One for the record books

Eric Guillory makes history again with his seventh Tournoi win in a row
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History was made yet again at the running of Le Tournoi last Sunday when Eric Guillory captured his seventh Tournoi win in a row. His win is also one that can be deemed perfect after Guillory successfully speared all seven rings, representing the seven enemies of cotton, in the three rounds making him the only individual to capture all 21 rings during this year’s competition.
Making history isn’t anything new to Guillory, as he became the first rider to win five Tournois in a row two years ago, and then the first to do it six time in a row.
The Evangeline Parish native is no stranger to Le Tournoi, which requires individuals to ride horseback around a semi-circular track spearing the enemies of cotton. Guillory’s grandfather Winston Guillory, and his dad, Kent Guillory, have earned the title of Tournoi champ in year’s past.
However, the young Knight of Tournoi, with each passing year, continues to set himself apart from any other Tournoi rider that has ever competed locally in Le Tournoi.
Guillory said, “It was very satisfying to win again.”
The now seven-time champ continued, “I was a little nervous about my horse the first round.”
According to Guillory, his horse General Lee, “had been really sick for about two months.” He said, “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to ride him.”
General Lee’s illness, however didn’t stop him and Guillory from destroying the competition from the beginning of Tournoi to the end.
In round one the duo out performed the competition capturing all seven rings. Guillory said, “After that I was pretty confident we could win.”
And, winning is exactly what he did by a landslide.
Guillory was the only rider to capture 21 rings. This success earned Guillory a check in the amount of $1,200 donated by Evangeline Bank and Trust Company to the rider who catches all 21 rings. The money, Guillory said, he will “probably just put in the bank.”
This wasn’t the first year Guillory caught all 21 rings. However, according to Guillory, he caught all 21 rings faster this year than the very first time he and General Lee performed perfectly.
Guillory was also awarded the fastest time trophy with a time of 12:39.
While Guillory was making history, this year’s Le Tournoi was dedicated to remembering a part of it’s history. The event was hosted in honor of long-time Tournoi rider and board member Gerald L. Fontenot, who died earlier this year.
Fontenot was the Tournoi Champion in 1967, and he also earned the award for the fastest time in 1965, sportsmanship award in 1967 and 1968, and a plaque in 1987 for serving 29 years with the association.
Family members of Fontenot were in attendance at the event, and took the time to thank the Tournoi association for remembering their loved one.
Other riders who earned a trophy for their performance at this year’s Tournoi included: Alex Haller, second place; Bryan Fontenot, third place; John Ross Guillory, fourth place; and Ryan Haller, fifth place.
The top 10 out of the 17 riders who competed this year also qualify to compete next year at Le Tournoi. The riders rounding out the top 10 were: Chuck Manuel, seventh place; Marcus Guillory, eighth place; Austin Trahan, ninth place; and Kent Saucier, 10th place.