Equestrian:Activity - Skill at arms - Rings

Rings

Turkish, European, Arabic

Rings of various sizes are suspended from the arm of a standard. The rider attempts to spear the rings with the tip of their lance or sword. This is often used to simulate spearing an enemy or practice for jousting.

Rings may be set on either or both sides of the standard, and are often of various sizes (typically 2 to 8 inches). The minimum length of the lance from the rider's hand to the tip of the lance may be set by the tournament.

The common method of running the rings at SCA events is almost identical to plates shown in Antoine de Pluvinel's "Le Maniege Royal", and his work illustrates the riding and styles of the late 16th century. Techniques showing the correct way to hold your lance for ring tilting also show up in French illuminations from period. A description appearing in the Arabic manuals (H. Rabie, "The Training of the Mamluk Faris") includes "...metal rings, twelve in number, fixed to a piece of metal, which all had to be caught in one attempt."

Requirements:

• Weapons and games authorization
• Ring lances and standards