| 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
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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
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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. |
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Photo
Info
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| 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 |
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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 |
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Josh Weesner
Knight of Atlanta
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Mike Virts, Sr.
Knight of St. Marks
10 Times National Champion
19 Times Maryland State Champion
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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!!!
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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!
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Buddy Wooters
Knight of Caroline County
2007 & 2008 Maryland State
Champion
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marylandjousting@yahoo.com