Welcome to the Lysts on the Lake 2011 Online Yearbook

The first "Lysts on the Lake" was held from April 29 - May 1, 2011. It was not a performance or a re-enactment. It was a true competitive sporting event.

Within the larger competition of "The Lysts on the Lake", there were four smaller divisions. Three of these divisions dealt with equestrian skills:

The Mounted Skill at Arms competition, which included the Quintain, the Cut & Thrust, Tilting at Rings, Ground Targeting and Thrown Spear;

Matt Daniel titlting at rings (photo by GMR Hammond)

The Melee a'Cheval;

Dustin Stephens and Steve Martel in the Melee a'Cheval (photo by Jay Baum)

And The Joust a'Plaisance.

Matt Daniel faces the business end of the lance (photo by AzulOx)

The fourth division of the competition was the Award of Honour which dealt with how well the competitor behaved in accordance with the code of chivalry throughout the tournament.

Steve Hemphill and Luc Petillot show their respect for one another (photo by Jay Baum)

A total of 23 competitors participated in at least one of the equestrian skills divisions, most competitors participated in all three equestrian skills divisions. The large number of competitors, 18 of which participated in the Joust a'Plaisance, made "Lysts on the Lake 2011" the largest competitive jousting tournament ever held in North America according to the International Jousting League.

What people have to say about "Lysts on the Lake 2011"

"I think the caliber and character of the people who were at this event were unmatched." -- Dusty Martel

It was the best organized and executed event I have ever attended. -- Dustin Stephens

As I look forward to the opportunities of the coming year, I look back to last year. It was a year of loss, unemployment and hardship for the most part. But it also had a few of the most amazing points in my recent memory. Lysts on the Lake was one of those and I wanted to thank all of you for that. I find myself looking forward to this year's event like a kid waiting on Christmas! -- Robert Welch

It was the closest thing to Joust Utopia I have yet experienced. -- Federico Serna

"This is my first year competeing in anything like this. I was only training 3 months before Lysts. Coming from the dressage world ... I expected a lot more back biting and snipping at each other which has become "typical" in a show atmosphere to me. I was very pleasantly surprised not to find it. The vast majority of people were very sweet, funny, and generally kind hearted with a great willingness to help each other out. I always stress at a "show" or event in which I participate but I was really reassured to find no one held it against me. All in all, it was a really fun experience with an awesome group of people. Thanks so much for making my first tournament a blast!! :-D" -- Heather Perillo

"This was one of the most friendly supportive groups I have had the pleasure to interact with, ... I can't wait for 2012 Joust Camp !!!" -- Bobbie Patterson

"Thank you Steve, for bringing all of us together!" -- Matt Daniel

I had a wonderful time! Much was learned, great friends were made and many memories to cherish. Thank you Steve, Dawn and Richard for putting on such an awesome event! Count me in for the next one! -- Robin

I think the most important thing about lysts is this. Every time I run into someone from that event there is a friendly handshake, a smile, and usually a friendly hug. This says something for the friendships built during that week and the event itself. -- Robert Welch