Australia beats England in The Smashes jousting tournament at Kryal Castle

Two knights, decked out in shining armour, circle the arena on their horses, lances pointed at the heavens.

Queen hit We Will Rock You begins to play, the crowd erupts, and the knights gallop full speed at each other until lances explode in a splintering mess against their metal shields.

It is not a scene from Heath Ledger's movie A Knight's Tale — this is The Smashes.

A crowd gathered at Kryal Castle to watch the jousting competition. (ABC News: Eden Hynninen)

More than 4,000 spectators, including many in Middle Ages garb, stepped into the faux-medieval world of Kryal Castle in Ballarat to watch jousting's answer to the cricket's Ashes rivalry.

The two-day event featured Australian and English competitors battling on horseback in the hopes of getting their hands on The Smashes urn — a gold plated trophy filled with the ashes of a lance burned at Arundel Castle in England.

Jousting, which dates back to the 13th Century, involves two competitors on horseback, armed with lances.

They have a primary goal of breaking their opponent's lance or unseating them from their horse.

Points are added by hitting the shield or helmet.

Crowds stepped into the faux-medieval world of Kryal Castle in Ballarat. (ABC News: Eden Hynninen)

Australia takes the tournament

Australia managed to snatch the title from the reigning champions England, winning the tournament by two points.

Kryal Castle jouster Phil Leach said it was a fantastic win.

"It was incredibly close," Mr Leach said.

"We came from being two points down yesterday to winning by two points.

"We now retain the trophy and send a team to the UK in two years."

Mr Leach said the Australian team had been training for months.

"The rivalry is fierce," he said.

"We're friends … but we very much wanted to win."

Kyle Van Dolah-Evenas enjoys the atmosphere. (ABC News: Eden Hynninen)

'Adrenaline junkie'

English competitor Kyle Van Dolah-Evenas said she was excited to compete in her first big international tournament.

"I've always been an adrenaline junkie," Ms Van Dolah-Evenas said.

She said she had done jousting as a child.

"This seemed like a new and fun way to hurt myself on horseback," she said.

"It's a good rivalry between our two nations and it's a good way to represent it."

Bek Tomlinson and Ryan Ruddock loved dressing up for the day. (ABC News: Eden Hynninen)

Bek Tomlinson and her partner Ryan Ruddock travelled from Melbourne to attend the event and spend the weekend playing dress up.

"We came last year, and it felt like childhood all over again," Ms Tomlinson said.

"We were running around in these outfits … we've come back to be a kid for the day."

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