Highland Havoc was created in AS 54 with the intent of having a Northern Atlantian event in the fall focused on equestrian, archery, and equestrian archery.

For the good of the realm, we must remain in seclusion, but that does not mean that we must abandon The Dream! Though we must currently remain at distance, in an effort to engage and entertain, a cast of characters has assembled a laundry list of challenges for those who desire to show their prowess while in isolation. Hone your skills with A&S challenges! Virtually ride to victory with the equestrians! And most importantly, Toast to the Realm!

For more information on this year’s Virtual Highland Havoc, please visit our Facebook Group for the event.

Challenge 2: Souptacular Challenge

Sponsor: Duquesa Elisenda de Luna

Type: A&S

The weather is cold and blustery, but a warm bowl of soup and bread in good company makes such things seem trivial.

Equipment: Food and kitchen stuffs.

What to submit: A picture

Instructions: In honor of the planned “feast”, as the head cook for the event I challenge you to make your best soup. Post a picture of the soup and a recipe to enter. Period recipes not required, but may be encouraged.

Judging: Winner will be judged by most “Like” reactions on the picture on Facebook (or emailed votes).

Prize: Winner to receive a selection of Auntie Arwen’s spices

Challenge 4: Build-a-Mount

Sponsor: THL Arielle de Pontoise, ODH

Type: A&S

Create your best paleo pony, any medium. Basically a best “stick horse” contest.

Equipment: Leather, fabric, ribbons, pool noodles, etc.

Instructions: Submit a photo of your completed pony

Judging: Will be judged by a panel of three judges – people TBD.

Prize: $25 gift card to retailer of winners choice

Challenge 6: Paper and Streamers and Barding, oh my!

Sponsor: THL Arielle de Pontoise, ODH

Type: Equestrian

Your mount needs help getting dressed for the spooky holiday in the next five minutes — but all you have is toilet paper!

Equipment: Toilet paper or crepe (“Streamer”) paper

What to submit: A video

Time Limit: 5 minutes

Instructions: Submit a video showing you wrapping your horse in paper to create barding. Cutting, glue and tape is allowed.

Judging: Will be judged by a panel of three judges – people TBD.

Prize: Handmade saddle pad cover with Atlantian theme (Created by Arielle).

Challenge 8: Headless Horseman Pumpkin Chuckin’ Challenge

Sponsor: Lord William de Hirst

Type: Equestrian

A fun, creative, and *very* exciting challenge involving everyone’s favorite spook on horseback

What to submit: A video

Equipment: A horse. A target (ideally plywood or something of similar weight. Even a board will do). Target should be at least 6 feet away. A jack-o-lantern, carved from a real pumpkin. Optional: candle in jack-o-lantern, special effects, e.g. flour bombs, electric lights, pyrotechnics, sound effects, etc. Please do this SAFELY

Instructions: Carve a jack-o-lantern. Once you’re happy with your masterpiece, mount up, ride by your target, and hurl your pumpkin at it, reenacting the iconic climax of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Judging: Entries will be judged by the challenge marshal (myself), and the EQ MIC (Epi Pengelly). Your jack-o-lantern will be judged on creativity and style, for a maximum of 5 points. Horsemanship, that is your ability to maintain control and direction of your horse, will be 2 points. Finally, you will receive 1 point for clipping your target on your throw, 3 points for a direct hit, and 5 points if you manage to smash your pumpkin. There will be a speed bonus, 1 point for every increase in gait (e.g. walk is 1 point, trot is 2 points, canter is 3 points, etc). There will be a +4 bonus for special effects. Maximum score is 20 points.

Prize: A small glass pumpkin from Historical Glassworks

Challenge 10: Running through the Reeds

Sponsor: CuMhara o’Holyhead, called Kope

Type of challenge: Equestrian

Embrace the interkingdom challenge of the Reeds!

Equipment: IKEqC rules state that you need ten reeds—generally between 5 and 6 feet tall, with 2”, 4”, 6”, 8”, and 10” reeds on top. Sword.

What to submit: A video

Time limit: N/A

Instructions: Pick your gait—remember that you have to maintain that gait.

Judging: Points are scored per IKEq rules (see the rule book). Points will NOT BE COUNTED if the pole moves when you hit it. You must hit the reed—NOT the pole.

Prize: There will be a special prize…full of sentimental value…for each gait (walk, trot/gait, canter—and whatever the Paso Finas call it)

Challenge 12: Lady Mor’s Bit-o-Everything Challenge

Sponsor: Lady Mor Ingean ui Docartaigh

Type: Equestrian

Challenge yourself and your mount with an accumulative points challenge!

Equipment: Rings, Heads, Reeds

What to submit: A video

Time Limit: None

Instructions: Rings 2 point each, up to 2 rings. Heads 5 points total. Reeds 10 points total. Judged portion: side pass both directions, back up, turn on the hind, (at least 4 steps of each). Bonus point for barding and garb.

Judging: Judged by Duchess Adelhait Fuchs

Prize: Leather goods as prizes, ie pouch, belt, halter or bridle.

Challenge 14: Outdoor Defense Division (O.D.D.) Challenge

Sponsor: Dame Dealla Cohen and Master Kryss Kostarev

Type: Thrown Weapons (Outdoor)

Cry HAVOC! and let slip the vikings of war!

Equipment: Axes, knives, and/or spears. Printouts of each target: Sheep Timmy, Treasure Chest, and House Fire

What to submit: Scores by weapon type on the Outdoor Score Sheet – score each throw separately, and show total

Time limit: None

Instructions: For each weapon type (axe, knife, spear): you get 2 throws at each of the 3 pictures. Crossing the line between scoring sections counts for the higher score.

You need not throw all 3 weapons types. Each is scored separately. Throwing distance is at the
discretion of the thrower.

Tie Breaker – throw one weapon (of the same type) at the treasure chest picture, aiming at the goblet,
instead of the chest. Measure your distance from the jewel on the goblet and record that on the
scoresheet, in millimeters.

Judging: You will be allowed 2 throws at each of the 3 targets. Any part of the picture (just
white space does not count) is 1 point, and 2 points for Sheep Head, Burning House Door, and Treasure
Chest. 12 point maximum score per weapon type. For each weapon type, there will be 3 divisions:

Novice – throwing less than 2 years, and never won a tournament; Intermediate – have thrown for 2-5
years, and won 3 or fewer tournaments;

Advanced – have thrown for more than 5 years or have ever won more than 3 tournaments (or served on a champions team more than once)

Prize: Scrolls will be created for winners (separate for each weapon type and division) (winners will be contacted by email for scrolls)

Challenge 16: Targeted Projectile Practice

Sponsor: Dame Dealla Cohen and Master Kryss Kostarev

Type: Archery

Cry HAVOC! and let slip the vikings of war! (This time, with bows!)

Equipment: Bow or Crossbow, Printouts of targets (to be provided)

What to submit: Scores on the Archery Score Sheet

Time limit: None

Tie Breaker – one additional arrow/bolt at the treasure chest picture, aiming at the goblet, instead of the
chest. Measure your distance from the jewel on the goblet and record that on the scoresheet, in
Millimeters.

Judging: Any part of the picture (just outer white space does not count) is 1 point, and 2 points for Sheep Head, Burning House Door, and Treasure Chest. 18 point maximum score per weapon type. Include your current Royal Round rank for each weapon type that shoot (crossbow, hand bow, period bow as defined in Atlantian regulations, but arrows need not be self nocked)

Prize: Scrolls will be created for winners (separate for each weapon type and rank) (winners will be contacted by email for scrolls)