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!.
[attr="class","tile-content"]It was clinic day at Ryan Sport Horses and Ty didn’t know what to expect. He was still relatively new, though his parents had hosted their fair share of them which he either attended with his horse or helped organise and run. He arrived earlier than the rest of the grooms, wanting to ride Beachy before he continued with his chores. Having had a lesson the evening before with the bay mare, Ty opted for a more relaxing ride. He knew his three horses were still settling into their new home, so there was no pressure added from him. Beachy moved fluidly around the arena - being the one out of his three mounts that enjoyed flat work.
He worked her for half an hour, cooling her out until her chest was cool to the touch. After a quick halt, he dismounted and led the mare into a free grooming stall, backing her up and stopping once she was completely inside. He switched the bridle for the halter and began untacking. With a quick glance of his watch, he realized he needed to be quick. He slid the saddle and saddle pads off of the mare's back and set them on the saddle rack nearby. It took him about fifteen minutes to brush Beachy and then the two were on their way to the mare paddock. He reached into the pocket of his riding pants and pulled out a horse cookie, giving it to the mare. The bay munched on the cookie as Ty took her halter off, allowing her to run free with the other horses. He quickly latched the gate behind him and headed towards the outdoor arena.
As he was the first groom there, he pulled out the map in his pocket and began moving jump standards to where they should be. It wasn't long before the other grooms and John joined them. The jumps were up in no time and one by one, the clinic participants began coming in. Ty stayed inside the ring, there to help John if and when he needed it.
Harlow Alenko couldn't help but to feel a little suspicious when her trainer, John Ryan, had invited both her and her sister to participate in his new jumping clinic. Yes, her sister needed the work, but did Harlow? The young woman wasn't so sure. She never liked sharing the arena nor John's attention with her sister, let alone other John's other riding clients and this clinic was open to everyone, which made it even worse. Anyone could attend, and who knew what sort of riders and bad habits that brought. Yet Harlow had relented, for if there was one other person in her life that she cared to not disappoint, and utterly crave attention from, it was John Ryan.
"I'm glad you can join us, Harlow," John called out as she and Beamer entered the arena, "Once your mounted, we'll get started." While Alpha or Aristocrat might have been the better choice for this clinic, the young woman knew her most recent purchase from Germany needed to get used to an audience and having other riders in the arena. Besides, the jumps would be no bigger than 1.20 meters, the limit for five year olds. Harlow smiled, cool and collected as always, "I wouldn't miss it for the world." Her sister, already mounted and saddled, rolled her eyes. The others who knew Harlow Alenko tried their best to mask their fear or distain, or both for the matter.
She knew that air well from the other riders, but Harlow didn't care. It wasn't her fault that they were beneath her, and as far as she was concerned, she was in a class of her own. Besides her, the grey stallion was huffing and looking around, keenly curious that they were not alone. He typically tended to be well behaved for the young woman, but growing pains were growing pains, and she needed to get his manners in check. Harlow corrected him, quick and short lived, returning his attention to her. Dark brown eyes surveyed her surroundings, her gaze falling on a man she did not know. He was tall and lanky, but his fit frame could not hide under his equestrian garb. His reddish brown hair seemed to glint in the sunlight, and his blue green eyes kept looking to John.
Ah, so this was the new groom she heard about. He looked like a delicious snack waiting to be eaten, "You! Groom!" she called out now, "Come help me mount!" No please said nor needed. She watched as John chuckled. Harlow could only imagine what was being said.
From the middle of the arena, John Ryan wasn't remotely surprised by his student's antics. She was one of his star riders, but unfortunately came with a diva attitude that tended to rub almost everyone the wrong way. He had gotten used to it, and taught Harlow quickly that he could not be one that she aimed her attitude at. Unfortunately, after all of these years of being her coach, he had not managed to get her attitude to change with anyone else. When he had asked her to participate, John had seen the displeasure, but she had agreed nonetheless. Arriving five minutes late was good behavior on her part, only this clinics length would tell how she would behave with the others for the day, "Go on and help her Ty. Don't let her push you around though. I tend to find being nice and polite but firm tends to get the job done with Harlow Alenko."
I made my decision to test the limits 'cause it's my business
thanks aofie!
Twenty One . Professional Jumper . Heiress . In a Relationship with TY XAVIER WEBBER
self-belief and hard work will always earn you success
Ty fixed a jump close to him - double checking that the jumps were the same size. The 1.20 Meter group would be starting at 1.15 as warm up fences until John requested for them to be higher. He considered entering the clinic himself, Hiroko would be a happy stallion - though if he was going to compete he needed money.
He glanced over, seeing someone was late joining the group. Ty raised his eyebrow, not knowing how John would react to the late comer. Clearly, they knew each other. He was a bit surprised that the woman was warmly greeted. It took the red head a moment to realize the new woman, named Harlow apparently was talking to him. "One moment." He huffed, heading off to the mounting block - making sure the path was clear of horses. If someone was jumping 1.20 Meter jumps, they should know how to get on a horse themselves - or so he thought. "Do I need to check your girth too, or did another groom do that?" He carefully approached the grey, whom he had recognized from the paddocks.
Ty rolled the stirrups down, moving the mounting block closer so that the woman could get on her horse. He finally had a good glance at her - Ty did have to admit she was attractive, but only by her looks. "Harlow, right? I hear I'm supposed to be nice to you. Who is this you are riding?" Learning horses names was something he was starting to do - just like the other grooms were learning how his three were like. "John told me your name and I'm sure you know mine now." He usually wasn't cocky, though he didn't appreciate the fact that she was late.
At being told to wait 'one moment' by the groom, Harlow actually arched an eyebrow and twisted her lips. Was he serious? Dark brown eyes looked to John, but he was already distracted by the other students. She took in a deep breath, trying her hardest to not already huff at this situation. The young woman was already annoyed, her boot taping as she watched the groom like a hawk approaching her and Beamer now. Besides her, the grey stallion snorted - matching his owner's impatience at waiting now, but he didn't dare toss his head. Now with the groom in ear shot, Harlow spoke, "Finally." And she didn't bother trying to hide her tone.
His follow up question made her frown, uncertain of what he was getting at, "Check my girth," she replied, watching him unroll her stirrups now. Even Beamer looked to the groom now, his ears twitching in curiosity. Harlow could not help but to watch him now as he bent over to move the mounting block closer, and she casually took a step back to really, really get a good look at how he was utilizing his own assets to move that block. His blue green eyes met her dark ones, and the young woman simply stared back, unabashed that might have caught her spying on him: "Harlow, right? I hear I'm supposed to be nice to you. Who is this you are riding?"
She smirked, coyness dancing across her face, "Harlow Alenko. I am John's star rider, so you better like what you see," and she made certain to deliver it with such tone that suggested that the groom should never forget, "And this is Beamer. I'm sure you've met him. I imported him from Bavaria Germany last month." Once everything was situated, appeared to be okay still waiting on her. Although that frown was really annoying her. Why wasn't he fawning over her already? If anything, he looked annoyed to be dealing with her, "Ooo, aren't you cocky?" Harlow countered to his name comment, as she stepped up onto the mounting block.
Placing her foot in the stirrup, she gracefully swung herself over now the stallion, complete with a shoulder flip of her long pony tail, and situated herself into the seat of the saddle. Dark brown eyes stared down at him as she nodded to her stirrups, expecting him to fix them for her, "So tell me, Ty Webber, what's so special about you that got you a highly coveted John Ryan groom slot?"
I made my decision to test the limits 'cause it's my business
thanks aofie!
Twenty One . Professional Jumper . Heiress . In a Relationship with TY XAVIER WEBBER
self-belief and hard work will always earn you success
It seemed as if this rider was impatient - clearly he was starting to get on her nerves. The grey horse was clearly picking up on the attitude from the rider by bobbing his head. "Really? You are giving me attitude?" Ty tried his best not to roll his eyes, he was at work after all. If John had known him better, he would let his own attitude loose. "Of course." He moved his hand under the girth to check, it seemed tight enough. "You can get on and I can check it again once you've warmed up."
Ty moved back, standing near the front of the horse - being close just in case the horse decided to move while the woman was getting on. "Well, we will see how you two work together." He believed in actions speaking louder than words - there were so many people who were all talk and he knew the type better than anyone. "I think you've got it all wrong. You are the cocky one, I've just said you knew who I was. I figure you are on the pulse on all the hot gossip around here." He could tell she was going to be a handful - thankful that he had been prepared by his parents. Once she got on, he glanced down to where she was looking and raised his eyebrow. Ty caught her glance and fixed her stirrups after he approached the side of the horse again. "And what made you choose him over the other horse?" If this was a new partnership, it was somewhat of an odd choice - though Ty had to remember that it was John coaching and not an outsider.
"I won a local derby class with one of my horses and John approached me and offered me the job." He had nothing to hide - though he truly wasn't expecting it. His parents were excited for him and were the ones who ultimately pushed him to take it. "You are all ready to go, enjoy your lesson." He nodded and walked away, not stopping until he stopped to stand beside John. This was apparently all part of his new job, though this wasn't exactly what he was expecting.
Harlow chose to ignore his attitude comment, after all, what did he know? He was just a groom, and as far as she was concerned, she didn't answer to him, she answered to John - the only man at this establishment that deserved her respect. Besides, just because the groom was cute didn't mean that he got a free pass from her. She was on top of Beamer now, settling into the saddle as the young woman motioned for Ty to take care of her stirrups. Beneath her, the grey stallion's head perked up just a bit now, rising high in the anticipation that they would be working soon. He tried to take a step forward or two, only to be reminded of the bit in his mouth which pulled him to a halt. It annoyed Harlow, but what annoyed her were the words that followed such a display from her new stallion: "Well, we will see how you two work together."
She could not help but to arch an eyebrow, "What's that suppose to mean?" She inquired now, wondering what this groom could possibly be getting at. Granted, he didn't know her - but surely John must have been saying his praises about her to him. There was no way that Ty Webber could possibly be doubting her skills as a rider. As soon as the thought passed through her mind though, the handsome redhead confirmed as much, only annoying her as he called her 'cocky'. Brown eyes rolled, and a dramatic sigh escaped her, "I'm not cocky, I am that amazing." If their genders had been reserved, Harlow might have called him 'sweetheart' to add insult to injury. She sat there stewing now as he handled her stirrups now, waiting for him to mess up even though he did so such thing. His next question caught her by surprise, "Oh. Atristocrat is still good, but getting up there in age so I want to start training his replacement. And while I love Alpha, his pedigree can only get him so far in height for me. Beamer will excel us to the next levels."
Truth be told, the young woman hadn't expected Ty to give her a serious answer to her inquiry about his new job here, but it appeared that he was more than willing to oblige her, "Derby? You're a hunter rider?" Well, that was new. She was a little surprised to hear that. But he was already trying to send her on her way, to which Harlow merely smirked, "Oh, I will. And I hope you enjoy watching." While it was tempting to watch him walk away, she wanted to see just how those breeches clinched to his assets from behind, Harlow ignored the temptation. She was here to ride. Giving Beamer a gentle squeeze, the stallion launched into a spritely walk as John called out to her, "Excellent, Harlow. I want him walking with energy without trying to break into a trot without your command. Do one lap, and then start up and down at the walk to get your body warmed up." Well that was easy enough to do. Making sure her stallion was staying close to the wall, a lap went by before Harlow started to move up and down, making sure to push her hips forward when she went up.
From the center of the arena, John stood there, blue eyes watching her and seeing Ty return to his side, "Seems like you two were getting along well," he said with a smile, little did he know what was said between the two of them. Before he could get too far into his lesson now though, John's phone buzzed. A frown met his lips, knowing that it must be serious if he was getting interrupted during a lesson - especially a Harlow Alenko lesson. Taking a peak at his phone, a sigh escaped him. Pocketing the phone once more, he called out to his student, "Harlow! I'm sorry but I have to deal with something. I'm leaving you in Ty's capable hands for now, but I'll try and be back as soon as possible." John did feel a little guilty, barely two weeks into the job and he was already throwing Ty to the wolves, "Ty, I'm leaving you in charge. Flat work for warm up, followed by jumping. No more than 80 meters. Beamer's more powerful than her other two mounts, and she's still learning how to handle that...maybe find a gentle way to work on that with her." And with that, he was running off.
I made my decision to test the limits 'cause it's my business
thanks aofie!
Twenty One . Professional Jumper . Heiress . In a Relationship with TY XAVIER WEBBER
self-belief and hard work will always earn you success
Ty had to realize not everyone had heard of his fathers. It wasn’t like they were Olympic riders or anything, but they both rode well enough to make their names known in the local community. He wasn’t one to brag about them though. They put in the hard work and effort it took to get where they were now and that was all that mattered to their family of three. He took a deep breath before sliding his hands to help slide the woman’s stirrups towards her foot, doing it on both sides before he left. “If you two are getting to know each other, just don’t put any pressure on yourself. These things take time.” It may have been a bit cheesy for him to say, but it sounded like something the woman needed to hear. He knew all to well about new partnerships when it came to riding.
“I’m someone who likes someone who doesn’t just talk the talk. You’ve gotta prove it.” He might have had an easy life compared to others, but having two fathers didn’t exactly make school or anything else for that matter easy. Ty nodded, glad he had remembered the woman’s other horses' names. It seemed as if one of them was starting to slow down. “I see. It’s an interesting choice, though it’s not an away clinic so I understand your decision.” He would have chosen the horse he had the longest if it was a clinician who wasn’t familiar with him and how he rode. Ty shook his head at her next question, glancing at the jumps to make sure they were the proper height before he answered her. “No, jumper derby. I did used to do the Hunters though when I was younger or if I get stuck with a younger horse again.” Beachy was the youngest, but she happily did her first year in the Hunter ring with Ty on her back.
The redhead shook his head and watched her ride. He knew better than to look at her for her looks, though he did have to admit to himself that she was attractive. “I see why she came with a warning label.” He had spoken to the other grooms about her during their lunch breaks. Little did he know it wasn’t too long after that when he had to start dealing with her. He glanced over to his boss, who was now checking his phone. It seemed as if he was hit with an emergency as he left the arena, leaving Ty in charge. “Yeah, I’ve got this.” Ty stood up straight again, watching as the pair walked around. “You can change direction at the walk across the next diagonal. Try riding off of the wall when you get down the long side. Keep him straight between your legs and hands.” He would have to come up with some warm-up jumps before he would get her to do a course or two. "After this lap the other direction you can start with a loose rein trot to let him stretch his neck."
Harlow couldn't help but to scoff at the cute groom's comment. Pressure on herself? As if. Although, in the back of her mind, the young woman knew that she wanted to look good for this lesson now in front of Ty Webber, if only to prove him wrong. She and Beamer were perfectly capable of syncing even though they were new to each other. Beneath her, the grey stallion snorted, throwing his head a little bit, as if sensing the flare of energy brimming off of his owner now. Harlow eyed the back of Beamer's head now, "We'll be fine. You'll see." Although, between the two humans and the one horse, the young woman wasn't entirely sure who she was assuring.
Speaking of all talk, she might have just played right into Ty Webber's hand when he informed her that he liked results shown, not just bragging rights. Brown eyes narrowed him, rolling her eyes now. Of course he would, "I don't need to prove anything to you. You're just a groom." A stupidly attractive groom under John Ryan who was already getting under her skin. Maybe the redhead would warm up to her if he was under her instead. At least he understood why she picked Beamer over Alpha or Aristocrat for this ride. Sure, the other two had more years of showing under the saddle, and a more seasoned mind frame, but Beamer needed the work too. Harlow cast him a curious look, "Jumper derby? That's...unique." And she left it at that, as soon as Ty's hands left her legs and saddle, Harlow swung Beamer out and back to the wall now, making him work.
Brown eyes caught sight of John on his phone, and then speak to Ty, before running off. Now that was a distraction. Where the hell was he going? In the moment of confusion, Beamer attempted to shy out at the corner, and therefore, Harlow applied pressure to shove him right back along the side of the wall now, "Keep your head in the game, Harlow." The young woman muttered under her breath now as Ty appeared to be taking over the clinic now. Well, this won't be distracting at all. With him barking out orders, the young woman made sure to listen. They turned perfectly at the next corner for the diagonal, despite the stallion wanting to turn early. This was already shaping up to be a work out and they weren't even at a trot yet. Speaking of, Harlow squeezed him forward once they hit the wall, allowing the stallion to stretch out.
It took Beamer a moment or two to realize that this was for stretching and not for him to do what he wanted, but steady pressure from his rider kept him moving forward with a steady rising trot kept him in check, "Are you taking over the entire clinic now for the rest of the ride?" She called out, still eyeing Ty out of the corner of her eyes. None of the other riders seemed to care, but naturally, Harlow Alenko cared very much.
I made my decision to test the limits 'cause it's my business
thanks aofie!
Twenty One . Professional Jumper . Heiress . In a Relationship with TY XAVIER WEBBER
self-belief and hard work will always earn you success
Ty hoped his teaching rust would fall off soon. It had been awhile since he coached a lesson. As it was a clinic, it felt like he had a bit more pressure than the others - though clearly John trusted him - he needed to trust in himself too. "Looking forward to seeing your talent." He left it at that - clearly the horse was a talented jumper, though that meant nothing if the rider didn't know how to handle it. He had seen it too many times in the show ring.
"I'm not your groom, right now I'm your coach." He wasn't one to use his power, but right now it seemed to be good to set some standards. His parents allowed him to coach beginners when he was sixteen - that was easy enough. He didn't even know what Harlow had been working on with John recently, though the lesson plan for the clinic was thoroughly discussed. Sometimes a rider just needed a good push before they rode well. "Have you ever done one? They are quite fun." Captain thrived in them - it was almost as if the stallion was really bred to do cross country, though it wasn't something Ty was interested in trying.
Ty kept his mouth shut, watching as the pair moved around the arena. "Good correction keeping him straight across the diagonal." He watched the walk - trot transition and gave her a nod. "Just for the rest of this portion is my understanding." He waited until the pair trotted down to the top of the arena. "Now once you get back to the top of the arena. Let's do three loops around the jumps on both sides of the arena."
