A Day at the Races. (Jousting)

Rod Walker · Post by **Rod Walker** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 7:30 pm

We jousted on the main straight at Rosehill Racecourse in Sydney yesterday. This was the first time that jousting had been performed at a major race meeting,,,, or any race meeting as far as we know.

Either way, it was an amazing day. The logistics were incredible. Timing was everything as we had to do it in between races.

The sheer amount of people was incredible. I hesitate to give a number but the place was packed.

Huge thanks to our crew as they had to hide just off the track and set up and pull down in record time. Big thanks to Justin for doing the job of Herald in front of 10's of thousands of people.

[img]http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/Captayne/Doubleshatter.jpg[/img]
This is just one tiny section of the crowd. Around to the left is all massive grandstand and standing room only down the front. The Rosehill marketing people commented that outside of a major race like the Melbourne Cup this is the only time they have ever seen every single person on site watching what was going on on the track or fixated on the screens around the course.

What a day.

2Shires · Post by **2Shires** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:34 pm

Ok, THAT is too cool! The energy coming from a crowd of that size has to be amazing!
What an excellent venue and an incredible opportunity.

~dev~

Rittmeister Frye · Post by **Rittmeister Frye** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:12 am

Way Cool, Rod! Talk about a great venue!

Cheers!

Gordon

Rod Walker · Post by **Rod Walker** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:58 pm

Thanks guys. We had a ball.

Some pics are starting to come through.

[img]http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/Captayne/Rosehillhorses.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh17/Captayne/Rosehillscreen.jpg[/img]

Andrew McKinnon · Post by **Andrew McKinnon** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:14 pm

Good lord, I am nearly blinded by the sun's reflection off my baldy noggin on the big screen =^P

Tarquin Bjornsson · Post by **Tarquin Bjornsson** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:00 pm

Wow man that is sweeet. It combines two of my favorite things jousting and horse racing. Wonder if Woodbine would go for that. Now I want to joust on a jumbotron.

Chris Horsfall IJA Canada Champion

Mac Thamhais · Post by **Mac Thamhais** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:05 am

most excellent. An opportunity like that might well be once in a lifetime.

Sam O. · Post by **Sam O.** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:45 am

Damn, all the interesting things happen when I'm not in Sydney. :sad:

But anyway, it sounds (and looks) like you had a good time, just wish I could've been there.

2Shires · Post by **2Shires** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:26 am

Jouster on the Jumbotron...how freaking cool is that? Hits in Super Slo-mo! And, these are actually HORSE people. You aren't likely to be asked to ride through the crowd of 4th graders with your lance on fire or anything.

What is even better is all the opportunities for the big flowery hat people to hire you out for their daughter's wedding...

That is just too cool. We only have a teeny track here not really worth mentioning, but for you folks with REAL race tracks near you.... may be worth the pitch, no? Del Mar? Santa Anita?

Anyway, well done!

~dev~