Round in Mary Land.

By order of the King it never rains here---
At least from May until October bounds.
The snow is plainly banished and won’t be seen here--
While Maryland Knights and Jousting Queens are crowned.
We know it sounds a little bit appalling--
And you may find it hard to understand. 
We recommend you  pack and come a calling--
To see Knight Life as it is in Mary Land!!!

 

COME JOUST WITH US!!

WELCOME LORDS AND LADIES ALL!
HEED OUR MOCK MEDIEVAL CALL.
RETURN WITH US TO DAYS OF OLD,
WHEN IT WAS SAID, THE KNIGHTS WERE BOLD.

ENJOY WITH US THE MODERN TREND, WHERE RINGS ARE
SPEARED INSTEAD OF FRIENDS. WITNESS TOO THE CHARM 
AND GRACE AS WELL AS FRIENDSHIP IN THIS PLACE.

WELCOME LORDS AND LADIES ALL.

COME JOUST WITH US AND HAVE A BALL!
 


Buddy Wooters
Knight of Caroline County
2007 & 2008 Maryland State Champion 
For Information on Jousting or the MJTA marylandjousting@yahoo.com

Jousting Links


History Of Jousting
Maryland Jousting Tournament Association
Vicki Betts 410-795-5067
Friends Of Jousting
 National Jousting Association
Mona Banton 434-983-2989
Former State Champions
Amateur Jousting Club Of Md.
Michael Patrick  443-553-7888
Jousting Equipment
 Central Maryland Jousting Club
Mike Virts  301-834-7629
Maryland Hall Of Fame
Eastern Shore Jousting Association
Diane Sherwood  410-364-5172
 Jousting Schedule
Western Maryland Jousting Club
Leon Enfield  410-834-7488
Pending Exhibitions & Demos
Pennsylvania Jousting Club
Gloria Hammerstein 717-428-1374

Scrapbook
MJTA Riding Rules
 MJTA Officers
MJTA Handbook
Tournament Results
Membership Application
   
For other Horse Related Links go to:
mdhorse.org

Our special thanks to RARE Photographic for many of the Photos used on this site.
Site Design & maintenance By Peggy Hoffman.
Please report any problems with this site to: marylandjousting@yahoo.com

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