NEXT RACE: Firefoot Sprint - Wed Feb 13 at 9:30pm ST

[Kiralynn]

Join us on Wednesday, February 13 at 9:30pm /servertime (EST) for the Firefoot Sprint, a horse race and mounted fashion contest. Race through ruins on a long course with your fastest horse or pony. Compete for fame, gold, and 1,600 Turbine Points. To register, contact Kiralynn with your horse's name and breed before the event begins. Click here to review the race route. Click here to read the race rules. Click here for the current rider standings.

[Kiralynn]

Windy Acres needs your help!

This race will allow war steeds. I don't have a war steed yet, so it's difficult for me to design a course. Now's your chance to design a course and watch a dozen or more riders compete on it!

The course needs to have 4 checkpoints or less. We need a long course with sharp turns and numerous obstacles between checkpoints, so that the race is not all about speed.

Where shall we race? Please reply with your ideas, thanks!

[Lilikate]

Emylot will partake as a course judge as she only has poor Stodgy! He is not very fast at all!

I also enter Prudy into the Talent contest:

[Byrcha]

Alas, I can't ride or judge for this one, as I currently have a meeting that night.

For the course, here's a suggestion (and this is speculation, since I do not have a warsteed yet). Given the speed of warhorses, I'd suggest a lengthy cross-country course with many decision points/obstacles. The Rivendell race is already established, but that is a different race and may not separate out warsteeds enough so how about:

1. start: Needlehole
2. checkpoint: Brandywine Bridge
3. checkpoint: some landmark at Hengstacer Farm, Trestlebridge or North Breefields
4. finish: Forsaken Inn

[Kiralynn]

What about something in the Trollshaws? I'm concerned that too much of the Shire is flat and open, giving a distinct advantage to war steeds. I imagine anyone competing with a war steed isn't going to be bothered by the mobs of the Trollshaws.

Oh, how about MORIA?

[Byrcha]

No warsteeds in Moria, right? Or are there wargoats too? But a race for goats through Moria would be challenging too.

Re the Shire/Bree/LoneLands route I proposed earlier: the direct-line route has water hazards, cliffs/hills and a few buildings/fences; you'd have to go a bit out of the way to have a nice flat open route. The question is which path would be faster? If the start-line is way up near the gate to Ered Luin, then immediate decisions have to be made even to navigate the way out of Needlehole. Or, instead of Forsaken Inn, make the finish line at Ost Guruth or even the Last Bridge -- the route from North Bree Fields to Ost Guruth is perilous and not often traveled ...

[Kiralynn]

How many judges will we need to watch the stable, campfire and milestone points?

[`Tinki`]

Wow! A Moria race would be hard! I like it!

I am reminded of Duvelons long distance run from Rivendell to Duillond. Believe me there were few who took the roads. On such a long race the front runners slowly establish themselves making for monitoring ease. Not over just a few checkpoint judges needed.

[Caiyyd]

I just tried a run from the Forsaken Inn through Minas Eriol to the Eglain camp and back. VERY challenging on a warsteed - lots of narrow passages and turns! Several places that look safe to cut though but end in injured legs. I can try to map the route if you want.

[Kiralynn]

That sounds awesome, please do map it!

[Moragaeth]

Byrcha, I love the idea of a goat-race through Moria! Would have to be over some high bridges, Perhaps from 21st Hall down through Durin's Way to the Redstone Lodes?

[Caiyyd]

Start in front of the Forsaken Inn

Go right and up the hill to the ruins

Now the tricky part begins! Weave in and through the arches and up and over the platform

More weaving - watch out for the cliff edge!

Choice time! Either way will get you there!

[Caiyyd]

After the bridges again go right!

A bit of a breather before heading into the next ruins

Through the alley and then up the big stairs!

ALmost to the camp! Tricky little hairpin turn here!

through the ravine and head left back to the Inn!

[Kiralynn]

Awesome!

I'm going to use something very similar to this. I adjusted it slightly to avoid having a long, straight run.

Start - Between the lamp post and a tree in front of the Forsaken Inn.

Head to the ruins of Minas Eriol.

Checkpoint One - Cross the bridge of Barad Iachiant in Minas Eriol heading east. (35.8S/38.3W)

Checkpoint Two - Ride down the main corridor of Ost Laden heading north. (34.6S/37.3W)

Pass the Eglain camp and head across the Lornspan into Mithrenost.

Checkpoint Three - Clockwise turn around the evil idol at 34.0S/34.3W.

Checkpoint Four - Cross the bridge of Barad Iachiant heading south. (35.8S/38.3W)

Exit the ruins of Minas Eriol.

Go to finish line (same as start line).


Hopefully we can get four checkpoint judges. :)

[Caiyyd]

I switched to my normal steed while pacing it. My warsteed kept missing some of the narrow bits -and that hairpin turn at the camp was tricky!!