Winter has arrived! Snow is falling, trees are aglitter and the wooded parks of Blackwater are quiet and hushed. Celebrate the season with us in a series of events to bring warmth and cheer to this beautiful time of year!
Schedule of Events
Monday, Feb. 2 at 10:00pm
Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 10:00pm
Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 10:00pm
Thursday, Feb. 5 at 10:00pm
Friday, Feb. 6 at 6:00-9:00pm
Saturday, Feb. 7 at 11:00am-1:00pm
Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1:00-3:00pm
Saturday, Feb. 7 at 6:30-7:00pm
Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7:00-9:00pm
Sunday, Feb. 8 at 11:00am
“Canyons of Hoth” Cart Race Begins
“Canyons of Hoth” Cart Race Ends
“Frosty’s Massacre” Slalom Race Begins
“Frosty’s Massacre” Slalom Race Ends
Dungeon Play Party
Devious Dressage Flower Competition
Winter Concert
Imbolc Ceremony
Winterfest Ball
Winterfest Polo Tournament
“Canyons of Hoth”
Carting Race
Start: February 2 at 10:00pm
End: February 3 at 10:00pm
Blackwater Stadium
Winterfest kicks off on Monday, February 2 at 10:00pm in the Blackwater Stadium! Caves of Hoth is a cart racing course — a new race course continuing the Blackwater tradition of introducing brand new courses for Winterfest.
This track is smooth and fast! New ponies will find the course entirely doable, while some fun slalom turns inside the ice canyons will prove interesting for experienced racers. Enjoy!
This is a 24-hour race with a run limit of 30. The race begins on February 2 at 10:00pm and ends onFebruary 3 at 10:00pm. Please be considerate of others and do not enter Blackwater Stadium without first checking that the course is clear.
Congratulations to the brave ponies who had the courage to tackle this difficult course!
RACE RESULTS
| Rank | Name | Time | Points |
| 1 | luxil resident | 84.050870 | 1784 |
| 2 | maxie rizzo | 84.451400 | 1776 |
| 3 | ralna payne | 85.191630 | 1760 |
| 4 | bea6love resident | 85.300930 | 1758 |
| 5 | romina randt | 85.525720 | 1753 |
| 6 | frisky8100 resident | 85.588570 | 1752 |
| 7 | fuzzetteredux resident | 85.776630 | 1748 |
| 8 | martashiny resident | 85.967770 | 1744 |
| 9 | miiniemee resident | 87.006450 | 1724 |
| 10 | earving1 resident | 87.377710 | 1716 |
| 11 | snowymaid resident | 88.271560 | 1699 |
| 12 | elli pevensey | 91.998570 | 1630 |
| 13 | sparklespice resident | 92.903110 | 1614 |
| 14 | jos corvinus | 93.951370 | 1596 |
| 15 | hotie lane | 99.074960 | 1514 |
“Frosty’s Massacre”
Slalom Race
Start: February 4 at 10:00pm
End: February 5 at 10:00pm
Blackwater Stadium
Something is very wrong at the snowman village. As you enter the forest enclave, home of the snowmen, you can smell the blood. You can hear the screams. Something terrible has happened here, and you will be lucky to escape with your own life before this is over.
“Frosty’s Massacre” is a short, moderately easy, gate slalom course newly created for Winterfest 2026. Beginners will find the course easy to learn, but a few twists and turns along the way should prove challenging for experienced ponygirls and ponyboys as well.
This is a 24-hour race beginning at 10:00pm on February 4 with a run limit of 30. The race will be held in the Blackwater Stadium. Please be considerate of others and do not enter the competition sim without first checking that the course is clear.
Congratulations to the ponies who survived the snowman zombie apocalypse!!!
RACE RESULTS
| Rank | Name | Time | Points |
| 1 | ralna payne | 33.711950 | 118 |
| 2 | luxil resident | 33.758890 | 118 |
| 3 | susi24berger resident | 33.836940 | 118 |
| 4 | lindagor resident | 33.884360 | 118 |
| 5 | tina1986 mcgregor | 33.963410 | 117 |
| 6 | stephmars resident | 34.030700 | 117 |
| 7 | sun86shine resident | 34.148330 | 117 |
| 8 | avistarrr resident | 34.367990 | 116 |
| 9 | wuseline resident | 34.420320 | 116 |
| 10 | fuzzetteredux resident | 34.458600 | 116 |
| 11 | bea6love resident | 34.565860 | 115 |
| 12 | martashiny resident | 34.641680 | 115 |
| 13 | sparklespice resident | 34.832850 | 114 |
| 14 | lay starling | 38.407260 | 104 |
| 15 | ostiabs resident | 33.028540/4 | 96 |
| 16 | stacey westminster | 60.868300 | 65 |
Blackwater Bondage
Dungeon Play Party
February 6 at 6:00pm
Blackwater Castle
Devious Dressage
Flower Competition
February 7 at 11:00am
Blackwater Stadium
COMPETITION RESULTS
| Rank | Name | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 | Round 5 | Total |
| 1 | Stephpony (stephmars.resident) | 6 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 68 |
| 1 | Zumi Ventris | 6 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 68 |
| 1 | Nightshade (onxy.darkthorne) | 6 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 68 |
| 1 | Carolyn | 6 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 68 |
| 2 | Kanie Birdsong | 6 | 10 | 13 | 18 | 4 | 51 |
What is Devious Dressage?
Devious Dressage is a flower dressage competition for dressage-loving ponygirls, ponyboys and trainers in Second Life.
When and where is the event?
The event is on February 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. SLT. The event will be held in the Blackwater Stadium, located here.
Do I need to register for the event?
No.
What are the rules for the competition?
The rules for the competition can be found here. (Scroll down toward the bottom under “Flower Dressage Competition Format.”) The rules are also here:
- The ponies will line up near the field and will take turns competing. Each pony will receive a unique pattern for each round.
- Each round of competition will require ponies to complete successively more difficult patterns as follows:
Round 1: 6-character pattern (6 points)
Round 2: 10-character pattern (10 points)
Round 3: 14-character pattern (14 points)
Round 4: 18-character pattern (18 points)
Round 5: 20-character pattern (20 points)
- A pony who does not successfully complete the pattern will receive zero points for that round. However, the pony can still stay in the competition and compete in further rounds. Thus, a pony can earn a maximum of 68 points, and a minimum of 0 points, while completing all five rounds.
- At the end of the Fifth Round, the competition is over. Ponies with the highest point totals win. Ties are permitted.
- Before starting a pattern, the pony will have up to 30 seconds to study the pattern before beginning the pattern. The pony must stomp when ready to proceed, and must begin when the trainer cracks the whip. After 30 seconds, the trainer will crack the whip regardless whether the pony has indicated that he or she is ready.
- Running and jumping are not permitted. The use of interpretive HUDs is permitted.
- Each pony must wear appropriate pony tack. Appropriate pony tack includes a bridle with a gag, and a harness. (Tails and footwear are not required at Blackwater, but are encouraged.) This is not a beauty pageant and additional points will not be awarded for appearance, style or manners. HOWEVER, points may be deducted from a pony, in the discretion of the judges, for failure to wear appropriate tack or failure to observe protocol.
- Protocol means: (a) bowing or curtseying to the host upon entering the dressage field, (b) stomping to indicate that the pony is ready, and (c) bowing or curtseying to the host upon completing the pattern, regardless whether successful. Ponies will not be awarded extra points for good manners, but deductions may be made, in the discretion of the judges, for bad manners.
- Ponies must complete the pattern continuously without stopping. A very brief momentary pause is not a stoppage. A stoppage of the pony lasting a second or more will result in a deduction in points, even if the pattern is completed successfully. This is in the discretion of the judges. Similarly, points may be deducted from a pony who completes a pattern successfully but nonetheless deviates substantially from the line, turns in a manner prohibited by the rules, or otherwise disrupts the continuity of the pattern.
Do I need a trainer to participate in the event?
No. If you do not have a trainer, we will provide a trainer for you. We will happily serve as your trainer for both the competition and/or exhibition portions of the event.
What if I have a trainer? Can she or he participate?
Yes, absolutely. Before the event starts, please tell us who your trainer is and your trainer can participate with you in both the competition and/or exhibit portions of the event.
I heard something about a concert?
Yes! After the competition is over, we are having a concert! Everyone is invited to come party with us.
I want to participate but I don’t know the first thing about dressage. Can I still participate?
Yes. If you want to learn more about dressage, we have a great webpage for that. The webpage is here. You can teach yourself dressage using the webpage. Or, better yet, contact Miss Alli (alli.eberdene) or Miss Winnie (winnie.sweetwater) and we would be very happy to schedule a training session with you.
Imbolc
Winter Concert
February 7 at 1:00pm
Blackwater Hall
PCome witness the spectacle that is the transition from the deep cold of winter to the first hints of springs. Imbolc is a musical and visual journey for the senses.
Imbolc Ceremony
Celebration of Spring
February 7 at 6:30pm
Blackwater Castle
Imbolc is an ancient holiday celebrating the transition from winter to spring. It is an optimistic occasion marking the first stirrings of life in the coming spring season and a return to light. It marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
The Blackwater Imbolc ceremony is open to the public; however, it is intended for Blackwater residents. The ceremony will begin with an acknowledgment and celebration of the ending winter, and a blessing for the optimism of the coming spring. The ceremony will proceed with a recognition of Blackwater residents who have made significant accomplishments or achievements in the past season. Expect awards and happiness!
Winterfest Ball
Music & Dancing
February 7 at 7:00pm
Blackwater Conservatory
Winterfest continues with a festive dance party! DJ Winnie will be streaming your favorite music at this party in celebration of the season.
While everyone is invited and accepted, we suggest formal or at least semi-formal attire. This is a ball, not a hoe-down! Put on your best wintry dress and let’s have some fun.
The party will begin immediately after the Imbolc cerermony has concluded (which we predict will be 7:00pm). The party will be held in the Blackwater Conservatory located here. [fix link]
Blackwater Winter Polo Tournament
Third Annual Invitational
February 8 at 11:00am
Blackwater Stadium
Winterfest concludes with a polo tournament! The third annual Blackwater Winter Polo Tournament will be held at Blackwater Stadium on Sunday, February 8 at 11:00am. This is an invitational tournament. Players and teams will receive invitations to the tournament during the week of January 4. If you would like to play in the tournament, but did not receive an invitation, please contact Alli Eberdene.
TEAMS
| PLM | Katinka (leashcandy) Shizu Venus |
| Wild Valkyries | Mel Billings Pumpkin Sylvie Desania |
| Balls Out Blackwater | Winnie Sweetwater Hephestus Colt |
| Wild Radioactives | Marta Shiny Ralna Payne |
| Farmland Freight | Maxie Rizzo Sonny Redrose |
Congratulations to Farmland Freight — Winter Champions!
This is a randomly-seeded, double-elimination bracket on a SLOPED polo field. Blackwater’s tournament rules can be found here. The tournament will be held in Blackwater Stadium, located here.
Pre-registration is required prior to the tournament. The deadline for registration is Sunday, February 1 at 10:00 p.m. SLT.