Well Son, we are climbing to the top of Camel's Hump.

And Pa, why are we climbing to the top of Camel's Hump?

Ok Son. Here we go. Every two years the great racing SIM hosts the Equinics. The Equinics is a competition similar to an event that we are not allowed to name where all the Residencies in SIMLAND come together to test their strength in competition with all the other residencies. For some it is fun and a chance to renew friendships; for others it is a down and dirty competition to declare themself the best Residency of all. In either case, many memories are made during the Equinics. Look behind you.

Wow. Who are those guys Pa?

Well, those 'guys' are members of one of the SIM Residencies. They belong to Pastures Of Green residing in Vermont. And they are all climbing Camel's Hump because it is the best place in all the Residency to watch the Equinics Torch make its way through the Residency.

How much farther Pa?

Well, look ahead and you can see the Hump.

That's a long way to go Pa.

Yup. So let me tell you a little story to pass the time.

Some folks were climbing a mountain (sorta like Camel's Hump) and this is what they said:
MANO man I feel LETHARGIC even though we have LEGIONS of fans.
OKDAVID this is what we are going to do while we are waiting for the torch. If you are chilly put your FOXON then take the LDYSSECRET in the ROYS Royce to the REDHILL to get your FLAGDOWN (but don't tell anybody, it's a secret after all). Sometimes I wish I was in the land of DIXIEDOTCO playing ball with Duke, er, LEESNYDER. Instead, I am on a LILBITFARM with neither a NOVA NOR A CHILCOAT to call my own.
Of a sudden, I heard something. SHONUFFF I heard a WHIPCRACK when the BIGHOSS let out a SQUAWK.
I end this short story with words written in the Information Pages of the SIMLAND HR game rule book: From the book of DAVID (with the many numbers) it says that SEACADETS shall not be HEAD2HEAD.

And just in time the story ends as we reach the top of Camel's Hump.

Now what Pa?

Now we wait for the torch to come son.We don't know where it is coming from, or who is bringing it to us. But we will see it when it gets here.

What's that over there PA???

It's getting closer.

Is that the Torch PA??

Is it?

Is it?

I do believe it is the Equinics Torch son, but I can't make out who is bringing it.

I can't believe it, the torch is going to be handed off right in front of us.

Pa, who was that masked man?

Why son, that was the torch bearer from the last residency. Musta been a bit shy to be wearing that mask and all. But now it is Pastures' turn to carry the torch. Let's watch it go across the Residency. This is fun, eh?

Man, there must be hundreds of them Pa. Hundreds and hundreds.

Yes Son. There were hundreds at the start, but it is a long and winding road and the wear and tear takes its toll.

But as long as one remains, the fight goes on and torch makes its way forward.

Watching the torch cross the residency brings back memories of previous Pastures' Equinics great and near-great horses.

Who could forget ONE THE NAKED from the very first Equinics in 2000. Or the incredible DANGER ZONE, the beautiful DANZIG IN VERMONT, and the greatly mismanaged GREEN BOW from the beautifully crafted 2002 Run With The Legends edition.

Memories continue to flow as the torch is passed from hand to hand.

2004 was another beautifully themed Equinics With Wings On Their Heels. GINGIVITIS, MUMBAI and SACRILEGE all grew wings and floated home with Gold medals dangling.

2006 Rode With The Legends and Pastures had a poor showing and missed bringing home a Gold. But at least we showed up.

The torch is fading in the distance, but we Raced For The Cure in 2008. And raced to two gold medals.

2010 saw us declaring 'We Are The SIM'. Yes we are, each and everyone of us - from the 100 stable addict, to the 2 stable drop-in player. We Are The SIM. We all love it, none more then the other. We all play the way we want to. We all love to win a race; and if we cannot win, at least let us enter and take a shot.

And MON COUP romped home in her only Grade I win.

Before the torch, and the memories, fade, the torch is passed on yet again. It will make its long journey through all the Residencies and be used to Open the Equinics.

And the torch is passed.