Requirements
Only one horse allowed, please!
You don't have to be a HARPG member, but you must have an active stable.
You don't have to be a western stable (or have a western horse) to compete. You will just have to ride in a western saddle, but there are no western requirements needed. It is absolutely okay to have a dressage horse or jumper or whatever compete as well.
A calm, obedient horse is advised (although, if you can handle a skittish horse effectively and safely, they are more than welcome)
Western saddle and bridle (any bit/bitless allowed)
If it feels necessary, wraps and boots are allowed.
Horses must be 5 years or older.
Riders must be age 17 or over.
Riders must wear their designated clothes throughout the ride (clean pajamas will be distributed at night while your day clothes are washed. They will be returned to your tent in the morning).

Rules

Point System: For each assignment, you will be required to complete one picture (or else you will be disqualified). Upon completion of this mandatory picture, you will receive 10 points. So, to help separate who the winners will be, Bonus pictures will be offered as well. The more points the better!
Bonus Pictures: Bonus pictures are so that you can add more points to your score. A bonus picture, unlike the Required Picture, can be just a sketch, or a full blown colored picture. Depending on the level of effort put into it, you will have extra points added to your score, and the points allotted are up to the judge’s discretion (you are judged against your own gallery). That being said, things like fullbody, colored images WILL get more bonus points than a sketchy headshot. But don’t be discouraged! It is in your best interest to do as many as you can, because who knows if that little sketch will give you the boost you need on the scoreboards!
You don’t have to be a western rider to be in this event! English people are more than welcome.
Make sure you read all of the journals. There is important information that you will need to know. If you have any questions or something is not very clear, feel free to ask!



Orientation and Points
The ride is divided up into 4 “chapters”. Each chapter will require one image. Deadlines will give you roughly 1 month to complete these pictures, but don’t feel stressed. </s>They don’t have to be masterpieces. The emphasis here is on having fun with the ride – which means go all out. Make a story within the story for your horse and rider, collaborate and RP with another competing stable, make a comic, or do a lot of training pics or bonus pics. All of these will award you points which will move you one more step forward towards being Trail Champion!
Chapters will be presented in the form of a deviation that will be submitted to the group in a specified folder titled “chapters”, and submitted by WesternSpice. The deviation will include in the artist’s comments the latest part of the story, and your newest instructions regarding the event picture. It will also include information on Bonus pictures available for that chapter and will present the possible number of points that can be earned. Completed event pictures should be LINKED ON YOUR REGISTRATION IMAGE/TRACKER in order to be counted for points at the end of the ride.
Points are awarded for every picture completed. At the end of the ride, the horse and rider with the most points wins the title of Trail Champion and receive a trophy.
Event pictures (aka. Required pictures) will have a set point value, for example, 10 points. So if that picture is completed, you will receive the 10 points. But for Bonus pictures, you will be given a point estimate. This means that, for example, a Bonus picture is estimated to have the maximum point value of 5 points. Lets say one person submits a sketch of the scene while another person submits a fully colored, shaded picture of the same scene. The sketch may only earn 2 points while the fully colored picture may receive the full 5 points. Either way, any extra points will aid you in your quest for 1st place, so don’t be afraid to submit that sketch – those 2 points may just place you into the winnings. Also, there is no limit as to how many bonus pictures can be submitted.
Opportunities for bonus points are presented through Bonus Pictures. At the end of each chapter, when your instructions for your required entries are announced, instructions for Bonus pictures will also be included. These pictures can be in any form you choose, whether it be literature, sketches, storyboards, or full blown colored and shaded pictures. Be creative – it can earn you more points.
These pictures are not meant to be agonizing. Have fun with this competition, and make it something you look forward to.


I would like to point out that this is a self-standing competition, and is not created or produced by the official HorseArt-RPG group.

Submissions

Deviation Info
- When titling your submission, please make sure to include the assignment number in there somewhere.
- In the artist's comments, please put a little section with your Registration Reference Image, what assignment it is, whether you are outlaw or lawman, and your horse and rider's name.
- Do NOT FORGET to add EVERY IMAGE YOU COMPLETE TO THE DESCRIPTION OF YOUR REGISTRATION IMAGE. I cannot stress this enough! Mandatory and bonus images MUST be linked there or they won't be counted!!!!
- Collab images give the same amount of points to each participant! HOWEVER in order to count as a collab, some part of both participants must be in the image - i mean, like have both horses or both riders or whatever. So this works best for RPers!!!

How to Submit
Just submit your picture to the group! No waiting this time becaaaaause YOU'RE the one keeping track of your images now! So you don't have to wait on my slow ass!



Art Rules
No tracing without crediting/linearts.
Color required in all entries (except bonus) though shading is not (although highly encouraged)
Photo backgrounds ARE permitted
Any mandatory event not participated in will result in disqualification from the ride. (Bonus pictures are not required on the ride)

FAQ

Ask Away!

Q: Can we bring a dog?

A. As long as the dog can get along with other animals, and can keep up with the group.

Q: In addition to a hat, vest, and boots, would it be possible to add other types of clothing not as popular out west but still technically period? Such as, Civil War clothes, Mexican War, Town Costumes, etc.

A. Of course! I'm going along the same guidlines as SASS Cowboy Action Shooting (look it up if you'd like). They're rules are that costumes should either be of the time period, or a B Western Costume (Roy Rogers, etc.). Since it was only natural that there were all sorts of people migrating west, who's to say what kind of people you'd find?

Q: Would it be possible for a character like that of a shape-shifter or werewolf be permitted?

A. Sure! We allow fantasy horses, why not people?

Q: Can we bring binoculars, matches, flares?

A. Modern devices, such as cell phones, etc, are allowed, but must stay out of sight in your saddlebags to maintain the atmosphere of the ride. Binoculars and matches, however, were around during the 1800s, so they are perfectly allowed.

Q: Can we dress native, and not just western?

A. PLEASE be careful with this!! Cultural appropriation is a touchy issue and one I myself and rather sensitive about. If your character is going to dress "native" please make sure you have done plenty of research on the subject. YAY RESEARCH!

Q: Can we use Australian tack?

A. Absolutely! It was designed for the same purposes as regular Western tack, so it fits with our theme. Besides, hasn't anyone seen Quigley Down Under with Tom Sellek?

Q: Probably an odd question, but would a horse be allowed to be ridden in a western side saddle?

A. Sidesaddles are absolutely allowed since they are time period-correct.

Q: Are fantasy horses/breeds allowed, or just natural horses that are expected to be found in a Western setting?

A. Although natural horses are prefered, unnatural horses will not be excluded. However, any horse with wings or special powers are not allowed to use them during the competition.

Q: I know we are provided with firearms for the ride, but can we carry weapons of our own as well, in particular, a boot knife?

A. Absolutely, knives are allowed. Either way, knives are a piece of equipment that should be taken any time you go out on trail, just in case.

Q:How do we know what outfit to give our characters if we don't yet know if they're good guy or a bad guy?

A. Heck, who's to say that the lawman's the good guy? Have fun with your character's wardrobe, regardless of what side they're on.