Local knights to joust on History Channel program

Two Myrtle Beach area buddies will meet in battle Sunday night, as they joust on horseback before television cameras.

Josh Avery and Josh Knowles will join 14 other armored warriors competing on “Full Metal Jousting,” a 10-part show airing at 10 p.m. Sundays on cable’s History Channel. Contestants seek claim a $100,000 prize as the last man standing.

Avery and Knowles each said they built up their equestrian skills while working at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament near Myrtle Beach, where Knowles continues starring in shows as what he calls “the bad guy.”

Avery, who graduated from Carolina Forest High School and Horry County’s Academy for the Arts, Science and Technology, lives in Myrtle Beach, and Knowles, a Socastee High alumnus, resides in Carolina Forest.

The men each trotted out some thoughts about what led them to take part in a full-contact reality show, which was filmed near Jackson, Miss.

Question | What memories come to mind from the first time you hopped in a saddle?

Avery | The first real saddle time I has was with Medieval Times. While I was getting trained by ... the head knight ... he wanted to make sure I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy journey. .. I fell off multiple times.

Knowles | The very first time I rode on a horse was in summer camp. I was 11 or 12, and it was just like a little trail ride.

Q. | What kept you climbing back on a horse, to make a career of it?

Avery | It really is unlike any other physical activity, no matter what it is. It’s really fun because it’s not easy, and not fun because of the physical risks. ... I’ve been pretty athletic. Learning how to be a horseman is like learning to be a lacrosse player or learning the fundamentals of any sport.

Knowles | I didn’t really do anything on horseback for a great many years until I rode a horse ... in Medieval Times; that was about it, then it’s been every day for the last seven years.

Q. | When you joined Medieval Times, what fever injected your imagination about a career behind the armor on horseback?

Avery | There was nothing about the actual medieval theme or armor that really did it for me. I was just into sports, and I was competition minded. ... I liked the competitive nature Medieval Times has. While doing that for five years I found out I wanted to make horsemanship a career. I did the whole show. I was a prince there for a long time. It was a new competition every day.

Knowles | The head knight saw me at the local Gold’s Gym. He thought I had a good look, and I was already growing my hair out. ... At first, I thought it was a little strange, but I was a carpenter at the time, and we know how hot it is in summer in Myrtle Beach. ... I got to know the guys, and I realized this is a really cool job. After seeing horses up close, it has become a constant passion of mine. There is no other place in the world where you can ride horses, do sword fighting and hang around the brotherhood.

Q. | What respect about horses’ senses and innate intelligence have you gained from such tact and skills in the saddle?

Avery | Riding a horse is so much of a negotiation and give-and-take between the horseman and horse. ... The best riders disguise their movements, so that when you give a little tug on the left rein and the horse’s head goes left, you release that rein and it’s a reward for the horse. ... It’s the closest you can have to a conversation with the animal while being on its back.

Knowles | I’ve been riding the same horse ... for two to three years now. ... Through that journey you make with the horse, you get a bond with the animal. He basically knows what I want him to do before I ask him to do it. That’s one of the most important things about being a real knight, and in keeping your contact with the horse. ... Through years of work with horses, I see they’re extremely intelligent, and they have a great capacity for learning.

Q. | Without conceding anything that transpires on the show, can you share the greatest equestrian attribute you picked up from taking part in the series?

Avery | This isn’t an easy skill. Being on the show, I got to meet people who are a their top levels, from a top rodeo guy to amazing career equestrians. Seeing what they do with a horse and their particular field, and what they practice, it opened my eyes to how big the horse world really is and how many people and talents are involved.

Knowles | The most important thing about real jousting or using it where I work: You always have to have that real-life connection with the horse. ... The horse is a beautiful animal. ... The animal is such a noble, intelligent creature. If you ever sit on a horse, as soon as you sit in the saddle, you know this animal was made for man to ride. ... There is no other animal on the planet you can say that about.

Q. | To what should the viewer pay extra attention when watching “Full Metal Jousting”?

Avery | This is 100 percent real. ... They put us through all kinds of risks, experiments, tests and medical tests. They gave us armor and equipment and said “Go get it.” ... You’re having 80 to 100 pounds of armor strapped to you and trying to find that balance point. When you’re 100 pounds heavier, your center of balance is so different.

Knowles | This show has definitely captured the true spirit of jousting as an ancient sport and seeking to present it in a modern way. With the heat of the battles and all the slow-motion photography, it’ll be a mind-blowing experience.