SHERIDAN — Residents and visitors to Sheridan will have the opportunity to witness the intense display of jousting by the Knights of Mayhem on July 30 at 4:00 pm at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds. From knocking off their horses to breaking spears, the knights put on a show for all ages.
While 2017, the first year of fundraising for CHAPS Equine Assisted Therapy, was a disaster, said CHAPS Executive Director Kristen Marcus, the nonprofit changed who hire for the performers and incorporated the knights of chaos.
The leader of the troop, Charlie Andrews, has very similar interests and passions to Marcus, making him a perfect fit.
“He came and delivered,” Marcus said of Andrews’ first performance of 2018. “He was amazing and put on a great show. He was very entertaining, so we’ve been calling him on and off ever since a little more this year.”
Andrews aims to create an intense full-contact jousting experience for all attendees. He occasionally carries what he calls “nasty sticks” that don’t break when they hit someone else, instead of knocking the other rider off the horse.
Andrews has been jousting for about 20 years, winning the title of world champion 13 times. He actively travels around the country and the world, performing and competing. He has been to places like Canada, Norway, Poland, Russia and Ukraine.
He has also appeared on Nickelodeon’s “White Rabbit Project,” National Geographic and the History Channel for “Knight Fight.” He is also part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where children with critical illnesses get to fulfill one of their biggest wishes.
Andrews keeps coming back to Sheridan, saying he likes performing around town and seeing the faces of the kids when someone falls off a horse. He also likes to gather several other Justices. Contrary to what many would think, Knights of Mayhem is made up of people available at the moment; performers do not always travel together.
One person who enjoys being part of the Knights of Mayhem is Kevin Statz. Statz has been part of the troop for two years, enjoying returning to the Sheridan area despite the 20-hour drive. They have been together since 2013, starting with an interest in the game Dungeons and Dragons and their childhood experiences.
Statz grew up around horses, and his mother was a barrel racer. He also lived near a Renaissance fair, further cultivating this interest.
At age 7, Statz lost one of his eyes to an arrow. He has been told several times that he cannot fair; however, when he bought his first horse, he proved his naysayers wrong.
He also majored in sculpture in college, which allowed him to make his own armor for jousting.
Statz has been playing all over the United States in places like Maryland, Maine, California and Oregon. He spends his winters practicing inside his own indoor field.
Last year, Marcus added a Renaissance Faire to the CHAP fundraiser, adding a Queen’s Dinner and an increase in food vendors as well as children’s activities. The Jousting Tournament will continue to add small items to the list of events to maintain public interest in the coming years, organizers said.
Doors will open at 10 a.m. Saturday, with vendors, children’s games, bounce houses and a petting zoo available. The main show will start at 4pm with a small demonstration about CHAPS. Shortly after the show, tickets will be available for the Queen’s Dinner at 6:30 p.m. There will be a scene from “Henry V” and medieval dance lessons along with dinner.
There will also be some swordsmen to entertain the crowd during the main show.
“If anyone comes out to the fair, they’re going to see world-class jousting from the best,” Andrews said.
Marly Graham is an intern at The Sheridan Press.
