On those rare occasions when he�s actually sitting at his desk, Tim Baker, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Corporate Director of Stunts and Choreography, looks like any other executive team member. He�s fit and tan, and his neatly pressed striped shirt is tucked into a pair of dark slacks. As the hour approaches when most executives get ready to head home, however, Baker steps into his other suit � a suit of armor � and unleashes the mane of blond hair that was held in check with a ponytail.

In June 2001, Baker, who joined Medieval Times 20 years ago, made the jump from Head Knight at the Orlando Castle to his newly created position. As the person now responsible for establishing and maintaining the highest quality and safety standards for all seven Medieval Times castles in North America, Baker works with 210 Knights and Squires, and indirectly with 245 horses. He�s still performing, and he�s making some significant changes.

�Before,� Baker recalled, �every Knight would ride every horse. We brought in a lot of new horses at all the castles, and matched each Knight with the appropriate horse. Now instead of just doing a show and heading out, the Knights are spending time with their horses, visiting them, developing a real bond.� Enthusiasm on the part of both the riders and their mounts is way up, Baker reported, and injuries are down. That rapport between horse and rider is key to the pageantry and success of the world�s longest-running dinner attraction. �When you�re a Knight in our show,� Baker said, �You�re a fighter 30%, and a horseman 70%. You have to be confident, and look like you�ve spent your life on a horse.� That�s not just for the show element, either, Baker said. If a horse senses a rider is afraid, that�s bad news for the Knight.

�About 80% of our Knights have never ridden before, and we�re using Andalusians and Friesians � huge, powerful animals with a mind of their own. I teach the Knights to stay calm and relaxed, and the horses get their confidence from their rider. �For Baker, that advice isn�t just a philosophy � it�s truly a way of life. He has pictures of himself sitting on a horse while he�s still in diapers, and he never remembers learning how to ride. He just rode. �I grew up in the country in the middle of nowhere with six brothers, and my family raised cattle and horses,� the Florida native recalled. �I learned to speak the language very early. Horses are so intelligent and capable of so much. They learn all about you just like you learn all about them. It�s all respect and communication.�

While Baker is quick to pick up on a horse�s personality, he is just as familiar with the traits that make an excellent Knight. �Anyone with some experience in organized sports or martial arts will learn fast,� Baker said. �People who know how to listen, and who work as a team, are the ones we want.� In all fairness to the Knights he directs, Baker applies the same tough standards to his own performance.

In another departure from past procedures, Baker brought the Head Knights from all seven Medieval Times castles together to work out the choreography for the new production now in place at the California castle. �We had these guys with 10 or 15 years of experience, all passionate about their work, and all with a particular style,� Baker said. �I wanted us to agree on every single strike, punch and blow. We talked, argued and disagreed for seven hours to choreograph a 3-minute fight.� The grueling teamwork continued for a week, Baker said, with one fight a day being finalized. At the end of their time together, all the Head Knights were in total agreement, and all knew they had each contributed to making the new show a challenging and thrilling experience for both the audience and the participants.

The new show represents some important �firsts� for Medieval Times. While there�s still a general theme of �good versus evil,� there are some twists and turns in the plot that add a rich texture to the drama. For the first time, two Knights with spears battle on foot, right at the beginning of the show. The new storyline has a headstrong Princess, who exercises her influence with her father, the King. �We empower the Princess,� Baker said. �She makes some decisions, she gives some orders, and she falls in love. She�s a pivotal part of this show.� The new drama also tackles the thorny dilemma of treachery in the King�s inner circle, and the political intrigue of a confidant�s hidden agenda.Despite his poise and polish, Baker admitted he wasn�t always so confident in his abilities as a performer at Medieval Times. One of his most embarrassing moments happened in his first month as a Knight. The script called for Baker to deal his opponent a mortal blow, only to be killed himself when the other Knight, with his dying breath, plunged a sword into Baker.�I accidentally hit him on the bridge of his nose,� Baker recalled, �and knocked him out, but I didn�t realize it. I kept moving all around him, waiting for him to lunge at me, but nothing happened.� Since the death of the two Knights was a crucial part of the show, Baker said the rest of the action in the arena slowed to a halt. �It was only about a minute, but it felt like hours,� Baker said. �I finally clutched my chest and keeled over. I think I was the only young Blue Knight to die of a heart attack!�

Over 20 years of being on the Knight shift haven�t jaded Baker to the excitement of performing in the ultimate extreme sport for thousands of people every week, and sharing his enthusiasm with his team of Knights and Squires across the country.

�It�s just a great feeling,� he said. �You�re sitting on your horse, he�s jumping around, and just when you think you�ve seen everything, you suddenly see something else to make you smile inside your helmet.� Meeting the fans after the show is always an adrenalin rush, too, Baker said. �It�s a strange mix of being a little bit crazy, but having the time of your life. That�s why we all keep doing it.�

The Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament spectacle unfolds daily inside a fully enclosed European-style castle. Admission for Adults is $45.95; Children 12 and under are $31.95. Admission price includes show, dinner and two rounds of select beverages. Sales tax and gratuities additional. Reservations are required. Please call 1-888-WE-JOUST or 714-521-4740 for reservations or additional information.

In addition to its Buena Park location, Medieval Times is also located in Kissimmee, FL; Dallas, TX; Lyndhurst, NJ; Schaumburg, IL; Myrtle Beach, SC; Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Hanover, MD. More information about Medieval Times is available on the company�s website at www.medievaltimes.com.

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Media Contact: David Manuel +1 714-523-1100 dmanuel@medievaltimes.com