In a castle not so far away, there lives a world jousting champion.
Phillip Leitch, who lives at Kryal Castle in Leigh Creek and works as a full-time knight, is a two-time winner of the St Ives Medieval Faire and snapped up his third world title at the weekend.
Riding black friesian stallion Valiant, Leitch knocked fellow Kryal Castle teammate, Cliff Marisma, off the top spot to claim the win at the St Ives showground in Sydney on September 24.
Australia’s best jousters, went head-to-head with their international counterparts to replicate the combat conditions that featured in 15th century Europe.
The knights wore historically accurate armour weighing about 40 kilograms.
“I’m still in a bit of disbelief at the win,” he said. “I was beaten last year by a worthy opponent who was competing again this year and I was able to win against him. The field of jousters that gathered was of such high quality and it was no easy feat.”
He has earned international jousting success in Europe and the US, where he appeared as an assistant coach on the
Full Metal Jousting television series.
“To really get and understand it, you have to actually try the sport,” he said.
“It’s taken me 10 years to get where I am. It’s a journey of your horsemanship, equipment and a lot of training. It takes a fair bit of commitment.”
As a treat during the school holidays, Lady Caroline from Sweden, a world-class jouster, will be jousting at Kryal Castle.
Kryal Castle opens daily during the school holidays from 10am-4pm and every weekend.
Details: www.kryalcastle.com.au
