One of these men, Andrew Beattie, is a professional stunt performer and winner for the last number of years in the joust at the annual festival.

Mr Beattie said he was excited to get into it again this year as he prepared the horses for competition. 

“Most of us are professional stunt performers, so we will be going at it,” he said. 

Another knight who will be participating again this year is Sir Darrell Bossley from the Southern Highlands. 

Mr Bossley is a stedfast competitor and seasoned knight, and at 70 years old, he is the oldest jouster in Australia, of which there are only 15. 

“He hits like a hammer,” competitor Andrew Beattie said. 

Mr Bossley didn’t begin jousting until after he retired at the age of 65. He was a martial arts teacher and rodeo rider from way back. 

“He is just the nicest fella,” Mr Beattie said. 

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Sir Tony Hodges, who resides from Queensland, will also be coming to Lithgow to compete. 

Tony comes from an agricultural background, and has been on horseback all his life but only started jousting professionally in 2013. 

“He is a master horseman and breaker,” Mr Beattie said. 

He has trained with some very accomplished knights including Sir Phillip Leitch, Sir Justin Holland, Sir Clifford Marisma and Sir David Williamson.

He was victorious in Skill at Arms and joust tournaments across the world, including solid jousting at Sonora, USA. 

The joust isn’t the only event the jousters will be taking part in, with the knights versus armoured cavalry battle expected to be quite the spectacle.

“There will be displays of modern cavalry, weapon skills, knights between tanks, trick riders and so much more,” Mr Beattie said. 

Mr Beattie is working hard on final preparations for the tournament as he transports horses and participates in workshops for the event. 

The Ironfest tournament joust will take place between 4pm and 4.30pm on the tourney ground.