Ramona’s master armorer wins French jousting competition

Ramona resident Jeffrey Hedgecock is the winner of the “Tournois de la Lance D’Argent” in Neauphle-le-Chateau near Paris, France.

Riding the Arab mare Sybelle, Hedgecock triumphed over the 11 other competitors in the tournament. In addition to running his own passes, he rode for Canadian competitor Marc Hamel, who was forced to retire from the competition due to injuries suffered at the Tournament of King John III in Poland the previous weekend.

As the winner of the tournament, Hedgecock was awarded a new trophy created this year especially for the tournament.

The award’s sword and carved stone base were made on site by local artisans during tournament weekend. It is a perpetual trophy that will remain on display in France, to be won by someone new each year. Hedgecock is the first winner.

The jousting trophy depicting a silver lance was forged by the blacksmith at Castle Gniew in Poland. This trophy will return with Hedgecock to his home in Ramona as a memento and reminder of the European tour with friends.

Hedgecock, a member of the Order of the Crescent, is the master armorer at Historic Arms and Armour and the principal instructor at WorldJoust Tournaments’ Knight School.