None of the mounted activities can take place at tournament, or even in training, without ground crew.
Ground crew is a great place to start if you want to joust. It allows you a close up look at the world you are aspiring to, getting involved while you gather your own equipment and do your own personal training. It teaches you the ins and outs of the tournament, and how the best jousters work on horseback.
It is also fun and rewarding in itself, for those who want to be involved in the joust, but don't actually want to joust themselves.
The best ground crew are highly skilled people: skilled in the handling of weapons, the handling of horses and in the running of a public sporting event.
The IJA offers certifications for ground crew (as well as for mounted games, jousting and ground combat).
The association rules, equipment specifications and certification requirements are set out in the IJA Members Book and the IJA-Canada Members Book, both of which are included with IJA-Canada membership.
