[ISIDORA GRACE FLORES]

[googlefont="Roboto Condensed:400"]

Izzy had found herself awake for class much earlier than she had anticipated, which was why she currently found herself at the barn. Blue Acres seemed to be much quieter at this time of the day. Izzy was used to going to ride Queenie after her Uni classes were done, but she had work after class. 

The sooty palomino mare hadn't yet been turned out and was still munching away at her grain. "Sorry, Q. I promise you can go outside with the mares after I'm done riding." As if the mare understood her, she let out a snort. Izzy laughed softly and entered the stall - taking off the winter stall blanket and folded it on the stall rack. She clipped the purple nylon halter to the mare's face and led her to an empty cross tie stall. 

Within twenty minutes, the mare was tacked up - decked out in her show jumping gear, wanting to switch it up after the lesson the day before with Miss Cassandra. Izzy slid her feet into her tall boots and put the bridle on, doing up the cheek strap and noseband. Izzy checked the arena and made sure it was empty, leading the mare inside after making her presence known. She tightened the girth, rolled down the stirrups and used the mounting block to get on the mare, nudging her forward once she was safely in the saddle. 

# 236, outfit & Queenie , open

★fai

remember, that dream was planted in your heart for a reason

[ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER]

February 2023 • outfit, Waffel • ISIDORA GRACE FLORES

Would his mother kill him for leaving at the break of dawn to go visit his horses before school? Probably. Did he care? Well, yes, he did, but he Archie Wagner was feeling a little rebellious this morning - a feeling he did not often come by when it came to his parents, that was more his sisters' departments. So away he went, carefully sneaking through the house and making it downstairs, swiping the keys to the Mercedes, and the young man was out the door. While Hickstead didn't seem to know anything about heavy traffic, Archie still somehow made it there in record time.

Getting out of the car, the bitter cold was in the air with his breath. There was no doubt in his mind that the Breakfast Club would be in their stalls this morning - Blue Arces making the call to keep them inside, like they had done for all of winter. Archie didn't mind the snow, he tended to find absolute comfort in it. The polo ponies were a mixed bag. Mokka and Pfannkuchen tended to dislike the cold, even though they had lived in Germany, Archie had bought them in Argentina which clearly was a completely different atmosphere for the horses. Thankfully, Waffel, while born and bred in the United States, had been accustomed to harsher weather. So that was who he decided to pull.

All three of the polo ponies lazily greeted him, still deciding that the warmth of their stall and the early morning were the combination for being quiet. Waffel lazily came out of the stall, and while in the cross ties waiting grooming, fell back asleep on Archie. Laughter escaped him as he worked his way through the brushes, finally having to disturb the chestnut gelding to clean out his hooves. Archie swung his lunge line over his spare shoulder and grabbed a pole, before clipping the regular lead rope to his horse, "Shall we do a bit of lunging before I have to go?" No way could he ride and make it back to home to get showered up and clean before high school.

As they walked into the arena, it looked like Archie hadn't been the only person who decided to get a ride in before school. Granted, the rider may be in college, it was sorta hard sometimes to sort out his fellow high school kids from the college kids. But Archie had never seen her at Secondary, so that knocked one school right off of the bat, and unless she went to Molly's school, the teenager was inclined to believe that this girl was older than him. Hmmmm, maybe lunging would not happen this morning and it would just be fun and games, "Good morning!" he called out, his accent already giving away that he wasn't a native to England, "Sorry to bother you, are you okay if Waffel and I join you in the arena? We were just going to lunge since I can't get a full ride in this morning."

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most find a little bit of steady as i get close

thanks aofie!

[ISIDORA GRACE FLORES]

[googlefont=Mr Dafoe|Inter]

isidora flores

It didn't take a hard nudge to get the sooty palamino mare to walk on. The mare seemed to be eager to get going. Izzy couldn't help but roll her eyes - Queenie reminded the young rider of herself. She made sure her stirrups were on the ball of her foot, pressing down to practice her position. It was something that proved to be very different between English and Western riding. 

She began squeezing the mare's sides with her sides and asking the mare for contact, watching as Queenie began to lower her head and use her top line muscles in her neck. As she made sure her weight was even in her saddle, she turned her head as she heard the arena door open - looked like their solo ride was about to be ruined. "Good morning, oh no worries. Go ahead and lunge. Just let me know which end you'd like and we can stay out of your way." She turned to see if she recognized the horse or the rider, though she didn't know either of them. "Trying to get a horse in before school?" She didn't know him from University either  though not many people were taking Interior Design at Hickstead University, so her knowledge of fellow students was slim. 

• Feb 27 2023
• outfit & Queenie
• ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER

[ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER]

February 2023 • outfit, Waffel • ISIDORA GRACE FLORES

The pair in the arena looked like they were off to a good start, to the point of which Archie almost felt bad about interrupting their time together with his question, but quickly tossed it aside. Thankfully, his appearance did not appear to perturb her, given that Archie had met his fair share of arena sharing snobs before, nor did her horse seem phased by the arrival of another. If Waffel had been intrigued by the pair, he did not show it, and remained perfectly still. The slight lower of his head made the young man wonder if his gelding had decided to fall back asleep just in a matter of seconds.

As his voice carried across the arena now, the young woman turned in her saddle and eyed him. Now this was the make or break it moment. As she spoke, and confirmed everything was okay, a sigh of relief escaping him. Honestly, he hadn't even realized that he had been holding his breath in anticipation of rejection, "Ah! Thank you!" Archie called out now, "We can take the left side," given that she was already occupying the right for the time being, "Lass uns gehen, Waffel." The pair made their way across the arena now at a brisk pace, for fear she should change her mind.

Now in their own little corner, he began to set himself up when more words escaped the girl, "Trying to get a horse in before school?" Green eyes looked over to her now, as Waffel used this distraction to close his eyes once more, and Archie simply smiled, "Yes! I'm in my last year at Secondary, so the timing doesn't all for an actual ride." That and he was probably one of the few seventeen year old boys in the world who preferred a shower longer than five minutes, "My name's Archie, this is Waffel, one of my polo ponies. I also own Mokka and Pfannkuchen if you've seen them in their stalls." After all, might as well do introductions if they were going to talk and work at the same time. He was always on the hunt for new friends given the sudden relocation, "Do you go to the University? You might know my sister, Leonie Wagner."

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most find a little bit of steady as i get close

thanks aofie!

[ISIDORA GRACE FLORES]

[googlefont=Mr Dafoe|Inter]

isidora flores

She hadn't recognized her new found company, though he looked a little younger than her. "No problem, not like there are six other people in here." There was nothing more she wanted before a busy day of classes than to have a quiet ride with her chocolate palomino mare. "Wait, that wasn't English was it?" She wasn't good at guessing languages, though it didn't sound like English to her. "That works for me." She shrugged her shoulders and focused on riding again, wrapping her legs around and keeping her calves gently pressed against the sides of the mare. 

"Ah, that's why I haven't seen you around before. I'm also here riding before class, though I'm in University." She kept on her side of the arena and changed directions at the walk, keeping her position in the saddle. She raised her eyebrow at the interesting names for the polo ponies, confirming that it wasn't English he had spoken earlier. "Cute names for the ponies. I'm Izzy and this here is Queenie. I only have her as I don't really have time for more than one right now." She really wanted a second horse, though between working part time and classes, she really didn't think it would be a good idea. "Nice to meet you both, have you been at Blue Acres long?" 

She practiced shallow loops on her side of the arena, allowing the mare to go into more of a frame now. "I do, though I take interior design, not many people are in my classes though. I have seen her around I'm sure. Do you have other siblings?" 

• Feb 27 2023
• outfit & Queenie
• ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER

[ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER]

February 2023 • outfit, Waffel • ISIDORA GRACE FLORES

When the young woman pointed out to him that sharing the arena was no big deal, considering it was just the two of them instead of six people, Archie felt a little foolish given how big the indoor arena was, "Ah...well, just er, trying to be considerate I guess." After all, he didn't want to be one of those jerks that just barged into the arena like he owned the place and wrecked it. The young man was startled when there was another inquiry, "Ah! Not english, no. German. Er, sorry, it's my native language. Forget I'm not there sometimes." And it certainly was a good thing that he was not into girls since this conversation was carrying on like he had no game. It seemed to be heading that way as well, since the other rider simply shrugged him off and went back to work.

So Archie and Waffel made their way over to their staked spot of the arena now before coming to a halt. He adjusted the lunge rope to one hand, getting it into position so it could easily slide out of his hand the more that his gelding walked out. When the girl confirmed that she was at university, he wasn't too surprised, "Ah, well, I'll be seeing you next semester then." His hazel eyes looked to his horse now, "Waffel, Aus," he said and flicked the lunge whip lightly. Not a peep escaped Waffel now as he began to move out, and Archie lined himself up to make the 'pie' that his instructors so fondly called the correct position between him and the horse. The young man made certain to still keep his ears peeled though for any additional conversation between him and the other ride.

And good thing he did, since he got a name, "Izzy, huh? Is that short for something?" He asked, his eyes still locked on Waffel, who appeared to be walking a little lazily, so he gave some encouragement. Soon enough, he got that active walk and one ear pointed in towards him, "And yeah. I'm pretty proud of their names. And that's okay with Queenie being your only horse. The problem with having three horses is that I only have one butt to put in the saddle, when I need two others." Figuring out the rythm of three horses came naturally now, but Archie remember how tough it had been in the beginning. Each time he added a new one to the squad, it threw everything off. No doubt it would again should he add a fourth, "Either way, it's great to meet you both. And not long, maybe a month or two? Yourself?"

Thankfully, he hadn't really lost his mind post move. Neither had his sister. Although perhaps the clock was ticking given that Frankie had managed to bust out of her rehab, "Interior design? That's different." Archie flicked the whip again, asking for the trot which Waffel obliged him, "How did you get into that?" At her latter question, Archie almost wanted to cringe, "Uh, I have another older sister. Two, Leonie, who's at Uni, and...Frankie. Who...well, she's Frankie." The young man didn't really know what to say, so just figured he'd plow forward into the conversation, "You?"

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most find a little bit of steady as i get close

thanks aofie!

[ISIDORA GRACE FLORES]

[googlefont=Mr Dafoe|Inter]

isidora flores

The chocolate palamino gracefully moved around the arena, finishing their serpentine before the teen maneuvered her way around the lunging horse. "I do appreciate it. Not everyone would be so kind." She gave a smile and continued riding. Most people at Blue Acres were nice, but there were some people who would just barge in the arena without even knocking. "German? Did you learn it in school or something?" Speaking a second language is something she could do as well, though right now was not the time to be showing off to a stranger. 

She moved the mare down the wall and went into the two point position, pressing down in her heels to practice her balance. "Are you still in secondary then?" The other person did look a bit younger than her, so she wasn't surprised. She worked Queenie in a wall to wall circle at her end of the arena, making sure the mare lowered her head and moved forward off of her leg. "Isidora, though only my parents call me that if I'm in some sort of trouble." Or her professors during their lectures if she raised her hand to answer a question. It all depended on the situation. 

"What do you do with your three? They seem to be a bit small to be show jumpers." Queenie didn't exactly fit the bill either, but once she was braided and in the ring - she fit right in. "Oh, that's probably why I haven't seen you around here. I've been riding here since I started riding so it's been awhile." She enjoyed being one of the original riders of the barn, though everyone knew her name by now. "Yeah but someone has to help people design their homes right?" It was something that kept her mind busy and her creative side going. "I figured it was something in the creative arts direction with an actual job in sight." 

• Feb 27 2023
• Queenie & outfit
• ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER

[ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER]

February 2023 • outfit, Waffel • ISIDORA GRACE FLORES

Archie could not help but to laugh at the girl's remark about how not everyone would be as kind, "Ah, yes. I have had a run in with a few of those people here." He got it. Horse people could be weird sometimes, and see themselves in a class of their own. With all of the horse shows coming up on the horizon as well, the young man tended to find that they pushy personalities escalade with it. Thankfully though, he had managed to remain in good graces here, probably because of how he had been raised. Archie knew well enough how to get himself out of trouble with the rich and elite, "Oh?" he asked at her question, "I'm glad to hear my accent is good enough to pass for a native." And with that, the young man could not help but to laugh, "I'm from Germany actually, an industrial town though. Doubt you've heard of it. Different school system though. I don't think my mom thought that through when she relocated us. It was a bit of a surprise for the transfer when I found out that per Hickstead and Willow Bridge, I should have been out of Secondary already by their standards."

A snort escaped Waffel as he picked up the pace of his trot on the lunge line, and Archie couldn't help but to notice that it might have been a reflex of Izzy and Queenie's. Guess he wouldn't be the only one who was catching the polo pony's attention then. Given it was lunging though, the young man wasn't too surprised as he stepped in and moved the small horse to change directions. Waffel was quick to oblige as always, the transition abrupt like it was in a match. As Izzy explained the full origins of her name, Archie simply flashed a grin in her direction, "I'll keep that in mind. I know all about the dangerous tone of a parent using a full name." Her name was much more smooth than 'Archibald' though, and probably sounded better than his own when she was in trouble, "Good time with your parents otherwise?" Perhaps it was a prying question, but often he couldn't help but to wonder how other teenagers might have been raised differently to him.

The tables being turned on him caught him off guard, at least when it came to his horses, but he supposed that while it was easy to spot the jumpers and dressage riders, polo might be a little different. And being nationally ranked didn't make much of a difference, "I play polo," Archie said now, "I believe they consider my three a little on the smaller side now, but what they lack in size, they make up in heart and speed." Green eyes looked to the horse and rider again, particularly concentrating on the saddle and the gait, "I take it you...jump?" The young man wasn't entirely sure that he wanted to bet money on it though, given the horse itself looked like something he'd see at a western show in America, but the saddle and being ridden by an English girl made the whole thing a conundrum to a degree. As for being here, "Ah! Well yes, I'm new. But that's awesome you've been here for a while. Perhaps you can show my the ropes of Blue Arces who and who not to annoy." Because those sort of people exist everywhere.

Izzy's opinion on interior design made sense though, like art, it took an eye to make it all look good. And Archie knew that his parents certainly employed them. While his parents had no shortage of money and tastes, how to make all of their collection pieces flow and not look like hodge podge collected in a room required help, "I can see that. At least you've given your future some thought then." He couldnt' say the same for himself beyond Polo, and while he knew that his parents wanted him to partake in their business, Archie couldn't help but to wonder if it was best to just leave it in Leonie's capable hands, "You think you'll stay local once you graduate?"

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most find a little bit of steady as i get close

thanks aofie!

[ISIDORA GRACE FLORES]

[googlefont=Mr Dafoe|Inter]

isidora flores

Izzy couldn't fathom to think who Archie had come in contact with that would make him angry. "Who was it? If I had to bet, I'd say Kennedy. She makes people mad for a living, I swear."  Spoiled and brat were two words to describe her. Thankfully, the other woman's horse made up for it. The dark bay stallion was a saint on the ground. 

She now rode Queenie down the wall, keeping off the track down the quarter line. "Nice, I haven't made it there yet. Is there some sort of exam you can take to get yourself in the right grade?" It sounded dumb keeping someone back a year, though the school systems around the world were different. She went into the sitting trot at the other end of the arena, practicing sitting still. "So, Archie is just a nickname then? Glad you understand. I try and avoid my full name as much as possible, but there's always that one person that insists on using it." Made Izzy roll her eyes, though that was impolite in public - so she kept it for at home in front of her parents. 

Riding a figure eight on her end of the arena, she dropped her stirrups. "Parents? Eh, they are alright. You know how you feel as a teenager, sometimes they are too clingy." Always wanting to know how class or work went - thankfully her public school days were over, so no more phone calls home if something went wrong. "And you? Strict parents or are they alright?" Izzy rode out of the figure eight and practiced a square turn across the arena. "I think you're the only polo player at BA. Where do you have your matches around here?" It was hard for her to tell as lunging a horse could mean any discipline. "Both English and Western actually. Western pleasure and Hunters, which is basically jumping." The mare was happy doing both - neither of them preferring one over the other. 

"I think the stable hands will be better about telling you who to avoid, though most people are nice. Did they not give you a tour when you moved in?" Naomi had given her a personal tour when she moved in, though her riding career started at BA, so she knew the barn like the back of her hand now. "It's what I've wanted to do for awhile now, so I'm solid in my decision. Yeah, I think I'll be living here for awhile. And you?" Though the thought of her incarcerated father made her think otherwise. 

• Feb 27 2023
• outfit & Queenie
• ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER

[ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER]

February 2023 • outfit, Waffel • ISIDORA GRACE FLORES

Laughter escaped him when Izzy decided to mildly interrogate him over who could have possibly been so rude to him at the barn and informed him of her suspicions. Archie wasn't really surprised by such a question, no matter the barn and no matter the country, there were always those sort of barn people and his new friend had just given a name, "I don't know, maybe? She was in such a huff, I didn't catch her name. Brown hair, had an affinity for pink plaid and a large dark bay stallion. I'll keep that name in mind for the future if I run into her again." The incident had been over two weeks ago by now, so the teenager had long forgotten it. He made the equestrian life work because he was laid back, he didn't really feel the need to drag out barn drama, just to move beyond it.

He stepped into his 'pie' now, asking for another change of direction which Waffel compiled to. He would see those ears trained on him now, the occasional twitch of the ear towards Archie along with a slight gaze. The polo pony was warmed up and ready to work, and not a moment's too soon because as his green eyes caught sight of the time. Another ten minutes and he would have to wrap everything up unfortunately. School was such an hindrance sometimes, "That's exactly it," he confirmed with a smile, asking Waffel to extend his trot now with a flick of the whip, "Although its odd here, they send you off to Uni at seventeen it looks like. So a little different, but nothing horrible. I'm not sure what I want to do with my life anyways so maybe I'll use that next year for self discovery." He nodded, "Oh yes. Full name is only for my parents. I am sure you're the same."

Izzy's comments made him grin about parents. Looks like he wasn't the only teenager here that had to live under a microscope somehow. The more he talked to her, the more Archie was beginning to like her, "Ah clingy. At least you know they care," Archie said now, "My parents? Very strict. Something happened with my sister, it's why we moved out here. My parents wanted the three of us out of the spotlight for a bit." And then he just realized how odd that sounded, "They run a business. We are not celebrities or anything like that." And he wasn't even going to bring up his missing royal cousin. It didn't surprise him to learn that he was the only polo player at Blue Arces, Hickstead in general was a little out of the way for the sport, but he was good enough to train on his own and make visits to the club an hour away, "I have to drive a lot to the matches and clubs, nothing local around here. But english and western? That's quite the cross train. You and Queenie must be well balanced."

Having Waffel change directions yet again at the trot, he made sure that the gelding new to keep the trot extended as he gave the polo pony a little more length now to the circle, all the while tomake sure to not crowd Izzy and her horse, "Ah, I have not met Naomi yet. Another rider gave me the tour, a very exuberant one. Molly I think." He didn't mind though, he didnt have to be waited on to make a decision. Well, as for those life decisions, "Nothing wrong with staying close to home...for me? I don't know. I have to see what happens with my family. I'm fine staying here, but I would be lying if I didn't say I hope to eventually move back to Germany." He flicked the whip again, asking for the canter and Waffel sprang forward. Green eyes watched closely, "I feel like I have my whole life ahead of me to figure that out though."

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most find a little bit of steady as i get close

thanks aofie!

[ISIDORA GRACE FLORES]

[googlefont=Mr Dafoe|Inter]

isidora flores

Izzy scoffed after Archie described the person he had a run in with. "Yep. That's Kennedy. She thinks just because her horse was on the Italian Olympic team that she is someone special." The stallion on the other hand was impressive. "Let's just say I'm glad I'm not Stephanie and have to coach her." Though she did have a laugh when watching the two lesson - Steph didn't take any of her attitude. 

The woman then nudged Queenie into the canter using her inside leg behind the girth. Queenie leapt into the canter and motored along the long end of the arena. "It's much easier to take a year off now than between school years. Gives you time to ride and compete as well." Though she wasn't quite sure how polo competitions worked - it was a discipline she wasn't really familiar with. Once they made it to a short side, Izzy did a trot transition and then asked for the canter again before they turned the corner. "Yep. I feel like everyone feels that way." She didn't know too many people who truly enjoyed their name. 

"They do, but sometimes it's a bit too much caring." She did have to remember that some people had parents who didn't care and left them when they were young. That caused more trauma than it was worth. "That sounds fancy, anything I would have heard of?" She should have guessed by the fact he played polo that his family was rich, but stereotypes weren't something she believed in. Izzy nodded, riders around Hickstead tended to stick with traditional English riding. "Ah, thankfully there are enough trailers around here for you to borrow. Yeah, we are. Though Western is just starting to be popular around here so we just compete in jumping for now." There were only so many handy pony classes they could do, but they did enough of both to keep them busy. 

She now worked Queenie in a canter circle, moving her wall to wall. "You'll meet her eventually. She is really helpful, clearly she knows what she is doing running a place like this." Izzy didn't have too many encounters with the owners, though she tended to see their foster children around more. "Molly? Oh gosh, how much energy did she have?" Izzy liked Molly well enough, but on the days she wanted to have a nice quiet hack, Molly tended to chat up a storm while they were both getting their horses ready. "I get that. I've only known living here but maybe things will change later on." She gently shrugged her shoulders while riding. "What makes you miss Germany the most?"

• Feb 27 2023
• Queenie & outfit
• ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER

[ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER]

February 2023 • outfit, Waffel • ISIDORA GRACE FLORES

The scoff that had escaped Izzy said it all, and he could not help but to chuckle a little bit when it came to the girl's comments, "I'll keep that in mind." Archie replied now, before adding on with a teasing tone, "Also, remind me to never get on your bad side." The other teenager clearly had no problems speaking her mind, and while the young man never minded such a trait in an individual, he certainly didn't want it directed at him. Still, he felt a bit of curiosity tug at him, like all ill-tempered statements caused, "Is there history between the two of you? Or is she just that sort of person?" Archie was willing to bet the later but still felt the need to confirm.

Between the two teenagers, it would seem that both of their horses were getting a good work out in despite the time constraints. Archie cast a glance at his watch, and knew there was a chance that he was going to have to start wrapping it up soon. Thankfully, Waffel started to do the very thing that he wanted out of the gelding, and that was lowering his head while extending the trot without even an ask. It didn't happen very often without louds of encouragement, but when it did, Archie always considered it a win, "Ah true! I didn't think about that. I can't really fathom concentrating on university right now anyways."

It was curious to hear Izzy say that she thought her parents cared too much. Archie couldn't even fathom such a thing. He supposed their parents cared about them, they raised them well enough and did love them, but sometimes it felt like he and his sisters were cared more for like prized race horses than children, "Ah, I guess I can see how too much caring would be overbearing. I don't think I have that problem with my parents." Sometimes, Archie found it hard to complain about his parents - mainly because he knew there were worse ones out there - such as the Alenkos. As for her next question, Archie merely shook his head, "I doubt it. I feel like my parents are only german famous verses work famous. Maybe you've heard of my sister - Frankie Wagner - she...she's like a socialite and IG famous?"

Archie couldn't imagine borrowing a trainer, but he suppose he would have to do that if he wanted himself and his horses to stay in shape until he found a club, "Ah I wondered about the western - given this isn't America. Sorta funny to see the western saddles in Europe." It was making its waves in Germany as well, but the teenager knew well enough at the FEI games that the Americans always rang supreme. He got Waffel to change directions once more, and the gelding obliged, extending the trot and his neck. Clearly the horse had caught on now and the more well behaved he was, the faster he got back to sleeping with his friends. He nodded at Izzy's next words, figuring that he would meet the owner at some point here, but if it took a while, it certainly wouldn't be the end of the world.

The question of how much energy did Molly have made him laugh, "I think she had a lot - like say...that battery rabbit? The energizer bunny?" It felt like an ample description of the girl - going off on some rant about how there was a ghost horse or pony haunting the lands that needed to be put to rest. Archie supposed that he wasn't surprised that the other teenager admitted to being a local, it seemed to be 50/50 as far as natives go, "Oh. I miss the food," he said with a grin now, "We also moved during Christmas market season so I think that bothered me a little. But it is what it is. I'm sure I'll make new discoveries here." He got Waffel to turn again, once again but asked the gelding to move into a canter now. The polo pony shuffled quickly into the canter now before relaxing into a rhythm, "So, besides riding - what do you like to do around here?"

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most find a little bit of steady as i get close

thanks aofie!

[ISIDORA GRACE FLORES]

[googlefont=Mr Dafoe|Inter]

isidora flores

Izzy tended to get along with pretty much anyone at the barn, though Kennedy and a few others rubbed her the wrong way. “I tend not to speak rudely of anyone around here, but Kennedy is…entitled.” She knew she was putting it nicely, but gossip spread quickly around any barn. “Well, I do admit you don’t want to see me angry. Though you seem pretty nice so far, don’t worry about it.” She shrugged her shoulders before continuing to work her mare at the canter.

She changed direction at the canter and did a large circle the other way before riding down the quarter line. “Oh, I’m sure everyone has some history with her. It’s just who she is. I swear she lives off of the hatred.” The other woman swore that she owned the place, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. “Trust me, I know. Unfortunately, final exams are coming up soon for me. I should be done in April though.” Which meant working more at Helping Hooves, competing with Queenie and being at the barn. She did a bit more canter work before bringing her to a walk and letting her have a loose rein. “I do love my parents but like let me breathe!” Izzy joked patting her horse on the shoulder. She knew deep down why her parents were protective of her, due to what happened with her biological mother.

The rider tilted her head, wracking her brain if she knew his sister. “Maybe? Sorry, I don’t really scroll social media.” While she did love her technology, the teen tended to use her laptop and phone to look up design ideas instead. “Really? I guess it makes sense. I’ve ridden both all my life so I’ve always seen Western riders.” It gave herself and the mare different things to practice during their hacks. “Have you tried Western before?” She herself felt it was the same workout but riding Western made her feel freer. Izzy turned the mare to avoid Waffel and Archie before nodding. “Yep, I really don’t know how she does it. Do you think because she works at the Bakery that she gets an IV of coffee?” She had run into Molly there a few times, wanting a coffee break before she drove home and studied.

“Oh goodness, that must be the best time of year! Which market is your favorite to go to?” Germany was well known around the World for their markets and from the pictures she saw from Emma made her feel envious and want to go. “I’m honestly the wrong person to ask. I spend all my free time here or working at Helping Hooves. I do enjoy going to the art gallery though. What about you?”

• Feb 27 2023
• outfit & Queenie
• ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER

[ARCHIBALD BARRON WAGNER]

February 2023 • outfit, Waffel • ISIDORA GRACE FLORES

Archie knew he shouldn't be surprised at all by all of this drama he appeared to be hearing, or at least, opinions on certain riders. After all, he had yet to join a barn that didn't seem to have something going on. Plus, entitled riders just came with the scene. Even at his polo barns back in Germany, there had been no escape. A snort of laughter escaped him when Izzy proclaimed that he didn't seem half bad, "I try. I also don't like drama in my life so I try to avoid it as best as I can." After all, he got enough of that at home. His gaze looked to Waffel for a moment as the girl asked her horse to canter, but the gelding appeared unperturbed by someone else going faster than him in the arena. From their conversation, Izzy was finishing up her mini rant about this Kennedy, clearly she had something to get off of her chest.

Even with the distraction of another horse and rider, Archie was pleased with how this morning lunge was going. While he knew Waffel should be fine with any horse around, given his sport, the young man knew that every once in a while, his horses liked to show a bit a spunk. Clearly, it was too early in the morning for such nonsense, "Ah! Well good luck on your exams then. Maybe I'll be joining you next year then with those worries," he joked now, "As for parents - well, unfortunately, I think we may just always been stuck as 'their children' in their eyes." Archie knew his parents had an unfortunate way of showing it, his sisters certainly could have done with some better support, but he wasn't sure if any of them would ever been seen as adults in the eyes of their parents.

It was a little surprising to hear the young woman say that she didn't scroll social media, but everyone was different, "Nothing wrong with that. Just means you're not a screen zombie like the rest of us." He joked now. Green eyes kept watch as Izzy turned her mare now, giving them space. Even Waffel seemed to notice the possible invasion as he leaped forward now, giving a bunny hop and a kick even though the pair hardly came near them. The move merely made Archie shake his head as he got his gelding back on track now, "I have not. Figure I'd leave that to the Americans," Archie said with a grin, "But I got to ride in some South American saddles when I was in the market for growing my horse squad. So I think you're the more worldly one for saddles." As for her comment on Molly, laughter escaped him, "Yes. I think that is it. The coffee IV's."

Once Waffel calmed back down, they were into the last leg of their lunge - cantering. The gelding seemed to be doing well after his one small hissy fit, and thankfully, it was a steady canter and on the right lead as well. Archie couldn't help but to smile when Izzy claimed over the Christmas Markets of Germany, "You should try going. Short flight at least. My home, Bermen, is probably my favorite. But I think Munich and Berlin can rival it. I think just the gothic buildings of my town make it all pop, especially when it snows. We Germans do it better than the Austrians though, and don't let them fool you otherwise." He stepped in, closing the lunge circle and then pointed, asking for the chance, to which Waffel snorted and tossed hsi head, but obliged - looks like the Polo Pony knew it was coming to an end as well, "I guess I'm boring too. I ride, swim, and just like to hang out with people," Archie said with a laugh, "What do you like about hte art gallery though? Is it a date spot or a hang out spot?"

i find it hard to say the things i want to say the most find a little bit of steady as i get close

thanks aofie!