When the Knights of Valour came to Powell to put on a jousting show in 2014, the group’s owner, Shane Adams, said people weren’t entirely sure what to expect.

“The fans were quite inquisitive. They thought we’d be like men in tights with fake armor, like a Renaissance reenactment,” Adams said.

This is no theatrical reenactment.

It’s been several years since the Knights of Valour competed in Powell, but they’ll be returning to the Park County Fair this year.

The jousting event is an authentic contact sporting competition. There is no choreography. The jousters charge at each other with a combined speed of 50 mph, wearing 150 pounds of 14-gauge stainless steel plate armor, with the intent of thrusting solid lances against their opponent who’s doing the same.

“We give them the ultimate fight in a medieval manner,” Adams said.

Jousting is a martial game that grew out of the Middle Ages. It simulated the clash of heavy calvary, which had about the same esteem as fighter pilots in today’s modern military. Since only the wealthy could afford the armor and horses for the sport, it was mostly a pastime of the nobility. The sport fell out of fashion in the 17th Century, but enjoyed a revival in the 1970s. The sport’s revival has been mostly for theatrical purposes and historical reenactment. Adams started out as a reenacter himself, but eventually his career in jousting evolved into the real deal.

“In this day and age, people want gladiatorial-style games,” he said.

The aim of the jousters is to get more points than their opponents. The jousters get one point for striking their opponent’s Brechschild, a reinforced iron grid on the rider’s left shoulder. The lance hits with over 4,000 pounds of pressure. If it breaks, the jouster gets five points. And if it unhorses the opponent, that’s 10 points.

If the lance doesn’t hit the shield, no points are awarded, regardless of whether or not the lance breaks or the opponent is unhorsed.

Adams said the Knights of Valour is one of only two organizations engaging in full-contact jousting.

“No one else has the [courage] for it,” he boasted.

The group has toured all over the world, and Adams was the host and executive director for a reality show on the History Channel called “Full Metal Jousting.” They’ve also held events in Gillette, Sheridan and Afton. Adams said they’ve got a good following in the Cowboy State.

This year, one of the competitors is a female from Canada.

“She has free health care, so we’re good with it,” Adams joked.

In past years, they’ve had six players, but the Knights of Valour were called in as a last-minute replacement for a horse show that canceled. They were only able to get four competitors on short notice, but Adams said it’s still going to be a great show.

“It’s the demolition derby of the Middle Ages, and we’re coming.”

The Knights of Valour hold their event on Friday, July 26, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Box seats are $18.