Racing Season Ends With Stunning Victory

[Kiralynn]

A large crowd gathered at the Methel-stage in the Shire on Saturday night for the second annual Bywater Steeplechase and horse show. The event began with a mounted fashion contest. Bright fireworks and a musical duet welcomed visitors to the festive site of the highly competitive contest. Nineteen riders signed up to show off their outfits.


Photo by Kath

Several riders hoped to earn audience votes by dressing in green the day before the celebration of Bandobras "Bullroarer" Took, the Hero of the Battle of Greenfields. Three war steeds entered the contest and we were glad to see the stage hold under their immense weight. The prizes were awarded based on votes cast by the enthusiastic audience. Honorable mentions were awarded to Beorbrand, Nimelen and Lilikate for their well-designed outfits. Third place and 500 Turbine Points were awarded to Aalloria for her green robes elaborately embroidered with gold thread. Second place, with a prize of 500 TP and a gold, was awarded to Lhinnthel who wore a green and white dress decorated with ribbons and matching tack on her horse. Winning by popular vote, first place and 1,000 TP were awarded to Genessa who impressed the crowd on a black war steed, both wearing colorful minstrel's garb.


Click here to see all of the outfits entered in the contest.

The 2012-2013 Windy Acres Ranch horse racing regular season came to an end with the finish of the Bywater Steeplechase. Twenty riders registered before the deadline, seven with the potential to upset the rider standings. The street in front of the Green Dragon Inn quickly filled with racing enthusiasts.

On the roster were Aalloria on bay pony Barbossa, Andeon on pale golden Annudir, Calatharan on Mathom steed Flapjack, Daeleg on Maladhrim steed Stewball, Faerochil on blue roan Alasse, Godwineson on Eglan-bred Hanna, Gwadrodewyn on wintry Yule steed Winter, Lhinnthel on Summerdays horse Ivy, Lifebringer on Galadrhim-bred Zephyr, Lilikate on a chestnut aptly named Chestnut, Nimelen on bay Firo, Nisael on chestnut Huckleberry, Rhovanien on Elgan-bred Gwathal, Rosein on bay Swartz, Shintako on "It Ain't Easy" clad in green tack of the Gap, Siladriel on Talagor in winged herald tack, Spego on perlino Beauty, Treasaigh on smoky black Leila, Tweetybird on winged herald pony Cutie, and Tweetypie on Angel with a winged herald caparison. Several other riders decided to challenge the course without officially registering for the race.



As Kiralynn announced the race rules and verified that all steeds were ready to run, bystanders placed wagers on who would win the lengthy race. The bookie reported that Andeon was the favorite, followed closely by Aalloria. Smart money wagers were also placed by fans on Lifebringer, Lhinnthel and Godwineson. Neither Craicwyth nor Caiyyd entered the race, however only Caiyyd's rank in the rider standings was at any risk of upset. Lifebringer and Andeon had the opportunity to propel themselves to second rank with a victory.



A resounding shout was followed by the thunder of mighty hooves as the race began. Riders who had practiced the course separated from the less dedicated competitors at the first turn. A handful of riders braved crossing the river at a shallow in the rapids while the rest crowded the road on their way to the bridge. Calatharan, Nisael, Andeon, Gwadrodewyn and the Tweety-twins took an early lead in the race. A few foul-tempered goblins jeered at the riders as they made their way through the woods to the first checkpoint. The front-runners scattered a pack of wolves lurking near the Bridgefields Wall. Riders set out in all directions crossing a fork in the Brandywine River on their way to the Stocktower. By the final checkpoint at the Woodhall gate, Calatharan had lost his lead and Gwadrodewyn's steed had lost his drive. Lhinnthel, Daeleg and Siladriel urged their horses onward, hoping to overtake the leaders in the final length of the race.

The crowd went wild as horses appeared over the hill, charging toward Bywater. At the finish line, Huckleberry proved to have superior endurance, swiftly bringing Nisael to her second victory of the season. A mere two lengths behind, Andeon galloped into a solid second place. Tweetybird made an impressive first showing by driving her pony into third place. Her twin Tweetypie crossed the line soon after. Nisael was awarded 1,000 Turbine Points, Andeon won 500 TP plus a gold, and Tweetybird won 500 TP.



Once the judges compared notes and Kiralynn adjusted the Windy Acres rider standings, it was time to announce the season's top racers. Craicwyth remained in first place, earning 25 points for the season. Caiyyd held second place with a score of 14 points, tied with Andeon who moved up from 4th rank after his second-place finish. Lifebringer retained third rank with 13 points. Nisael's win raised her from 8th rank to 4th, with a total of 12 points, bumping Byrcha into 5th rank with 9 points and Beorbrand into 6th rank with 8 points. (It should be noted, however, that Byrcha's frequent work as a volunteer race judge has cost her numerous opportunities to earn points and improve her standings.) These top riders were awarded prizes including landscape soldier tokens, white rose circlets, and Perlino steeds. These are the riders to watch during the Spring Racing Carnival.



The race bets were checked and a single winner was announced. Nisael won 1,600 Turbine Points for wagering on herself!

The racing season closed with more music and dancing. Many thanks to Celestrata (Seraphina) of Turbine for providing most of the prizes and Fashion Week event advertising. Thanks to our judges Alesel, Bethanora, Byrcha, Hilthorin and Mornawen. Without volunteers, racing would not be possible.

Click here to see all of the photos from this event. Click here to see the photos from last year's Steeplechase.

The next Windy Acres Ranch event is the Fool's Derby, scheduled for Wednesday, April 10th at 9:30pm /servertime (EST). Meet at Hengstacer Farms north of Bree-town. The theme of the mounted fashion contest is ridiculous, comical outfits. Participants must show off their most colorful, outrageous clothing. The horse race is the Chetwood Cup, the first qualifier race for the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival. This year's Bree Cup