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!.
Cassie had heard rumors of there being a barrel racing class at the upcoming show. She knew Willow was the one who was the most ready. The blonde had unloaded her travel tack trunk and the bay Arabian mare off of the trailer, glad Aurora had agreed to come with her as support. Between the two women, Willow was brushed and tacked up quickly - Cassie deciding to pull out the baby blue outfit for herself and Willow. She slid her feet into her cowboy boots and placed her felt hat on her head before bridling the mare and leading her off towards the warmup ring. It felt odd being one of few Western riders, though there always seemed to be more and more every show.
She warmed Willow up, making sure she conserved her energy for when it mattered most, but Cassie still made sure the mare was alert and warmed up. As it was time for her class to start, she steered the mare over to the starting gate. The dark bay mare was getting antsy, stomping her feet and shuffling around. Cassie reached out a hand and settled the horse down, holding her still while they waited for the buzzer. The gate swung open and the buzzer went off shortly after, Willow shooting into a gallop quickly after. Cassie rode the mare straight for a few steps before turning right towards the first barrel, making a tight turn around it before galloping towards the second one, straight across from the first one. She made sure that the mare was on the correct side of the second barrel, slowing her down for a second as they did another tight turn. It was as if Willow's hooves barely touched the ground as they headed for the third and final barrel. Cassie cutting as tight as she could around the final barrel before loosing her grip on the reins, letting the mare full out gallop towards the finish like and out of the start gate.
Once they passed the timers, she brought the mare back to a jog and then a walk, patting the mare on the shoulder before heading back to the warmup ring to cool out the mare. "If I knew you were that fast, I would have asked for a barrel class sooner!" She laughed as she heard their score of nine seconds.
Kegan gave Amarillo a small pat before she guided him through the line. She could feel her lack of personal practice on the ride. Maybe it was because she had been racing for so long, she knew how things felt when they were good or when they were bad. Today, was the later. But Kegan was here for fun. It would at least put her name out there, even as a competitive threat – or maybe some kind of underdog. Bad and Good press was still press.
The run felt short but long, and when she finished – Kegan gave a big smile. While the results were bad, she was still happy that she got out and did a run. “Good job boy,” she whispered to her horse. “Call it first-time jitters.”
Leo had never done barrel racing before - never competed in it at least. He'd always wanted to try it, even as an English rider the fast and fury of it seemed right up his street. When he'd seen the class entry online for it, he hadn't been able to resist - though it had taken him a minute; neither of his horses were trained in western, and whilst both were fast (Phoenix being particularly quick on his hooves), neither of them would quite know the skill needed to whip around the barrels. In the end it had been Lily who'd suggested Roots, a relatively spritely but mannered gelding who, despite his age, could still turn quick off the mark. Leo had only practised a couple of times in the outdoor school before deciding it would do - finding the western saddle comfier but bulkier than he was used to, the horn very useful indeed, and the horse more responsive than he'd expected as a nineteen year old.
Now as they entered the shoot, he felt wholly unprepared, especially as Dime danced like a live wire beneath him. He held onto him, reins in one hand as he practised - though that still felt odd - and when he was announced and his time came, he clicked to the horse and leant forward, throwing his hands up his neck. Dime shot off, quicker than he expected, and they went a little wide on the first turn. Trying to save time, Leo moved his seat and hands to cut off some space but Dime was too sharp and tipped the barrel with a shoulder, sending it down. Damn. Leo was more careful on the second turn and they had it almost perfect. Grinning in triumph, Leo flew for the third barrel. Too eager. The horse caught his excitement, Leo was off on his angle once again and this time a hindquarter just gave the barrel a wobble. Oh well. "Yeehawww!" Leo gave a whoop and holler all the same and sent the horse galloping for home, legs flailing. There was something so freeing about it - he couldn't lie. Once through the timer, he gave the horse a very happy pat and went to cool him off and unsaddle him.
