Can Equinics be Done?
Equinics has become exhausting. Maybe it always was. The ideal of Equinics was noble, a SIM-wide competition between “Residencies” (guilds, gangs, clans) to vie for…well…fake digital medals, but it did used to carry some trash talk potential when some of us were in our 20s.
Now, decades later, having been on 4 Equinics selection committees and racing 5 Equinics winners, I realize that the event should quietly be retired because it does more harm than good. It always creates animosity within residencies (guilds, gangs, clans) on how horses are selected, which horses are selected, and why those horses are selected. Many years ago now, the SIM lost one of its main revenue-spending players from GR Simsters when he quit the game over a horse selection. Was that petty? I don’t know, maybe yes, maybe no. Does it matter? The results were that the game lost thousands of dollars because of this event, and I eventually lost daily contact with a friend. We still call each other a few times a year, but the fallout between him and the other GR Simster members was never repaired. If an event in a leisure activity can cause that kind of rupture, then it already has major red flags around it.
Last Equinics cycle, I had to deal with a residency where 1/3 of the members wanted to boycott the event…over the lack of 2yo races. Petty reason? Maybe, yes. Maybe, no. But again, you can’t fault them for feeling the way they do. It’s not like they developed these feelings out of the blue. Equinics brought it on. When this event was started decades ago, we, as a community and society, were a lot less in tune with inclusion and putting together events that make people feel good. It’s a game; it’s supposed to be enjoyable, but so much about the event is now unenjoyable. It’s divisive, exclusionary, and always generates bad feelings.
This is not just restricted to the residencies involved. Why should unaligned horses be closed out of the event? That makes no sense. You have to be part of a gang (residency, guild, clan) to race for the digital medals? Further, it blocks up a huge portion of the racing season, locking stables in place and preventing movement. This is unfair to both players in residencies and those who aren’t.
Equinics was fading and on its way out, but first URC, then Orphans kept it on life support, though both residencies then made autonomous, not SIM-wide decisions on the event. It’s time to enact the DNR and pull the plug on Equinics. There is no need for the event anymore. Something more positive and inclusive can be put in its place, or not. Maintaining things because that’s the way they have always been leads to atrophy.
I’m much older than the young guy who wanted to take the SIM by storm with a group of friends that met up in Chicago one weekend. I find myself in yet another divisive Equinics selection moment, and I’m asking myself, why? This is all so obtuse and ridiculous. Equinics has turned into the exact opposite of the Olympic ideal, creating nothing but hard feelings within residencies (guilds, gangs, clans). Leadership in the SIM has exacerbated this problem by letting the Residency issue fester for years now. Residency Reform has been promised, and yet every January it goes by, and the same structure is in place where the Residency leaders have near-draconian power over the credits earned by their membership each month. So it hasn’t been as simple as “just form your own residency” for years now because the legacy residencies have benefited from a system that has been largely closed off to anyone even wanting to break up the current guild/gang/clan system.
Based on the locking of stables within residencies after Equinics, presumably due to the long-awaited residency (guild, gang, clan) revamp, now would be the perfect time to retire this event for the troubling anachronism that it is. The few positives that Equinics used to provide no longer outweigh the negatives. Instead of bringing out the best in people, it brings out the worst. We are now enlightened enough to recognize that. Do we have the courage to let it go?
The game has a group of passionate players particularly in residencies. I think under the surface this article shows you still have a strong passion for the game, residencies, and equities even though you try to mask it as indifference or disdain. The conversation is worth having, I am sure you are not alone in your thinking or feelings but I personally rather see this on a residency or game forum. Equities, Breeders Bowl, Derby etc should be a time of celebration.
No doubt many share my view, but are cowed into silence by the gang mentality that exists within, well gangs (residencies, guilds, clans) that I talk about in the article and that has shown itself in the comments to this article. I couldn’t articulate this mentality any better than other people’s own words. The cabal band together to cling to their power. There is no reason for this to exist in 2026. It’s beyond toxic.
I disagree this is not the right forum. Some might think this is a (self-aggrandising) time of celebration, while others feel it is divisive and destructive. Many people feel that the time of Equinics has come and gone. It has been on life support the last two iterations. I’m articulating for the voiceless that it’s alright to let it go. And we will all be better off for. If I have to play the role of The Warriors here, than so be it.
The individuals that run residencies and those who have helped organize this event have spent a tremendous amount of time and effort to do so. There has also been a great deal of enthusiasm surrounding the event both in the BTB, in forums, streams etc. I think it is unfortunate that you decided to take to this forum and at this time to essentially air grievances. Being a member of a residency and participation in Equinics are voluntary. Let’s remember that this is designed to be a TEAM event, any horse can be entered on any weekend in a Graded stakes in search of individual glory.
You need to get over yourself. I don’t see anyone whining like you are simply because others are happy with the Equinics and how they are being conducted
This is not the forum to be airing your grievances. This could have been put on the message board
You say Equinics is toxic, yet the most divisive rhetoric in this discussion has come from comparing fellow players to a cabal and claiming anyone who disagrees is clinging to power. That’s not exposing toxicity, it’s creating it.
If your position is strong, it should stand on its own merits. It shouldn’t require inventing a silent majority and dismissing everyone else as part of a conspiracy.
it has a special place in my heart ,because of my runner dark mandu who made history in the sim running in a G1 vs the best marathoners in the sim in only his 3rd start going off at 179/1 and finishing 2 after leading at the top of the stretch, which in turn started his run to make the HOF ,it will be sad to see it go but that’s they way things go ,thanks for the memories
The Equinics aren’t going anywhere, you can be sure of that. This sour grapes article from a disgruntled person throwing his rattle out of his playpen all because he nominated horses and unfortunately they were deemed not a fit for his residencies team. Then to blow up his residencies forum demanding they hand over the passwords to the races so he can enter his horses, to now it seems to have his dummy (pacifier for you Americans) follow his rattle over the playpen fence with the writing of the above.
As a Manager of a residency, I can honestly say the selection process at ours was seamless simple and fun, not a hint of acrimony even peeked around a corner. 5 of us spent a fun couple of hours on a discord voice channel selecting our representatives, and the closest thing to a bad word being uttered was when Pascal spilled his beer. (and I don’t think oopsies is all that bad nor is it what he really said haha)
100% agree, Dingo.
The Orphans selection process was put to a blind vote of the entire membership. Every member had an equal voice, the polls were hidden until they closed, and the results were revealed afterward. It doesn’t get much more transparent or democratic than that.
Mr. Emblem’s issue wasn’t with the process it was with the outcome. His nominees weren’t selected, so suddenly the event itself is broken.
Ending a decades long tradition because one disgruntled player didn’t get his way isn’t progress.
The few positives that Equinics used to provide no longer outweigh the negatives. Instead of bringing out the best in people, it brings out the worst “in one person”.
There fixed it for you.
At this time, on the advice of absolutely no one, I respectfully invoke my Fifth Amendment right against self incrimination regarding the ongoing “Equinics scandal, continuation, whether it has a place”
I will not be answering questions about mysterious team selections, backroom negotiations, alleged favoritism, missing nominations, or any other accusations real or imagined.
Any further inquiries should be directed to my attorney… who, coincidentally, has also invoked the Fifth.
No further comment.
Invoked or drank a fifth Mattie (damn I’m spending way too much time on line, all these Americanisms – fifths, pacifiers and dirt racing!!)
You seriously need help man.
Your delusions of grandeur of your horses is next level and I hope you aren’t getting paid to write this abomination.
As others have mentioned and as I’ve told you personally numerous times on the forum, there was no way the vote was rigged, or could be rigged. You have flat out accused members of the residency that you claim to represent of blatant cheating, corruption and conspiring to keep you out of the Equinics.
The vote was a blind vote, no one could see other people’s votes and your claims that another resident was “dogging” your horses in the chat is out and out slanderous.
You are having a massive sook because you didn’t get a runner like many others in the Rez, (me included) who have moved on and will support our chosen runners, and to be frank (no, not “the” Frank) this rant you have gone on has completely pissed everyone in the Rez off. I don’t know that is your intention or if you are just a troll but you need to stop listening to the Knights of Whatever who are guiding you to make your decisions.
The Equinics is based on the Olympics….Olympics are TEAMS made up of the best competitors, you are representing TWO residencies….that isn’t in the Olympic spirit. I can’t represent Australia and the USA in the same Olympics.
How dare you accuse me and the other residents of the things you have with no evidence.
This little game you are playing at trying to get rid of the Equinics doesn’t fly and I hope everyone else in this game sees you for the vindictive little b**** you are
I will not be engaging with you anymore, I’ve tried patiently to explain to you why I voted the way I did, that I didn’t even look at who owned each horse, because I didn’t want to know or ironically let it cloud my own judgement. Funnily enough, I, unlike you, didn’t even vote for my own horses….because they weren’t good enough
Now p*** off and don’t ever cross my path again. I
Your horse didn’t get picked, you are bitter so it’s time to end event entirely. Get over yourself
GROW up
So does Tenpoint have all 24 Orphans entries in the Equinics?
I’m glad to see the consensus here agrees about the underlying reason for this article. It comes as no surprise seeing the author who was kicked out of URC for a multitude of similar situations (not fair, manager is not God, it’s a gang etc). Surprise! New residency, same crybaby throwing rattle out of the crib (whoever wrote that it’s perfect). Maybe open your own residency when you can. Residency bosses deal with similar issues as a real workplace due to personality types. Events like Equinics are for some a labored effort in trying to keep all happy. I will have entries, but mostly because our rez doesn’t have enough quality to cover all the events. If you’re in a rez with more quality, chances are higher you may not get a run. So what. Root for your members that are in. Equinics won’t go away.you feel you have horses that are best? Focus on other prestigious events like breeders bowl, sand castle, etc. Nobody can “vote against you ” your horses will decide if you get in or not.
I put to my fave AI Bot for comment on it’s logic the following – Waremblem’s response above prefaced by this lead in
“a person writes an article multiple responses to it are all negative and the author responds with this”
attached Waremblem’s response from above
Please comment on the logic of the response
BOT says:
The author’s response employs circular reasoning by using negative feedback to validate their original claims of a “gang mentality,” while dismissing critics as a “cabal” rather than addressing the substance of the criticism. This defensive approach relies on an unsubstantiated appeal to a silent majority and an ad hominem attack on commenters, failing to engage with the actual arguments presented.
and further Breaks it down like this:
There is no logical validity to the claims. From a purely structural and logical standpoint, the argument fails for the following reasons:
1. Circular Reasoning (Begging the Question) The Flaw: The author assumes their premise is true to prove their premise.
The Reality: They claim a “toxic gang mentality” exists. When people disagree, the author points to the disagreement as proof that the “gang” is attacking them. This creates a closed loop where both agreement and disagreement are used to prove the author is right.
2. Appeal to a Silent Majority (Unfalsifiable Claim)The Flaw: The author states, “No doubt many share my view, but are cowed into silence.
“The Reality: This is an empty assertion. By definition, a silent group cannot provide evidence. The author is inventing invisible support to counter the visible opposition, making the claim impossible to test or prove.
3. Confirmation Bias and Misinterpretation The Flaw: The author claims they “couldn’t articulate this mentality any better than other people’s own words.
“The Reality: Without seeing the comments, it is highly improbable that every single negative response perfectly matched a specific “gang” behavior. It is far more likely the author is twisting standard disagreement to fit their pre-existing narrative.
4. Ad Hominem Deflection The Flaw: Labeling critics as a “gang,” “cabal,” or “toxic” shifts the focus.
The Reality: This attacks the character and motives of the commenters instead of addressing the actual points they raised.
Summary: Without objective evidence to back it up, the author’s response is just a defensive psychological reaction to criticism, wrapped in logical fallacies.
Couldn’t have said it better myself haha
I love AI lmfao
You weren’t able to say it yourself, you had AI wave its hands around, looking both inarticulate and silly. Posting AI slop as “proof” isn’t the mic drop you think it is, bud.
“Inarticulate and silly” is a perfect encapsulation of your whole article and subsequent crashout here. And I think you mic-dropped that on yourself.
I nominated two horses for Orphans’ team, they didn’t get voted in. So I pointed them somewhere else.
I don’t see what the OP’s big deal is… Equinics isn’t the only fish in the sea.
It may well be on the way out BUT for none of the reasons posted by the original author but mainly because of the toxicity of the original post and subsequent comments. Does the game need such negativity? (rhetorical)
This discourse is fascinating and not altogether unexpected.
Full disclosure: I have been a mostly Equinics-agnostic for most of my SIM career. Never my favorite event nor something I chose to ignore.
Within my residency, i did vote AGAINST its participation in 2026. But when the tally came back in favor of playing, I dutifully nominated a handful of runners, and will have three of them go to post for a likely thrashing.
This is not the first SIM controversy over the subjective nature of selection of horses for competition, or awards (think Hall of Fame committees). So the outrage on both sides doesn’t feel fresh or compelling to this formerly young trainer who also arranged for a meetup in Chicago (mine was the low-rent version.)
What I think is relevant here is that the article, the views of the author, and the strong backlash from (what I assume are) other residency mates feels more like a poetic reflection of the broader, chaotic and disconnected times we live in.
In other words, we’ve lost the plot.
As someone who has played for 25 years and never been a member of a residency (gang, clan, guild) and effectively never participates in the social aspect of this game so couldn’t be less a member of the gang (clan, guild, residency) that the author is “honorably” rebelling against I can honestly say that at no time reading this article did I think the Equinics was the problem. Sad tantrums from adults, yes, the Equinics, no.
Reading all the comments, I can’t help but think of the classic line from the Looney Tunes short, A Hare Grows in Manhattan …
Dog pile on the rabbit dog pile on the rabbit
If I were Netflix, I wouldn’t renew this drama for a second season. Good luck to all Equinics competitors!
Are we going to continue allowing biological men to compete against women in Equinics?
GOOD one!
Sincerely, Sophie Cunningham
BRAD RULES! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA