The lancing family

Little did Winston Guillory know when he started running the Tournoi in 1959, he would end up building a family legacy that continues today through his children, grandchildren, grandson-in-law and nephews. He became Tournoi champion for the first time in 1963, and won twice more in 1965 and 1971. His daughter, Karen, recalls, “He would always ride his old mare, Beauty.”
Winston taught his sons, Keith, Kirt and Kent, about the Tournoi and even built a track for them to practice. His sons later began competing in the Tournoi once they were old enough. Kent recalls, “We grew up watching our dad and picked it up. We started with a Shetland pony and a stick. We love the thrill and adrenaline rush of running the track.”
Each Guillory brother has won at least once and placed in other years. Keith won in 2002, and holds the distinction of most second place finishes. Kent won in 1991 and was the first rider to ever catch all 21 rings. Up until that point, the most rings that had been caught in a run was 20.
The Guillory brothers have since passed down the tradition to their sons and sons in-law. Keith’s son, Marcus, has placed third in 2011 and also received fastest time that year. His son-in-law, William Fontenot, also competes in the competition.
Kent’s son, Eric, who began riding in 2009, is the reigning Tournoi champion, having won nine years in a row beginning in 2012. John Ross, Kent’s other son, also competes in the Tournoi each year, placing numerous times. Not limiting the family tradition to the boys, Kent’s daughter, Maci, also kept the Guillory tradition alive when she was crowned Louisiana Tournoi Queen in 2010.
Kirt has won all places 1-5, as well as sportsmanship, throughout his years as a Tournoi rider. He began in 1979 at the age of 18, where he was the first ever rookie champion. He also won again in 1986 and in 2011, which was his last time competing at the age of 50. The following year, his nephew, Eric, began his streak of nine straight championship runs.
While Kirt’s own sons never competed in the Tournoi, his son-in-law, Ryan Haller, and Ryan’s brother, Alex, became involved in Tournoi through their friendship with the Guillory grandsons and have both competed for several years, consistently placing in the top five, along with Eric, Marcus and John Ross. Alex began riding in 2011 and Ryan began in 2013. Ryan shares, “They roped us into it and taught us the ropes.” He adds, “I had never ran a horse before riding in the Tournoi.” Alex has tied Keith for the record of most second place finishes.
Ryan shares that over the last two years, the Guillorys and Hallers have made up the top five riders, which goes to show how much, time, dedication and practice is given to keep the family tradition alive. He says, “all of the Guillorys’ history with Tournoi amounts to 100 years of running experience.”
In a bit of interesting Tournoi history, father and son Winston and Kirt shared mother and daughter as their queens. Winston’s 1963 queen, Patsy Manuel Veillon, is the mother of Kirt’s 1986 queen, Vikki Veillon. Following Winston’s 1963 championship, he served as president of the Tournoi Association in 1964.
At last year’s Tournoi, the Guillory grandsons and Hallers all finished in the top 5 out of 20, with Alex finishing second, as well as collecting all 21 rings; Marcus, third; Ryan, fourth; and John Ross, fifth.
As reigning champion, Eric is ready for this year’s event and is hoping to get his 10th win, tying the record for most wins set by Mitch Soileau. He began running in 2009, and has placed in the top 10 every year, leading to his current nine-year streak as champion. Eric owes his success to “a good horse and a lot of practice. I practice a lot at home and run drills more than out at the track.” He adds, “I hope to continue my streak and tie for most wins with number 10 this year. My goal is to get 11 wins to break the streak.”
With the passing of Winston in February and Kirt in May of this year, the Tournoi Association is proud to honor two members of Tournoi’s first family, who plan to keep their memory alive and keep the tradition going for generations to come.
Of this special father/son recognition, Kirt’s wife, Sharon, says, “I am very pleased they are being honored together for all their years dedicated to the Tournoi.” Son-in-law Ryan adds, “I always paint my horse in a patriotic USA theme for the Tournoi. This year, I am painting the Guillory brand on my horse, so they will be riding with me.”
Tournoi treasurer and pageant director Rachael Saucier says, “This year’s Tournoi is dedicated to Mr. Winston Guillory and Kirt Guillory for their years with the Tournoi Association. Both won championships three times over the years and spent many other years working for the Tournoi to make it a success.” She adds, “Kirt was our official scorekeeper and I don’t know if we will ever find another to work an adding machine like he did. The Tournoi Association will miss both of them for years to come.”