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!.
At least Bode knew that Boogey could get bored, so Piper did as Bode asked. She gave the queue to walk, her reins slack. Boogey managed to go – which was sometimes a battle to get him to do so. Piper was convinced her family had a secret bet to see how her lessons went on the horse.
Tegan sat on Beans who let out a small huff as Bode patted her. “I feel pretty good today, actually! A little intimidating being in a proper lesson I guess you could say. I’ve done some trail rides, but that’s really it. So I only know one speed.” At least Tegan was honest. He wasn’t someone who liked to lie about his experiences, as he had seen firsthand how that went for people. “But my posture is okay. Definitely still working on it.”
Piper wasn’t a huge fan of early morning lessons, but it was the only one that fit her schedule - as well as Tegan’s. Either way, Piper didn’t have to pay for her lessons, and the staff got a good deal for lessons. So it felt rude not to take advantage of the new coaches.
She got Boogey ready, and Tegan got Beans ready. Piper didn’t know why Tegan didn’t go for a lesson horse, but Auggie had gotten Tegan to start riding Beans. Probably because Beans was the one that Tegan cared for more, and Mare took a liking to the Art Therapist student.
After making sure their horses were all good, they met Bode indoors. “Hello, hello!” Piper smiled, leading Boogey over the block. She mounted him easily and adjusted herself.
“I do,” Tegan smiled. “I can’t promise anything else,” he joked. After Piper mounted Boogey and moved out of the way, Tegan mounted Beans who was getting excited.
Piper was excited that she was able to just go home after class and get ready for her lesson. While Blue Acre was nice, it was hard to balance work, school, and personal life while traveling to and from another barn. While she and Sabrina would still travel once in a while for specialty things, having a closer connection with coaches was welcomed.
She prepared Boogey and walked him out to the arena, where Amanda was waiting. “Good evening! Absolutely.” Piper mounted Boogey who began becoming a bit dramatic, but Piper remained in her saddle and calmed him down to begin walking around the arena.
Piper rolled her eyes when Landon got all technical. She didn’t blame him, but she found law stuff boring. There was a need, of course -but it was Halloween! The reality was already scary enough.
Thankfully, it didn’t take long for the trailer to start its bell and lurch forward. There was a hint of gas in the air as more screams were heard. Excellent. Horses whinnied in the backdrop, the glow-in-the-dark skeletal paint gracing the darkness.
The eerie silence was broken by the sound of maniacal laughter. A pair of similar-height people dressed in symmetrical clown uniforms came lurching over a wooden fence, their features highlighted by the dim light of the tractor lights. Even though Piper knew who the people were, she still jumped from the jump scare.
Piper couldn’t help but hold a small snort in when Landon had to get all antsy. “He means if one of us falls off, or if someone has a panic attack.” She hoped it didn’t come off as sarcastic, as she was aware she could become that way around Halloween. “We drive around and have things scare us!” Piper wasn’t exactly the best person to explain it. But Landon seemed to be okay enough to scooch his but onto the hay bale. He wasn’t about to jump off or anything.
Thankfully, the driver announced that anyone who didn’t want to take the ride could get off. There would be no judgment since everyone wanted to have a safe and fun time.
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."
🔪
The concoctions simmered away. She had managed to find some white chocolate morsels in the fridge. It seemed to be a constant thing to have with the tea shop and everything. Cookies of all kinds were made for the bakery, and Piper was sure her parents wouldn’t mind if she finished off a half-open bag for some beverages.
It didn’t take long for things to be done, and soon enough two bigger than normal mugs were filled. One with Ronan’s specific request and Piper’s somewhat normal one. Well, she had extra peppermint added to hers. Piper gingerly moved the mugs over to Ronan.
“Yeah, I know. But it’s not every day that there are people jumping across the trails, in the wrong direction. But I’m glad you’re okay. I’m sure your grandfather will understand.” Piper picked up her mug and gently blew on it before sipping. “We have plenty of trailers to use for transport, so that won’t be an issue. We must move around all these horses somehow.” Granted, while most of the transportation was for the Ledor-Kita girls to travel to and from their respected barns – it was to also help move rescues. There was so much action now, it was as if a third trailer was needed – but Yui wasn’t going to move on until possibly the spring.
Ronan’s words lingered in her brain space, making her rest a hand on his leg. Maybe that was an aggressive move, but it was seen as a comforting motion in her family. She gave a gentle squeeze, before smiling again. “Well, there’s one person I would like to make their dreams come true. But I need his head to heal up first so he can remember when I do it.”
“Sure. We’ve had her for a year. She had potential but it fell through a few months back. Doesn’t have discipline, really. But she has been receptive to both Western and English, though we have a feeling that she may be better at Western. Since she did enjoy a lot of the training she had with some more advanced Western riders. But she’s moldable to whatever you want her to be. Albeit a bit stubborn, so she’ll need some patience.
Information-wise, she came from an abusive home – which is why we can’t keep her. She’s not a fan of children, which is a lot of our clientele. Can get a bit nippy, but she is very confident in her ways of showing dissatisfaction in something. Again, stubborn. The vet says she’s around five. Despite her background, she does well with women. Men, children, and dogs are what kind of triggers her.”
Piper knew that was a lot to be given out, but it was better than having someone get mad about missing information. However, there wasn’t much to begin with. At least, they knew her background – instead of the random horses being dropped off without any notice.
“Mainly, how long have you ridden? Do you already have a place we can drop her off? References such as fellow riders, vets, and stable staff.”
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."
🔪
Piper couldn’t help but grin at the stutter and nervous laughter. It was so damn cute. Almost sickening, and diabetic causing. Honestly, Piper was surprised that she and her sister would have found love as well as they did. Okay, not love – but at least crushes. However, Sabrina just needed to stop being stubborn about it.
“Oh, so you wanted to brag a bit?” Piper laughed. “No, I get it. It levels that experience for sure!” Some people would call Sarbina an ass for what happened, but honestly, Moo was like that with everyone. At least Jameson got a warning out of it. Some people were unfortunately not able to receive it because they decided to ignore the signs. “I don’t know, she might like watching you wrestle a ram down.” Piper didn’t know if that would add any kind of fuel to the flame, but it was something she knew was true. Sabrina always talked about how buff Jamie’s arms looked while lifting heavy things.
“She’s more dedicated to the sport than I, that’s for sure. Likes to get as many tips and tricks as possible. Since we don’t have a second opinion per se at home, she’s pushing herself to work with as many people as possible.” Frankly, Piper didn’t have the time or energy for it. School, riding, and work were already hard enough. But Sabrina was one of those people who preferred being busy. Downtime wasn’t her thing, especially when competitions were coming up.