The open road beckons, pulling you to the distant horizon. Hitched tightly to the heavy cart, you lean forward, pulling and straining against the thick leather straps. Your driver strikes the whip and you push even harder, meeting her demands for more speed, the cart careening down the road, every painful step both a struggle and a joy.
If this sounds like you, welcome to Blackwater. Blackwater ponies are known throughout the ponyverse as the best, period. Blackwater has won more blue ribbons in carting than all other farms combined. And yet, our favorite thing to do is road cart and explore the vast network of Second LIfe roadways and byways.
Blackwater ponies generally go carting at least once per week. But these are not quick trips; Blackwater ponies are endurance-trained and exceptionally qualified. To prove and demonstrate our commitment to road carting, Blackwater ponies can earn the achievements described below:
The Blackwater Road Carting Achievement System
STEP ONE
Become a Blackwater Ponygirl or Stallion
All new ponies at Blackwater complete the basic training program. The purpose of the program is to each you everything you need to know to be a ponygirl or stallion. The program includes an orientation of Blackwater Farm, an introduction to each of the ponyplay events, and a review of ponyplay etiquette and behavior expectations. Most ponies complete the basic training program in about two weeks. Once you complete the program, you are a Blackwater Ponygirl or Blackwater Stallion. You can then proceed to more advanced training in one or more of the ponyplay events. Each of those paths is described below.
BLACKWATER ROGUE
Blackwater Rogue
(Road Carting Level 1)
After first becoming a Blackwater Ponygirl or Stallion, the pony can begin advanced training in road carting. Achieving the rank of Blackwater Rogue will require a demonstration of commitment for most ponies. To achieve this rank, the pony must complete the following requirements:
- Complete Routes 1 and 2 in Heterocera
- Earn at least 200 points in GTFO carting
BLACKWATER ROAD WARRIOR
Blackwater Road Warrior
(Road Carting Level 2)
Next, the road carting pony progresses to the rank of Blackwater Road Warrior. This rank will require the pony to invest substantial time in achieving near perfection in road carting. To achieve this rank, the pony must complete the following requirements:
- Completes Routes 3, 4, 5 and 6 in Heterocera
- Complete Route 7 in Gaeta
- Earn at least 200 points in GTFO carting
- Complete at least one route blind
BLACKWATER ROAD COMMANDER
Blackwater Road Commander
(Road Carting Level 3)
The Road Commander is a true master of carting. To achieve this rank, the pony must invest significant time and effort in truly perfecting its carting abilities. This is a dominant rank that requires a tremendous amount of dedication. To achieve this rank, the pony must complete the following requirements:
- Complete Route 8 (including the ABC arms) in Satori
- Complete Routes 9, 9A and 10 in Jeogeot
- Earn at least 300 points in GTFO carting
- Complete at least two routes blind
- Summit Mount Campion
BLACKWATER ROAD KING / QUEEN
Blackwater Road King / Queen
(Road Carting Level 4)
The Road King (or Queen) is a legendary carting pony, a force of nature that defies impossibility. This rank is reserved for those rare ponies who are consistently and truly elite in carting. Fearing nothing, the Road King (or Queen) assaults the road while others watch in amazement. To achieve this rank, the pony must complete the following requirements:
- Complete Route 11 (X and Y) in Corsica
- Complete Routes 12, 13 and 14 (Route Z) in Nautilus
- Earn at least 300 points in GTFO carting
- Summit Mount Campion blind
Upon achieving this final and most prestigious ranking, the pony will have carted the entirety of Second Life and shall have proved his or her mastery of the road.