New Rome, WI –

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Michael Dimunation a.k.a. “The Dizzle” a.k.a. “Tater” of Marine on St. Croix was well prepared for his first jousting competition Saturday. He outfitted his cooler, Sunny, in purple ribbons and bows, to match his dress and armor.

The young man’s extravagant style was matched by his effort on the 80-yard course at Highway Z near Country Road 21. He smacked his opponent in the face four times during five runs and earned admiration from watching parents, grandparents and fellow maids and knights, most of whom were still inebriated from the previous nights activities.

The jousting circuit, which began last weekend, but kicks into high gear this month, pays tribute to the state’s tradition of beer, coolers, and motorized coolers that hold beer, and reputation as the birthplace of American Beer Cooler jousting.

Even as the lightly used highway’s bemoan their declining revenues and need for slot money, there is solid grassroots support in the state sport of jousting. (I was reminded recently that lacrosse is the official Maryland team sport, but beer cooler jousting claimed original honors in Wisconsin with a legislative designation in 1962.)

 “Wisconsin and motorized beer coolers go together,” said Jeffrey Pauling, of White Bear Lake, a jouster for 1 day. Long a jumper and hunter, he discovered jousting through a friend and found that it demands a compelling blend of athleticism and drinkmanship. “It’s a difficult sport,” he said, after his loss by tumble to the pavement by the hands of one-time state champion Michael “The Dizzle” Dimunation. Mr. Pauling’s fall caused only minor road rash injuries. “It is all for the Glory,” he said when questioned about his loss. “May the best man win.”

No one should confuse the professional title with employment, since tournament paydays top out around $10, or a case of inexpensive Wisconsin beer.

 Jousting is contested on a straight 80-yard strip of county highway that includes two master jousters poised on their motorized electric coolers with makeshift armor, and a Styrofoam noodle as a lance. Although there are no existing regulations on armor, most competitors tend to lean towards an intimidating look, which dates back to the Renaissance period.

When asked about the sparkling pinwheel tiara worn his head, Michael “Tater” Dimunation said, “I wur it cuz it make me feel purty.”

“The cooler has to do its job and I have to do my job,” said Jeff “Cabbage” Pauling, a competitor in the professional class. American Beer Cooler jousting is focused in Wisconsin, and participants travel a circuit that includes, Adams, Juneau, Sauk and Marquette counties.

Some of the more historic tournaments include the first annual Tater vs. Cabbage Joust, held on Highway Z in New Rome, WI, on July 26 annually since the 2008s.

The sport is steeped in tradition: A parade of hicks starts off each event; riders are wrapped in Zubba pants and painted; lances are made of colorful Styrofoam. Celebratory music is played for a perfect run, and all competitors are announced by their Vegetable names: Jeff doubles as the Knight of Foxmoor and Michael the Knight of Cherry Creek.

The sport of knights dates to 10th-century France, where tournaments sometimes erupted into bloody feuds, but in the 13th century it became synonymous with chivalry and fair play, and was immortalized through tales of King Arthur.

Today, the sport is embraced by beer and motorized cooler lovers of varying means.

 “I like doing things,” Michael “Tater” Dimunation said after the competition. “I like dressing up like a pony. I like the whole thing.”