Epona serves as Link's loyal companion in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, significantly reducing travel time across the expansive Hyrule Field. To summon Epona, players must first learn her song and progress through a specific questline.
Acquiring Epona's Song
After awakening Talon outside Hyrule Castle, players can find Epona at Lon Lon Ranch, alongside Malon. Initially, Epona is shy and will flee if approached directly. Speaking with Malon reveals that Epona responds well to music. Players can then learn Epona's Song by playing the ocarina when prompted by Malon. The button sequence for the song is X, Y, A, X, Y, A. Once learned, playing this song will cause Epona to approach Link. However, Link, being a child at this stage, cannot ride Epona until he is older.
Earning the Right to Ride Epona
Upon collecting all Spiritual Stones and gaining the ability to travel through time, players should return to Lon Lon Ranch during the day. The ranch will have been taken over by Ingo and renamed Ingo Ranch. Find Ingo in the field and pay him 20 rupees for a chance to ride a horse. Once inside the riding area, play Epona's Song, and she will come to Link. Ingo will then challenge Link to a race.
To defeat Ingo, players can impede his path early in the race. By holding the A button a few times after the race begins and staying towards the inside of the track, while periodically pressing A to maintain speed, Link can win. Ingo will then challenge Link to a second, faster race. Using the same strategy will secure another victory.
Escaping with Epona
As a sore loser, Ingo will trap Link within the ranch after the second race. By circling around and jumping over the gate, Link can escape with Epona. From this point forward, players can call Epona using her song, and she will appear. While Epona can primarily be ridden in Hyrule Field and a section of Gerudo Fortress, she provides a significant advantage in traversing the game's world.
