Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
Emma had yet another sleepless night. She got dressed into her barn clothes and walked off to the barn, knowing that Cara would have already been awake. The young teen checked the clock on her cellphone, realizing that it was early enough to help the stable hands with filling the horse's feed buckets.
The barn was quiet this early in the morning which brought a smile to her face. Her three horses were whinnying - as if they could tell what time it was. Vienna's chestnut face to greet her owner. "Hi V, I promise you'll get your grain here soon." She quickly said, passing her two geldings as well.
Once Emma had reached the feed room, she joined the stable hands, greeting them as she arrived. The teen began pulling empty buckets and placing them on the concrete floor, knowing that was something she could do. She finished the first stack and started on the second one, knowing that all the feed buckets would need to be used. It seemed to her that there were new horses and boarders coming in every week.
Mik loved his job at Blue Acres, not only did he get to work with horses, it also worked perfectly with his need to be up and moving early in the morning - much to Amber's disgust.
He looked up from the buckets he was filling on the trolley that was going down to the stallions and he smiled toward Emma. He knew that Cara was in the indoor arena, finishing off a schooling session with Rex, and he had seen Casey as well. "Slow down, kiddo." He said as he looked over at Emma again. "It's easier to put the buckets in the trolley, and then fill them. Then you're not trying to carry heavy buckets any more than you have to." He flashed her a smile. "Once you've finished with them, can you please grab me a dozen nets from the hay cupboard?" He knew that Cara would have filled the nets already, and would need to ask the young woman if he needed to throw down another couple of bales to keep the cupboard well stocked. "Got any plans for your horses?"
Emma was determined, wanting to help the barn staff. She knew how busy their days were - even though she was usually asleep or in school while they were working away. She heard Mik's voice, telling her to slow down and she stopped. Which resulted in the bucket in her had to clatter to the floor. "Oh, hi Mik. So sorry, I'm on it."
She realized she had messed up, picking up the bucket she dropped and placing it on the trolley before doing the same with the other buckets. "I just know how much work you all do in the mornings...I couldn't get myself back to sleep." It was the nice part about living on property. She could leave a note for her foster parents and siblings so they knew where she was and head off. Over the years, it had become a habit.
Once all the buckets were on the trolley, she nodded. "I'll be back with the nets." The teenager turned and headed off to the hay cupboard, opening it once she got there. Emma stretched out her arm and counted twelve of them, closing the cupboard once she was finished. "That's a great question. I'd like to do some shows, though I don't know about how to juggle the three of them. Any suggestions?" She didn't know how much longer it was until she outgrew Dakota - he was the one that really brought her into the world of Eventing.
"How are your two goofy geldings? Are you thinking of doing a show or two?"
Mik gave the girl a reassuring smile and shook his head. "It's not a problem." He told her. "Stuff like that happens all the time, we'll clean it when we do the sweep up when all the feeds are done." Either a bucket slipping from their hands, or a handle breaking, there were loads of reasons that food ended up on the floor.
He grinned as he took the nets from her, placing most of them in the mares' trolley and adding a couple to the ones already in the stallions' trolley. He frowned as he thought about her question. "You're still young, life shouldn't only be about your next competition. Yes, shows are great, but so is riding and having fun with your horses." He flashed her a grin. "Don't try and compete them all on the same day. I've done it before, and it takes all the fun out of competitions, as all you're doing it moving from one horse to another and making sure your on the right horse in the correct ring, when you're supposed to be there." He chuckled, as there had been too many times that he'd ended up in the right ring, on the wrong horse.
He blew out a quick breath, and wished he hadn't as his ribs protested. "While I've been given the nod for riding, I'm not allowed to do jumping, or anything tougher than pleasure riding." He shrugged and laughed. "I have someone I trust keeping them both at the top of their game though." He pursed his lips as he studied Emma for a moment and wondered if Naomi would kill him if he asked the girl if she wanted to exercise his horses... or at least Fire. Glory was too much of a liability, and he wouldn't risk someone's safety.
Emma nodded, thankful for the reassurance. "Thanks. I clearly need to help with morning chores more often." Working at the barn was something she was thinking about talking to Naomi about - as she practically spent her free time around the yard anyway.
She followed along beside Mik and the trolley, glancing at the horses as they passed. "You're calling me young? You know there are people my age that are getting ready for the Olympics." She laughed, knowing she was putting too much pressure on herself. "What else would I be doing but ride and compete?" The concept of riding for fun wasn't something she was good at, making her think she needed a trail riding buddy.
"I don't think either Naomi or Quinn would let me take all three. That might be too much." That would mean taking all three in different levels - and she wasn't quite there yet. "I do admit I still get lost at the show grounds, I don't know how you did it." She never could imagine having three horses to herself, but here she was. "Can I convince you to at least do the handy pony class?"
Emma nodded again, she felt bad for Mik because of his injury. "If you need someone quiet to jump when you are the clear, I could offer Dakota. Vienna and Kai might be a bit energetic." The grey gelding was quiet enough, usually her mount of choice if she had a rough day. "Have you entrusted Cara with your two? I think she'd enjoy riding them." She never knew her foster sister not to be on the back of a horse, which she also wanted to be known for.
Mik grinned. "While we have more than enough help around here, I won't turn away extra help." He help up a finger before she could get too excited. "However, you working in here can't impede your schoolwork or lessons." He added.
He pursed his lips as he glanced at Emma. "Yeah, I know that kids your age are getting ready for the Olympics, I was one of them. My entire life was all about horses, it wasn't as much fun as it may seem on TV." He didn't regret any of it, but there were some things he would change if he could redo it all. The lead up to the Games had been like living in a tunnel, and the medal ceremony was the end of that tunnel. He remembered all the training, his team mates, his trainers, everything else had been a blur. He had been a child who was way out of his depth, on a horse who could have killed him, if he'd wanted to. "You could look into becoming a better rider, and then coach people to be better riders. Winning rosettes is not the be-all, end-all of horse riding." Contrary to popular belief.
He smiled. "I think they would allow you to do anything that will help you grow as a horsewoman." He said. "And, if that means driving you to competitions every weekend, I'm sure they would both move heaven and earth to make it happen." He wished his parents had been like that when he was growing up, rather than him feeling like he was a trophy they could bring out and brag about to their friends.
He gave her a soft smile. "I thank you for your offer. My boys, as wild as they seem, they take pretty good care of me when I'm not at the top of my game." Fire, in his exuberance when Mik had returned to work, had knocked him over, but the gelding was careful of his human after that. He nodded to her question. "Cara offered to keep my boys at the top of their game while she was doing the same with Naomi's. It's not easy to talk her out of something when she has all the logical answers as to why it makes sense."
Emma practically beamed, working with horses was always a dream of hers. She knew the more time she spent with them, the better she got. "Oh Mik, thank you. I promise I won't let my schoolwork slip." She was finally old enough to start working, but she would still have to have the discussion with Naomi and Quinn. "When can I start?" Most students were dreading having to work, whereas she was looking forward to it. It made her feel more like an adult.
"You make the Olympics sound ominous. Is it something you regret doing?" She always felt like she had to prove herself following in her mother's footsteps. Emma liked to think that it was something she could do - with a lot of hard work and the right horses underneath her. "You think I could coach? I never thought of that one. I think Miss Aurora or Miss Stephanie would help me once I'm ready for the coaching course." Emma did like winning ribbons, but helping younger riders come up through the ranks sounded interesting too.
She nodded, knowing that her parents would do anything. The fact that she now had three horses of her own was more than enough proof of that. "I do want to compete every weekend, though it'll be interesting juggling the two sports.' Usually her football games were on the weekends, but there were enough players on the team for her not to be at every game - though she felt bad whenever she missed one.
"It's not a problem, I know how wild your two are. Vienna seems to be following in their footsteps though in terms of personality." The chestnut mare was proving to be energetic, fitting the chestnut mare stereotype. "How do you get her to say no? I feel guilty saying yes to getting help from her."
Mik couldn't help but grin at her enthusiasm, he wasn't going to deter her from working with the horses. "Once you've cleared it with Naomi and Nate first." He said. "As much as I enjoy the help, I'm not going to say anything until you have their okay first."
He shook his head with a smile. "I don't regret it for a moment." He told her. "However, the road to the Olympics isn't easy, and life at the Olympic Village when you're a child is well... dull. As well as all the training, I had course work that had to be completed, daily. And while the rest of the team were off partying with the other adults, I was in my room, reading, or watching training clips." The news made the idea of going to the Games to be one huge party, but in reality, it was work. He nodded to her question. "Of course! You could even see if your school works with local BHS Pathways."
He grinned and nodded, seeing a lot of every other young equestrian he'd ever met in Emma, and that wasn't exactly a bad thing. "Just remember to focus on your love of horses, more than your love of winning." He said sagely. As that was often the point where young people lost their love of the animal and cared more about the ribbons, and they would sell their horses as soon as they stopped winning.
He pouted on behalf of his horses, thinking that he might need to have a talk with them about maybe calming down a little. "Vienna's a redhead, enough said." He said with a grin. He laughed and shrugged as he handed out the last of the buckets. "When you work it out, let me know!" He'd found that if he gave Cara simple jobs; hand-walking a horse who was on stall rest, cooling a horse out, it got the young woman to slow down while also giving her a job. "There's nothing wrong in asking her for help."
"That means I'll have to make a whole presentation explaining why I'd like to work." She joked. Emma knew it wouldn't take that much convincing as she spent most of her free time at the barn anyway. She had a feeling that they would agree, on the basis that she got her homework done - just like the rule she had with them when it came to riding. "I won't be eighteen soon enough." She joked, reflecting on how great her life was since she had moved in.
Emma felt a frown come to her face. She hadn't realized how young Mik was when he had competed. Being in school would have understandingly made it more difficult - though she wasn't much of a partier to begin with. "It's sad to think what out missed out on, though the hangovers wouldn't be fun on competition days." She hadn't had a hangover herself yet, but she had heard of the symptoms from plenty of fellow students.
The blonde tilted her head, she knew about BHS but she hadn't heard of their pathways program. "And what do I have to do in the program? Have you done it?" She assumed it had to do with coaching young riders, though it was a path she hadn't considered as a career choice for herself. "I will, I promise. I remind myself of how far Kai has come. I fell off the first show on him." It was something she could laugh about now, but at the time she was completely embarrassed.
"That's why she loves the cross country course. She can gallop around and burn energy. I do swear sometimes she is the Energizer bunny." It's what made her a great three-day eventer. Having to compete three days in a row was where the mare thrived. "You know her better than I do. Any suggestions?" She tried her best to help Cara where she could, though it was hard for her to convince her that she could take more on. Her family meant a lot to her. "I do feel like I ask her too much. She has a lot on her hands and I feel as if I add to that."
Mik chuckled. "Or... you could just tell them that you'd really like to help out a bit more?" He suggested with a shrug. "You already do half the work, by taking care of your own horses."
He pulled a face and shrugged. "I'm guessing you'll learn different ways to instruct people, demonstrate that you know what you're doing around and with horses..." He shrugged again, wondering if it was a path he should have followed when he decided that he didn't want to do the Olympics again, but it would have been harder to hide, if he was leaving a paper-trail of courses, and the BHS would have been something his parents would have been tracking.
"Sounds like Fire and Vienna would have fun racing each other over the course." He said with a wolfish grin. "When I get the all-okay to do proper work again, we should hit the course together." And he was more than champing at the bit to get out there again and start proper training, though he was already pushing the limits with his daily runs.
He pulled a face as he thought about Cara. He could remember the first day she was walked into the barn, trailing behind the asshat who had so much control over her, leading the dapple grey Français de Selle. "To be honest with you, I've just found it's easier to let her do her own thing. Yes, she piles her workload way higher than she should, but it's what she's used to." He blew out a breath as they walked back to the feed room. "Accept her help, and offer your own when you think she needs it." He stored the trolley with the others and dusted his hands off. "If you want to keep helping, now we take the horses who have already finished out to the pastures and then start on the stalls."
"That sounds like an easier solution. I've heard of a few students at school writing a presentation for their parents, even about getting them to buy them their first horse!" It was something the young blonde never had to do. Her first set of foster parents bought her Lola, and since moving in with Naomi and Nathan - the horses appeared after the three of them having a discussion. "Don't discredit yourself, you turn them out, feed them, clean their stalls and bring them back in. I just groom and ride them." And for that - she was thankful.
Emma walked along, following beside Mik. "Oh, that would be fun. I feel like it would be something I'd enjoy. Which teacher should I talk to about it?" Miss Cassandra would be her best bet, but she didn't know how well the older woman knew about the BHS programs. "Yes! Please let me know when the doctor gives you the green light. Even if it's a light ride to start off with." Any of her horses would be happy to have a fun ride with Mik was able to. "When do you see the doctor again?"
She turned and entered the feed room, glad that the horses were now happily munching away on their grain and hay for the morning. "Thank you. Even though I've known her for years now, I feel like I'm a burden with her." Emma shrugged her shoulders, Cara did a lot for her. From helping her with her horses to basically tutoring her in English, it meant a lot to her. "I feel like I should do something for her as a thank you, though everything I can think of isn't enough."
Emma checked her phone to see the time - seeing that she did have time to help more. "Of course, I can help. Is there a list of who has to go outside first?"
Mik grinned and nodded. "They always say, go big or go home! However, in your case, your... uh, Naomi and Nate already know how much work has to be done at the barn, so you could probably bypass the power point presentation" He shrugged at her next words. "The riding and the grooming is the important part though, that's how you know if there's something wrong with the horse." Okay, yeah the manure and if the horse was off their feed was another sign, but it was the hands on stuff that really let you know how a horse was feeling.
He arched his brows, watching as the wheels in her head were turning. "Maybe the guidance counsellor at your school?" He suggested. "You could earn some extra credit, or whatever from doing it through the school. If that doesn't work, I'm sure Naomi could point you in the right direction with who you need to talk to."
He bowed his head with a smile. "Don't ever feel like a burden." He told her. "I've observed her long enough to know that she does what she does for the benefit of the people, or equines, that she gives her time to. You could always offer to look after Kyo?" He suggested.
He shook his head. "Head down to the start of the barn to the mares, and if they have finished, halter them and take them out." He gave her a knowing look. "As competent as you are with horses, it would make me happier if you led them out one at a time." He knew that she could led more than one, but these were horses that she didn't personally know and didn't know her so he'd rather be safe than sorry.
Emma nodded, it was the right thing to do. "Oh good, I'm not very good at those. They always want them to be done for whatever reason." It annoyed her to no end, though it was a great way to provide the class and teachers with visuals - though it was also an easy way for the teacher to get students to work together on a project. "True, it's not like I have a groom for my three and just hop on when I feel like it." On the days she had to ride all three, she wished she did. Though it was part of learning how to take care of horses.
"I'll go see if I can make an appointment with her to talk about it. I'm sure she has a pamphlet on it with a phone number or some sort of contact information. I'd be happy for the extra credit." Not that she was doing too terribly in school, but she wasn't a straight A student by any means. "How were you able to juggle riding and school anyway?" She was curious and was always looking for ways to improve, knowing that she was quite busy.
She smiled softly, it was something she often felt - especially since moving in with Naomi and Nate. "That's true, I could suggest Cara go on a trail ride and I look after Kyo. It would be a kind of self care for her." Having anyone be burned out wasn't a great thing, though she hadn't talked to anyone about her father reappearing in her dreams - which was the reason she was awake early enough to help with the barn chores. "Would that be a good idea?"
Emma turned and nodded, going to the start of the barn aisle and picked up the halter and lead rope that was hanging by the stall. She haltered May, one of Miss Stephanie's horses and clipped the lead rope to the ring and began leading her towards the mare pasture. "Are you going to take two horses? Or will the doctor not allow it?"
Mik grinned, it did seem that Power Point was becoming the new way of doing things, rather than cutting and pasting on a large bit of card, at least it saved on the glue. He laughed at the comment about grooms. "Anyone here would have one of your horse's groomed and tacked up for you as soon as you come through that door after school so that you can go straight into riding, if that's what you wanted." He knew it wasn't the way Emma did things, but if she was running late for a lesson, all she had to do was call the office one someone here would have her horse ready, and warmed up, for when she arrived.
He grinned. "I had a really good tutor to write my essays, and the money to pay for a passing grade." He laughed and shook his head. "No, I'm just kidding! I did have a really good tutor though, and lots of sleepless nights. If I wasn't riding, I was locked away in my room, doing schoolwork." He shrugged. "I also made sure I worked to my talents. I wasn't the greatest in maths or English, so took the easy courses, while social sciences, I did the advanced courses, to make sure I gained all the points I needed."
He nodded at her idea. "Never seen Cara as the trail riding person, but I like your idea. Give her a few hours to herself." He studied her for a moment. "I get the feeling someone else needs a little mental health time too?" He asked with an arched brow.
He laughed at her tease as he took two halters and went to the stall of the first mare and haltered her, putting the lead onto the halter, he led her from the stall and tied her to the bars before collecting the second mare. "I'm going to take two horses because it's what I do every day, and they all know me." He quipped back with a shrug as he walked with her out to the pastures. "Plus, I know which ones I can lead together, and which one would attack each other, and me. Other than riding, I don't really have any stipulations on my work. As long as I don't push it, and take my meds." Keeping the meds down was another thing, but he didn't mention that part.
It was something she had contemplated doing, though she had enough screen time with doing her homework and assignments. She knew Naomi and Nathan well enough now to know that talking to them about doing the BHS courses was the right way to go. "Really? I may have to do that once Football starts up for the Spring, though I try riding at least one horse before school starts." Having her horses ready for her is something she only wanted to save for emergencies - with her habit of now waking up way too early, she often had enough time to get her horses ready herself.
"Sounds like exactly what I need...that does sound like cheating though." She smiled at her attempt at a joke. Emma was lucky enough to have Cara if she really needed help with her homework. Though she tried only to ask when she truly was stuck. "That sounds like a great plan. Are you glad your school days are over? Or do you miss it sometimes?" There were days that she wished she was an adult already - school took up most of her days where she'd rather be riding.
Emma shrugged her shoulders. She actually didn't know what Cara would do if she didn't have the children to look after. "Does anyone actually know what she would do without the children for a few hours? I just thought going on a nice trail ride would be relaxing for her." She felt that way too - though being at the barn was relaxing enough for her. "Who are you talking about? Me? Yeah, I've had a lot on my mind lately." Emma hadn't talked to anyone about her having trouble sleeping - though she knew her foster parents weren't dumb.
"That's true, I'll just stick to one horse at a time. Don't need to get into trouble." She continued to lead the mare towards the assigned pasture. "Is it nice being able to work again? And ugh, if the medication is anything like cold medicine, I feel bad for you. Does it taste good at least?" She opened the gate and led the mare inside, making sure she was far enough inside.
