I honestly can't even remember how long "
JenJ in Indiana!" has been on my calendar. Probably a solid year or more. Really, I was inordinately excited - nobody ever has a reason to visit Indiana! The calendar entry was on there so long, it felt like it would never get here - until it did!
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| Trying to get a good Paddy "selfie" outtakes |
I'll let JenJ explain the event they came up for, I don't think I can do it justice. (Although I'm not sure how soon she'll be able to do that, her schedule is crazy for a while!) Basically, it's not a renfair and it's not a jousting tournament. It's a reenactment, but more than that. This meant it's slightly less spectator friendly than your average joust, and that E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E was wearing medieval clothing, because they're basically living it for an entire week straight. We had to dress up too!
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| Attendees at the Opening Ceremony and their period-dressed child at their feet. Some of the costumes were insanely elaborate. |
To say I was intimidated rolling up was an understatement, and
EquiNovice was with me and probably felt the same way. My instructions were basically "Wear black riding tights and boots, bring a belt and a tanktop, sneak in the side way and if anyone asks you why you're wearing street clothes, tell them you're meeting one of the equestrians for the joust. We'll get you into tunics when you get here."
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| My outfit, and Sean on Paddy getting ready for the opening ceremonies. Photo by EquiNovice! |
We made it, changed, and about that time Sean and Paddy were getting ready for the opening ceremonies, when they'd be doing three "passes" down the jousting lane. First they warmed up outside with not quite all of the armor on:
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| I was the paparazzi. |
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| Paddy came out and this horse was like "WHAT THE F*** IS THAT?!" |
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| I think Paddy's found his calling, you guys. |
I have seen photos and videos of Sean jousting, and I have
done the quintain myself on Brego, but I'd never seen Sean joust for real. It was really neat, with the thundering of hooves and the shattering of the balsa wood tips on the lances. Unfortunately I knew the pictures I took during it wouldn't be any good with the sun being behind the covered arena, but if you go to
EquiNovice's Instagram, she got a really good video of it.
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| World's cutest jousting Haffie |
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| I did get a decent picture of JenJ shoving a cookie in Paddy's mouth when he got done with a pass. |
After we got done, Paddy got a bath and did his very best Dover model impression:
And then I took this picture to prove that JenJ and I's "twin" ponies have the same tail:
And Paddy proved he's Connor's twin further by screaming for his friends while walking back to the barn.
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| Dat body. What a hunk. |
With that, we put the ponies away and rested in the shade for a bit before their next activity. Stay tuned for part 2!
35 comments:
So exciting! Must have been amazing to watch. Paddy is super cute.
AH, So cool! Love to see him in action. I have a soft spot for haffies since Comrade's predecessor was one and he started all of us down the driving path. Wish they were still there when I come this week.
They may be, when do you arrive?
It was awesome!
THAT IS SO COOL
Who knew there was cool stuff in Indiana? I didn't.
I AM A COOL STUFF AND I'M IN INDIANA! COME VISIT MEEEEEEEEE. For Rolex. Which is in Kentucky. Dang it.
Indiana is probably cooler than Oklahoma, literally and figuratively! :P
How cool that you got to spend time with the internet's cutest Haffie!! (And JenJ is pretty good too!)
Ooh that sounds like a very interesting event!
What a cool thing to watch!!
I can't imagine a more fun blogger hang out than one that involves a jousting Haffie.
This is so cool! I love the cantering picture. Paddy looks so game.
That is so cool!! I can't imagine being able to see something like that and those photos look amazing!
How cool. Paddy does make an excellent jousting pony.
Wait till I tell my husband! We were driving by the fairgrounds on Sat. evening and saw all the tents. He said - looks like a reenactment of some kind. We only live a 10 minute drive away from all that going on!
Really?! I had no idea you were there or I would have invited you! They're there all week if you're interested in visiting. The jousting tournament is on Thursday, that's the thing to see, although just being there was cool.
I mean Paddy is a model doing anything but he is a jousting pony hunkadoooo!
So glad you got to meet up with them!
It is but not by much! Around 90 with humidity, blegh. It is so awesome, I'm so happy they're here!
It was awesome!
I loved it, I wish I could see the actual tournament on Thursday.
Right? We are such an interesting and diverse group. Haha.
Me too, that was my favorite!
Thanks! I am finally using my DSLR again, hopefully photo quality will improve in general!
Oh yes he does. Born for it, I think.
Oh man yeah!
Me too! I wish I had a reason to get back down to Austin to see them and you (and Roman!) together though!
How cool is that?! I had no idea that's going on. Is it at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds?
It sure is! It's not publicized very well because it's a reenactment rather than something you'd invite the public to. I get why they don't, but I wish they would, it's a really neat thing to see as an outsider - but herds of outsiders would ruin the whole atmosphere of it.
The outfits are magnificent! The pony is magnificent! THIS LOOKS SO COOL!
Not till friday evening.
Ermahgerd!!!
I thought I recognized the arena. They have such nice facilities compared to some of the other counties. Special Olympics equestrian is held there in September. I can understand the whole not advertising thing. It would probably turn into something the organizers and current attendees wouldn't enjoy as much. I would love to see jousting though some day.
I was starstruck when I got to meet Paddy and Brego. Paddy is even cuter in person... if that's even possible!! lol
Paddington!!!!! So cute.
Paddy could do literally nothing and I'd be amazed. His face is just so kissable
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