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!.
It had been a few months since River Bloom had bought 'The Parkour Demon' aka Parkour from the sale yard. What had started out as an impulse buy had turned out to be an excellent prospect for him in turn of getting back in the saddle. Yes, he had Raven, but she was tried and true, and thankfully the sort of mare who could be asked to show within a moments notice without too much preparation upfront. Parkour had been different. The flashy bay stallion had been out of the game for a few months it seemed prior to River buying him, but what he had lacked in conditioning and discipline, Parkour had more than made up for it in heart. Spiritually, he had also helped River as much as Raven had, though he'd be loathed to admit it to just about anyone.
There had been a break in work at Seven Oaks, which meant that it would be riding time. While River wasn't sure if he and his two horses were completely ready for getting back into the show ring (his own accident injury still bothering him), it didn't stop the man from training his horses like they were going to. He had nearly gotten all the muscle back on Parkour, now it was just conditioning and continuing to feel out the horse, create a bond both on the ground and in the saddle. River didn't entirely feel like he was entirely in sync with the stallion, unlike his mare, but he felt like they were getting close. They still had some arguments from time to time over approaching the jumps and checking each other moving around the arenas, but thankfully, everything seemed to be soothing out.
River left the barn before any of the clients could stop him and headed out to the pastures now to collect Parkour. Approaching the the pastures, a black mare came running up to one of the fence lines as soon as she saw her human. The man stopped, offering her some gentle strokes to her face before moving to her neck and offering a solid pat, "Sorry girl, you're my second ride today. I'll be back." Raven's ears twitched, before flattening against her neck when she realized that River was walking away from her and towards the stallion area. A shrill whinny escaped her, and she threw a good kick out for measure as she watched him leave. River could feel the mare's gaze boring into the back of his head, but he ignored it.
It was a shame he couldn't keep Parkour and Raven together, but truth be told, River wasn't sure who less trustworthy. Parkour, cause he'd likely try and make some babies, or Raven, who was cranky and somehow knew she had been sidelined due to the stallion. Either way, he'd likely never risk it. Thankfully, with Seven Oaks pastures being so big, he'll be able to go a different route back to the barn without having to walk by her, sparing the three of them any antics. Blue eyes saw the flashy bay now out in the pasture, and River gave a sharp whistle to draw Parkour's attention and soon waited by the gate, curious to see if he would come.
it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
thanks aofie!
Thirty Three . Professional Equestrian . Stable Hand - SOS . LGBTQ+ . SINGLE
Parkour grazed idly away from the rest of the stallions in the pasture, not the slightest bit phased or really bothered by them. He'd established himself in the pecking order, and whilst not the highest amongst them, he still held his own and more than once caused something of a fuss when simple hollering turned almost full-blown into war where both sides had dealt their share of damage before being separated.
Even so, he was much more settled in, and he still made a fuss when particular individuals were led to or from the pasture when he paid attention. Being in work mellowed him slightly. And with his condition vastly improved, he was always seemingly brimming with energy to spare now. That said, when the whistle came, he acknowledged it with a brief glance - pausing mid chew to see who was calling. Of course, his new human. Lazily, he turned to face the man and snorted, not seeing an incentive to actually move towards him quickly. So he meandered, head low, picking at grass as he went. The sun was nice on his back and the flies weren't too terrible, his mood was great.
He sashayed over before he reached his head over the gate and immediately pushed his nose about the man, seeking a treat of some kind for the effort he'd taken to come over. His grazing and lounging interrupted.
Blue eyes watched the liver stallion in the field, waiting for his whistle to be acknowledged. After a moment, Parkor finally seemed to acknowledge him. He saw that minor head tilt, the mid pause of chewing on the delicious summer grass. After a moment, the stallion seemed to kick himself into gear, or at least, Parkor's version of kicking it into gear. It was times like these where the difference between his two horses were astronomical, given that just a few minutes earlier, he had Raven who had been dying to come out with him which he denied, and he had Parkor here who thought he could take all the time in the world to come. River didn't blame the stallion though, even though they had been working together for a few months, their bond still wasn't completely there. That would take time.
"Finally," he commented now as Parkor waltzed up to the gate now, "You took your sweet ass time, Parkor." But naturally, the stallion didn't care and had more important things to inspect from the fence line, such whether or not he had any treats. He could feel the soft velvety nose pushing up against him, already inspecting the usual places, "Yeah yeah, hello to you too," he replied now, producing a few coveted black jelly beans and held his palm out flat for the taking. As the stallion munched away, River skillfully pulled the leather halter over Parkor's large head now and lacing up the chain lead. Making sure none of the other stallions were approaching, he then opened up the gate and carefully pulled his horse out now before shutting it behind, "Come on Parkor, let's get you brushed up before working."
it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
thanks aofie!
Thirty Three . Professional Equestrian . Stable Hand - SOS . LGBTQ+ . SINGLE
The offering of black jelly beans were very welcome in his eyes, a most substaintial reward for having to approach. He snorted, content to finish his treat and once the halter went on, it was like another mentallity engaged him - the sort that made sure he kept his shit together, to listen. And he was good at that, and getting better. Sure there was the odd moment where he pulled up to look at something or respond to another horse's call somewhere he couldn't see. But those moments were getting to be fewer and fewer by the week - the halter going on meant it was time to pay attention, that he was going to work.
And he liked to work, there was no doubts about that. But the constant flat work, the simple trot poles and being asked to collect his steps were fast approaching boring, and Parkour had an itch. He had been over all, very good since his arrival to the stables - he hadn't gone too crazy or out of hand, and had yet to eject his rider from his saddle. All in all, he was doing well and even by his own mind, was being very good. He didn't jump when the gate shut, and he kept his head low, following at the same pace of his human. Even upon entering the stables, he was polite enough and didn't so much as glance at horses that were stabled or out by their stalls, he just kept his head all the way to the ties and stood still, automatically moving into a relaxed position as he waited to be fussed over.
River had been pleased that the walk back to the stables had been uneventful, and the only thing the human felt was the evil eye being given to him from a pasture over. Still, the man had to had it to Parkour, the stallion was getting better and better each day. The liver stallion had been more or less a gentleman since arriving, except for the occasional kerfuffle - but River didn't entirely mind it. No horse was perfect, even though they were all guilty of thinking it, but unfortunately, that sort of thought lead to someone getting hurt or their heart broken. Horses, above all, were still prey animals and there would always be moments to remind their humans of that.
Thankfully, today was not one of those days, at least not on the walk. He set Parkour up in the grooming stall now, cross ties attached to the halter. Blue eyes watched the stallion seemingly relax as always, his head already drooping in anticipation of what was to come. River Bloom hardly smiled any more, he always seemed sour for a human, but this stallion always seemed to cause a small smile to crack across his features without even trying. He took the rubber curry comb now, and went to work, slowly and methodically moving in a circular clock motion, techinque trained into him the second he first learned how to bond with a horse, "Seems like you're settling into the yard nicely, boy. No one's uttered a complaint about you in these last few weeks."
River knew that he would not get a response - Parkour couldn't talk, this wasn't a fantasy novel, but there was something relaxing about talking to a being that was content with listening and doing nothing more. The man liked that about horses, they never judged, they only showed you what you were. A mirror. A reflection, "Although I don't think my mare likes me hanging out with you all the time. Maybe one day you'll meet her without Raven trying to murder you or...I guess, you not wanting to mount her." All things considered though, he thought the young stallion rather well behaved around mares given his age. River perhaps still didn't trust him to be pastured with them or besides them, but he had gotten quite good at not being distracted all the time.
Replacing the curry comb with a hard brush now, River went to work loosening up all the dirt that the curry comb hadn't managed to catch as he kept on talking, "Figure we might change it up today. Go on a hack. Maybe check on the cross country course as well. I'm sure you're getting bored of the arena and flat work. I know you're destined for more than that. We both are." And the man was determined to make it happen, "What do you say to that? Eh Parkour?"
it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
thanks aofie!
Thirty Three . Professional Equestrian . Stable Hand - SOS . LGBTQ+ . SINGLE
"Seems like you're settling into the yard nicely, boy. No one's uttered a complaint about you in these last few weeks."
"Although I don't think my mare likes me hanging out with you all the time. Maybe one day you'll meet her without Raven trying to murder you or...I guess, you not wanting to mount her."
"Figure we might change it up today. Go on a hack. Maybe check on the cross country course as well. I'm sure you're getting bored of the arena and flat work. I know you're destined for more than that. We both are." And the man was determined to make it happen, "What do you say to that? Eh Parkour?"
Parkour stood still, looking almost half asleep with his lower lip completely relaxed. Whatever was being said was lost on him as he stood there - he had been well behaved; he hadn't kicked up too many fights, hadn't battered the other horses in the pasture with him, hadn't tried to escape to reach the ladies in pastures over. If anything, the most noted thing was somehow getting his head stuck inside of a hay bag the week before in vain efforts to get the last pieces from the corners. But he perked and twisted slightly as the hard brush scrubbed at a spot on his side he hadn't known was delightfully itchy and needed the scratching it was getting. He moved into the brush, his upper lip wiggling as the itch was scratched. Snorting loudly, he tossed his head up and down as far as the ties would allow him, giving a few brief hops.
The itch woke him up proper, suddenly reminded of unused energy. He had energy to spare, to let free and he wanted to go now.
He must have found a spot, because the stallion was leaning into him now almost aggressively to get it after nearly dozing off. A chuckle couldn't help but escape River as he made sure to spend some extra time on that one itch before finishing up. Parkour appeared to be wide awake now, ready to rumble, and River decided that the time for bonding on the ground with the brushes was over, "Yeah yeah, I'll finish up." He muttered now, doing a quick sweep of the stallion's body with the soft brush and combing out a surprisingly knot free tail. River soon disappeared quickly to grab his tack, thankful that he popped some ibuprofen to help with his old injury - something told him that he might have a full horse on his hands today.
Gently but efficiently, the man worked through tacking up Parkour now. He but all had figured out most of his quirks when it came to saddling up, and mining the girth and bridle. The stallion had almost been too perfect in the saddle, which River superstitiously thought it meant that he was due for something, anything, to happen - what though, he wasn't sure. Putting his helmet on, River tossed the thought aside as he took the reins, "Let's go, Parkour." He lead the stallion outside to the outdoor arena, standing him by the mounting block before quickly getting up in the saddle.
As blue eyes stared across the arena, with its low jumps and poles, he suddenly thought of a different idea. An idea that River loathed, but, given how good the few months had been since ownership, he might as well see if he could award the stallion outside the arena, "Want to try a hack?" he asked now, knowing full well the Parkour could not answer him back. Taking a breath, he gently squeezed the stallion forward and steered him back outside of the arena now, pointing him towards leaving the property and onto the trails. Off in the distance, he thought he heard the sound of barking, but paid it no heed. Little did River know that perhaps, he should have thought differently about dogs on the property.
it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
thanks aofie!
Thirty Three . Professional Equestrian . Stable Hand - SOS . LGBTQ+ . SINGLE
Parkour was only a little over-eager at the side of the block, moving off as soon as his rider was in the saddle and not a second longer was he going to stand about. He gave a tiny hop, nothing more than a peppy bounce in his step that proved his energy levels. Perhaps it was the weather, or perhaps the feed a little more rich for him, but whatever it was, his need to go was vast.
But the fact he was going outside of the arena?! Parkour lifted his head a little higher now, ears fully alert as he all but skipped on his way, not completely out of control, just excited. He wanted to go, but the distant sound of dogs caught his ear. He halted and turned his head, listening as he chewed on his bit and snorted loudly. It was a small amount of worry in the actions he took, but he turned away from the noise and began the other way, meandering now without River's prompting.
He could tell that that heading outside of the arena had caught the stallion off guard. All of the sudden, it was as if River had a mildly different horse on his hands. Parkour's head lifted up a little higher now, nearly arching as his ears swiveled around on his head like little radar dishes, "Guess I really do just keep you to the arena," River muttered, mainly to himself. The change in pace would be good for them, but honestly, River didn't care much for hacks - mainly because something always seemed to happen on one when he was by himself.
It was too late now though, he promised his stallion something different, they were committed, and River had to continue to feel bold. After all, one of them had to be confident here. The meadow trail was easy enough. All flat and not too far, but far enough to feel like an adventure. Sure, Parkour was excited, but that excitement could change just as quickly. Speaking of that, Parkour stopped for a moment, causing River pause. Blue eyes watched as the stallion's head turned, his ears twitching, mouth chewing. River could hear the Whites' family dogs, but thought nothing of it.
Leaning forward, River gave the stallion some good reassuring pats, "You're fine." With that, he squeezed the stallion forward and began to head to the edge of the property, passing the barns and the pastures - they post to the trails and which way which just ahead. And...well, was it just him, or did those barkings seem closer now? Real close. River firmed up his legs and the reins, but he could feel a change now, just as a furry mob appeared out of no where.
it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
thanks aofie!
Thirty Three . Professional Equestrian . Stable Hand - SOS . LGBTQ+ . SINGLE
Parkour's neck gave a slight shudder under the man's hand, ears flicking quickly as he was given that reassurance. He danced a little, walking sideways a few paces before he jerked himself to a stop and turned his head again, his whole frame tense. Those barks were awful close, earning a slightly shaky snort.
And then they were there, barking. Parkour forgot all manners, all sense - even his rider, as the dogs ran towards him. He launched up and forward with a shrill neigh, bolting like there was hell on his heels. Eyes wild and wide, Parkour could only run, there was no standing and fighting. Tossing his head, shrieking like someone was actively hurting him. But he kept going, no idea on where he was going.
River could feel the muscles ripple underneath the stallion's neck, and he knew that he was going to have to firm up now. Despite Parkour's ears twitching to his soothings, it became clear that with the barking getting louder, this was going to be a fight. The stallion dancing to he side forced River to sit up in the saddle, quickly now too before he lost his balance. Even with a firm grip on the reins, it was as if they and the bit had no affect.
And then, the mob of fur came. And River nearly found himself toppling off. Parkour popped up, and River moved forward and grabbed hold of the stallion's neck to keep himself in the saddle. God, don't fucking flip us over. He thought to himself. Thankfully, that didn't happen. But then the second worse thing happened, Parkour bolted like a unrunaway train, and he wasn't properly in the saddle. Managing to get up without slipping, he checked the bit, hard just to see if anything would happen. Naturally though, nothing did.
Blue eyes looked ahead to see they were storming into the meadow. Thank god it wasn't into the property, for now at least. River held his breath, prayed to some deity, and sharply with all off his might, dropped the right side the rein and pulled the left. He wasn't sure if they would topple over, but he hoped trying to divert the stallion into a circle might cause his flight and panic mode to suspend even for a second.
it must be exhausting always rooting for the anti-hero
thanks aofie!
Thirty Three . Professional Equestrian . Stable Hand - SOS . LGBTQ+ . SINGLE
Parkour's mind was not on track, not by a long stick - his rider a forgone memory in the wake of all consuming panic. The cues didn't even flicker across his mind, all absence of training like he was a green colt without any sense in his head. His eyes went wide, whites clear as day as he bolted, hollering his panic.
The check on the bit barely touched him, his mouth numb from poor riding beyond his rider's control - something that should've checked him quickly surving to only bring his head up in a rough jerking motion as he ran. He kept moving, his ears back against his neck, a thick sweat beginning to build and lather. Where did he go? Have to get away... where is my rider?
The sudden pull on the bit was shocking and abrupt, earning a pained squeal as his head was yanked back in against his neck. His eye caught the movement of the dogs, the pain briefly forgotten. Still running... his thoughts were disconnected, panic, pain, fear - all mixed. He was forced to circle, still trying to gallop and side step the animals barking at him, throwing in poorly timed buck into the mix... he kept moving, forced to cirlce - where to go? Dogs, barking, a bitter copper taste on his tongue, run...
There was a yelp and squeal from a dog, getting right under his hooves, side stepping... a foreleg slipped under him, his head shooting up as he flailed to get his footing but he was too gone in the panicky running turn he was locked into. He hit the ground hard, down on his shoulder followed by the rest of him with a thud, flailing to get back up.
