The Golden Stilt

THE MOST POPULAR JOUST OF THE YEAR, AT THE HEART OF THE FESTIVAL OF WALLONIA

The joust for the Golden Stilt takes place on the third Sunday of September in front of thousands of spectators. This fight, the most prestigious of all, allows to designate the best stilt fighter of the year.

On this occasion, fifty odd jousters meet to determine who will have the honor of having the golden stilt and this for 1 year.

Enthusiastic crowds gather around the jousting area. Each supporter has his team and his colors

©Skuds – Simon Fusillier

THE GOLDEN STILT JOUST TAKES PLACE IN TWO STAGES

©Skuds – Simon Fusillier

In the 1st phase, after the salute of the Captains, the two teams engage in open combat. As things move along, the weakest jousters are eliminated and gradually only the strongest are left standing. Finally, one of the two teams, by its technical and physical prowess as well as its organisation eliminates the other team.

Once one of the teams has won the joust, the final phase starts : the « bout-à-tot ».

The jousters still standing engage in a joust between themselves to designate the champion. The last jouster still standing receives the golden stilt offered to him by one of the towns personalities for one year.

The last jouster of the defeated company will receive the silver stilt.

HALL-OF-FAME OF THE GOLDEN STILT.

Winning the Gold Stilt is an accomplishment for any stilt jouster. Discover the hall-of-fame of the golden stilt.

AnnéeEchasse d'orCompagnieEchasse d'argent
2024Martin DESSAMBREMélansLiam CORBIAUX
2023Rémy TASIAUXAvressesAntoine VANRYKEL
2022Frédéric GILONAvressesCyril DOYEN
2021Robin BOTRONAvressesEmilien MAATLIA
2020/ (*)/ (*)/ (*)
2019Christophe CORBIAUXAvressesMartin DESSAMBRE
2018Jérémy FRIPPIATAvressesYves DELLIEU
2017Rémy TASIAUXAvressesMartin DESSAMBRE
2016Benoît GILLARDMélansChristophe CORBIAUX
2015Julien GOBIETAvressesBenoît GILLARD
2014Christophe CORBIAUXAvressesBenoît GILLARD
2013Justin CZENKIAvressesOlivier PIRAUX
2012Julien GOBIETAvressesBenoît GILLARD
2011Olivier ENGLEBERTAvressesBenoît GILLARD
2010Nicolas DESSAMBREMélansChristophe CORBIAUX
2009Benoît GILLARDMélansChristophe CORBIAUX
2008Christophe CORBIAUXAvressesBenoît GILLARD
2007Benoît GILLARDMélansChristophe CORBIAUX
2006Christophe CORBIAUXAvressesYves DELLIEU
2005Oliver PIRAUXMélansChristophe CORBIAUX
2004Benjamin CORBIAUXAvressesPatrick DESSAMBRE
2003Christophe CORBIAUXAvressesBertrand PATRIS
2002Alain VANRIJKEL
MélansFrédéric GILON
2001Christophe CORBIAUX
AvressesFrançois ENGLEBERT
2000Hugues WILLEMARTAvressesBenoît GILLARD
1999Thierry JACOBMélansChristophe CORBIAUX
1998Christophe CORBIAUXAvressesThierry JACOB
1997Thierry ATKINSAvressesBenoît GILLARD
1996Frédéric GILONAvressesBenoît GILLARD
1995Alain VANRIJKELAvressesThierry JACOB
1994Christophe CORBIAUXAvressesPatrick DESSAMBRE
1993Bertrand PATRISAvressesRichard HOUZEE
1992Patrick DESSAMBREMélansHugues WILLEMART
1991Thierry ATKINSAvressesRichard HOUZEE
1990Luc DANZAINMélansThierry ATKINS
1989Thierry CORBIAUXAvressesLuc DANZAIN
1988Thierry CORBIAUXAvressesLuc DANZAIN
1987Jean TYTGATAvressesPatrick DESSAMBRE
1986Thierry CORBIAUXAvresses?
1985Thierry ATKINSAvresses?
1984Thierry ATKINSAvresses?
1983Luc DANZAINMélans?
1982Thierry CORBIAUXAvresses?
1981Thierry CORBIAUXAvresses?
1980Thierry CORBIAUXAvressesLuc DANZAIN
1979Philippe BOURGEOISAvresses-
1978Philippe BOURGEOISAvresses-
1977Nicolas SOMMAAvresses-
1976Philippe BOURGEOISAvresses-
1975Thierry CORBIAUXAvresses-
1974Philippe BOURGEOISAvresses-
1973Dany BOURGEOISAvresses-
1972Jacques WILLEMARTAvresses-
1971Guy BOLANDMélans-
1970Luc PIERROUXMélans-
1969Guy De FranceAvresses-
1968Jacques CORNEZAvresses-
1967Christian REKKOMélans-
* Due to the coronavirus epidemic (covid 19), the 2020 golden stilt was canceled. It was replaced by a “Champions Challenge” bringing together behind closed doors 4 representatives of the Avresses and 4 representatives of the Mélans. This joust was won by the Mélan Martin Dessambre.

RELIVE THE GOLDEN STILT 2023

Relive the 2023 golden stilt in live conditions: