[MR] Atlantian Equestrian War Practice

[Ray Cornish]

Greetings to the fair populace of Atlantia and the equestrians of the Known 
World,

As some of you may already know, Atlantia held an Equestrian War Practice 
this wonderful fall weekend past.  The event was very lovely, the site well 
suited, and a good time of equestrian games and fellowship was had by 
all.  Being the very excited person that I am about all things equestrian I 
wanted to share with folks a bit.

Most of the morning and mid-afternoon hours were spent with the good 
gentles in attendance becoming familiar with there mounts for the day, 
authorizing and upping authorization levels, as well as a good deal of 
instruction on the various weapon forms that we use from horseback.  I 
don't know the official numbers, but I do know that the vast majority of 
folks authorized or upgraded levels that were in attendance.

Later in the afternoon, The Lance of St. Eligius ran a quest for all that 
were attendance who wished to relieve both the sick at camelot and get word 
to the grumpy King Author (hunting far afield) that his beloved was under 
siege.  The many participants both amused and amazed (and one or two may 
have scared us even) which made it much better then anything we could have 
paid to see.  At the end of all the following notables recieved recognition 
for the job well done in the respective area.

Mistress Ceridwen Ferch Owain - Highest score at the Walk
Lord Michael Thomas Sommerfield - Highest score at the Trot (no small feat, 
as this is the first time he was ever to horse)
Lady Lora Greymare - Highest score at the Canter (extra points for the 
multiple rears before charging into the course)
Lady Keira Featherstone - Most into Persona (the one who amused us the most 
basically)
Amalie De Minerve - St. Eligius Award  (the one who was most 
friendly/appreciative of her charging mount)

The following morning, we had a wonderful trail riding through the woods 
that was enjoyable and all seemed to have a very good time.  Though, this 
one personally thought it short - but realizes the time constraints that 
were involved.  Following this, a few of us ran the IKEQ course for scores 
to be turned in.  Some of us did well but others of us (the one included) 
just didn't have things go our way.  It is funny how you can run this same 
course 100 times and everything is perfect and you run for a score and 
everything that can go wrong does.

A big thanks to Lady Lora and Que, as well as the hosting barony and anyone 
else who had anything at all to do with organizing and running this 
event.  I know the 4 that rode down with me very much enjoyed it and were 
talking about how we should do this more oft <grin>.  Speaking of those 
other 4, Rhael, Toma, Kate, and Francesca - a big thanks from me for your 
alls help in getting stuff together for the quest and making that come off 
a big success as well.

In service to crown & horse,
Raynold of Wharram
eum equus audiet qui equum audiet