On Tuesday, December 13, 2011, National Geographic TV aired the sixth and final episode # 6 of the “Knights of Mayhem” (KOM). Titled “The Return of the Black Knight”, Patrick Lambke, aka The Black Knight, returned to the show in Estes Park, CO to compete in the Heavy Armor Jousting World Championship at the Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highland Festival. Unfortunately, editing omissions on TV showed a different story from the reality of the event.
Sometimes great stories and movies have bad endings that leave us saddened and disappointed, but in this dramatic tale of The Black Knight and his mount the Andalusian Stallion Distinto, the TRUE ending did happen the way you would have wanted...
The Championship held in Estes Park consisted of three days of medieval games, light armor and heavy armor jousting. What the National Geographic TV audience DID NOT SEE was any footage of the actual third (and final) day of events with regards to Distinto and The Black Knight. Only the crowds that attended got to see the dramatic "Rocky" story unfold.
The Black Knight and Distinto battling down the lyst. |
Each match consists of four passes, but The Black Knight and his opponent were tied at the end of the fourth pass. Delays on the field contributed to Distinto’s impatience and the delays may have been partially caused by the confusion of the tie and the need for a fifth tie-breaker pass. Distinto's eagerness to "charge on" caused him to start backing up; in doing so, he hit the rope barrier and he fell. Neither Distinto nor The Black Knight were hurt from the fall (thank you to all who were asking). Both were checked over thoroughly before being allowed to compete on the following day.
If you watched the TV show, you were given the impression that among the competitors, only The Black Knight had horsemanship problems. Selective editing omitted all footage of other competitor’s horses on any of these days tearing down the lyst (ropes), balking and refusing to go when the charge was on. Many horse/rider teams other than The Black Knight's were threatened with horsemanship point deductions due to their horse’s behavior.
The TV show also led viewers to believe that this fall was the end of the competition - that Patrick gave up and never got back up on any horse and never faced off again in the tournament. The filmmakers created the impression that Charlie Andrews won the championship in part because Patrick conceded the match after Distinto’s fall. THIS IS NOT TRUE! This was merely the beginning of the heroic comeback of The Black Knight and Distinto.
The Black Knight and Distinto
on the 3rd day. |
The Black Knight never switched from Distinto to any other horse that day. The team succeeded until the next to last round when The Black Knight took on Greg Boxma, a brave and worthy opponent whom he unhorsed early in this match. Greg battled back and was announced the winner of their match.
Gregg Boxma continued on to joust Charlie Andrews, who won the match against Greg and became the Heavy Armor World Champion. The Black Knight was a resounding overall second of the Estes Park Competition.
(National Geographic never clearly revealed his second place final overall placement out of all the competitors.)
We, the competitors, worked very hard to be there. Many of us drove great distances with our horses and spent time away from work and family, in addition to the time spent setting up and practicing at home. The Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highlands Festival graciously compensated some of our travel expenses and paid placement winnings. We all had a great time while we were there with Knights of Mayhem and their great horses. It is too bad that this TV show did not give much coverage to many other competitors and their horses for their achievements.
The TV viewers also missed the heartwarming scenes of the audience in the stands petting Distinto and clamoring for autographs from the Black Knight himself every day.
A horse fit for a king in his most glorious day of battle! |
Lisa and Distinto competing in Medieval Games |
Written By: Lisa Oberman
Edited by: Nancy Matolak with additional assistance by Elizabeth Creamer
Photos by: Lauren Sturges
Note: Helen Daniel has also just released a new book called "The Medieval Knights of North America” including an accounting of the events of this match, North American jousting, and Patrick Lambke .
Click HERE to buy the ebook
Click HERE to buy the ebook