The Quest for the Queen's Purse:

• This quest was first run at the Investiture of Stephen and Elina of the Mists, in the Kingdom of the West. The entire quest was done over a square mile of wooded land.
• Each station was secluded from the next and took a separate marshal at each. Events used in the inter-kingdom equestrian contest were required to be done at the same gate in order for the participant to turn in a score.
• Riders wore colored armbands to distinguish the level of rider they authorized at. This allowed all marshals to see at a distance what gate the rider could not go above.
• Time for each rider was between 15minutes and 1 hour.
• The event was both timed and given value for accuracy. For the best score possible a rider had to be quick and accurate. (It is interesting to note that an intermediate rider won the quest through accuracy.)

The First Station: Learn of the Quest
Setup: Requires an area where the timer can address each rider individually away from the others and a sample of the markers used to mark the path.

Starter: "Nobel Rider! A spy has just stolen the Queen's Purse! The thief went off that way! Her Majesty has sought safety elsewhere, but her purse contains vital information about the upcoming war, You must retrieve it! There are those who will help you along the way be sure to introduce yourself and tell them of your quest. Follow the path marked with blue and white." (Whatever you have marked the path with.)

Timer marks the time the rider left.

Station 2: Retrieve the Pouch
Set up: A marked Clearing, a Styrofoam 'pouch' in the middle and a pig-sicking spear. There must be room on either side for the rider to approach the 'pouch'.

Rider: Introduces himself to the Attendant.

Attendant: "You have scared off the spy with your pursuit, he has dropped the pouch! Here is a lance, stick the pouch as you pass and claim it. You have two tries"
Marshal may need to demonstrate the proper way to spear an object on the ground.

If they succeed: "Congratulations, you have retrieved Her Majesties bag. You must now make your way to the sanctuary where Her Majesty has taken herself. Head off in this direction and follow the path in blue and white." Marshal gives them a fabric pouch in exchange for the Styrofoam one.

If they do not: "It seems that your skills with a spear are lacking. Circle the clearing at a walk twice, to check for traps, dismount and retrieve the pouch." Marshal gives them a fabric pouch in exchange for the Styrofoam one and sends them on their way as above.

10 quest points for sticking it on the first try,
5 quest points for sticking it on the second try,
0 quest points for failing to stick it.

Station 3: Mountain Pass
Set up: A zig zag path is marked on the ground with engineer tape, paint or other means, 2ish feet wide. Path is about 20-25 feet long and should curve irregularly. The attendant will need to see all parts of it.

Rider: Introduces himself

Attendant: "Noble Rider, there has been a terrible landslide in this area, it is very dangerous, I fear you may have to turn back. The path is very narrow if you step off of it, you will have to go around the mountain. Or you may choose to go that way, to be safer, but it is much longer."

If they succeed: "Congratulations, continue on this way." Attendant points the direction to continue.

If they do not: " The footing is to treacherous for your mount, you must go around the mountain." Attendant points them to marker in the distance that they must go to and come back before sending them on their way.

10 Quest points for negotiating the pass
5 Quest points for choosing the safer route the first time (one should know their limitations and that of their mount)
0 for failing to negotiate the pass

Station 4: Enemy Squad

Setup: Saracen's Head Course

Rider: Introduces himself.

Attendant: "Before you is a patrol from the enemy. You must lob off their heads in order to get past. I understand it is much like taking Heads in a Saracen's heads course, and the same rules apply."

The attendant may have to explain how this is done and how it is timed. Attendant must be very careful with the timing of this event as it is part of the IKEC.

If Successful: "Congratulations, you are free to go, follow the path marked with blue and white." Points in the direction to go.

If rider misses some heads: "You have made a valiant effort, but there are still some standing, circle them at a walk, once for each head missed, to confuse them." When complete, send them on their way as above.

IKEC Scores as normal.

5 Quest points for each head taken

Station 5: The Forest

Set up: Two or three Cavaletti, a blue tarp and another Cavaletti on the far side of the tarp.

Rider: Introduces himself

Attendant: "The shortest path back takes you across this creek strewn with fallen logs. Come across smoothly and you will not loose much time."

If successful: " Congratulations! You must hurry on your way! Follow the path marked with Blue and White."

If Unsuccessful, or the rider chooses not to do it: "There is a longer way, walk around the obstacle twice, and be on your way."

0 points if not attempted
5 points if horse crosses cavaletti, but not tarp
10 points if horse crosses cavaletti and tarp
15 points if horse crosses the first time without refusal

Station 6: Wheat Harvest

Set up: Reeds Course

Rider introduces himself to the attendant.

Attendant: " I know the way back and I would gladly show you, but I must work out in the fields today. You could help me by chopping down some wheat for me, then I would have the time to show you which way to go."

Attendant may have to show how to run a reeds course.

When completed: "Ah, thank you for your efforts, this will make my day much easier, the path is this way, follow the blue and white markings."

Officially score this as a reeds course according to the IKEC
For the quest: Award 1 quest point for each reed chopped.

Station 7: Signal Flags

Setup: Two uprights with