Equestrian:Equipment Standards

Equipment Standards

Armor and Weapon Inspections

All armor and weapons equipment must be inspected for use prior to engaging in equestrian activities.

1. Weapons constructed other than as set out below may be approved on a kingdom level basis for use in Crest Combat or Mounted Combat. Construction methods for these weapons vary; therefore only weapons equivalent to the weapons described below shall be used. If there is a question regarding equivalency, the KEO shall make the determination.
2. Mounted Games: Riders may use hand held weapons made of non-brittle materials.

Armor requirements

Helm

Required for Mounted Combat, Crest Combat, Foam Jousting.

1. Helms must be of rigid materials (18-gauge mild steel or equivalent). Fencing masks (12kg) are acceptable for mounted crest combat use only.
2. Face guards shall prevent a 1-inch (25.4mm) diameter dowel from entering into any of the face guard openings.
3. The face guard shall extend at least 1-inch (25.4mm) below the bottom of the chin and jaw line when the head is held erect.
4. All movable visors shall be attached and secured in such a way that there is minimal chance that they will become detached or come open in normal mounted combat or jousting use.
5. There shall be NO major internal projections; minor projections of necessary structural components shall be padded. All metal shall be free of sharp edges. Face guard bars or mesh should not attach to the interior of the helm, unless of structurally superior design and workmanship.
6. All parts of the helm that might come into injurious contact with the wearer's head shall be padded with a minimum of 1/2-inch (12.7mm) of closed-cell foam or equivalent padding, or shall be suspended in such a way as to prevent injurious contact with the wearer during combat. Additional padding is not required for fencing masks that are used for crest combat only.
7. All helms shall be equipped with a chinstrap or equivalent means to prevent the helm from being dislodged or metal contacting the wearer's face during combat. An equivalent might be, for example, a bevor or a chin-cup suspension system. A "snug fit" is NOT an equivalent. The chinstrap shall be at a minimum a 1/2-inch (12.7mm) in width and shall not be placed in the helm in a manner that could strangle the wearer.

Crests for crest combat

1. Crests shall be at least 5-inches in height.
2. The crest must be constructed so as not to present an undue hazard if a rider should land on it, or a horse step on it.
3. The crest must be attached in such a way so as to be easily dislodged by a minimal force blow. Velcro or similar methods are recommended.

Neck Armor

Required for Mounted Combat, Crest Combat, Foam Jousting.

1. The neck, including the larynx, cervical vertebrae, and first thoracic vertebra must be covered by one or a combination of the following and must stay covered during typical combat situations, including turning the head, lifting the chin, etc.
2. The helm.
3. A gorget of rigid material or heavy leather, lined with 1/4-inch (6mm) of closed cell foam or equivalent padding.
4. A camail or aventail of mail or heavy leather, lined with 1/4-inch (6mm) of closed cell foam or equivalent padding.
5. The first thoracic vertebra need not be covered for foam jousting.

Body

Required for Foam Jousting. Recommended for Mounted Combat.

1. Rigid material covering chest and torso. Standard equestrian riding vests and chain mail over a padded gambeson are deemed equivalent.

Groin

Required for Foam Jousting.

1. Groin area must be protected by sufficient means including saddle or armor.

Hands

Required for Mounted Combat, Crest Combat, Foam Jousting

1. Leather gloves.
2. Recommended for Foam Jousting – demi or full gauntlets, vamplate, recessed grip on lance base, padding, or other combination to minimize possible strike to the hand and reduce impact to jouster's hand.

Leg, arm, and shoulder protection

Armor recommended for Mounted Combat, Crest Combat, and Foam Jousting, but not required.

Shields

Recommended for Foam Jousting, but not required.

1. Shields must be constructed of rigid, non-brittle, materials. Recommended is 1/2-inch plywood. The edges should be blunt and corners rounded.
2. For jousting, shield sizes vary but generally an area of at least 168 sq-inches (~12 inches x14 inches) is recommended.

Equine Eye Protection

Required for Mounted Combat and Foam Jousting

1. Mounted Combat – shall protect the eyes from a sword or spear strike. Acceptable eye protection should cover the entire eye, stand clear from the eye in all directions by a minimum of 3/4 of an inch, prevent a 1 inch round dowel from penetrating, and does not collapse upon typical strikes. Take care to make opening large enough, pad well, and secure to minimize movement when struck. Examples include:.
   1. A chamfron or other approved eye protection which incorporates pierced metal cups, heavy wire mesh or grillwork.
   2. Blinker style. The heavy wire mesh/lexan/acrylic eye protection used by jockeys and trainers at the racetrack. (Example: a Pelling pacifier) Eye protection of this sort may be incorporated into a period horse garment providing the garment ensures proper placement of the eyecups at all times.
2. Foam Jousting – should deflect and protect the eye from a lance strike, and be secured to minimize movement when struck. Examples include:
   1. Eye protection meeting the Mounted Combat Standard
   2. A chamfron with reinforcing ridges around the eye

Armor requirements for Wooden Lance Jousting

The following guidelines are based on recognized standards for jousting as currently practiced in the United States and abroad. Participants must determine for themselves what armor is necessary to provide a level of safety that is acceptable to them. When determining the suitability of armor to be used for jousting, it must be recognized that fit and finish are as important as materials used to provide the protection that armor affords. In addition to the following individual specifications, the armor must constitute a recognizable harness as the components work together to provide the protection. It is hard to emphasize enough that the pieces of armor must work together as a system. There are hundreds of sets of armor where the individual pieces are each fine, but don't work well with the other pieces so as to leave gaps in coverage.

Helm

1. Helms must be of 14 gauge (1.6 mm) mild steel or equivalent.
2. The eye aperture must present no more than a .375 inch (3/8 inch) (9.5mm) width to an oncoming rider.
3. The face guard shall extend at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) below the bottom of the chin and jaw line when the head is held erect.
4. All visors shall be attached and secured closed by use of hooks or other means during jousting. This requirement is a compromise to enhance safety, even if not historically accurate for the helmet.
5. There shall be no major internal projections; minor projections of necessary structural components shall be padded. All metal shall be free of sharp edges. Face guard bars or mesh should not attach to the interior of the helm, unless of structurally superior design and workmanship.
6. All parts of the helm that might come into contact with the wearer’s head shall be well padded with a minimum of 1/2 inch (12.7mm) of padding to provide a comfortable and secure fit.
7. All helms shall be equipped with a sturdy chinstrap or equivalent means to prevent the helm from being dislodged or metal contacting the wearer’s face during use. A "snug fit" is NOT an equivalent.

Neck Armor

The neck must be covered by one or a combination of the following during a typical jousting pass.

1. The helm.
2. A gorget of rigid material or heavy leather, lined with 3/8 inch (10mm) of padding.
3. Mail coif either separate or integral with the hauberk (with the same link specifications as the hauberk) covering the entire head (except for the face), neck and extending down to cover the upper chest to the top of the sternum worn over a padded coif (with a minimum of 3/8 inch (10mm) of padding.

The front of the neck including the throat must also be covered by at least 3/8 inch (10mm of padding.

1. A camail or aventail of mail extending down to cover the upper chest to the top of the sternum.

Body

1. Underlying padded aketon/gambeson, with a minimum of 3/8 inch (10mm) of padding over the torso and 1/4 inch (6mm) over the entire arms to the wrist. Butted spring steel or a riveted mild steel hauberk extending to at least mid thigh and covering the arms to the wrist. The maximum internal link diameter should be no more than 3/8 inch (10mm) and the gauge of the wire

no less than 16 gauge (1.4mm), or #Rigid defense for the chest. This can take a variety of historical forms including a rudimentary breastplate or a reinforced surcoat. If it is leather based, it should be made from at least 10 ounce (4mm) thick hardened leather and if it is made from metal, at least 14 gauge (1.6 mm) mild steel or equivalent.

Arms

1. Mail over padding to the standards required for the body.
2. Rigid defense for the arms. At least 16 gauge (1.4 mm) mild steel or equivalent.

Legs

1. Pair of padded cuisses, with a minimum of 3/8 inch (10mm) padding, covering the upper leg with an attached poleyn to protect the front of the knee made to the same specifications as the chest protection.
2. Rigid defense for the legs. At least 16 gauge (1.4 mm) mild steel or equivalent.

Hands

1. Heavy leather gauntlets, backed with mail, or,
2. Rigid defense for the hands of at least 18 gauge (1.2 mm) mild steel or equivalent

Equivalency

1. Steel plate or other authentic materials may be used in lieu of, or in addition to, the above specified materials, so long as the protection against impact is equal or greater than that provided by mail over padding.

Shields (Ecranches) for Wooden Lance Jousting

1. The shield typically used for wooden lance jousting is the ecranche. Because ecranches are the primary target for wooden lance jousting, an ecranche is required.
2. Ecranches must be made using similar material to the original. This was typically wood. A grand guard is an acceptable alternative to the ecranche.
3. Ecranches must fit in a secure way and not have any sharp edges or protrusions.
4. Ecranches must be fashioned in such a manner that will not harm the horse or rider in the event of a fall
5. Ecranches for wooden lance jousting must be 12 x 14 inches or larger.

Horse Protection for Wooden Lance Jousting

1. Eye protection is recommended. In considering horse protection, each rider should consider the level of protection they are comfortable with for their horse.

Weapon requirements

Single Handed weapons

1. Crest Combat. "Boffer" weapons are to be used in this activity.
   1. Base material shall be schedule 40 1.2-inch PEX (cross-linked HDPE (high density polyethylene)) pipe, 3/4-inch PEX pipe, or 1 inch rattan. When using PEX pipe as the core, both ends must be capped.
   2. Minimum 1/2-inch closed cell foam padding over all striking surfaces.
   3. Minimum diameter of 1 1/4-inch.
   4. If quillons are used they should not extend more than 1 inch beyond the hand when held.
   5. Thrusting tips are not allowed in crest combat.
2. Mounted Combat.
   1. Sturdier 'Boffer' style weapons are used in this activity.
      1. Boffer. Same as Crest Combat, but base material may be 1 inch diameter rattan or schedule 40 3/4-inch PEX pipe.
      2. Tourney baton (behourd) - 1 inch rattan core covered with 17lb-density urethane foam.
   2. Swords shall have a hand guard, such as a basket hilt, quillions, or equivalent.
   3. Maximum weight should not exceed 4-pounds.
   4. Thrusting is not allowed in mounted combat.

Lances, spears and javelins

Foam Jousting Lances

1. Shall be 8-10ft as measured from the top (forward edge) of the rider's hand to the tip of the foam.
2. The lance shall be constructed in three sections including the tip, middle, and base. The tip and the base will socket into the middle section.
3. Lances must use a foam tip, 2-4 ft in length, extending at least 22-inches beyond the middle section. Approved foams are expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) or Extruded Insulation Foam, of 2-inch diameter and approximately 2-lb./ft³ density.
4. The middle section consists of a cardboard tube with a 2-inch interior diameter and a maximum of a 1/8-inch side wall, and a minimum length of 4 ft.
5. The base section may be made of any non-brittle material with a maximum of 2.5 ft forward of the hand (as measured from the top of the hand to the forward end that is inside the cardboard tube). It is recommended the base section be carved from wood, and that at least 6 inches extends into the middle section.
6. A recommended lance construction would be a base with 1.5 ft in front of the hand, of which 6 inches is the 2-inch diameter extension into the tube, a 5ft or 6ft tube, and 24 inches foam.

Spears and javelins

1. Spears and javelins may be equipped with metal tips. For a ground target, where the intent is to strike towards the ground at the target while holding a spear or lance,
   1. The overhand technique (hand on top of the lance) shall be used. The shaft must be held in line with and pressing against the underside of the forearm, and the grip shall be maintained at all times during the strike and the lifting of the lance after the strike.
   2. There shall be no throwing/releasing of a spear or javelin at a ground target within close proximity of the horse (within 5 feet of the horse).
   3. "Ground Target" does not include target stands resting on the ground.

Lances for Wooden Lance Jousting

1. Lances shall consist of a base, a replaceable wooden tip and a coronel.
2. Shall be 8-10ft as measured from the top (forward edge) of the rider's hand to the tip of the coronel.
3. The wooden base should be shaped to a historical pattern and should measure no less than 60 inches and no greater than 82 inches forward of the grip to the end inside of the socket receiving the replaceable tip. The socket must be made of nonbrittle materials, such as aluminum tube, with an interior diameter of at least 1 1/4 inches (32 mm).
4. The replaceable wooden tip shall be balsa wood or fir and be 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) in diameter and 36 inches (91 cm) in length. Balsa tips must "quartered" by being cut up the middle lengthwise for 24 inches and then rotated 90 degress and cut up the middle lengthwise for 18 inches. Fir tips must be spiral cut. The cuts should be at 45-degree angle and usually 3/16 inch-1/4 inch deep. Spiral cuts need to be deep enough to cause a break, but shallow enough that the tips won’t easily break when you handle them. Cuts should not be less than 3/4 inch nor more than 1 1/2 inches apart. (A 45-degree angle should make the cuts about 1 1/4 inches apart.)
5. The coronel must enclose the end of the replaceable tip and at least 1 1/4 inches (32 mm) in diameter. The coronel must be made of non-brittle materials such as rubber or copper.

Archery

1. All archery equipment should be consistent with pre-17th century archery in looks and function. Modifications for safety are excepted.
2. Fiberglass bows and Armored Combat arrows meeting Society standards and construction are allowed.
3. All arrows should be inspected by the user prior to each use.
4. The use, carry or handling of crossbows while mounted is prohibited.
5. Range
   1. There shall be a clearly defined marked safety zone behind and to the sides of the shooting lane and targets. It shall be of reasonable size to prevent injury to bystanders, and be free of traffic, campsites, list fields, parking areas or other hazards. The distance behind the targets may be reduced if there is a hill, permanent backstop, archery netting, etc., that will stop stray arrows.
   2. Suggested size: Behind: 40 yards from the farthest target, or for half the distance from the line to the farthest target, whichever is greater. Sides: extend outward at a 30- to 45-degree angle from both ends of the shooting lane to a line even with the furthest target, and continue straight back from there to the required distance.

Thrown Weapons

1. Knives, axes, and spears that meet the specific weapon standards in the Society's Thrown Weapons Marshal's handbook may be used in a mounted thrown weapons program. The only exception is axes having a head that slides up a tapered handle and pressure-fits on. These axes with sliding heads are not allowed from horseback.
2. Mounted thrown weapons are not required to be blunted.

Tack

Riders are required to use tack sufficient to allow them to maintain control of their equine. Such tack traditionally includes use of a bridle and saddle, however other combinations of tack may be allowed upon demonstration of control of the equine to the satisfaction of the EqMIC. The marshallate is not responsible for the inspection of tack.

Glossary

Rigid material

1. Steel of no less than 18 gauge, or aluminum of no less than 1/8-inch (3mm).
2. Other metals of sufficient thickness to give similar rigidity to those listed above to include treated steel or aluminum.
3. High impact resistant plastics such as ABS or polyethylene of sufficient thickness to give similar rigidity to those listed above.
4. Heavy leather (as defined above) that has been hardened in hot wax, soaked in polyester resin (properly catalyzed), or treated in such a manner as to permanently harden the leather.
5. two layers of untreated heavy leather.
6. Other materials equivalent to those items listed above (Any armor of unusual construction or material must meet the approval of the Kingdom or Principality Earl Marshal or their designated deputy.)

Non-brittle

Shall refer to material that will not break or shatter upon being subjected to a stiff strike.