bio pic courtesy of Jennifer Figueiredo
Personal Moto: “dolor est temporalis est et aeterna gloria”
(pain is temporary and glory eternal).
TJ was born in London, Ontario, Canada and grew up in the northern city of Sudbury. From a young age he has always been interested in the medieval era. Throughout his life he has done some study on the era and has been a member of some re-enactment groups. Along with being one of the prominent members of the Knights of Valour, TJ is also an accomplished Leather crafter. He plies his trade as a means to improve his own attire and armor, as well as taking on custom orders. Modest in his work, he considers himself an adequate craftsman, but believing there is always room for improvement, a trait which has served him well as a Knight. View TJ's Photo Gallery
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While working at a medieval dinner show in Toronto, TJ received expert training in sword play and dressage riding. He excelled and became a trainer of the newer squires. He has continued this with the Knights of Valour, assisting Shane Adams in teaching new recruits basic horsemanship and the techniques of lance handling and competition jousting. This also includes a physical regiment to maintain and increase teammate’s strength and stamina. TJ met Shane Adams through mutual acquaintances at a medieval faire. Shane encouraged and inspired him to take the next step and become a REAL Knight. TJ, having been trained by Cherri Reiber, a top professional in the equine sport of dressage and one of the horse riding coaches who has also worked with Shane Adams, he considers himself a skilled rider. With the training of Shane, he not only has the drive, but now the skill to be a champion jouster, and show his skill as an accomplished horseman as well. In addition to competing, TJ is also one of the prime Emcees of the troupe, announcing and marshaling many of the KOV events. In this capacity he has also written much of the show dialogue and the entire educational script used to teach students at the KOV educational tour events. |
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In September of 2009, TJ competed in Estes Park, Colorado at the Scottish Highland Games international jousting tournament. His events were the light armor joust, competitive games and Full Contact Heavy Armor Joust. He had the pleasure of riding Shane's grey Percheron/Fresian cross Athos, who helped to bring him a 4th place rating in the Heavy Armor. As the sport of jousting continues to grow, TJ will find himself in the upper echelons of Competition Knights. Such champions include Shane Adams, Tim Tobey, and Ripper Moore. |
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TJ was an assistant coach on “Full Metal Jousting” using his training skills to create more skilled competitors in this sport. His dreams, like Shane’s, to be a real knight are being fulfilled. With that said TJ or “Sir Theodore” looks only to improve, overcome any injury and perhaps one day make his mentor Shane and those who have supported him proud by attaining a Champion title. |