Competitors of the Skill-at-Arms Tournament 

All participants must complete the Skill-at-Arms Application Form in full, in order to be considered for competing.

Entrants for the Tournaments are limited, and will be awarded on a first come first served basis. The final date for receipt of application is 31st July.

Updates of tournament participants for 2011 will be posted as approval for competing is received.

Joyce Dudeney - 'Duchess Dudeney'

Competing 2011: Experienced

Having broken both wrists on my Birthday two years ago (on parting company - at speed - from my lovely dark bay mare, Willow) my ability to compete the last two years has been somewhat impaired.  Also, Willow has - of late - been somewhat high spirited!!!  However, hopefully this year my ability to achieve at the Festival will improve............who knows??


Competing colours: red and black.

John Dudeney - 'Duke Dudeney'

Competing 2011: Experienced

August Bank holiday and the advent of September presages Autumn, a season of reflection. On my way to do pilgrimage at Canterbury, I - the Duke - will be passing through the land of Herstmonceux to take part in the last Tournament of the season. My horse (Oscar) and I are veterans of the sport. Although we are showing signs of grey, we are looking forward to renewing old acquaintances, to meeting people anew and to giving all a run for their money!

Competing colours: red and black.

Gerald Nott - Sir Gerald the 'TERRIBLE'

Competing 2011: Experienced

Sir Gerald the 'TERRIBLE', the most terrible of them all, has his eye on the Throne of Herstmonceux. Who will stop him?

Sir Gerald has competed all over the Kingdom bringing a state of trepidation to all those foolish enough to compete against this arrogant Knight!

Competing colours: black doublet with red and gold trim and black hat with a black feather.

Michael Smith - 'Terror of The Tilt Rail'

Not Competing 2011 due to injury: Experienced

'Terror of the Tilt Rail' was awarded as joint champion in 2004 at England's Medieval Festival. In 2007 he finished 2nd at the Festival.

Competing colours: leather and brown.

Helen Type - 'Jester 'Miss Chievous'

Competing 2011: Experienced

Helen rode in 2007 as the Countess Hooligan for the first time ever in a skills-at-arms competition. Sadly the Countess has fallen from grace and lost her title! However she has managed to secure a job as the Court Jester and now goes under the alias of 'Miss Chievous'.

Competing colours: red, yellow and blue.

Celia Norris - 'Lady Celia de Norrys'

Competing 2011: Experienced

Competing colours: TBD.

John Norris - 'Sir John De Norrys'

Competing 2011: Experienced

Competing colours: TBD.

Jacky Chandler - 'Maid of the Middle Ages and Counting...'

Competing 2011: Experienced

My Palomino mare 'Ain't No Honey' with an attitude to match her name,  considers herself the boss! But for the last three years she has obligingly galloped through the ages with me, doing Medieval competitions, Napoleonic Displays & modern day Riding. At eight years of age she is able to turn her hoof to anything, whilst her not so young rider is just happy to be able to turn up!

Competing colours: gold and green.

John Weighill - 'Don Jon'

Competing 2011: Experienced

Don Jon with Louis his horse
can be assured of staying the course
with sword, lance and dagger
he struts with a swagger
as he splits the quintain with full force.

Competing colours: blue.

Toby Small - 'Sir Toby Tottering'

Competing 2011: Intermediate

Competing colours: Crusader Costume of a red cross on a white field over chain mail

Emma Goodsell - 'Lady Emma Jane'

Competing 2011: Novice

Riding my coloured horse, and hoping to hit some targets!!!

Competing colours: russet and navy.

Rachel Imber - 'Lady Imber-Seal'

Competing 2011: Experienced

This is my 2nd year  at Herstmonceux and also at skill at arms in general. I have a new horse for this year, Vasco who has made the cross over from polo and who has taken to the lance, sword and pistol very well.

Competing colours: green and gold.

Louise Effamy - 'Spicer of York'

Competing 2011: Novice

Lacy,the chestnut thoroughbred mare, now 18 years old still gives a good turn of foot when required in these medieval games, and looks forwards to meeting up with old friends from the last few years. Good luck to everyone!

Competing colours: red and black.

Nicola Simmons - 'The Bawdy Baroness of Brighton'

Competing 2011: Experienced

The Baroness returns to Herstmonceux for the fifth time this year. She has the honour of riding the black mare, Liquorice, kindly loaned to her by Duke Dudeney. The Baroness has had some level of success in the Skill at Arms arena in the past and is looking forwards to meeting her fellow competitors once more.

Competing colours: green and gold.

Samantha Wallace - 'Lady Blackadder'

Competing 2011: Experienced

Well, here she is, it's Lady Blackadder herself! Having pulled a dreadfully sneaky trick on her hubby, Sir Edmond, (she thought it very funny to persuade  Eddy , to shout 'oh Sir Walter ...Really!!! at the Queen's favourite explorer - an all round nice chap, during a particularly interesting lecture about the potato), as a result good old Queeny has thrown him in the dungeons for a few weeks!!! Well he's out of the way, she's nicked his favourite horse, Oliver, and is heading towards Herstmonceux as we speak!!! (police have a road block up somewhere along the A26).So if you want a genuinely nice lass to cheer for...pick someone else!! If you like dastardly, dirty tricks and a mind as sharp as a unicorn's horn, this is your girl!!!!! Hail and well met Lady Blackadder (slack bladder behind her back!!!)

Competing colours: black

Tina Ricketts-Smith - 'Lady Pounsley'

Competing 2011: Experienced

I have owned Calipo for two months. This is a new career for this dressage pony, being only his second competition. I, myself, have only competed at a handful of events.

Competing colours: Gothic medieval black and purple.

Becky Gostick - 'Maiden Voyage'

Competing 2011: Novice

I have been doing skill at arms at Ditchling Common Stud for about 6 months and absolutely love it. In the beginning of July I found myself leasing the beautiful and talented Kenny from DCS and realised there was nothing stopping me from competing. Originally I was coming along to Herstmonceux as grounds crew, but now after much encouragement from friends and family I figured, why not give it a go and compete...so here I am.

Competing colours: TBD.

Yoko Morimoto

Competing 2011: Novice

Competing colours: TBD.

Karen Reid

Competing 2011: Novice

Competing colours: TBD

Sarah Hollidge

Competing 2011: Intermediate

Competing colours: TBD

Nicola Harris - 'Lady Whiplash'

Competing 2011: Intermediate

Competing colours: black and red.

Jenna Ash - 'Jenna, Fair Maid of Brighthelm'

Not Competing 2011: Novice

Competing colours: grey.

Alarna Fowler - 'The Executioner'

Competing 2011: Novice

This is our 5th year attending the festival. It is our favourite event of the year. Warriors getting on a bit in life now, but always has an eye out for anyone misbehaving SO BEWARE.

Competing colours: black.

Lucy Stephenson - 'Lady Ludicrous'

Not in Competing 2011: Novice

I have so far competed in small competitions at Ditchling Common Stud.

Competing colours: TBA.

Jo Miles - 'Dame Anne Blast'

Not Competing 2011: Intermediate

Having competed for the first time in the novice section last year, Dame Anne Blast has been promoted to experienced this year, more by reason of age than expertise. Although the Dame's accuracy may not have improved, her language is coming on and the aim is for it to be more medieval than Anglo-Saxon this year.

Competing colours: burgundy, white and black.

Sarah King - 'Lady LaughaLot'

Not Competing 2011: Experienced

I have competed for several years at skill-at-arms on my horse, Jade. Though a little temperamental and some times requiring a kick start, she goes like a rocket. Between us we managed to win the competition last year.

I compete nationally and have represented GB against South Africa. I won the competition in 2007, much to the annoyance of some of the male competitors!

Emily Ager - 'Miss Fortune'

Not Competing 2011: Intermediate

Competing colours: TBA.

Jacqueline Hill - 'Lady Prance A Lot'

Not Competing 2011: Intermediate

This will be our fourth year competing in the Skill at Arms Tournament. My pony, Trixie, is a 14.2hh thoroughbred x welsh mare who recently turned 12 - although she doesn't act it! Herstmonceux was a very successful year for us in 2009, coming 2nd, 1st, 2nd and 2nd overall in the Novice.

We have had a short break from the wonderful sport, due to my GCSE exams and have only had one training session since Herstmonceux last year - which was in January! I look forward to catching up with old friends and the fantastic atmosphere at the medieval festival, good luck everybody!

2007: 4th place in Novice class.

David Whyte - 'Count de Money'

Not Competing 2011: Experienced

I will be competing on a new horse whose name is JuJu. He is an ex polo pony who is new to the sport of skill-at-arms, so - please wish us luck!!

Competing colours: russet.

Georgina Hughes - 'Lady Georgina'

Not Competing 2011: Experienced

Lady Georgina, an experienced rider who has competed in various Skill at Arms competitions throughout the country.

Competing colours: green and gold.