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!.
“I apologize if I hit a sore spot. I’m just always curious about the plans for the future.” He also had to remind himself that this wasn’t a work visit. Everett discussed upcoming show plans to get his client's horses in the best possible shape in terms of his work. “Did you really miss both of them?” He didn’t realize it - though time seemed to fly by faster than anyone expected. “To sell them or show off the breeding program?” Either way, he knew Jett was the main event and one of their top show horses.
Everett waved his hand towards John as if to brush the idea aside. “Oh it was just on the trails over a fallen tree. Fernie decided he wasn’t lazy and jumped it nicely.” There had been a storm that had knocked over the fallen tree and required the older Quarter Horse to jump. He nodded, knowing that the other two barns were using that idea already - he had an idea making money often came from younger or beginner riders catching the horse bug and wanting to continue. “Ah yes, I do remember meeting those two. I’ll give you two months before it blends. This place overlaps way too much with your personal life.” He had a hard enough time separating work from his personal life - though he was also in business with his own family.
“See I have my lessons to keep me accountable. I’m usually at Seven Oaks anyway so I either ride before or after.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Sounds like you need a coach to keep you accountable.” Everett laughed and turned to watch John do up one side of the girth - it seemed simple enough. He followed the instructions on the other side, making sure it was tight but not too tight. “I mean, the fact that you allow your grandchildren to ride Rocket make me hope he has a good head on his shoulders.” He patted the grey and grabbed the bridle. “Yep, let’s get this interesting lesson started. Are we going to ride inside?"
John merely waved the other man off now, "Nothing to apologize for. You weren't stepping into anything personal. Although I can see why you'd think that." He had certainly met his fair share of professional equestrians who would have taken offense over such a question, in fact, John could think of a few students of his who probably would too. Laughter escaped him when Everett mused over the fact that John had managed to miss the past two games, "Yes. I did. Tokyo was my own fault - literally, knocked a pole over in the last jump of the last round - cost me everything. Rio - well, that was family stuff, and I had to put them first." And while some people would think that was reasonable, not everyone would. He remembered when Benoit Lavinge and his wife, Olivia, informed him at a recent show that they just stuck their son with his godmother because they couldn't let his antics distract them from their professional lives. Shaking his head at the thought, John returned his attention to Everett, "Bit of both. I think Marie likes selling locally more, but I can't deny its nice when a German rider buys one. I'll be keeping Jett though, not ready to give him up. I don't think I ever will be."
Laughter escaped him at the other man's admission over the jump now, "Ah, how humble of you Everett. You did it a western saddle, I feel like that's some bragging rights." From what little he sat in one of those saddles, they did not feel like they were made for even the smallest of cross jumps, "Ah yes. I can't deny that my professional work and family life blend together way too much, especially with the kids competing. At least I managed to convince one to return home." Granted, Riley only had one horse here - she kept her other at another barn.
Cerulean eyes watched Everett now as he managed the girth on both sides of the grey horse who barely batted an eye nor a ear at the slow constricting feeling. Granted, there was a reason why he had given Rocket to his friend for the day, "Ah well, Seven Oaks is a good barn. Good staff and coaches as well. I have no doubt they'll keep you growing with your two horses - as well as accountable." A grin danced across his lips at Everett's joke, "No coach for me, but maybe my wife." Somehow, Marie could still find minor flaws in his rides when she took breaks from her own work. Seeing that Everett was taking the bridle now, John moved to grab Jett's and set him up, "Solid head indeed. Even if we cross an unexpected deer outside, he shouldn't even blink. Given the ground, we'll start in the indoor for you to get used to Rocket and for me to burn some of Jett's energy before we go for a lively walk of a trail ride. Sound good to you?" He grabbed his helmet now, placing it on his head before unclipping Jett completely from his cross ties and halter - fully bridled, "Let's go. Do you want a mounting block by the way?"
whatever it takes 'cause I love the adrenaline in my veins
thanks aofie!
FORTY THREE . EQUESTRIAN . OWNER OF RYAN SPORT HALL HAPPILY MARRIED - Marie Iylah Ryan. THREE CHILDREN MANY FUR BABIES
Everett nodded - he knew horse people could be touchy when it came to missing competitions. “Yes I know, but I was the one that brought it up. Paris will be here before you know it and I’ll be cheering you and Jett on from home.” He would be watching Aurora Sky as well as he had worked on her three horses quite often. “You aren’t a robot, John. You know perfection is impossible. You’ll do great.” The man was already starting to book his horse clients in advance - most barns choosing to do a monthly visit with him so he could balance days at the clinic and being in the barns. “I am happy that your family comes first for you. Not every Olympian does that.” The fame and glory were much too important for them - he often worked with the type and had to explain that their horses weren’t robots and needed to rest sometimes too.
“You know if I rode English I’d buy a horse from you. For some reason, Western stuck with me. That was what the local barn had for lessons.” His sister on the other hand rode English - neither of them minded the difference - they always had their sibling trail rides come the warmer months. “Do you have a few horses for sale this year? I can imagine it must be difficult to decide who stays and who goes.” That’s how he ended up with both Fernie and Sunday - he couldn’t say no to the last two horses at the rescue his friend ran. “Ah, is Jett your heart horse then? Is that what the young kids call it?”
The blond man waved off the comment. The two had no choice but to jump over the fallen tree. “Ah yeah with a little help from you, Fernie and I will be in the show jumping ring in no time.” The older chestnut gelding wasn’t meant for fancy jumping - he was quite content being ridden for fun by Everett. “Oh? Who did you manage to convince to come home?” He couldn’t imagine having children live away from him, but he also didn’t know the ins and outs of the Ryan family dynamics.
“That’s what I thought when I moved there. I may do the handy pony classes this coming season but I also know i have a lot of work to do.” He knew how to ride, but entering a competition was another rodeo in itself. “Oh come on, I’m sure your grooms coach you from time to time?” Everett always enjoyed having someone on the ground when he rode - its not like he could see what the lower half of his body was doing while on a horse. “That sounds perfect. Where did you get this miracle horse anyway?” He was already glad to be stuck with a bomb proof horse. Everett grabbed the bridle and began putting it on the grey’s head, sliding the bit into his mouth before doing up the various leather straps.
“A mounting block would be great, thanks. I’m ready when you are. Lead the way!” Everett held the reins in his hand and waited for his friend and the dark colored gelding to leave the grooming area.