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!.
Cara busied herself with getting her horses ready to compete, and also wondering if she should have brought others, as the more she had to do, the less time she had to sit around and wonder what she could be doing rather than sitting around. She pressed her lips together as she tacked Fae up, talking softly to the mare as the small Sporthorse tried to look at everything at once, while tied to the side of the truck. It was the mare's first show, and Cara hoped that she would cope with all the sights and sounds.
Mounting up, she rode the mare around a quiet part of the parking lot, letting her settle in, before taking her to the warm up area and taking her over a couple of practice fences as they waited. When their number was called, she rode the mare into the starting box, rubbing the buckskin's neck as she felt the small horse tense up. "You're okay." She soothed softly. As soon as the keeper gave the signal, Cara released her hold on the mare and let Fae barrel out of the box as they headed toward the first jump.
They took the course a little slower than Cara would have done on a seasoned horse, giving Fae a chance to look at the jumps before she went over them, but the young mare took everything in her stride and answered every question that was asked of her with very little backchat, and Cara grinned as they rode through the flags at the other end, leaning forward to hug the sweaty horse, though her mind was already on the next thing she had to do.
Jessie hadn't done much cross country in her life. Back when she'd grown up on the farm, she'd hopped onto her ponies back and gone galloping about the fields, popping over fences and hedges. They'd never been big, she was brave but not completely stupid, and she'd only had a little pony, but it had given her the freedom and adrenaline rush she needed as a kid. She'd gotten hung up on showjumping since being in Hickstead, which was generally Wildfire's forte, however she missed the open fields and rustic fences, so she'd entered and decided to give it a go.
She let out a slightly nervous breath as they were counted down in the start box, just about holding the feisty chestnut under control, and then they were away. Wildfire sprung out from the start when she released the contact - too fast. Jessie blinked and brought him back for the first with a quick 'whoa'. The horse gave the fence a look, eyes bugging a little, but he went over and they continued on to the next. She hadn't had much time to practice cross country with the chestnut gelding, but he loved to jump and was fast, so she'd hoped he remembered what to do and enjoyed it. They certainly did as they haired around the course, but as they approached the picnic table, Wildfire's head shot up. He snorted, the table cloth giving a little flap that sent the gelding skittering off to the side. Jessie sat deep and brought him back, keeping him steady and re-approaching. The second time, he was honest and jumped fine, but he felt a little unsettled as he headed onto the next.They jumped the next couple a little awkwardly, but clear, until they reached the water. The chestnut wasn't a huge fan of puddles, and he skidded to another halt as he caught the shimmer of reflection. Jessie kicked him on, encouraging with her voice until he stepped in - and then it was fine.
They picked up a good canter for the remainder of the course and he had no more issues, though he gave a couple a good look as they approached. When they crossed the line, she gave the horse a hearty pat. Despite the two refusals, he'd still given it an honest go and she was proud. It had been fun, just time for more practice. She let the horse on a long rein and then jumped off, releasing the girth as they walked back to the trailer park to hose off.
Angél rubbed Sandman's neck as they waited for their turn on the cross country course. She blew out a nervous breath as she tried to quell the butterflies in her stomach and she rubbed the gelding's neck again as he tossed his head, obviously annoyed with her fidgeting.
She rode the Selle Français into the starting box as their number was called and she held the reins tight, talking to the buckskin who was shifting from side to side, keen to get going, as he knew what was coming next. "Easy" She soothed. As soon as they were given the go, she released the reins and let the horse shoot out of the box and toward the first jump.
While she had been nervous at the start of the course, but now that they were going, she was doing all she could to hold the horse back, as the last thing she wanted was for the horse to careen into a jump and flip over it. She laughed and shook her head as they galloped through the flags and she finally sat back into the saddle, using the aching muscles in her arms to slow the gelding down. Though he happily slowed down to a trot and then a walk, as he blew out through his nostrils, obviously pleased with himself, while the girl was thrilled that they'd had a clear round.