Misty Mountain Classic - Wed Dec 12 at 9:30pm ST

[Kiralynn]

Date: Wednesday, December 12 at 9:30pm /servertime
Place: Gloin's Camp in the Misty Mountains

* Horse Race – A challenging course with deep snow, steep cliffs angry creatures, and enemy archers.

* Horse Show – The theme is cold-weather, winter and Yule clothing. Participants will be judged on the originality and design of their outfit, how well it matches their mount, and how dramatically it is presented. The audience will vote for the winners.

Prizes
* First Place - 1,000 Turbine Points and an account-wide Perlino steed
* Second Place - 5 gold and a Perlino steed
* Third Place - 2 gold and a Perlino steed

Race Route
* The route will be posted soon.

Type /servertime in-game for the current game time (ST).
Add this event to your calendar today!

[Kiralynn]

This is the final race of the year!

I will need a few volunteers who can act as judges.
I would love to have some musicians.
I'd be grateful for anyone able to take high resolution screenshots.

Also, I would like to end the year with a *bang* as far as prizes are concerned. If you happen to have a few silver to donate toward the prize pool, it will be sincerely appreciated. Rick and Seraphina have donated 1,000 TP codes for the first place winners. I'd like to make sure that the second and third place winners have a good holiday, too.

[Byrcha]

I'll be there, hopefully to race. I can help with music and maybe screenshots (assuming I remember).

[Kiralynn]

The race is only a few days away!

[Lhinnthel]

https://picasaweb.google.com/105357691489023723615/December132012?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLO78I7Zy-fcjgE&feat=directlink

[Kiralynn]

The final race of 2012 took place on Wednesday night in the Misty Mountains. Eighteen riders arrived at Gloin's Camp to face the challenges of deep snow and fierce beasts, including a dwarf and a hobbit. Several of the horses sported festive yule tack. Cheerful music kept the crowd entertained while the race master accepted registrations.



The snowfall stopped long enough for Kiralynn to lead the group on a pace lap. On the start line, it was Anidore on Angmar horse Ishlak, Baroncapella on Esteldin-bred Taduind, Byrcha on tundra steed Snowberry, Caiyyd on blue roan Windrunner, Craicwyth on glittering yule Snowrose, Daeleg on frosty yule Snowball, Djarun on bay Hawthorn, Freystar on snowy yule Fir, Galdoreth on brew horse Corwin, Jralyn on Bree-bred Willow, Laval on Mirkwood-bred Smokemane, Redera on Simbelmyne horse Evermind, Riani on Lonelands steed Freckles, Sparko on glittering yule Winter Breeze, Spego on brew goat Tipsy, Tiliun on Thorin's Hall goat Nugget, Treasaigh on Mathom-bought Moromottoli, and Winterblues on glittering yule Winter's Breath.



The Call to Post brought the racers to the start line. There was a last moment elimination during the final inspection. One horse had been equipped with illegal splint and hoof boots that would affect its ability to traverse cliffs. There was no time to remove them before the start of the race, so the rider and steed were disqualified. The remaining teams settled quickly. The race began with a charging yell. The air filled with the thunder of hooves, the metallic jingle of tack, and a bitterly cold spray of snow.

This picture by Lhinnthel of Landroval.

The horses gathered speed down the broad stone steps and quickly reached a full gallop as they disappeared into the valley. In the first length to Frosthyle Pond, several riders fell to the rear. A pony was seen floundering in the deep snow and two steeds from warmer lands balked at the frigid conditions. A goat and a dappled champagne steed stumbled on the frozen pond, their hooves losing purchase on the ice. During the second length, many riders lost their sense of direction and took a scenic route to Hrithor's Haven. In the final stretch, three groups of riders emerged from the deadly mountains unscathed. Stragglers made their way out of the woods showing signs of attack by wargs and goblin archers.



At the finish, racing champions Craicwyth and Snowrose crossed the line first, leading by a neck. Second place went to first-time finisher Spego, proving that goats are an excellent choice for racing in snow country. One length behind, Caiyyd finished with Windrunner in third place. Ten lengths later, the second group of riders galloped into view over the frosty fields. Redera's elven-trained horse finished a respectable fourth, followed two-and-a-half lengths later by Riani, with Daeleg only a length behind. After another pause, Baroncapella, Galdoreth, and Djarun finished the race a length and a half apart. One horse and rider never returned to the camp and could not be found. Hiro hyn hîdh ab 'wanath.



Ten riders signed up to participate in the horse show, a contest of winter and yule-themed outfits. Anidore, Caiyyd, Craicwyth, Djarun, Laval, Lhinnthel, Sparko, Spego and Winterblues took the stage with stunning attire. A handful of riders performed equestrian stunts to entertain the crowd. Byrcha also demonstrated her expert training skills, delighting the crowd as tundra pony Snowberry danced to the music.



Winterblues won the popular vote on a pale grey horse with white and gold tack bearing the emblem of a harp. Her own outfit matched perfectly. Sparko's fans voted him into second place on a dappled grey yule steed, wearing a red snow-dusted robe and a grey cloak embroidered with snowflakes and ribbon. Redera won third place in a striking purple and white outfit. The purple shoulder drape, fur-lined cloak embroidered with golden snowflakes, and purple burglar's tack caught everyone's eye. Craicwyth received an honorable mention on a white horse with burgundy and gold tack. His own outfit was a burgundy tunic over a green shirt with a gold-embroidered cloak and a white scarf.



Click here for pictures of the contestants.

Thanks to everyone who came out for the event. Many thanks to race course judges Lhinnthel, Reddlo and Roald - racing wouldn't be possible without volunteers. Special thanks to Celestrata of Turbine for providing favor of the Valar (Turbine Points) for the winners. The next race is the Winter Derby scheduled for Wednesday, January 16 at 9:30pm /servertime. There are only three races left before the season finale!