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!.
A line of six fences stand down the centre of the ring. The beginning fence is 85cm, with each fence following this raised by 5cm. The final fence stands the largest, at 1m10 to begin with. The fences will raise 10cm at a time, with the max height is capped at 2m10 should anyone get that far.
One a horse knocks or refuses a fence, they are out of the game. If we get to the maximum height of 2m10, and the fence is still cleared, the remaining contestants will draw.
Cora felt rusty - she wasn't sure this was her best idea, to enter a high stakes showjumping class when she wasn't long recovered from her hospital trip. She'd been back riding a few weeks, and the horses were feeling good - better than ever really. She felt like she owed it to them to get out and about with them, especially as she hadn't checked out the show scene since moving here. She'd been a little worried about her name getting out, but considering she wasn't exactly hiding out here, she threw caution to the wind and entered.
Her nerves were dancing havoc in her stomach as she entered the ring - first up and the pressure was definitely felt. She patted Cap's neck to settle them both as he picked up on her nerves, and then she clucked him forward into a canter. The bell rang, but Cora took her time to approach the first - too many people rushed once the bell went, panicking about missing the timer, but there was long enough to take a circle, take a breath, and set the horse up nicely for the line of six. It was important to get this right, or the gelding would have no chance. She sat soft in the saddle and allowed the horse to find his stride a little, holding him in check as they popped the first, then onto the next five. She was careful to keep him steady so he didn't start rushing the line, and they landed clear over the final to the cheers of the crowd.
Harlow Alenko was ready to rumble. She and Alpha had done well in the warm up arena with John - the gelding bending to her will like heat to metal. It only took a minute or two before they were in sync with each other. They waited outside of the arena, one of John's grooms holding Alpha's reins as Cora Astley and her horse walked into the arena now. Truth be told, the young woman was surprised by the other Heiress being there - given her accident and all, but she kept her comments to herself. Harlow turned over a new leaf, or at least, was attempting to and keeping her trash talk to herself. Brown eyes watched the round from her perch before they called her name - they were ready to enter the arena.
She remembered the game plan. Canter the arena before turning towards the center lane. Squeeze into the turn heavily, encourage Alpha to go, and the rest would follow. Confirm one stride before the jump, and three strides only inbetween each jump. Anything else was unacceptable, Alpha would likely knock down a bar and they would be disqualified, "Let's go, Alpha," Harlow informed her gelding now, squeezing him forward as they opened the gate for the two of them, the groom letting go of his reins. They turned right, and Harlow gave her inside rein, and the halflinger warmblood cross shuffled quickly into the canter. They did the whole arena, Harlow's brown gaze laying on the first jump. Don't turn yet. Don't turn. Don't turn. As the center of the jump came into view, pulled Alpha to the inside, and gave him a good squeeze with her spurs.
The gelding's ears perked forward, and he launched himself with impulsion, barrelling down the center lane and the middle of the jumps - lined up perfectly. Gathering her reins, she held him back just slightly, before confirming her jump. Alpha launched forward, and landed on the other side with ease. Three strides. Next Jump. Again and again before the final jump. Just like that, it was over, and a clear round. Harlow felt herself smirk as they slowed down, rounding towards the exit of the arena as she leaned forward, giving Alpha much love as they trotted out of the arena and dropped to walk. John was here to greet her, giving her congratulations as he lead her and Alpha to the waiting area.
