Borders jousting group in plea for funds to feed its 22 horses

A band of jousters from the Borders has launched an online plea for funds to ensure its animals will have enough to eat for the winter.
Jousting Scotland at TraquairJousting Scotland at Traquair
Jousting Scotland at Traquair

Jousting Scotland, based at Lanton Hill Farm near Jedburgh, goes on the road over the summer, putting on jousting competitions at various events around the country, including Traquair’s Medieval Fayre.

The money they earn at these shows provides their income for the whole year, helping to feed their 22 horses, as well as the jousters themselves.

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But with all their events this year cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions, they face a bleak winter.

The group’s Sue Zacharias has launched a plea for funding in order to tide the group over the winter, starting with attempting to raise £3,000 so that they will be able to film and release their first online tournament “behind closed doors” at their purppose-built arena.

Sue said: “Our usual summer season of live shows provides us with our income for the whole year.

It enables us to live, eat, pay the bills, care for the horses and work all winter training, planning and choreographing some of the best jousting shows in the UK.

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“The Covid-19 lockdown means we have no income at all, except for whatever aid package the government may manage to dole out ... currently nothing forthcoming.

Sir Checkmate.Sir Checkmate.
Sir Checkmate.

“We need over £20,000 to tide us over through this season of cancelled shows.

“Bearing in mind that without an income all summer we will have no money at all this winter coming. Hard times ahead for your fierce and brave jousters and their trusty steeds.

“We are hoping to raise the price of a small 30 minute jousting tournament and for the public to see it filmed by us, as Film Horses Scotland, at our purpose built arena.

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“Along with this we will be releasing a series of mini films charting the journey from the spark of an idea for a tournament behind closed doors to its actual realisation.

“These mini films will involve our famous character knights in their “home” settings and chart the story of the run-up to the tournament.

“Tongue in cheek, quirky and entertaining “mini films” home made entirely by us, the jousting team, and including our menagerie of performing animals plus magnificent horses.

“Think Blackadder crossed with Fawlty Towers and you’d be close to what we may produce. They’re intended to lighten the mood.”

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The first of these films, which shows one of the group’s “baddies” Sir Checkmate struggling with self-isolation, is shown above.

“We hope to make a start by raising £3,000 to be able to film and release the first tournament “behind closed doors” and any funds raised will go to helping to maintain the horses and jousters to survive these hard times, heading into autumn and winter so financially insecure.”

To date, £530 has been donated of the group’s £3,000 target.

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