Me Lords and Ladies, if ye have
not yet attended the dinner and show at Medieval
Times in Dallas, Texas, ye MUST do so! What a
wonderful time. From the moment you walk through
the castle doors, you are swept into the
renaissance of medieval times. Each spectator is
assigned a knights color of arms and crowned.
Before the two-hour dinner show in the arena
begins, the Master of Ceremonies, Lord Marshall
Ralph Prodotti enlightens the spectators of what
we are about to witness. The beautiful and
authentically reproduced weaponry is explained and
demonstrated, then a brief history of the battles,
knights and horses is recited and the floor is
open for inquiries. Every member of the staff is
available for inquiries and many walk throughout
the foyer graciously answering questions and
posing for photographs. The costumes of the
knights are exquisitely detailed and beautifully
made and the knights themselves very handsomely
look the part. Lord Marshall Prodotti then
introduces the Master Falconer, David Von Wormer.
Master Von Wormer is the Master Falconer for all
of the Medieval Times Dinner Theatres throughout
the United States, and on this night, perched upon
his arm, is a lovely two-year-old female falcon.
She has passed the rigorous training program and
is ready to make her public appearance in the
arena on this evening. Master Falconer Von Wormer
gives an informative introduction of the art of
falconry and also spends time graciously answering
questions about these beautiful birds of prey.
Next you hear the boom of a deep voice telling all
to “Make way! Make way for the King!” As the crowd
parts the King of Arms entourage enters the foyer
leading the king and his daughter, the princess,
to the stage. The King makes introductions and
calls forward all of those spectators who are to
be knighted for their birthday celebration. Polite
applause follows the announcement of each new
knight anointed, and then the spectators must
“Make way!” as the King and his princess depart
for the tournament. Waiting for the tournament to
begin, spectators walk throughout the foyer
enjoying the gift shop area, bar, and best of all,
the horses. Along one wall are stalls where the
beautiful white Andalusian horses are being
saddled.
Precisely on
time, the Lord Marshall calls each knights
color and those spectators are led into the arena.
There’s not a bad seat in the house. The seats are
tiered in such a way that every spectator has a
clear view of the arena. The action takes place
anywhere from 20 to 50 feet away from you. And
action it is! The Lord Marshall enters the ring on
horseback and begins to tell the story that will
be beautifully choreographed on horseback and on
the ground. As the story opens the wait staff
starts serving the feast. Our bill of fare
included a hearty soup, roasted chicken, spare
rib, potato, pastry and a beverage, all to be
eaten by hand. No forks, no spoons and you get to
holler for your knight while stuffing your face
with absolutely delicious food. Who cares that I
got my camera greasy! As the action begins, it’s
fast and furious. Challenges are made, sides are
chosen and within minutes the arena full of
horses, and knights are being cheered on by the
whoops and boos of the crowd. The games
begin…friendly…at first.
The horsemanship is
unbelievable. The knights ride Andalusian
crosses of sorrel and bay costumed spectacularly
in body and headdress. The friendly games open
with spearing a ring from an anchored pole.
Knights ride their horses at full gallop and are
almost all successful at driving a spear through a
3-inch ring. They ride on to spear rings hanging
from ribbon and then a bull’s eye target.
Successors receive a flower from the princess of
whom all knights are bidding her affection. During
the friendly games a parade of the court enters
and colors are challenged and the true story of
the challenge is revealed (and I’m not telling!).
Things soon take a turn for the worse. As the
challenges heat up, sword fights erupt and
accusations are made. The knights exit the ring to
gather their courage and make ready for the
jousting, a fight to the death!
Enter the Andalusians. An
astounding demonstration is performed as these
spectacular horses move as if doing ballet. In
full medieval dress, the horses and riders execute
dressage moves and the Andalusian Stallions excel
as they are queued by their handlers to make their
magnificent jumps above the ground. Master Trainer
Marcial Contreras enters the ring on an incredible
6-year-old Andalusian Stallion and effortlessly
accomplishes moves that would be difficult for the
most agile horse. Master Contreras’s commands are
barely visible and the stallion is absolutely
breathtaking. Spectator’s minds are briefly robbed
from the knights as the astoundingly athletic and
superbly trained horses demonstrate their
maneuvers.
Then the
battle resumes. The crowd roars with
excitement as the knights return for a battle to
the death. A net is released from the ceiling to
protect the spectators from flying debris. Sword
fights ensue, more challenges are made and battles
are carried out. The knights engaged in fights
using swords, spears, axes and the horrid ball and
chain called the mace. Jousting begins and knights
charge at a full gallop, wooden spears shattering
as contact is made, and fallen knights
unceremoniously crash to the ground and are
quickly pulled away from horses hooves and the
knights swinging sword. The crowd goes wild as the
challengers win and lose, as one knight is
attacked by another, as swords strike and axes hit
home. The wounded must still defend themselves
against the attacking knights…some are wounded,
some die, honor is lost, and position is
reassigned. Then there is a surprise of a bad
guy…but I’m not telling that either. Believe me
when I say the hour-long introduction and two hour
show kept me on the edge of my seat.
After the
tournament and dinner spectators return to
the foyer and get to congratulate their knights.
This was my chance to ask questions of the
knights, all of them handsome, all of them
gracious. Among the six of them it was interesting
to learn that the head knight, Jeremy Turner of
California, had been with Medieval Times for 12
years. An excellent horseman and swordsman, Jeremy
has trained knights for Medieval Times, many of
whom now work throughout the nine locations of the
United States. Knight Ryan Palguta had never even
been on a horse until he applied for the job a
year ago. His horsemanship was fantastic, as if
he’s been riding all of his life. John Echols has
been riding for 6 years and Mark Massey, Jeremy
Hargrave and Jack Mathis were answering questions
about the tournament, so I didn’t get to ask them
how long they had been riding. Operations Manager,
Jonathan Rico, was very accommodating and I’d like
to thank him for allowing me the few minutes after
the show to get the photographs and names of the
knights. Thank you Sir. Master Horse Trainer,
Marcial Contreras, also took the time to speak to
me and demonstrate more maneuvers on the
magnificent Andalusian stallion. Master Contreras
has been training horses for 25 years. Originally
from Mexico, Master Contreras has been with
Medieval Times for 15 years, and he too began in
California.
The show was
fantastic; the staff absolutely charming,
our waiter, Eddie, was a doll and the food was
delicious. Two days later I went out to Chapel
Creek Ranch were the Andalusians are bred, raised
and begin training exclusively for the Medieval
Times Tournaments. See part two of the Medieval
Times story soon, where the history, costume,
horses, weapons and training will be explained. In
the mean time…go! It’s a wonderful show. Exciting
yet relaxing, a sensory overload, an incredibly
accommodating staff and a roasted chicken recipe
that I’d like to have.
You can contact the Medieval Times Dinner and
Tournament for reservations at 1-888-WE-JOUST or
www.medievaltimes.com.
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