By Marianne Lincoln

As I was leaving the Cross Park Spaghetti Feed, a good-looking fella caught my eye. At 18.5 hands this blonde, Belgian athlete was pretty impressive. He was dressed up for a little jousting practice with Melinda Leach. His name is Mikie the Wonder Horse. I would have said what a stud, but he is obviously a gelding. He was very gentle.

Melinda was practicing for the Northwest Jousting Association meet June 30 at Stewart’s Arena in Yelm. She was trying out a new “break-away” pole she had ordered from California.Prior to the meet, on June 29 and 30, at Stewart’s Arena, a Clinic with Charlie Andrews, featured in the National Geographic, Knights of Mayhem, is a master horseman and world champion jouster.

Clinic Details and more information on Andrews can be found at http://ujc-IJA-clinics.weebly.com.

Information on the International Jousting Association and their schedules can be found at http://www.ija-usa.com/index.html.

Stewart’s arena is located at 11127 Vail Rd SE, Yelm.

That’s at the corner of Vail Rd. E. and Cook Road. near the Western Airpark. It’s north of four corners and not far from Stewart’s Meats.