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!.
Dorian shifted his weight and sighed as the groom fussed over him, gently untangling the few knots in his mane. He wasn't even sure why he was being so thoroughly groomed - though he appreciated it immensely. He was almost asleep, they were working with him for so long. But for whatever reason they were really working to make his coat shiny.
He flicked an ear, listening to other horses coming and going around him, paying them no mind. It was a new place he was in, and yet he was as calm as ever, like he knew that he was just as safe as anywhere else he'd been. And with all the noises, nothing got more than a twist of his ear or a slight turn of his head.
He didn't resist as his hooves were picked up, cleaned and oiled, nor as the halter was changed. With a few solid pats on the neck, Dorian looked around expecting the saddle to be brought out and set on his back. He nudged the groom gently and received a soft pat to his nose.
"Be a gentleman now," the groom said gently, "You're going to a fine lady."
Ah, the smell of horse. Esther hadn’t had the smell of barn in her nostrils in many years. While she often supported Caleb and Corey, she hadn’t ridden in ages. She still knew how, of course – like riding a bike. But she was nervous. Almost like right before she went on stage, but once it happened – it was all forgotten.
While the typical person wore riding clothes, or even casual clothing to meet their horse – Esther didn’t. She was far from typical. A Friesian, in her eyes, was a lovely horse. Gentle, glamorous. It wasn’t in good taste to get a horse just for their looks, of course, but Esther had a fondness for the magnificent. It was all she rode pretty much when she was younger.
Wanting to match the glamour, Esther rummaged through her closet and smiled and she picked out her first impression outfit. It took her a moment, but when she settled – it was not what one wore to the barn.
Of course, she could wear black – but she didn’t want to look like she was attending the funeral of her horse. Gosh no.
There was a sound on the barn floor. An untrained ear could guess it was a horse, but it wasn’t. Esther’s sleek pumps were clicking on the concrete floor, almost as if she was walking the runway. Her assistant was following her close by, ready to take Esther’s coat when needed.
Eyes landed on the older woman, and she flashed a smile with perfectly lined red lips. Esther finally locked eyes with her new friend. She walked over, one of the biggest smiles on her face. “Hello, handsome,” Esther smiled, completely ignoring the face of shock from the groom. Black velvet gloves were slipped off, revealing well-taken-care-of hands. “I do hope I made a good first impression,” Esther added – lifting up a hand to be sniffed.
The odd noise caused Dorian to perk and turn slightly to get a look at what the noise was. Ears forward, he simply watched the lady walk up to him. She had a pleasant voice to his ears and when she offered a hand, he gently butted his nose against it with a faint nicker. He stood patient and still, taking in her scent and watching her.
He knew his job, and as much as he would've liked to doze off, the better part of his training told him to be all the more alert. Not even one of the other horses calling out got more than a brief ear twist.
"He's all ready for you Ms. Müller," the groom said after a moment, "A nicer, calmer horse you'd go a long ways to meet. I can fetch his saddle if you wish."
Dorian briefly looked at the groom before shifting his weight and resting a leg, not yet called upon to do anything else.
Esther investigated the Friesian’s black eyes. They looked like black sea pearls in a sheen of glass. Therefore she loved the breed. Not only stunning, but their personalities were so calm. Well, at least the ones she rode years ago. Many of them could’ve been hell in a handbasket.
“Oh, yes! Please. Arthur, can you give him a hand?” The young man nodded and followed the groom. Esther still had her hand up and when consent was given, she placed it on the horse’s cheek– fingers gently scratching the area.
“Oh, yes! Please. Arthur, can you give him a hand?”
Dorian's eyes partial closed at the scratches, quite partial to the gentle motion. His head lowered a few notches to enjoy it all the more. He wasn't quite sure what was to come, or what was expected, but he remained on his best manners for that was what he was taught to do from the very beginning.
Soon enough the groom came back with the saddle and bridle, getting everything to sit smoothly on his back. An ear flicked back to listen to the man for a moment before returning his attention to the lady. She was pleasant, he could figure that much out. It didn't take the groom all that long to get the saddle on and tightened appropriately before excusing himself to get the bridle on as well. Dorian stood perfectly still and didn't refuse the man or the bit as it was given to him, lowering his head a little more to allow the man to get the poll piece over his ears before lifting it again. Then the reins were slid over his head and the halter slipped off with ease.
"There we are ma'am, right as rain, not a fuss to be made," the groom said politely, "He'll do whatever you please."
Esther smiled. “Let’s see if he’s okay with a side ride, shall we?” She ignored the man’s look at her, wondering if she was about a ride in her dress – let alone ride at all. But Dorian was already saddled up for her, so why not?
The groom just shrugged and led Dorian out to one of the arenas, Esther following, not caring really where she stepped. It was a horse barn for god’s sake, she knew what she was getting into. Arthur toddled behind her, a bit more careful. A step-up block was placed and Esther sauntered up like it was a boudoir runway.
Her foot slipped into the stirrup – and Esther placed herself into the saddle. Not the usual way, but the old-fashioned way of side riding. It was an odd thing, but Dorian didn’t seem to stir. She gave him a soft pat on his neck. “Has he been ridden recently, any quirks I should know about?”
