NationStates

I figured I should probably open this to continue the discussion on the general questions OOC from earlier. I was going to open this up after the World Cup scores were posted, but I figured I might as well post it now.

How would this be scorinated?

Xkoranate doesn't have an option for horse racing and I don't think anybody's ever created a horse racing scorinator, so in the absence of a scorinator for horse racing, we'd have to use something else that could produce similar times to the ones we desire and an order of finish. After doing some testing with xkoranate, here's what I came up with:

First Race (Saintland Derby?) - Women's 800 Meter Dash (athletics)
Second Race (Briskness Stakes?) - Men's 800 Meter Dash (athletics)
Third Race (?) - Women's 200 Backstroke (swimming)

That produces times similar to what you'd see for the 3 derby races, although I'd say the 2nd race is probably closer to 1 1/8th miles (9 furlongs) instead of 1 3/16th miles (9.5 furlongs). The other 2 produce times that are very close to the actual times for the Kentucky Derby (1 1/4 miles/ 10 furlongs) and Belmont Stakes (1 1/2 miles/ 12 furlongs).

What would the format/schedule be?

I'm thinking 2 days between the Triple Crown races to give plenty of time to RP. Kinzar suggested some prep races (comparable to the Santa Anita Derby and Florida Derby) over in the general questions thread and I think that would help lengthen it so the Triple Crown isn't over in just a few days. The Derby would contain a field of 20 horses. The field would probably be reduced for the later races and any horses that DNF or DQs (which would be counted as DNF for the sake of RP) will be removed from future races. The specific number of entries per nation and number of prep races would depend on interest. Only 1 of the prep races would be held in my nation, although I would host the Triple Crown and scorinate all the races. The limit on the number of horses would be per player, not per nation. The right time to start this would probably be after the actual Kentucky Derby.

How would RP bonuses and ranks work?

Since it isn't realistic for every horse from every nation to be ranked equally, I think Olympic-style skill modifiers would need to be used. That would add a layer of strategy as you have to decide whether to put all your hopes on 1 horse or balance it out a little. RP bonuses would be assigned through xkoranate's bonus feature and would be applied to "teams" (entire nations). I'm not entirely sure what percent to go with for the effect of the bonus and what bonus formula to use (I have an idea what "absolute" and "relative" are, but no idea what "World Cup 36" would do). If I am not certain that I know what I'm doing with that feature, the RP bonus will be added to the rank. I'm leaning toward a non-cumulative RP bonus, although I could be convinced either way. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, I will not be RPing for my horses and will not assign them an RP bonus.

What is your hosting experience?

Basically none. The only experience I have consists of playing around with xkoranate trying to figure out how it works.

This is an interest threat, not a signups thread, because I'm not certain that there will be enough interest to justify running a Triple Crown. I've been planning to open this thread for a few days and thought about the format. I actually hinted at this in my first World Bowl RP. I welcome any suggestions regarding the format and any suggestions regarding names for the races (especially the Belmont equivalent).

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EDIT: Signups are now open. The limit is 10 horses per player. List each horse's name on a separate line along with a skill modifier between 0 and 100, no decimals. The average of the modifiers for all horses entered by a player must average 50 or some number that is less than 50. You may enter horses from your puppets, but only if you do not enter more than 10 horses across all of your nations. Anybody discovered to be using puppets to enter more than 10 horses will have all of their horses removed from the competition.

If you wish to have a prep race held in your nation, you may request it as part of your signup by naming the race, the track and the desired length. Whether or not it will be used will depend upon the number of signups.

Signups will remain open until midnight US Eastern Time on May 1st. The everything thread will go up after signups close, with the first race being held on May 5th.

Just a quick question: How are sentient horses treated? Can they participate without a jockey?

Karditan wrote:Just a quick question: How are sentient horses ponies treated? Can they participate without a jockey?

I'll second this question, with a minor edit. I'd like to participate, but with this nation it might not be possible.

I'm fine with sentient horses participating without a jockey.

Consider me interested. I've been looking to participate in some other sports with Swyftlandre and Equestrianism might be a nice direction to follow.

I was interested from the get-go regardless of that answer (we've got ordinary horses here, too), so you can count me in.

Saintland wrote:I'm fine with sentient horses participating without a jockey.

You need to be careful with allowing this. Now its not becoming "horse racing".

I participated in the previous edition of horse racing (like 2 years ago?) which was actually run extremely well. Though I think Newmanistan made it a little too detailed then he needed to make it. For me to have interest, there has to be a build up such as prep races; not just a Triple Crown. I'd also say that why stop at a Triple Crown? Let's have a series of races up to the Breeders Cup, like was done by Newmanistan.

That can all be negotiated.

But if we're not talking about actual horses without proper jockeys, then it becomes too cartoonish for me, and I am not interested.

Karditan wrote:Just a quick question: How are sentient horses treated? Can they participate without a jockey?

strictly an IC reply -

In an NS world where most of us strive to build a playing field based on equality for all peoples and species participating, we sometimes fall short. This should not be one of those times as even the idea of forcing a member of any species of higher intelligence to allow another person/being to control their every move is quite sickening. Sentient is such a poor choice of words for this discussion. Ponies of higher intelligence should not be subjected to such a humiliating ritual. However, in terms of fairness to regular horses and their jockeys, it creates an unbalanced field as far as the added weight of the rider is concerned. Therefore I would propose that Ponies of higher intelligence be required to carry an added weight of the administration's choice equal to that of the average weight of all jockeys riding regular horses. That would allow for a level playing field for all entrants.

Cassadaigua wrote:
But if we're not talking about actual horses without proper jockeys, then it becomes too cartoonish for me, and I am not interested.

Cass, this is NS Sport and to disallow any nation due to species isnt quite what we strive for. You know that. I hear you preach equality and fairness as much as I do. Beisdes I relish the chance for one of my horses to lay a smackdown on their so-called better cousins (that was a joke pony guys and gals)

I do love the idea of an extended season where the triple crown is but one part of a greater whole.

Cassadaigua wrote:But if we're not talking about actual horses without proper jockeys, then it becomes too cartoonish for me, and I am not interested.

That seems a bit of an overreaction--and if you feel that strongly about it, I would be willing to go the 'normal' route, but I thought it would be interesting to roleplay horse races from the horse's perspective, and it'd be easier if we're dealing with a horse with mental capabilities equal to a human (which my nation, conveniently, has). There's also ASMV's suggestion, which I would be fine with.

I am interested.

Andossa Se Mitrin Vega wrote:

Cassadaigua wrote:
But if we're not talking about actual horses without proper jockeys, then it becomes too cartoonish for me, and I am not interested.

Cass, this is NS Sport and to disallow any nation due to species isnt quite what we strive for. You know that. I hear you preach equality and fairness as much as I do. Beisdes I relish the chance for one of my horses to lay a smackdown on their so-called better cousins (that was a joke pony guys and gals)

I do love the idea of an extended season where the triple crown is but one part of a greater whole.

Fine I'll concede ponies if these people actually end up RPing it, but they need to have jockeys.

Cassadaigua wrote:Fine I'll concede ponies, but they need to have jockeys.

Ugh, you sound just like the guys at the Olympics
I'd be alright with 'token jokeys' on the ponies (I've done it before), but it just seems like it'd be an unnecessarily awkward solution.

If it really is a deal-breaker for some, I'd be fine with dropping out and maybe RPing as a third party. Send some equine protesters that you guys could interact with (which I've actually established as being a thing in one of my previous RPs).

So, who is the only "Kentucky Derby" winner on here, you ask? Remember him?
Many nation names from the past on that one!

Actually, the more I think about it, the RP is more important, ASMV convinced me. My protest is hereby completely dropped.

I'd be in.

Also, I happen to have a relatively disused puppet by the name of The Camel Society. Would camels be allowed to participate, as they are kinda horse-like?

Very interested!

Shadowbourne wrote:I'd be in.

Also, I happen to have a relatively disused puppet by the name of The Camel Society. Would camels be allowed to participate, as they are kinda horse-like?

I'm not sure about camels, as they aren't horses, even if they are similar animals.

I think a Breeder's Cup or multiple divisions would be too much and too complex. If the Triple Crown is highly successful and there is interest in a horse racing series, that would be a logical next step. Right now, it would be better to focus on the Triple Crown races and the preparation for them.

I think there's plenty of interest to do this, although I'm still going to hold off on officially opening signups at least until tomorrow. I don't want to open signups before I decide for certain the number of horses per player. I'm thinking 4 or 5 prep races would be ideal (with the top 4 or 5 from each qualifying for a field of 20), but I want to lengthen it slightly so it isn't over in 4 scorinations. It would be ideal to run it over the full 2 weeks between the Derby and the Preakness when interest in horse racing is at its peak (unless the Derby winner also wins the Preakness). If there are enough signups, I'll probably lengthen the prep process into multiple stages, with eliminations after each stage. By my count, there are 9 of us that have already expressed interest (counting myself) and that would be enough to run a stage of prep races and a Triple Crown.

I am interested, but depending on when other things on NS Sports are happening, I might not be able to participate.

I'm interested.

Signups are now open.

His Royal Highness;DAR;100
Duke of Earl;DAR;80
Radioactive Girl;DAR;60
Faithful Moon;DAR;50
King without End;DAR;50
Fortunate Light;DAR;50
Sun Pigs;DAR;50
Burning Rainbow;DAR;40
Red Woman;DAR;20
Escape Dragons;DAR;0

The Darmeni Derby would like to be a prep race for the Saintland Triple Crown. The Race will be held at the Liverpool County Race Course, and will cover 13 furlongs.

Triple Crown Entries from ASMV & Zirakul
For ease of international language difficulties, all horse names have been translated to English. The Vegai/Zirakulii equivalents are listed in parentheses

Horse - Jockey - Nation - Rank

1. Invisibility (Oruu Yvezieke) - Totazii Ur’mainye - ASMV - 95

2. Ogrillon (Uojua Khaza) - Aloapu Pau (Zirakulii) - Zirakul- 95

3. Pegleg’s Ghost (Ezu’bai Pyj’luicii) - Arurde Zyb’lynk - ASMV- 85

4. Zorba (non-Vegai/Zirakulii name) - Atoisa Kimono (Female) - ASMV- 75

5. Lady of the Lake (Mur’hiel se Layik) - Oberon Junix (Dwarf) - ASMV- 60

6 Grey Magic (Mejyik N’guul) - Jigaer Okoboji - ASMV- 40

7. Most Fatal Horror (Ahdrah Naji Kihndahl) - Hupyui Kaobuta (Zirakulii) - Zirakul- 20

8. Horse With No Name (Enai Ruhl Jasandr) - Kofi Axe bender (Dwarf) - ASMV- 15

9. Spoiled Brat (Obutix Suporii) - Uriyah Hu’lupyi (Female) - ASMV- 10

0. Monster Magnet (Mig’jhut Efamosu) - Yhina Uparua (Zirakulii female) - Zirakul- 5



The “Est’uakii se Tronjheim) would be a 9 furlong race in the city of Tronjheim at the newly completed Stadii se Rucii Jasandr) should it be chosen.

Beldonian Horses
Mark Kiss, jokeyed by Mike Warlowe, 89
Fall Guy, jokeyed by Russell Cones, 50
Icy Pete, jockeyed by Martin Bearsley, 10