Competitors of the Skill-at-Arms Tournament 

All participants must complete the application form in full in order to be considered for competing; please see 'Skill-at-Arms Application'.

Entrants for the Tournaments are limited and so will be awarded on a first come first served basis. The final date for receipt of application is Friday 25th July.

Updates of tournament participants for 2010 will be posted as approval for competing is received.

Joyce Dudeney - 'Duchess Dudeney'

Competing 2010: Experienced

Having broken both wrists last year and re-broken one earlier this year my ability of late to practice (and indeed to compete) has been somewhat curtailed! My horse - Willow - is however as keen as ever so I hope that my lack of practice won't show through too much!

Competing colours: red and black.

John Dudeney - 'Duke Dudeney'

Competing 2010: 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 2010: 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'

Competing 2010: 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 2010: Intermediate

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.

Georgina Hughes - 'Lady Georgina'

Competing 2010: Experienced

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

Competing colours: green and gold.

David Whyte - 'Count de Money'

Competing 2010: 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.

Guy Ridley

Competing 2010: Experienced

Jacqueline Hill - 'Lady Prance A Lot'

Competing 2010: 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.

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

Competing 2010: Experienced

Last year my palomino mare 'Ain't No Honey' won two days of the competition. This time we hope 'Lady Laughalot'will laugh a little less - when we snatch the title of Overall Winner from her! If we don't, I know who 'Honey' will be blaming - & it won't be The Horse!

Competing colours: gold and green.

John Weighill - 'Don Jon'

Competing 2010: Experienced

An experienced competitor, having ridden in 2 previous contests. John was unable to compete in 2008 due to insurrection in his homelands! John has also competed at Royal Windsor.

Toby Small - 'Sir Toby Tottering'

Competing 2010: Novice

Competing colours: crusader white with red cross.

Jenna Ash - 'Jenna, Fair Maid of Brighthelm'

Competing 2010: Novice

Jenna has been riding under the instruction of Lord and Lady Dudeney at Ditchling since she was 6 and will be competing for the second time at Herstmonceux this year. She hopes to make her noble sponsors proud and to do them honour in this tournament.

Competing colours: grey.

Emma Goodsell - 'Lady Emma Jane'

Competing 2010: Novice

Competing colours: russet and green.

Rachel Imber - 'Lady Imber-Seal'

Competing 2010: Novice

I am entering the fray for the first time on my trusty steed, Biggins. We are both veterans of many a battle across the green and pleasant polocrosse lands of England and this year are taking up the challenge laid down by my fellow skill at arms competitors at Herstmonceux.

Competing colours: green and gold.

Lucy Stephenson - 'Lady Ludicrous'

Competing 2010: Novice

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

Competing colours: TBA.

Louise Effamy - 'Spicer of York'

Competing 2010: 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 two years. Good luck to everyone!

Competing colours: red and black.

Nicola Simmons - 'The Bawdy Baroness of Brighton'

Competing 2010: Experienced

Jo Miles - 'Dame Anne Blast'

Competing 2010: 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.

Samantha Wallace - 'Lady Blackadder'

Competing 2010: 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!!!)

P.S. Oliver would like to point out that he is not at all happy about the arrangements and may take matters into his own hoofs!!! Oliver and The Blackadders competed at Herstmonceux in 2006 and 2007, and various other competitions and festivals. Oliver's proudest moment was competing in the international competition 2007 - England V South Africa.

Sarah King - 'Lady LaughaLot'

Competing 2010: 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'

Competing 2010: Intermediate

Competing colours: TBA.

Tina Ricketts-Smith - 'Lady Pounsley'

Competing 2010: Novice

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.

Alarna Fowler - 'The Executioner'

Competing 2010: Novice

Competing colours: black.

Peter Craven - 'The Yorkshire Raven'

Experienced

Zoe Beams

Novice

Michaela Kennard

Novice

Kaya Leonard

Novice

Nicola Harris - 'Lady Whiplash'

Intermediate

Rocky, now 22, has turned his hoof to SAA after competing successfully in show jumping, dressage and one and three day events. This is his third year competing at Herstmonceux.

Raymond Manders - 'Vindy Vandermill'

Raymond is experienced in riding in historical re-enactment shows, display riding for the Royal Dutch Army and skill-at-arms demonstrations.

Privileged to have had Duke John Dudeney as his first SAA tutor, Raymond is a member and co-founder of the official Dutch mounted skill-at-arms association 'Saint Georges'.

Emma Hale - 'Lady Bounce Alot'

Lady Bounce Alot and Lady won 'best new comer' in 2006 at Herstmonceux.