A Game Of Thrones

Right now the Arizona Renaissance Festival is happening near Florence(until April 1st).  It was a great day to celebrate a little sunshine and fun. And for me, it was a chance to work on my photography and horseback riding.

If you've ever read the Game of Thrones series, you'll be fascinated by the jousting competition that is reenacted here at the arena.

                                     
4 knights from 4 different kingdoms fight to the death for the King and Queen's favor.

In George RR Martin's first book, we read about the jousting competitions that go on.  I couldn't understand the excitement from the audience until I participated as an observer myself.  While it wasn't real, I could understand the thrill audience members felt as the knights prepared to fight.

As a photographer, I really admired the beauty of the horses. 

As the knights suited up, the Courteson heckled the other knights.  One Courteson stood for each section of the arena and got the audience screaming and shouting at the other players.  BOOOOOOOO, HIIIIISSSSSSSSSS!:)

And the jousting competition began......

The Blue Knight followed the rules and was considered whiny by most people.....

So he had to work extra hard to win the audience's favor.....

At several points of the match, the other knights tested his resolve....

But he endured the scrutiny....

All 4 jousted.  The yellow was bloodthirsty.  Another was sneaky.  The red was cocky and charming.  And the blue.....

Got into a fight with the cocky and favored knight of the kingdom......

The neutral and rule abiding one stepped in between the fighting knights.  A call to death was demanded by both the audience and knights.....JUSTICE!

The match was approved by the King and Queen and they agreed.....a fight to the death!!!

And so it happened....

All 4 knights fought.....

Sometimes demonstrating honor.....

Weapons ablaze.....

And a fight to be displayed......

For cheering audience members, but the question remains......

Who won?

A fun day with family and friends until April 1st. More tomorrow....