Each year at the end of May, Corus hosts one of Tortall's most prestigious jousting tournaments just before the summer heat begins to settle in. Knights from every corner of the realm come to Corus to tilt, each striving to win the coveted golden horseman trophy. This trophy is no ordinary jousting trophy: not only is it made from gold and dappled with precious gems, but embedded in the metal on either haunch of the horse are the seals of the King and Queen of Tortall; the trophy itself is presented to the winner by the realm's prince or princess with a traditional 'victory kiss'.
For the nobility, the tournament is one of the heights of the summer activities in Corus. It is a very popular event to attend, and with shaded stands, cushioned seats and servants ready at hand they have everything they need to make themselves comfortable as they watch. Some nobles, like the knight competitors, travel from their distant fiefs to make the tournament and socialize with their peers who reside in the capital city.
The commonfolk, meanwhile, are quite at liberty to do as they please. There are plenty of stands built to house them all and their rowdy behaviour, crude wooden things without any shade or cushions whatsoever, and there are also spaces near the jousting lanes where they can stand and watch from behind a fence. Commoners are also allowed to wander around in other places on the tournament ground, and it's not uncommon for them to stop by the stables to drop off treats for their favourite competitor's mount––though guards are in place to keep any foul play from happening with the horses. Vendors pass by throughout the tournament grounds offering food and drink at low costs, usually turkey and chicken bits complimented with warm wine or mead. Lingering around the tournament grounds amongst the tents and stables are souvenir stands, tinker wagons filled with wares and betting circles.
