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Home/Acadiana/Le Tournoi – Cajun Knights on Horseback
costumed rider on horseback with lance at le tournoi

Le Tournoi – Cajun Knights on Horseback

Le Tournoi is a unique competition that you will only find at one place in the country. Once a year, Cajun “Knights” on horseback race around a quarter-mile track in Ville Platte, Louisiana, as they try to spear seven small metal rings.

horse kicks up dust as rider with lance catches rings at le Tournoi
The goal of Le Tournoi is to catch all seven rings

The seven rings represent the seven enemies of cotton. Cotton farming is important to the economy of this rural Evangeline Parish town. Those seven enemies are drought, flood, the bollworm, boll weevil, rayon, nylon and silk. Twenty riders compete in three rounds, trying to collect all seven rings in each round. Kent Guillory was the first rider to snatch all 21 rings. He did it and won the championship 20 years ago. Guillory says it requires, “good hand-eye coordination and you better have a good horse.”

Watch the action of le tournoi

Fast-paced action at Le Tournoi

how le tournoi began

The modern version of the competition began in 1953. But Le Tournoi dates back to the founding of the Ville Platte community in the early 19th century by Frenchman Marcellin Garrand. The competition was similar to ancient tournaments held in France.

old black and white photograph of riders on horseback at le tournoi in front of U.S. flag
1887 Le Tournoi, courtesy of Ville Platte Gazette

harder than it looks

The horse riders race around the quarter-mile long dirt track at speeds of 40 miles per hour. They use a 5-foot long wooden lance to spear the small metal rings that are a mere 2.5 inches in diameter. In addition to catching as many rings as possible, their goal is to complete the quarter-mile in less than 14 seconds. Spectators, who have RVs, tents, barbecue grills and ice chest full of beer, cheer on their favorites.

costumed rider on horseback takes aim at small yellow ring in le tournoi
Costumed rider takes aim at small metal ring

breaking the gender barrier

It was always thought that only men could enter the competition. Lisa Crane, an experienced equestrian, changed that six years ago. “It was an unwritten rule that women couldn’t run. So we actually checked into it and it was in fact an unwritten rule,” explains Crane. “Since there was nothing against it, we were allowed to run.” Crane has qualified to run each year since then, sometimes finishing among the top 5 riders, she says.

woman horse rider in costume catches yellow ring in le tournoi
French rider Marie Toustou catches rings in the competition

Le Tournoi featured on tv

Watch this Heart of Louisiana TV story on the 2021 Le Tournoi

Grand finale of ville Platte’s cotton festival

Le Tournoi de la Ville Platte is the highlight of the annual Cotton Festival held in late October. The tournament riders take part in the festival’s parade through downtown Ville Platte before heading to the nearby industrial park for the competition.

getting there

Ville Platte, LA 70586

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        Written by:
        Dave McNamara
        Published on:
        December 30, 2021
        Thoughts:
        5 Comments

        Categories: Acadiana, Featured

        Reader Interactions

        Comments

        1. Joe Carpenter

          November 15, 2021 at 10:28 am

          THIS LOOK BETTER THAN KNIGHT AGAINST KNIGHT. THANKS BEN I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS EVENT. SHURE THEIR ARE MANY MORE .BE SAFE .

          Reply
        2. Thomas Ronquillo

          November 17, 2021 at 12:39 pm

          I would like to know when will LE TOURNOI be held next year also are their any camp grounds in the area

          Reply
          • Dave McNamara

            November 26, 2021 at 9:08 am

            Le Tournoi is held in conjunction with Ville Platte’s annual Cotton Festival. According to the Cotton Festival’s Facebook page – The Louisiana Cotton Festival is held the 6th weekend after Labor Day in October. Also, there is camping at Chicot State Park, which is only ten minutes from the site of Le Tournoi at the Evangeline Parish Industrial Park.

            Reply
        3. Fred King

          November 22, 2021 at 3:09 pm

          To Dave McNamara:
          This post is to tell you that your information on your Nov 14, 2021, concerning the jousting tournament in Ville Platte is incorrect as to the only place in the Country where one is held.—-Christ Church in Port Republic Maryland just held their 154 annual jousting tournament this past August 2021. It is quite similar to the one you showed on Heart of Louisiana.
          Respectfully,
          Fred King

          Reply
        4. Tony Hernandez

          April 25, 2022 at 8:56 pm

          Years ago I saw some videos of these riders in their colorful costumes. It reminded me of a custom celebrated in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. The majority of the inhabitants of that town are descendants of Canary Islands, yes, the same as in Bernard Parish, LA and of San Antonio, Tx.
          The tradition of “Las Mascaras of Hatillo” is well attended on the 28th of December by locals and tourists alike. Thousands of principals participate and are selected for best in category for their costumes and “rides.” There is bountiful coverage on the Internet.

          Reply

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