Vikings invade Upper Hutt!
A team of 3 Norwegian Jousters from Trondheim have arrived in Upper Hutt for the
Quinns Post International Jousting Festival. They will join teams from Australia, NZ and
UK in this weekend’s event at Harcourt Park. The teams compete in sword fighting, archery, skill at arms and
Fully mounted jousting in a serious sporting event. Callum Forbes from the “Order of the Boar” based in Upper Hutt
Says Allan Beattie president of the International Jousting Festival is also attending.
Another first likely to occur is the first time ever for a woman competing in the full code of horse back jousting
In New Zealand. She is a member of the Australian team and has jousted there, providing training conditions suit
She is expected to take part on Saturday and Sunday.
Large crowds are expected at Harcourt Park at the start of the Akatarawa Valley because it is also the location
Of 3 Lord of the Rings film locations. The jousting ring actually occupies the site of Isengard Gardens where the Orcs
Lit the tree and pulled it over in the Fellowship of the Ring.