KNIGHTLY VENTURES... A Medieval Experience
Step into a World of WarHorses, Knights, Armor and Timeless Adventure
We bring History to Life with Immersive & Engaging Medieval Experiences
Professional Show & Sport Support ~ Tailored services for events of all sizes
Entertaining & Educational Performances & Demonstrations
At Knightly Ventures, history isn’t just taught—it’s lived
Medieval Equestrian Entertainment & Jousting
Serving Idaho, the Northwest and beyond
Knightly Ventures
a Medieval Experience built to break monotony & forge unforgettable memories
At the crossroads of tradition and tenacity stands Knightly Ventures - a living testament to modern chivalry and the timeless call to courage. Founded by Sir and Dame Ralstone, this family-forged endeavor is more than a business; it is a way of life. Knightly Ventures trains not just horses, but hearts - cultivating champions in the lyst and in life. With reins in one hand and purpose in the other, the Ralstone family has built farms, raised warriors, and breathed life into stone and soil, turning dreams of honor and grit into daily practice. From armor and arming wear to mounted combat and medieval horsemanship, every piece, ride, and lesson carries the mark of care, craftsmanship, and conviction. Knightly Ventures is the engine behind the realm - quietly building, relentlessly serving, and always riding forward for the good of the two and four legged.
Colors: Black, White/Grey, Green and Creame
Charge: Rampant Destrier with Knight lance in hand
Motto: “Corda Accendimus Virtute, Non Vi” - We Ignite Hearts by Virtue, Not by Force
KnightlyVentures.com 208-217-7748 (serving near and far)
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KNIGHTS, JESTERS and WARHORSES... OH MY!
Across time, few figures inspire awe like the knight on horseback. From the tournament fields of the 13th century to the arenas of today, mounted knights have stood as symbols of skill, strength, and honor. But behind the legend lies the reality: it takes a lifetime to master warhorse and weapon alike.
Our modern mounted knights carry on this martial tradition—wearing 70+ pounds of steel, commanding over a thousand pounds of living power beneath them. There is no choreography here. The combat is real. The partnership between horse and rider is forged through countless hours of training, trust, and sweat.
Historically, mounted knights were elite warriors—trained from youth in horsemanship, lance, and blade. The tournament became their proving ground. From the 1200s through the 1400s, knights faced off in events like the joust, mêlée, and mounted skill games—testing their combat readiness before battle, or in peacetime, their honor before the court.
Tonight’s knights ride in that same spirit. They are competitors, horsemen, and martial artists. Their armor is authentic. Their hits land. And every charge is a dance with danger, just as it was six hundred years ago.
Sir Ralstone
Hailing from: North Idaho
Colors: Green • Cream • Black
Charge: Sinister Raven
Motto: Fidelitas et Fortitudo - Loyalty and Strength
Standing 6’0”, 195lbs and clad in 61 lbs of steel
Horse Experience: Breeding, Training & Campaigning Horses for Sport since 1999
Medieval Experience: Squiring, Sword fighting, Archery and Mounted Skills training and work started back in 1999 and has continued to build over time.
Fun Fact: Preferred weapon: a lance, close second, a Hammer
Steed: "Draco", a 15h, 1,300 lb Grey Andalusian cross (Azteca)
nimble as smoke and steady as stone. He co-owns a stable of WarHorses with the Dame Ralstone, though he chooses is beautiful boy over his wife's cows.
The Dame Ralstone
Hailing from: North Idaho
Colors: Black • White • Grey
Charge: Rampant Horse
Motto: "Fortitudine et Honore" - With Tenacity and Honor
Standing: 5’7” at 190lbs, clad in 70lbs of steel,
Horse Experience: Over 45 years training and campaigning in Multi-Disciplines, including 3 decades clad in steel and medieval training on & off horse.
Medieval Experience: Mounted Skills at Arms. Theatrical, Tournament and Historical Joust, Choreographed stage combat with all weapons including body.
Fun Fact: Preferred weapon: a Horse, close second her body
Steed: Knightly Ventures "Shey", 15h, 1,180 lbs - a Black Friesian-Gypsy War Mare
known far and wide as a Warhorse Extraordinaire, small in frame but mighty in fire and heart. Also Ramses, a Marshal Mount & Carriage Horse or Draco, Sir Ralstones Destrier as they love to dance together in the tiltyard.
The Lady Weerheim
Hailing from: Washington
Colors: Black • Red
Charge: Grinning Fox with Bells and Sword
Motto: Cor Forte, Risus Acer – Brave Heart, Sharp Laughter
Standing: Compact and confident, with enough attitude to fill the lyst
Horse Experience: Lifelong rider, trainer, and breeder; owns and operates a professional equestrian business
Medieval Experience: Mounted games, show performer, jester-at-arms, and crowd favorite
Fun Fact: Can ride backwards, juggle apples, and hit a quintain—all at once.
Probably. (Don't dare him)
Steed: Legacy – a powerful Black & White Gypsy Drum mare Big, bold, and ready for anything—Legacy brings weight and wonder to every ride, and she loves to play as much as she works. his secondary mount LeStat a black Friesian is a Dressage Diva and embodies a true to type Destrier.
JESTERS
Wit. Mischief. Horsemanship... Forget everything you think you know about jesters.
The medieval Jester was not simply a fool in motley. A clever Jester could be a storyteller, entertainer, musician, satirist and keen observer of the world around him—using wit and humor to delight a crowd and, on occasion, say what others dared not. Our Jester, Trash Biscuit, carries that tradition forward with his own particular style. Quick-witted, mischievous and utterly entertaining, he has a remarkable talent for stealing the hearts of an audience while stealing the show from anyone who lets him. But beneath the antics is a serious horseman. Trash Biscuit is an accomplished rider and a trusted partner to his WarHorse, bringing the same skill and confidence to the saddle that he brings to his comedy. He may be the fool of the court—but make no mistake. The fool knows exactly what he's doing.
Our Jester "Trash Biscuit"
Hailing from: Washington
Colors: Black • Red
Charge: Grinning Fox with Bells and Sword
Motto: Cor Forte, Risus Acer – Brave Heart, Sharp Laughter
Standing: Compact and confident, with enough attitude to fill the lyst
Horse Experience: Lifelong rider, trainer, and breeder; owns and operates a professional equestrian business
Medieval Experience: Mounted games, show performer, jester-at-arms, and crowd favorite
Fun Fact: Can ride backwards, juggle apples, and hit a quintain—all at once.
Probably. (Don't dare him)
Steed: Legacy – a powerful Black & White Gypsy Drum mare Big, bold, and ready for anything—Legacy brings weight and wonder to every ride, and she loves to play as much as she works. his secondary mount LeStat a black Friesian is a Dressage Diva and embodies a true to type Destrier.
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OUR WARHORSE BREEDS
Not all horses are fit for war. It takes more than muscle—it takes heart, trust, training, and time. Only the boldest make it to the field. The warhorses you see tonight are battle-trained and bred for the demands of mounted combat. Each carries centuries of legacy in their stride.
Friesian "Ramses" – Towering and jet-black, Friesians were the chosen steeds of medieval knights. With high-stepping action and war-ready power, these Dutch horses bring both drama and dominance to the arena.
Friesian/Gypsy Vanner "Shey" – Compact, confident, and full of fire. The Vanner brings the heart of the Romani traveler and the elegance of the Friesian to the field. Sure-footed, loyal, and made for the arena.
Andalusian "Draco" – Agile, noble, and born for the charge. From the Iberian Peninsula, Andalusians served kings and cavalry alike. Their speed and bold heart make them ideal for sudden maneuvers and close combat.
Gypsy Drum "Legacy" – The heavy warhorse of the Gypsy bloodlines. Larger than the Cob or Vanner, the Drum blends Gypsy Vanner charm with the raw power of Shire or Clydesdale lineage. Graceful, strong, and unshaken.
Draco
Andalusian Cross • 2013 • Destrier • Exhibition & Competition Mount
Agile, noble, and born for the charge. From the Iberian Peninsula, Andalusians served kings and cavalry alike. Their speed and bold heart make them ideal for sudden maneuvers and close combat.
Draco is the kind of horse who seems to know exactly where the audience is. Schooled from a young age in hand and under saddle, he developed into a versatile multi-discipline competition, parade and exhibition mount. Brave, bold and exceptionally smooth, Draco has become a crowd favorite—and, true to the Knightly Ventures tradition, he has plenty of character of his own.
A true partner in the arena, Draco brings the presence, athleticism and confidence of a seasoned Destrier to every performance.
Shey
Friesian × Gypsy • 2011 • Mare • Competition & Jousting WarHorse
Fearless in the lyst, Shey has competed in both full-contact and theatrical jousting and has dazzled audiences with her power, speed and agility. Along the way she has earned prize money, trophies—and something every performer hopes for: a devoted following. She isn't simply a WarHorse. She's a fan favorite.
Compact, confident, and full of fire. The Vanner brings the heart of the Romani traveler and the elegance of the Friesian to the field. Sure-footed, loyal, and made for the arena.
Shey was built from the ground up for the work. Her early foundation was developed in hand and at liberty before she began saddle work at five, preparing her for both historical and modern horse sports. That thoughtful foundation helped create the seasoned, competitive mare she is today.
Thor
Friesian × Andalusian • 2019 • Stallion • WarHorse in Training
Thor represents the next generation of the Knightly Ventures WarHorse program.
The son of Ramses VL, Thor is being developed patiently and deliberately, just as his father was before him. His education includes in-hand and liberty work, physical and mental conditioning, and the foundations necessary for historical and modern horse sports. Saddle work is now part of his education, and Thor is proving himself both willing and—very much in the Knightly Ventures tradition—a character.
His journey is still being written. But the foundation is there, and we're looking forward to seeing what this young Destrier becomes.
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MOUNTED SKILLS AT ARMS
The Mounted Skills at Arms are where knight and warhorse become one—testing courage, precision, and martial mastery.
These traditional challenges, once used to train warriors for battle, now thrill crowds with their speed and spectacle. Times flies, literally!
MEAD RACE A toast to speed and skill! Knights race to snatch a flagon of mead, ride a course, and return without spilling a drop. Balance and control win the cup.
LANCING RINGS A true test of precision. Galloping at full tilt, knights must spear tiny rings with their lance—an art once used to sharpen aim before battle.
SPEARING PIG A nod to medieval hunting and battlefield practice. Riders use a spear to strike a ground target, simulating the quick, forceful strikes once used in war and wild.
HEADS Simulated enemies loom ahead. Knights must cut down “enemy” heads with a sword, axe, or mace—showing control, timing, and a keen edge.
QUINTAIN Face the rotating foe! This spinning target swings back when struck. Knights must strike true, then dodge the return—blending strength with split-second timing.
THE JOUST The pinnacle of chivalric sport... Two knights charge with lance and shield in a clash of honor, valor, and thunder. This is no scripted scene—it’s real skill, real contact, and real impact.
Ramses
Friesian • 2005 • 16.2 hh • Stallion • Breeding, Riding & Exhibition
Towering and jet-black, Friesians were the chosen steeds of medieval knights. With high-stepping action and war-ready power, these Dutch horses bring both drama and dominance to the arena.
Ramses VL arrived in the United States from Canada as a foal and immediately made an impression. At his Keuring, he earned 8s for Quality & Conformation, Breed Type, and Overall Impression & Development—making him a 2nd Premie and the highest-scoring colt in his class.
Over the years, Ramses has become a seasoned breeding stallion as well as a trained riding and driving horse, parade mount and exhibition horse. Kind, gentle and unmistakably a character, he carries the heart of a true Destrier. Today, seeing him alongside his son Thor is a particularly special part of the Knightly Ventures story.
Legacy
Gypsy Drum • Black & White • Mare • Exhibition, Broodmare & Lesson Horse
The heavy warhorse of the Gypsy bloodlines. Larger than the Cob or Vanner, the Drum blends Gypsy Vanner charm with the raw power of Shire or Clydesdale lineage. Graceful, strong, and unshaken.
Legacy is a mare who has worn many hats over the years—and that history is part of what makes her special.
An experienced exhibition horse, broodmare and lesson horse, Legacy has brought together three qualities we value tremendously in a WarHorse: experience, versatility and the ability to build trust with people. She has taught, produced and performed, giving her a depth of experience that goes well beyond what can be measured in ribbons or titles.
With her striking black-and-white coloring and unmistakable presence, Legacy catches the eye immediately. But spend a little time with her and you discover what makes a truly valuable horse: there is much more to her than the spectacle.
LeStat
Friesian • Black • 2011 • Stallion • Champion • Breeding & Performance
Lestat Le Roi brings a different kind of presence to the WarHorse family—one rooted in the elegance, power and movement of the Friesian.
A champion Friesian stallion, Lestat has an established performance and breeding career and is currently being promoted for breeding by Elliot. His striking appearance, exceptional movement and commanding presence make him unmistakable, while his talent and structure speak to the qualities that have made the Friesian such an enduring symbol of equine nobility.
In the medieval arena, Lestat doesn't need to be anything other than himself. He enters with presence, and the atmosphere changes.
MARSHALS
Every tournament needs someone to keep order when the dust rises.
Our Marshals serve as the eyes and guardians of the field—watching the action, enforcing the rules, maintaining safety, and making certain that horse, rider, weapon, and contestant are all where they belong. In a sport where speed, steel, and powerful horses meet, their judgment matters.
The medieval tournament had its officials, heralds, and field authorities. Our Marshals carry that responsibility into the modern arena, balancing the pageantry of the medieval world with the experience and vigilance required to keep the spectacle safe.
They may not carry the lance—but when the Marshal speaks, the field listens.
Master of Marshals
Hailing from: North Idaho
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SQUIRES
Behind every mounted knight stands a squire.
More than attendants, squires are the hands, eyes, and support of the knight and WarHorse. They tend tack, prepare armor, ready horses, carry equipment, assist with mounting and dismounting, and keep watch over the details that allow a knight to enter the field ready for battle.
In the medieval world, becoming a knight was a long journey—and the squire was an essential part of that journey. Tonight, our squires carry on that tradition, working alongside our knights and WarHorses to keep the camp, horses, armor, and field in order.
Watch closely. The action may belong to the knights, but much of what makes it possible begins just outside the arena.
Squire Hunter
Hailing from: North Idaho
Colors: Black & White
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Squire Smith
Hailing from: Idaho
Colors: Black & White
Charge: Pen, Paper & Book
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Squire Smith Jr.
Hailing from: North Idaho
Colors: Blue & Black
Charge: a Sheild with Gavel
Motto:
Squire Liam
Hailing from: North Idaho
Colors: Teal & Orange
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Squire Caleb
Hailing from: North Idaho
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PHOTOGRAPHERS
Some moments last only an instant.
A lance splinters. A WarHorse charges. A knight turns at full speed. Armor flashes in the sun—and then the moment is gone.
Our photographers are there to catch those moments and preserve them long after the dust settles. Working around horses, riders, weapons, and fast-moving action requires more than a good camera; it takes timing, awareness, and an instinct for the moment before it happens.
Because a medieval tournament should be more than something you remember seeing.
It should be something you can remember forever.