James H. Fairclough II of Cavalier Show Jumping has joined the History Channel’s show “Full Metal Jousting,” a new one-hour series premiering Feb. 12 at 10 p.m.
“I wanted to show everyone that show jumpers are just as tough as any other division,” Fairclough said.
The 10-part series is hosted by professional jouster Shane Adams and will feature full-contact jousting, awarding the last individual still standing a $100,000 cash prize. Riders will wear 80-pound steel suits and joust with 11-foot solid fir lances.
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Fairclough went through a week of training before being selected as one of the final 16 contestants. “After a rigorous week of boot camp, we went right into full-on combat. It was an amazing experience, and something I definitely look forward to pursuing in the future,” he said.
Fairclough is a successful show jumper based out of Seahorse Stables in Water Mill, N.Y. and plans on returning to the show jumping world at this season’s FTI Wellington Equestrian Festival (Fla.).
