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 hid her amused smile as Dallas corrected the woman who came to greet them, giving his arm a quick squeeze in thanks and support. It had been some time since she found herself at such an event and although her family was nowhere near as well known as Woods, she had worked her ass off - quite literally - to be well known around the world. Maybe, she smirked to herself, known in the wrong circles. The equestrian world was exclusive and demanding - while she had made quite a splash in Australia, England was still to know of her. And although she had appeared in a few various advertisement campaigns, it wasn't as though her name was signed on every billboard. Or every magazine. As Dallas held her chair, she smiled up at him - one thing never seemed to change and that was Dallas’ unquestionable gallantry. The small gestures, even though she had grown up with them, made her stomach fill with tiny butterflies.
”Thank you,” she smiled as he sat down beside her, her eyes finding his. ”I keep up with some of the social dancing but I haven't had time to go in Hickstead. And,” she bit her lip. Of course there would be more to it, when wasn't there? She was, after all, Carolina Jones and for whatever reason it seems that her life never was simple. She had loved to dance - as she got older and started social dancing, it was a way to express herself - her pain, her passion, her desires and her attitude. She competed, she trained and she absolutely loved the nights spent at milongas and fiestas. That is how she met Stanley - there were both involved in the equestrian world down under but their romance sparked on the dance floor. The chemistry, the connection was so instant, it shocked her. When they danced, it seemed that nothing else mattered. And when she ran from Australia after their affair became known, she didn't dare pick up dancing again. [/b]”And I haven't had a good partner in years.”[/b]
Her eyes followed the champagne wistfully - there went her plan of enjoying the evening but with Dallas sigh, it seemed rather rude to tease him about it. She knew a bit of his story with alcohol and seeing him complaining, it would mean that the temptation may be greater. Rolling her eyes at his comment, she leaned a bit closer. ”Fine, you win - it was way less than ten minutes. So, victor, what do you want as a reward?”
”Oh please, my Michael Jackson impersonation was spot on,” Cara scoffed though her lips remained in a content smile. Seeing how her mother had ensured that Carolina Jones learned all the arts necessary for a young lady - at least in her eyes - the atrocious dance routine the girl had created for their iconic song was more so an act of rebellion than any lack of ability on her part. It was these kinds of small moments of freedom that allowed Cara to show her personality before she was finally given more freedom to express her full personality. Frankly, that was exactly what got her into a little bit of an awkward situation or, rather, situations. Not that anyone ever had to know now that she was in the furthest part of the world from her shamefull past.
As Dallas turned off the engine, she quickly flipped down the visor mirror, double checking her makeup and applying a fresh coat of gloss, while the man got his jacket and stepped out of the car. By the time he walked around to her side, she was ready, offering him her hand to be helped out of the lowseater, her eyes lighting up as she took the building. Regardless of whether she liked art shows or not, they did know how to choose the most incredible venues. This was was no exception - a massive building with a breathtaking facade that must have been some sort of neoclassical architecture, the material a soft beige that could turn grey in specific lighting or caramel in the sun. Glancing at Dallas, she started up the stairs to the door, the man a hald step behind.
Inside, soft classical music resonated in the background while a few people stood behind the coat check, accepting various items in a quick and efficient manner, the patrons moving to say their names to a handsome young man in a blue suit and an ipad. Women moved in flowing dresses, men in their tuxes, a few servers moving in vests and bowties with trays of champagne. Seeing them, Cara grinned, anticipating the bubbly even as she stopped to remove her jacket, allowing Dallas to assist her and taking her marching clutch.
”How long do you think before the first beggar comes to you for money?” she whispered into his ear, hooking her arm with his as they walked towards the man with the ipad. ”I’ll bet you anything, it will be less than 10 minutes.”
”Just a wee bit but I promise not to tell anyone,” Cara smirked at his chuckle, rather pleased that she could still get him to smile. After so many years away from each other, every small step towards normalcy and friendship was a step in the right direction. They had been so young when their friendship - the one they had since they were children - blew up in a blast worthy of Hiroshima (fine, partially Cara's fault) due to one night (very much Cara's fault), some days she wondered if she regretted the past. It was extremely out of character for her to ever look at her decisions with anything but humour but seeing Dallas once again made her wonder. But she had been young and in love and, much like the man beside her, not afraid of going after what she wanted.
She bit her lip, turning for a second to look out the window. Oops, didn't think that one through, did you, she told herself angrily. When she mentioned the artist and his painting, she was simply teasing but of course he would remember…what? Did he ever wonder what that night had meant to her? How she waited for his call, for him to chase her, to reach out, to simply acknowledge her? They had an agreement and she did promise it was all business but somewhere between the beginning of the summer and her last day in the US, Dallas Wood stole her heart. She had trusted him because he was her best friend but weeks turned to months and then gossip came and….Cara shook her head. Nope, she was past that and besides, did it matter anymore?
”Of course,” she met his gaze with a smile, her lips curling up with disbelief. Cara could remember the two of them belting out the song at midnight on their sleepovers, sometimes off key and laughing at one another until his mother would come to tell them to be quiet and go to sleep. They ended up in giggles each time and any time one of them even hummed the song, off they went. After a while, it became a game when they trained, trying to see which one of them could maintain their cool even when both wanted to grin. Even now, she couldn't help chuckling. ”I don't even remember why we found it funny but the amount of trouble I got into thanks to this song and you. Do you know how many laps your dad made me run because I couldn't stop laughing?” She poked his arm with mock accusation.
"Ooo, I love it when you act so mysterious," Cara teased, scrunching up her nose in the process. Typical men, never knowing where they were going or why but going none the less. Then again, some days she was no better. The only things she stuck to with a routine bordering on religion was her riding and the horses. Riding for a client meant that she could not simply disregard his asks and desires, especially when said client was a big name in and of himself within the show jumping world. And while Cara was a bit of a whirlwind in her life, she could never do anything that would put her charges or reputation in danger.
"I do hope they have those avant-garde paintings - they make for the best entertainment, especially when they have no meaning," She smoothed out her skirt before looking over with a seductive smirk. "I heard that one of the up and coming artists in Austria painted a blob with three colors. No one could guess what it was but when he said the painting's name, one lady fainted He called it unrequited desires of a virgin. Can you believe it?"
Art shows had never been her facorite events even as a child but she had grown to enjoy them as an adult. Most probably because she was finally allowed access to alcohol and expensive french champagne seemed to be a way to allow even the most artistically-limited to gaze into the mind of the artist and enjoy works from impressionists, cubists, minimalists and whatever other modern directions there were. Alcohol and attractive men, Cara scoffed inwardly, her eyes observing Dallas from under long eyelashes. It was always a rather pleasant bonus when a man trully knew how to wear a suit.
Cara sighed as she looked at her reflection in the mirror, turning this way and that in the silver-gold dress that hugged her frame and reached the floor, a slit on the side allowing for her to move comfortably and giving a teasing view of her long legs in silver strappy stilettos. She had pinned her dark hair up in an intricate updo, a simple diamond necklace around her neck. It felt strange, dressing up to act as Dallas’ date after all these years and although she was looking forward to it, something irked her in the back of her mind. It had been so long since they went anywhere as ‘Cara and Dallas’, would it be weird?
No, it wouldn't, she decided, turning defiantly away and crossing her arms over her chest. Her old feelings were well and truly stuffed somewhere deep, deep within, away from her mind and that is where she was planning to keep them. Dallas was her friend and although it was taking time for that friendship to become as easy as it had been, she was glad that he was once again in her life. It brought back a part of her that she thought she'd lost, a playful, carefree version that popped up around the man. A part she was convinced she had left back in Australia after her scandal. Though, then again, scandal was too strong a word. Misunderstanding, she smirked, grabbing her faux fur cover and clutch.
Walking to the door, she checked her phone, opening the unread message from Dallas that said he had arrived. Checking that she packed the essentials and spraying her favorite night perfume, she locked the door and headed outside, making her way quickly to the waiting car and trying to ignore the chill in the air. As she slipped into the passenger seat, she smiled at the man. ”It's good to see you tonight, Wood. Now remind me again, what is this event we're going to?”
Cara really didn't get what the big fuss was about - so what if a barn had burned down? Sad as it was, it was not such a rare occurrence as to be the talk of the town for months. It wasn't as though anyone perished or was seriously injured. Oh, she certainly wished a speedy recovery to the business, but she didn't know anyone here and it was difficult to constantly be in a state of disbelief and pain as most seemed to be. It really was ruining her upbeat attitude. The fair was at least fun and she needed fun just about now. Besides, she could get behind mulled wine, baked goods and spending cash for a good cause. Anything to get the town back to some sort of normal.
That is how Caroline found herself browsing the various tents offering food, drinks and various other things. In one corner, she could see a sign saying pony rides and briefly considered indulging in some mischief but with a smirk, she let that idea rest. Amusing as it was, she still didn't have any friends here who would have made such a stunt hilarious, not paint her as a crazy person. Pushing her scarf over her shoulder, Cara stopped in front of the counter as a young woman called out to help whoever was next. Taking the opportunity, she stepped up to the counter, smelling the scent of fresh baked goods.
"Oh, me please! A cuppa java and something fresh baked, whatever you recommend," she smiled at the young woman, pulling out a small wallet.
occupation • show jumper, model for equestrian companies
gender • female
sexuality • hetero
the appearance
face claim• Adelaide Kane
identifying features• Cara is not a tall young woman, standing roughly at 5'4. She is toned and athletic, almost to the point of being slightly underweight and unhealthy. She has long dark hair, olive skin and dark chocolate colored eyes. She has faint freckles dusted across her nose that appear more visible when she is mad or sick. There is a tattoo on her right side that is Maori stylized tribal tattoo.
the personality
likes • travelling, photography, hiking, show jumping, designer clothes, New Zealand wine, sunsets, ocean
dislikes • rain, being in one place too long, stereotypical soap operas, snakes
weaknesses • commitment, patience, connecting with horses, trusting men, speaking her mind
dreams • settle down one day to have a family. Be seen as something more than just a pretty face.
fears • waste time on wrong people, never amount to anything
overall personality • Cara is a rather outspoken person. She often speaks exactly what is on her mind with little regard for consequences. Her confidence shines through and she typically takes control of any situation. She is not one to shy away from a challenge and loves to win. Not very patient and easily bored, she has travelled around the world, riding for various big names in the show jumping world. She is a flirt but doesn't allow men too close. On the outside, she is an example of a femme fatale but deep down, she is constantly worried about where life is taking her next.
the history
father • Anthony Oscar Theodore Jones (53), businessman
mother • Camilla Fernanda Jones (48), fashion consultant, housewife
siblings • Amelia Louisa Jones (30)
important people • Wood Family
hometown • Born in Kentucky, raised there till she was 15, moved to Austria after that
overall history • Caroline was born in Kentucky where her father was working as a senior manager in a financial firm whose headquarters were located in there. Since her birth, her family had always included the Wood family - her mother Camilla and Lucy Wood met at one of the fundraiser events years before and very quickly became best friends. Being very close in age to Dallas, the eldest of the Wood children, Caroline was introduced to horseback riding at the same age as the boy though unlike him, her parents considered the hobby an afterthought. In reality, it was a way for Camilla to spend more time with her friend and a way to leave her over-active daughter occupied as she poured herself into her consulting business.
Cara fell in love with horseback riding very quickly as it was a constant learning process and she was naturally good. Following the Wood cues, her mother bought her ponies and horses as quickly as the girl outgrew the previous ones, relying heavily on Lucy's expertise. Cara didn't mind - although she loved her mounts, her goals were to jump higher, faster, sooner. Spending so much time at the barn, Cara grew up alongside Dallas and his parents, seeing them sometimes more often than her own.
At the age of fifteen, Cara's father found a new job as a CEO of a financial firm in Austria. Unable to pass up such an opportunity, the Jones packed up and left Kentucky to Europe. Cara continued her riding career there with some of the greatest names in Austria and Germany before, at the age of seventeen, starting on her journey independently, working as a working student first in France then Ireland and eventually making her way to Australia and New Zealand. By the age of 22, Cara was a successful show jumper prepping for her first Grand Prix and a well known catch rider for younger horses.
She was hired as a rider and trainer for a private breeding barn in Nice once she was 23, bringing her back to the continent and she diligently spent 2 years raising and showing young stock, some of which were acquired as future Olympic level rides. As her contract came to a close and bored of the Azure coast, Caroline decided to take a short break and visit her family in Vienna. Spending a few weeks there, she was ready to move again, deciding on England as her next location. Applying for various jobs, she was contacted by Quinn Thorne who needed a rider for his young stock, offering her the position at Blue Acres.
