{"id":5468,"date":"2008-02-18T11:51:11","date_gmt":"2008-02-18T11:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blacktypebugler.com\/?p=5468"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","slug":"oldbtb_99","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/?p=5468","title":{"rendered":"Visiting the Ireland Residency!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finding the Meaning of \u201cForty Shades of Green\u201d!<\/font><\/h1>\n
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Because of what I have perceived as an increased interest in residencies, I have undertaken a trip around the world to check out the home turf of some of the Sims top places to join with your stables. The trip is being sponsored by those lovely ladies at the BTB as they realize how much our readers will enjoy this inside look.<\/p>\n

I must admit that all of this travel is turning out to be a bit tougher than I thought it was going to be. Last week I was at GR Simsters Residency and then had to fly back to Nevada to cover the Grade I Snowbound Special for the BTB where I watched the OTTO TRIBUTE upset of the two year old Horse of the Year MIESQUE\u2019S GOLD. Then I immediately hopped a plane to New York then switched to Aer Lingus for a long flight to Dublin, Ireland. I then rented a car, (Did you know that they drive on the wrong side of the road here?!?) and followed roads that were definitely planned for carts and horses to the Ireland\u2019s Residency headquarters. One of the things that I found is that everyone here seems to just know the way to everywhere so they don\u2019t really think that they need street signs. Next time, I don\u2019t care what Roys back at the BTB says about my expense report, I\u2019m going for one of those GPS thingies in my rent a car!<\/p>\n

One of the things I noticed on my drive was how truly green everything is here, no wonder they call it the Emerald Isle. I pulled up to their charming residency headquarters and was immediately whisked away to meet with the Ireland Rez President, Tullbrink. I would have actually liked to stop at a pub for a brew or two first but I was running late after all of the turns and backtracking on my trip from the airport. He warmly greeted me with a strong handshake and suggested that we drop down to their Residency Pub, \u201cThe Forty Shades of Green\u201d. Wow, can this man read minds or what. <\/p>\n

We stepped into a beautiful little pub that looked as if it had been unchanged in 400 years, which may or may not be the actual truth. Most of the tables were full of Ireland Residency owners and guests and there was a singer strumming a guitar and softly singing Irish folk songs off to one side. It looked as if every single inch of space on the walls was covered with something\u2026beer logos and signs, photos and awards from races and rows of bottles and glasses.<\/p>\n

As we settle into a comfy leather booth with well worn seats, Tullbrink<\/font><\/b> explained to me: We prefer to have our offices situated in the countryside, more of a natural setting, fresh air and such, where we “and our horses” feel more at home. \ud83d\ude09 I noticed that the GR Simsters have their opulent penthouse office high rise located far from their horses and far from healthy natural surroundings, I would guess… LOL.\u201d He chuckled as he said, \u201cIt all looks rather cold and unattractive to me. Sometimes we hold our meetings outside under the trees, sometimes in the main barn, but mostly over a Guinness or two in the pub. <\/p>\n

Tullbrink<\/font><\/b> – We are so happy that you decided to come and visit us in our little green corner of the world. I was actually hoping that you might not get here until next month when the St. Paddy\u2019s Day celebration comes but of course we pretty much celebrate that every day of the year here! LOL<\/p>\n

PazJazz<\/font><\/b>-Other than trying to find my way here, I am falling in love with this place. The country is really beautiful as is your headquarters. Besides all of that, the Forty Shades of Green Pub might be the best of all! How can you ever complain about Guiness?!?. <\/p>\n

There was a pretty little lass that continually kept our glasses full of the black bodied beer with the white creamy head. I needed to get this interview started in a hurry or it wasn\u2019t going to happen! <\/p>\n

PazJazz<\/font><\/b>– I understand that there have recently been some changes to the residency in regards to the tracks you call your home track? <\/p>\n

Tullbrink<\/font><\/b> – The Ireland track (#59) has always been the source and inspiration for the Ireland residency, hence its name. Within the last year or two, Sabbath (Jerry) and the Viking residency merged with us. So, at the present, we have 5 tracks under the Ireland umbrella… Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden. We have always promoted Ireland tagged horses and with the inclusion of the Viking residency, we also now promote those horses with a Nordic tag. It is really working out great for everyone.<\/p>\n

We have our own Ireland website located at Ireland Residency<\/a><\/font> from this you can reach all of our pages. <\/p>\n

PazJazz<\/font><\/b> This pub seems as if it has been here since the beginning of time but how long has the residency been in existence? <\/p>\n

Tullbrink<\/font><\/b> – If I remember correctly, the residency has been in existence since the spring of the year 2000 so it is back in the early 500s in Sim Race Weeks.<\/p>\n

PazJazz<\/font><\/b>– How many members do you have and do you have any rules about how many stables you can have? <\/p>\n

Tullbrink<\/font><\/b> – We have a pretty healthy membership\u2026currently we have 54 “farms” respresented on our backside… most with multiple stables. Supporting Ireland there are 694 stables today. <\/p>\n

As for rules… the only rule we have is that all resident stables must be clicking support for Ireland. We also, however, encourage participation in track events like contests, resident races, etc., posting on our message board, and, of course, breeding and running Ireland and Nordic tagged horses. The Ireland residency is always looking for new residents with one or multiple stables to share in the fun.<\/p>\n

PazJazz<\/font><\/b>– Do you have any Annual Race Days or Festivals for either the member or the Sim in general?<\/p>\n

Tullbrink<\/font><\/b> – Of course we are always looking for a reason for a party here! LOL We have Ireland’s Triple Crown races open for the entire Sim. The CROCK OF GOLD is the first of the three jewels this year it will be run 15th of March, St Patrick\u2019s Day Weekend. The 2nd jewel, THE KEG OF GUINESS is a G1 10 furlongs on the turf. It will be run the 10th of May and finally the 3rd jewel is the LOT\u2019s OF LUCK, also a G1 over 12 furlongs turf and it will be run the first Saturday in May. There are 2 more G1 races on our schedule, the KINGAB MILE and the ROCK OF CASHEL.<\/p>\n

We have Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winterfestivals with different races most of those are open for residents only.<\/p>\n

Once again, you can see our race schedule on our Ireland Website where it says \u201cSpecial Festival\/Race Schedule\u201d. There will be new additions(races) as the year progress. <\/p>\n

PazJazz<\/font><\/b>– What kinds of contests do you offer? Anything new coming up?<\/p>\n

Tullbrink<\/font><\/b> – There are always half a dozen or more contests running at the Ireland residency each week. They are all designed to be somewhat different so that the contests will appeal or be better suited to residents that have only one stable of claimers all the way up to those that run multiple stakes caliber horses from multiple stables. Our contests can be seen under the current contest section on our Ireland website.<\/p>\n

We currently have some contests under construction like a Jockey Club contest, there will also be a Ten to Follow contest, and a few more soon to be added.<\/p>\n

PazJazz<\/font><\/b>– Sounds like a good time for all although I might be happy to join just for the Guiness! Where is that young lady, what was her name, Erin or something like that? <\/p>\n

Tullbrink<\/font><\/b> – Here she comes now, with a fresh pitcher I might add. She isn\u2019t the type to like to see an empty glass, she kind of takes it as a personal insult. <\/p>\n

PazJazz<\/font><\/b>– A couple more of these and I\u2019ll be ready to marry her! LOL. You mentioned a Message Board on the website, is that how you folks communicate when you aren\u2019t all sitting around the pub? <\/p>\n

Tullbrink<\/font><\/b> – Yes, we have the Ireland Website and if you go to where it says the Forty Shades of Green the pathway to our message board\/forums will be there.The forums are our main message board, “The General Forum” but we also have some other forums like a Contest Forum and there will be a Equinics forum for the upcomming Equinics.<\/p>\n

PazJazz<\/font><\/b>– Funny you should mention it, I was wondering about the Equinics. I guess that means that your residency is planning on competing this year.<\/p>\n

Tullbrink<\/font><\/b> Sure we will compete and I can say this since Irish culture have always been said to be ancient, mystical, magical, strong and World famous. Who hasn’t heard of the term Fighting Irish?!? If to this you add all the Vikings and their warring nature, you really have to wonder how anyone can stop us in the upcoming Equinics! <\/p>\n

Then again if by some small chance we should be beaten, we still have the finest beers, stouts, ales and whiskeys in the world! LOL<\/p>\n

PazJazz<\/font><\/b> I\u2019ll certainly attest to that! What a way to drown your sorrows! One thing that my editors always like me to ask is if you have any \u201cSim Famous\u201d members of your Rez that our readers would recognize?<\/p>\n

Tullbrink<\/font><\/b>– Famous… LOL. We are all equally famous and infamous as well… LOL. Take a walk around the pub here anytime and you will see plenty of Sim heritage. If you would like to have a peak, you can always check the stables and farms on our “backside” through that link on our Ireland Website. <\/p>\n

PazJazz<\/font><\/b>– This seems like a truly magical place to lay your hat, is there anything else that you would like to offer up about your residency?<\/p>\n

Tullbrink<\/font><\/b> The Ireland residency started as the “brainchild” of one person, TechRanger (Larry). Throughout it’s “early” development it was managed by Larry and two others… Twinhollow (Mike) and Quietman49 (Jack). Mike and Jack helped keep stats on some early contests, handicapped races at the Ireland track, and offered invaluable advice. Within the last year I (Niclas) has taken over the reins of management. Ireland is now, more than ever, a community which relies on the participation of all of its members. Some contribute quite a bit of their time running and keeping stats on contests, tracking member accomplishments, working on committees like the Ireland Equinics committee, etc. Others contribute by financing special races, keeping our message board a “gold community status”, and offer various contest prizes (including the breeding of prize horses). <\/p>\n

All work together making the “spirit” that is… the Ireland residency.<\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n

I had one or two more visits with Erin, the Guiness Girl, maybe it was even a couple more than that. All I really remember after sharing a fantastic Shepherd\u2019s Pie with Tullbrink is waking up the next morning and feeling about Forty Shades of Green. Now I know where that name came from! I picked up a snow globe from a gift shop at the airport and I\u2019m on my way to the next Rez!<\/p>\n

Looking forward to seeing you in your little corner of the world!<\/p>\n

Email your comments to pazjazz.btb@gmail.com<\/font><\/a>I love to hear from you!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Quite a Magical Place.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":321,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"colormag_page_container_layout":"default_layout","colormag_page_sidebar_layout":"default_layout","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/321"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5468"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5468\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/btb.ehorseracing.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}