Blue Mountain Classic - Horse Race & Show - Jan 18 at 2:

[Kiralynn]

Join us for the Blue Mountain Classic horse race, mounted fashion contest and trivia game in front of Thorin’s Hall
on Saturday, January 18th at 2:30pm /servertime (EST) on the Landroval server!



The Blue Mountain Classic is a challenging fun run using the same course as the Winter Derby.

The race begins at the edge of the stairs in front of the gates of Thorin’s Hall. Checkpoint One is a counter-clockwise turn around the statue at the center of Frerin’s Court. Riders can go over the stairs and must only clear the statue itself. Checkpoint two is a counter-clockwise turn around the gazebo at Winterheight. Riders must go around the gazebo but can pass through any other gates. Checkpoint three is riding counter-clockwise around the main building in the Refuge of Edhelion. Riders will enter through the gate on the right and exit over the rubble. Checkpoint four requires riders to brave the stairs of the Silver Deep Mine. They can go down these stairs any way they like, but must touch the top platform. Jumping is permitted. Once down the stairs, riders can exit any way they like, including out the gates or over the fences. Checkpoint five is a turn clockwise back around the statue in the center of Frerin’s Court. The finish line is an imaginary line between the two braziers at the top of the stairs in front of the gates of Thorin’s Hall.

The fashion contest is mounted and winter-themed. All steeds are allowed, including goats and war steeds. Outfits will be judged on how well they match the theme, how well the rider and his steed are coordinated, creativity and overall design. The audience votes for the winners!

The trivia contest challenges the audience to be the first to /shout out the answer to a question asked by Kiralynn. The first three to answer correctly earn points. After all the questions are asked, those who earned the most points win!

Prizes are 1,000 Turbine Points for first, second and third place.

Sign up for event(s) by contacting Kiralynn in-game during the hour before the event begins.
Good luck and we’ll see you at the races!

[Kiralynn]

Bet on the race and win a Steed of the First Marshal!

/Tell the bookie the name of one rider you think will win the race.
If you're correct, your name is put into a random drawing for this prize!


-- Here's a hint, it's not Bilbo!

[`Tinki`]

Love the pic! You should caption it and post in LOTRO forum!

[Forte Maestro]

I have shots from the show in my Winterstock set iffin you wanting any!

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjQQmJWk

[Kiralynn]

I'll write up a full article soon, but for now...

Congratulations to Kikilaa on winning the Blue Mountain Classic! Hoboin came in second and Gonda finished third, with Skoch and Silamiriel close behind.

Congratulations to Skoch for earning the most audience votes in the horse show! Kyrian won second place and Ironroses came in third, with an honorable mention for Tearna.

Congratulations to Silamiriel for winning the trivia game! Alfiryn came in second and Khalawyn third. Tasarin came in fourth, with Baldigar and Shakespearicles tied for fifth place.

Many thanks to our volunteers -- Valtharon, Brenthiel, Floradine, Alesel, Mithrilfist, Brendoran and Tasarin!

Also thanks to our band -- Mirinaeth, Galadhlin, Codella Mosstoes and Bottomless Brandyflask!

And special thanks to Sapience of Turbine for providing the TP prizes!

[Byrcha]

Kiralynn of Rohan wrote:

and Bottomless Brandyflask!

Heeheehee!

[Kiralynn]

The dwarves of Thorin’s Hall hosted WinterStock last weekend, a four-day extravaganza of music, fireworks, ale and pipe-weed. There were also three equestrian events on Saturday, attracting a large crowd despite the freezing weather.




The event opened with the Blue Mountain Classic horse race. Fifteen riders registered to brave the icy roads, frozen lakes, dangerous mines and ancient ruins. Although there was one last minute scratch, six veteran riders lined up at the start. The roster included Aewenor on dusky nimblefoot Clover, Desspereaux on chestnut Bill, Fofro on yearling Firsty, Gonda on Eastemnet-bred Eisenherz, Hoboin on Rohan white clad Runelight, Janbathyste on yule-clad Deluge De Coups, Kegerator on bay Hawthorn, Kikilaa on winged herald clad Mogli, Louellana on a harvest brew goat, Luciee on festive azure Corriander, Seldim on Galadhrim-bred Idril, Silamiriel on Wintertide clad Earl Grey, Skoch on Angmar-bred Skrappy, and Vethlo on Rohan red clad Fire Topaz.




Tasarin acted as bookie and accepted wagers from the crowd. With a shout barely heard over the fireworks, the race began. Riders galloped headlong through Frerin’s Court, up to the ruins of the Refuge of Edhelion, and down the slippery stone stairs of the Silverdeep Mine. As riders made the final gallop up the stairs toward Thorin’s Hall, the crowd went wild with enthusiastic cheers. Kikilaa crossed the finish line first on her famous steed Mogli with a six-length lead. One equestrian fan was heard to comment, “Kikilaa doesn’t come to race, she comes to run. ‘Racing’ implies the possibility she could lose!”




The next rider to leap across the finish line was Hoboin on his faithful Runelight, along with a resident of Thorin’s Gate who was probably quite confused at the stampede coming up behind him. Fortunately, his pony was able to dash out of the way.




In third place, Gonda bounded up the stairs to the loud cheering of fans. All three won 1,000 Turbine Points for their amazing horsemanship and endurance. Twenty people correctly guessed that Kikilaa would win the race, so their names were put in a hat. Belathriel’s name was drawn out at random, winning a Steed of the First Marshal.




Mirinaeth, Galadhlin, Codella Mosstoes, and Bottomless Brandyflask entertained the crowd with appropriately themed songs as contestants prepared for the horse show, a winter-themed mounted fashion contest. Many of the dancers in the crowd showed off their skill and coordination.




Eighteen people signed up to show off their best outfits – Aewenor, Brendoran, Brenthiel, Corulin, Ethelwar, Fortissimmo, Ironroses, Janbathyste, Kikilaa, Kyrian, Luciee, Seldim, Shakespearicles, Silamiriel, Skoch, Tearna, Vonawyn and Whittle. After each contestant had a turn on stage, it was time for the audience to cast their votes. The voting was close, but in the end it was Skoch who proved to be the fan favorite. Kyrian won second place, Ironroses came in third, and Tearna earned an honorable mention. Each won 1,000 Turbine Points and one winner announced his plans to buy more fancy tack for his steed.




Skoch’s tack included a bone halter and leggings, snow-beast caparison, and antler accessory on a black war steed. His own outfit included snow-beast boots, a sage’s pack, Dunland-style fur pauldrons, and a pipe festival mask.




Click here to see photos of all the contestants and additional screenshots of the event.

Finally, it was time for the trivia contest. Members of the audience were invited to shout out the answers to questions that grew increasingly difficult. The first people to shout correct answers scored points. Silamiriel proved to be an accomplished master of lore, winning first place with 18 points. Alfiryn won second place with 12 points, barely beating out Khalawyn in third place with 11 points. Tasarin earned an honorable mention with 7 points. Baldigar and Shakespearicles also did well, scoring 6 points. The top three contestants each won 1,000 Turbine Points.




Many thanks to our volunteers – Valtharon, Brenthiel, Floradine, Alesel, Mithrilfist, Brendoran and Tasarin. Races wouldn’t be possible without these kind people. Thanks to band members Mirinaeth, Galadhlin, Codella and Bottomless who tirelessly entertained the crowd for almost two hours. High praise and thanks to members of the Lonely Mountain Band who helped with advertising and vending. Special thanks to Sapience for providing the Turbine Point prizes and event support.

Our next event is the Shadowfax Sprint, a war steed race scheduled for February 22nd at 2:30pm EST/servertime. Meet at the Forsaken Inn. Happy adventuring and we hope to see you at the races!