Abstract:
A new and improved equestrian board game challenging players to collect points through the simulated care and training of their horse while moving their playing piece from the start area to the finish area. The inventive device includes a game board having a plurality of linear movement paths all leading to another circuitous movement path before finally reaching the finishing lane, two sets of playing cards and a single die provided for determining both movement and scoring. A simplified variation of the game rules is provided for younger players.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to board games and more particularly pertains to a new board game for equestrians, or horse lovers in general, challenging players to collect points in a novel board game while moving their playing piece from the start area to the finish area.  
         DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART  
         [0002]    The use of board games is known in the prior art. More specifically, board games heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, not withstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art, which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.  
           [0003]    Known prior art board games include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,758,876; 6,209,871 B1; 5,139,266; and 4,241,924.  
           [0004]    While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new Board Game dedicated to horse lovers. The inventive device described herein includes a game board, said game board having a plurality of linear and circuitous movement paths disposed thereon, at least one die provided for determining movement along the plurality of movement paths, one pack of “training” cards for the accumulation of points and one pack of “pick-a-card” cards which also affect movement of the player&#39;s piece on said movement paths. Although all players begin at the same start area, there is a plurality of possible paths to the finish area. Scoring is accomplished both by the drawing of particular cards and by a player&#39;s piece landing on designated spaces of the said movement paths.  
           [0005]    In these respects the Board Game according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides a challenging new game for adult equestrians, and horse lovers in general, while simultaneously providing for younger players a learning apparatus for the training and enjoyment of horses that is both fun and educational  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of board games now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new Board Game construction wherein the same can be utilized for challenging players to be the first to move their playing piece from the start area to the finish area while simultaneously accumulating the most points through the drawing of particular cards and landing on specific spaces along the movement paths.  
           [0007]    The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new Board Game apparatus and many novel features that result in a new Board Game which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art board games, either alone or in any combination thereof.  
           [0008]    To attain this the present invention generally comprises a game board, said game board having a plurality of linear and circuitous movement paths disposed thereon, at least one die provided for determining movement along the plurality of movement paths, one pack of “training” cards for the accumulation of points and one pack of “pick-a-card” cards which also affect movement of the players piece on the said movement paths. Although all players begin at the same start area, there is a plurality of possible paths to the finish area. Scoring is accomplished both by the drawing of particular cards and by a player&#39;s piece landing on designated spaces of the said movement paths.  
           [0009]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the more detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.  
           [0010]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
           [0011]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
           [0012]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new board game apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the board games mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new board game that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art board games, either alone or in any combination thereof.  
           [0013]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a new board game, which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.  
           [0014]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new board game, which is of a durable and reliable construction.  
           [0015]    An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new board game which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such board game economically available to the buying public.  
           [0016]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new board game, which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.  
           [0017]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new board game for equestrians, or horse lovers in general, challenging players to collect points while moving their playing piece from the start area to the finish area along a plurality of possible movement paths.  
           [0018]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new board game which includes a game board having a plurality of possible linear and circuitous movement paths disposed thereon which all lead to the finish area, a single die and two sets of playing cards, one set affecting movement of the playing pieces and a second set for accumulation of points by the individual players.  
           [0019]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new board game that would provide an enjoyable game that could be participated in for friendly competition and entertainment.  
           [0020]    Even still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new board game that would provide a challenge for adult equestrians while simultaneously providing for younger players a learning apparatus for the training and enjoyment of horses that is both fun and educational.  
           [0021]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, it&#39;s operating advantages and the specific objects attained by it&#39;s uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire game assembly comprising the present invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the game board forming a part of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an example scorecard and the individual training cards forming a part of the present invention.  
         [0026]    In the various figures of the drawing, like reference characters designate like parts. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]    With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 3 thereof, a new board game embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described.  
         [0028]    As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3, the board game  10  comprises a game board  11 , a single die  12 , a plurality of playing pieces  13 , a plurality of scorecards  14 , a pack of “pick-a-card” cards  15 , and a pack of “training” cards  16  normally retained in a tray  17 . Said game board  11  is substantially planer, generally rigid in structure, and generally rectangular in shape. In addition, said game board  11  has a plurality of movement paths disposed thereon. Said movement paths comprise a primary starting linear path  20 , two secondary linear shortcut paths  21  crossing two respective bridges  21   a , a circuitous path  22  bisected by a shortcut trail  22   a , and finally a finishing lane  23 . All of the said movement paths are further divided into a plurality of individual spaces.  
         [0029]    All players begin play at the Pasture Start space  30 . The object of the game is to score points by mastering particular training disciplines symbolized by landing on the respective training spaces  31 . Points may also be scored by a player&#39;s piece  13  landing on the Blue Ribbon space  32 . A plurality of events is simulated by landing on the “Pick-a-Card” spaces  33  including being sent to the Vet spaces  34 , Blacksmith spaces  35 , Grounded Barn spaces  36  and Training Center spaces  37 . The game is over and the scores tallied when the first player&#39;s piece  13  reaches the Home Barn space  38 .  
         [0030]    With respect to the basic rules of play, each player initially chooses a single playing piece  13  representing one of six types of horses, each horse having a respective scorecard  14 . Each scorecard  14  lists the individual training disciplines represented by the respective training cards  16 . Points are given for accumulation of these training disciplines but each training discipline is assigned a different value in points. Said training disciplines are thus listed on the scorecard  14  as such that the most valuable four disciplines are referred to as the Top Points  14   a  and the remaining six disciplines are referred to as the Bottom Points  14   b.  In addition, each respective horse has an individual prioritization of the said training disciplines. Thus, respective training cards  16  may score more points for one player than another. There will also be a space on said scorecard  14  for players to write the name of their horse.  
         [0031]    The object of the game is for players to complete as many of the training disciplines as they can while moving their playing piece  13  around the game board  11 , in order to obtain the most points on their scorecard  14 . All players begin the game apparatus  10  by rolling the die  12 . The player with the highest roll takes the first turn. All players begin at the Pasture Start space  30  and move forward along the initial movement path  20  the number of spaces shown by rolling the die  12 .  
         [0032]    There are training spaces  31  on the game board  11  with pictures of the various training disciplines that the player&#39;s horse can learn. Each training discipline is in a slightly different position on each individual scorecard  14 , but all of the scorecards share the same ten training disciplines. Point values of said training disciplines vary as each breed of horse has special talents and each one is better suited for different disciplines. Only the Pleasure discipline remains in the same location on each scorecard  14  because it is the most important training discipline. All horses should be a pleasure to be around and this is reflected by a one hundred-point reward when drawing the Pleasure Card  16   a  for the first time. As the player lands on said training spaces  31  they receive the respective training card  16  from the tray  17 . Said training card  16  may be kept and traded to another player later in the game. Such a trade may only be done if one of the players involved in the trade has landed on the Training Center space  37 . Any player landing on said Training Center space  37  may trade one and only one card with any other player, in addition to receiving an additional roll on the die to move their playing piece  13  again. Training Cards  16  not kept for trading are returned to the tray  17  after the appropriate points for that respective Training Card  16  are written in the proper space on the scorecard  14 . If a player has already received the initial points for that particular training discipline they may still receive bonus points by landing on the same training space twice. Said bonus points are written on the scorecard  14  in the appropriate space provided. No points are awarded for landing on a particular training space after the bonus points for the respective training discipline have been written in the provided space on the scorecard  14 , although a player still receives the respective Training Card  16  which may be kept to trade with other players later in the game.  
         [0033]    As players proceed along the first linear movement path  20  they will also encounter Blue Ribbon spaces  32  which when landed on allow players to receive the bonus points for any one and only one training discipline, if said player has already received the initial points for that particular training discipline. If all bonus points have already been awarded to a player or if said player has none of the initial training discipline points then said player does not receive any points from landing on the Blue Ribbon space  32 .  
         [0034]    Players will also encounter “Pick-a-Card” spaces  33  which, when landed on, simulate events by the drawing of the top “Pick-a-Card” card  15 . There is a plurality of “Pick-a-Card” cards that all in some way affect movement of player&#39;s pieces  13  around the game board  11 . Certain “Pick-a-Card” cards  15  cause a player&#39;s piece  13  to be moved to the Vet space  34  or the Blacksmith space  35 , both causing a player to lose a turn while their horse is “cared for”. Landing on the Vet space  34  or the Blacksmith space  3   5  has no effect on a player unless it is the direct result of drawing the appropriate “Pick-a-Card” card  15 . Other “Pick-a-Card” cards  15  send the player&#39;s piece  13  back to the most recently passed Grounded Barn space  36  but the player does not lose a turn unless specifically stated on the card. If a player&#39;s piece  13  lands on a Grounded Barn space  36  as a direct result of a die  12  roll, said player receives a “safe” card that may be used to cancel any “go back” “Pick-a-Card” cards  15  drawn later in the game. A plurality of other “Pick-a-Card” cards  15  is provided for variety but all affect movement of the player&#39;s piece  13  in some way.  
         [0035]    In addition to the initial primary movement path  20  there are two secondary shortcut paths  21  that lead over two respective bridges  21   a . A player&#39;s piece may only cross these bridges  21   a  if said player has received the Pleasure Card  16   a.  These secondary shortcut paths  21  considerably shorten the route to the Finishing Lane  23 . However before reaching the Finishing Lane  23  all players must pass their playing pieces  13  through the circuitous movement path  22  that is bisected by a secondary shortcut trail  22   a . Said secondary shortcut trail  22   a  may only be used if all of a player&#39;s Top points  14   a  on the scorecard  14  are filled in, although the accompanying bonus points are not required. The circuitous movement path  22  may be rounded as many times as necessary to build up a player&#39;s score. Player&#39;s may not move their pieces  13  onto the Finishing Lane  23  until they have received all of their horse&#39;s initial Top Points. Bonus points are not necessary to enter the Finishing Lane  23  but are recommended. The Finishing Lane  23  leads directly to the Home Barn  38 . A player must roll on the die  12  the exact number of spaces necessary to land on the Home Barn space  38 . Upon entrance by any player&#39;s piece  13  into the Home Barn space  38  the game immediately stops and all player&#39;s tally up their individual scores. The player who first landed on the Home Barn space  38  receives a twenty-five-point bonus. The winner of the game is the player with the highest score.  
         [0036]    There is also included a set of rules for the younger horse-lovers. For younger children the object of the game is to move along the movement paths normally by rolling the die  12  and collect as many of the Training Cards  16  as possible without keeping score on the scorecards  14 . The first player to move their playing piece  13  to the Home Barn space  38  will receive three Training Cards  16  as a bonus. Whoever has the most Training Cards  16  wins the game.  
         [0037]    As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description.  
         [0038]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.  
         [0039]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.