Photo by Graham Cullen Marley Enfield, 11, snags a second ring during the Amateur division of the ring jousting competition Tuesday at the Great Frederick Fair. Enfield took second place in the event.
	FAIR COVERAGE — For a complete look at the 2009 Great Frederick Fair, plus the opportunity to submit your fantastic fair photos, go to www.fredericknewspost.com/fair

Jousting, the Maryland state sport, is making a comeback, said Leon Enfield, 76, of Jefferson .

Enfield has been jousting since 1947. He was a young dairy farmer back then, looking for a hobby.

The hobby became a family affair, and four generations of Enfields came to the fair Tuesday to participate in the demonstration. Son Bob leads jousting clinics and many of his students also took part.

Jousting is rooted in medieval times. Male participants are called knights, and females are called maids. Riders gallop on horseback along a straight track, collecting rings by spearing them with a lance.

Experienced jousters use their knees and lower legs to control the horse, and keep their upper bodies still. The rider has nine seconds to run the course and collect three rings.

Jousting is good for young people to learn, Leon Enfield said. "It teaches sportsmanship. "You miss a critical ring, you still got to be able to keep a smile on your face."

Enfield's grandson, Corey Minnick, is a two-time national champion. Enfield's cousin, Malcolm Macy, of Street in Harford County, is new to the sport. But it was clear Tuesday that Macy has some Enfield in his blood. He easily collected all three rings, as his Andalusian horse galloped down the track.

Enfield said it takes about five years for horse and rider to become good jousters. Samantha Dostalik, a junior at Middletown High School, is learning the sport, but made several determined runs Tuesday on her horse.

Once a rider has the skills, jousting is a hard habit to give up, Enfield said. "It has just turned into a way of life," he said. He and his wife, Shirley, sold their dairy farm near Brunswick a few years back, but they brought their horses with them to Jefferson .

Vacations were always to jousting tournaments, Shirley said. All three children and four grandchildren are still involved with jousting. Even the two great-grandchildren are riding and learning.

Bradley Enfield, 14, and his sister Marley, 11, showed little fear as they galloped their horses at Tuesday's demonstration.

Mike Myers and his wife Heidi Hallein, who live near Middletown , rode their horse, Althea. All three are inexperienced jousters. Althea trotted as Myers and Hallein aimed for the rings. The couple are experienced fox hunters with the New Market Middletown Valley Hounds.

"It's a summertime thing," Myers said of jousting. "I also like it because it's not subjective. Everyone's pulling for each other."

It is also a low-impact sport for horses, he said.