Help Please

[tiffanymarie]

This is my first time playing a horse sim so realistic. The horse sim's I have been playing for 7 years are like Horseland, completely automated, you click a button and it enters your horse into a show and they age once per week, that type of thing. So, since I am new to this whole structure, I have quite a few questions, so if anyone could help me out I'd love you forever ;D

1) I know it says we can start off with any amount of money up to $300,000. Does anyone have a reccomended amount to start with, or should I just start with $300k?

2) I don't show horses in real life, and I don't even ride in real life. When I was looking at the shows board, most shows said "follow the basic rules, etc. of real life shows". Well that doesn't help me one bit, I only go to the Scottsdale Arabian Show once yearly but mainly hang out in the barns rather than watch the shows, so I have NO idea about this way of showing. If this helps anyone, I am going to breed Appaloosas specializing in western disciplines [reining, barrel racing and western pleasure mainly]. Basically, I just need someone to explain to me how to fill out the forms and all that stuff.

3) Show terms are something I really need help with. As I stated above, I don't even ride, and I don't watch horse shows or compete in them, so I am VERY clueless. I get the basic concepts of things like "World Champion" and other obvious titles, but most things I have no idea.

4) I have seen a few people have Freewebs pages that open to their barn or stallion on the game. Should I create a Freewebs account and make one for my horses and eventually my stable when I get one, or do I put this off until later?

Sorry for all my cluelessness, and thank you to everyone who helps me

[casey]

Okay, well, I can't answer all of your questions, but I'll try my best to be helpful.

1. I started out with 300k. I guess it depends on how difficult you want to make the game for yourself.

2. Every form is pretty much self-explanatory, but if you don't get anything specific, just ask.

3. Show classes and titles are unique to every organization and show. Ask questions about a specific show/class whatever, and it will be answered by someone. As for where to place your horse, do some research on your discipline and decide where you want your created horses to be.

4. You can start your stable/min-barn website whenever you want, however you have to have been a member for at least a month to actually open it.

For more specifics, check the rules.

Hope this helped!

[candj]

I am kinda out of my element when it comes to showing horses in dressage, eventing, jumping...(basically anything you wouldn't find at a stockbreed horse show) I find that asking the show host if you have any questions helps. Also, Gwen and I run the larger stockbreed shows in BITS so if you have any questions about those you could PM one of us. Or if you have any stockbreed questions in general.

On the rules and rugulations for BITS there are basic showing rules and each show host may add on more rules when posting for a show. Just make sure you don't throw a barrel racer in a hunter hack class or something. Or a 12 year old in a junior WP class. Also be aware of your rider, don't throw a youth in an open class.....

[tiffanymarie]

Thank you both so much for your help <3

[dana]

Don't worry, a lot of it is learning by doing You'll catch on

[Rainbow]

Yep... Playing sim games is how I learned all the discipline levels and things for most disciplines. When I started my first sim, I had basically been on a few trail rides with my parents and petted various noses of various carriage horses on winter carriage rides in town, and that was the extent of my horse experience. So you really do learn a lot from playing a realistic sim game. =)

[red]

I don't know much about many disciplines either. Cos I don't compete in shows. I just ride a friends horse occasionally. But I'm starting to get the hang of disciplines and levels . If your ever stumped, just ask someone. Everyone's really nice here and they don't make ya feel silly for not knowing.

[candj]

Yup and I believe that you can never stop learning when it comes to horses. When I ride with my trainer I feel like such a beginner and I still consider myself a novice. My trainer even says he learns something new everyday.

[Rainbow]

That's so true, Jen. I know that compared to my trainer, I feel like such a beginner, and I know my trainer is always picking up new things (and she's been in the horse business for almost 35 years now).

[casey]

Yeah... same here. My trainer tells me stuff (well mostly yells stuff at me), or my know-it-all sister will inform me how wrong I am on a certain subject.

[Gwen]

I think that this game is really great for learning stuff. And yes, if you have any questions, feel TOTALLY free to get ahold of Jen or I. We are more than happy to fill you in.

[tiffanymarie]

Thanks everybody
I figured out quite a bit yesterday, a few things I am still stuck on but I will wait until my horses are created before I ask. ^^

[Gwen]

No problem This game is a learning experience!

[tiffanymarie]

Okay I've pretty much figured it all out
I just have one last question.. What are points and point standings? I've seen in my APHA & AQHA Journals stud ads that say "--- Points in Halter/WP/etc" or whatever, just never got to know what it meant.. I tried to look it up on google and all I got was stuff about Nascar lol.

[dana]

Basically, some registries give points for high placings in their shows. So, for example, a horse placing first in Western Pleasure may get four points. The amount of points given for each placing is set by each individual registry or association, and not all registries/associaitons give points. And then the point standings is just a list of the horses with the most points. Hope that helps!

[tiffanymarie]

Oh! That makes sense, thanks

[dana]

Noooo problem