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!.
“Online, dating, huh? I guess you’ll have to help me out then,” Phoenix grinned, trying not to look overly excited about the prospect. It wasn't really for her, online dating, she'd given it a go and only come across egotistical mad men or 'nice guys' who were assholes in clever clothing, so she'd quickly deleted the apps and not bothered since. She wasn't in any rush to find something, if she needed an itch scratching she could get that sorted easily enough, otherwise when it came to dating she wasn't in a hurry and felt like it would happen when it happened. "We me on your side, nobody will be able to resist you." Phe promised, knowing she'd be able to help him avoid the pitfalls guys did like posting stupid fish pictures or group pictures where you had no idea which person you'd be meeting (it was always the short and least attractive one).
“Only if you make one, too.” She pulled a face at that, managing to slot a couple of pieces into her puzzle and sipping on her drink. "Been there, done that.. it's a mindfield." She winced, well that certainly wouldn't help selling it! She gave him a quick smile to reassure him, "but I guess if I make you one, you can make me one and then we'll swap phones and see what terrible things we've written about each other." She suggested, maybe that'd be funnier and less serious. “Would that make a good dating profile picture? Or would that come off pompous? Me being on a horse would look better than holding a fish, right?” Phe burst out laughing, wondering how he'd gone down the same brain route hers had taken. "Definitely no fish pictures!" She pointed her finger at him warningly. "But I think you and a horse might not be the worst idea, especially in a town full of horse girls!"
"I think it’s a speed dating thing, which feels weird to me. How do you judge someone in a five-minute span?” Phoenix chuckled at that, struggling to find a piece to fit her little corner she was working on. Very frustrating when she tried three in a row and all were a no go. She shot Courtney a side eye as he fitted a piece, wondering how he was finding it so easy. "I guess it's just about getting a feel for someone? You know how you can get a .. kind of vibe off someone when you meet them? And if they have the same interests as you or not. I'd say it's a tough one though, I don't like to go off first impressions sometimes, it's too much pressure. People surprise you." She shrugged, having always been the type to give someone a second chance... And a third and fourth at times. “Then again, my job hasn’t allowed a lot of dating. If anything, I’m here to help people date and go out by looking after their kids, I’m at that age now where there are people deciding what they want to do about kids. It’s a bit of a deal breaker, you could say.” Phe gave her friend a kindly smile, she understood how it was, especially when you reached the age everyone was off getting married and doing the baby thing, and you were having trouble even getting out on a date. "Well then, we'll have to get you out there. How about online dating?" She suggested with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
She took a sip of her drink as Court did the same. “Well, I guess being in an area full of equestrians, you were bound to find a group. I don’t know if I could get myself on a horse. I think I would like to try.” Phoenix nodded, listening to him as she tried a different part of the puzzle and still struggled to fit in a piece. It had to be rigged. "There are quite the number of them here." She agreed, not having realised it was quite such a major capital of horse riding. "Well, if you ever fancy trying it out, I have my own collection of well trained beasties that I can at least lead you round on to decide if you like it or not." hers were not riding school or lessons horses, they were sensitive and quick off the draw, but she could at least lead someone around for a quick go, and then if he liked it she could help get him into somewhere he could start proper lessons.
"Age changes us doesn't it?" Phoenix's expression twisted a little in thought, her lips pursing and then she grinned, "Nah, I don't think it does that much. It's just a number and all that." How cliche of her, but she felt it was true. There were factors that made a difference of course, but generally she felt that you shouldn't let your age set you back or stop you from doing something you wanted to do - whatever way it took to get there. "Night life, huh? I haven't been to the club in forever. Maybe we're just better lounging in onesies and watching cartoons?" Phoenix grinned at the idea and gave a light laugh. "Perhaps I'll drag you out one night, come and dance with me." She teased, interested to see if he would still come out with her if she asked nicely. "And the next day we cuddle up and nurse the hangovers?" She proposed, as she did love the thought of monging out with her old friend and eating junk for the day.
"There's a lot of stuff happening, like some mingling things. I don't know if I could do it..been out of the game forever! Probably why I understand kids better." Phe raised a curious brow. "Mingling things? That sounds interesting though! Why not give it a shot, what have you got to lose?" She encouraged. She didn't understand why Courtney was single - though she knew people said the same about her and she waved them off.. she just wasn't bothered and she figured someone would come along when they came. Court though.. he was handsome, sweet, caring, good with kids, funny..she saw no down side to dating a guy like him.
She smiled as the waitress brought over their items, and she gladly took a sip of her strawberry milkshake, reveling in the sweetness. "That's great! Did it become an overnight sensation right away via social media?" She laughed and gave a slight shake of her head, "Luckily no, I know that sounds backwards but I feel that those end up being fads. We've had a lot of interest though and it definitely made a difference!"
“Well, she does use a lot from your mom’s shop,” She chuckled in response to that, she knew a lot of people didn't get it, and she'd always been a little skeptical but things had grown on her over the years. There was that small little 'logical' part of her brain that made her naturally question things, but she was an open minded person and felt that she'd seen the genuine effects of remedies and such over the years that other people claimed as bullshit. “Yeah, but I can hand these kids back. I don’t know how teachers do it. Work with kids and then come back to kids.” She tilted her head as she considered his words. "I guess it's probably different when you have your own? Or that's what they all seem to say, anyway!" She let out a laugh and slight shake of her head. She knew it was something she'd have to think about at some point as she inched into her 30's, but for now she was content. She wanted to do the whirlwind romance first, the swept off her feet part before knuckling down to pop out sprogs.
“Oh yes. I remember my sister calling me when it happened. I was traveling then, and she was crying for you. It made me panic a lot since I wasn’t there.” She wrinkled her nose to think about it, as generally she tried to put horse accidents aside to avoid them getting in the way. It could be easy to be afraid sometimes. "Sorry to have worried you, but you know me - I always bounce right back!" She half grinned, knowing it was easy to say that now once it was in the past, but a lot scarier for people back when it had happened. It was why she was adamant about safety stirrups now though.
“I am! It’s nice to be finally settled in one place. I enjoyed all the traveling I’ve done in the past ten years. But I’m ready to enjoy the time with y—my friends and family more.” Phe missed the almost slip, completely oblivious as she often was about these things and she smiled. "Well, I'm glad to have you back. I'll have to drag you out and show you the night life.. or lack there of!" She teased. She wasn't much of one to go out and get drunk but she liked to enjoy a couple with friends and relax; plus it was always nice to dress up when she wore her riding stuff most of the day for work. “That’s great! It’s always nice to have more people in your area to see. Makes meeting new people a bit less intimidating.” Phe nodded in understanding, "it's definitely daunting, trying to make new connections, but there's so much happening here, you just have to put yourself out there a little bit and someone will take the bait." She promised, and she was more than happy to help him too. She liked the town, it was both homey and cosy whilst also having plety to see and do that would keep you busy and from feeling too much 'small town' life.
As the staff appeared, she ordered herself a strawberry milkshake and a brie, cranberry and bacon panini - having much of a sweet tooth she was craving a treat and this would do nicely. “My mom said you’re teaching works shops now?” She gave a small nod as she watched him, taking a look at the pieces herself and selecting one.. that turned out to be wrong. She sighed and tried another. "Yeah it's a new thing, I've hooked up with a guy called Pasha who is in a similar line of work, and also well versed, and it seems to be working out well so far. Trying to encourage some fresh blood to join the craze. It's becoming so much more popular now."
“She’ll probably claim it was all the Filipino love.” She chuckled at that as she thought back to his family and then gave a serious nod. "You know, it probably was too - there's some real power in that," She warned, but the smile still teased the edges of her lips. “What can I say? Must make the kiddos happy so they keep coming back.” Phe's smile was wide and genuine, pleased for her friend that his business was going so well. "How could they not? They'd be idiots not to see how good you were," Which was true. If you wanted someone trust worthy, honest and good with your kids then look no further. Court knew what he was doing, and how to handle even some of the most unruly. "I'm surprised you don't have your own mini-me's pattering about after you, trying to help." It was a harmless comment, she had always thought with her friends love for the little people that he would have been one of the first of her old pals to get settled and start popping out sprogs.
“What kind of tricks are you working on?” Phe tilted her head, propped her chin into her hand as she thought of what she'd recently been working on - her hair spilled forward over a shoulder, tickling the surface of the table. "I've been working on drags recently - I won't lie they kind of freak me out... make me think too much of the time I was genuinely dragged." It had been a long time ago now, and a freak accident. A spook had turned into an over reaction of the horse she'd been riding, and then he had suddenly throw himself up into a rear, overbalanced and fallen with Phe still on board. He'd scrambled to get up but the awkward position had left Phe's foot stuck in the stirrup as the horse bolted across the field. She'd broken her leg that day but been lucky it wasn't her neck.
She took another look down the drinks menu and decided to pick out a milkshake; childish perhaps but she liked what she liked. “They are for sure little energy takers, but I think growing up around child care – it was bound to happen.” Phoenix laughed softly and gave her friend a sweet look, "as long as you are happy, that's all that matters." She didn't feel that people had to be anything because of their pasts though she understood how people felt differently. “It could be my sister, too. She can wrangle those kids up so fast. Oh! Talking about sisters...how are yours? I’m sure your mum has been busy too?” Phoenix nodded, "yeah they're doing good! I haven't seen so much of them recently but Phrynne is local now and it's been nice having her so close again."
“Gosh darn...I guess I’ve aged myself terribly then, haven’t I?” She chuckled at that and made a show of looking him over, gently taking his chin so she could turn his head a little to the light as if inspecting for wrinkles and aging spots; her eyes narrowed critically. "Hmmmm, oh yes I can see many grey hairs.. and oh dear look at all those wrinkles." She teased, letting him go, though really he had nothing. She was lucky being ginger that her grey hairs would take some time to come through.
“I wish I could avoid the sun, but the kids always beg to go to the park. How dare they! And thanks. My mum I’m sure is adding something to her cooking to keep us all looking young.” Phoenix grinned at that, "And you're such a softie you just can't say no," She teased but she thought it was sweet how good with kids he was. Sometimes she wondered how he could still be single - why was there no line of available women trying to get his attention. "I need whatever your mum is cooking," She pulled a face, but she didn't actually have any worries about aging - it was a part of life, and if anything it was a gift. Some people never made it to 20 let alone 30.
“I’m glad to hear you’re still riding! And how has work been? Any new students?” She nodded as she thought to her new client base, "I have a couple! I've been trying to work on some new tricks whilst the summer is here, but really I've been lazy about booking shows." She shook her head at herself, she really should have been getting into clinics and such by now but she'd not gotten her act together and the time was slipping away. “Summer has been running me up the wall! A lot of kids to watch over, which don’t get me wrong – I’m very grateful for. But I think the summer has been bringing in the tourists, which also means their kids. The school year will slow things down a bit. I don’t know how many trips I’ve had to take to the barns just the past week. Or even the pool.” Phe nodded, "I guess the parents are looking to entertain them whilst school is out? I don't know how you do it - I mean, kids are cute and all but having a hoard of them to look after I'm not so sure about," She had interest in having her own some day, but more likely one or two, not a football teams worth.
Her grinned widened as she pulled him from his revere - wondering briefly where he had gone off to in his mind. She gave a warm laugh as he wrapped his arms around her in return, and she squeezed him gently, feeling that familiar settled feeling to be back with her good friend. Phe released him after a long moment and took a step back before going to slide into the seat beside him. “Long time, no see...buckaroo. Is that what they say, now?” She gave a light snort and shook her head, "I think that's something you just made up, but I'll roll with it?" She teased, with another easy laugh.
“You look great! Haven’t aged a bit.” Phe couldn't help but give a faint blush at the compliment, even if her friend was just being kind. "I try my best; being ginger and pale it's only natural for me to avoid the sun," She teased, though she did have to be more careful than some about the rays. She burned if the moon was too bright for goodness sake. "But so do you, looking very handsome," and it was true, he really had grown more handsome since she'd last seen him, if that was possible. “How have you been, Phe? How’s your summer been?” Phoenix settled into her chair, hanging her bag on the back. "I've been good! Run off my feet a little with the horses and work. What about you?" She was keen to hear about what he'd been up to that had kept him too busy to see her.
Phoenix was running pretty well to time - for a change. She had always had a little issue with her time keeping, a factor she knew had a habit of irking Court, but not one that had changed much over the years. She couldn't help herself, she always found she was getting lost in something and suddenly the time flew, or she was helping somebody and just kept saying yes. It was a bad habit really, but she was old enough now that it was just the way she rolled. She had made a concerted effort to be on time for her friend though, not wanting to make him wait. She'd missed him, it had been too long since they'd hung out and sometimes the phone calls and texting just didn't cut it.
She had made an effort to dress nice, with the weather being so glorious she'd showered after the yard and donned a pretty blue sundress, turning her face to the sun like a flower as she stepped out the car, reveling in the warmth of it. She loved summer. She hadn't been to this shop before, but it wasn't too difficult to find - she was curious about his choice but when she entered and saw the puzzles, she grinned. Court knew her too well. Phe sashayed over to where she spied him at a lone table, looking a little tense as he waited, a wide grin pulling at her lips. "Hey, stranger," She said with a laugh, going to envelop him into a friendly hug.
GENDER: Lady AGE: Thirty D.O.B: 5th November SEXUALITY: Straight STATUS: Crushing PLAY-BY: Karen Gillan HEIGHT: 5ft3 HAIR: Ginger EYES: Hazel
"ROMEO, TAKE ME SOMEWHERE WE CAN BE"
TATTOOS: None SCARS: None DRINK: Socially/the odd wine SMOKE: Nope DRIVE: Yes GLASSES: Nope HOME: Woodbain Flats BORN AND RAISED: London, England
"ALONE, I'LL BE WAITING ALL THERE'S LEFT TO"
sociable, quite a social butterfly, will talk the hind-leg off a donkey, naive, oblivious at times - terrible at flirting and useless at knowing when someone else is interested, soft hearted, curious - will often accidentally overstep the mark without realising, brave, rarely says no to anything, generally happy to go along with things but will put her foot down at times, even tempered in general but if really pushed does have a flare of red-headed fire, fun loving and easy going, non-judgmental and doesn't worry about other people's opinions, carefree and likes to enjoy the little things in life, sees the good in everyone, open minded, generous.
LIKES: Jumping , Puzzle games , Crime solving and mystery TV shows and films , Cheese and Grape sticks , Reading , That after-rain smell in the summer , Her horses , Finding people's weird or wonderful secret talents DISLIKES: secrets , Lies , People taking advantage of her good nature and generosity , Reality TV shows , Books that finish on cliff hangers , Spoilers , Redhead jokes - they get old , Diet drinks - it's all about the sugar STRENGTHS: Strong rider Courageous - will give anything a go Puzzle solving - good at figuring out riddles/puzzles - a real problem solver Making her own clothes - will redesign stuff from charity WEAKNESSES: Not good at flirting or recognising when people flirt with her Will binge watch TV shows if she gets stuck into them Struggles to say no to people - bit of a people pleaser Quite self critical FEARS: Something awful happening to her horses Heights SECRETS: Thinks she may have a crush on her childhood best friend, Courtney
"DO IS RUN, YOU'LL BE THE PRINCE AND I'LL BE"
STATUS IN SOCIETY: Working Class OCCUPATION: Showjumper / Stunt and trick rider EXPERTISE: Showjumping Stunt/trick riding Liberty work Solving puzzles WEALTH: Comfortable enough PROUDEST MOMENT: Her first stunt show - she was nervous about falling off in front of everyone, or of getting something wrong but she kept to her simplest tricks and managed to make it all the way to the end to cheers of the crowd. MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT: She once missed checking her girth before she rode as she was in a hurry, and her saddle slipped, sending her tumbling into the dirt. One of the girls ran in to check on her as she didn't get up straight away but she was fine and it was her own silly mistake!
"THE PRINCESS, IT'S A LOVE STORY, BABY"
FATHER(S): Unknown MOTHER(S): Unknown STEP-PARENT(S): Step family - Edna - 46 Bailey - 33 phryne sienna lovecraft - 25 - Doula Midwife, associate at Blackthorn Soapery and Supply Co Sybil + Adelaide - 20 OTHER HALF: Crushing on Courtney - 34 - Nanny SIBLINGS: As above CHILDREN: None
In the words of Jacqueline Wilson, Phoenix was born a dustbin baby. Parents unknown but likely either a scared teenager or homeless addicts of some description, Phoenix was left to the elements in a dustbin down the back alley of a street full of bars. It was pure chance that someone heard her wailing, cold and hunger giving energy to her little lungs as she cried for help. She was rushed to hospital; malnourished and underweight it was touch and go to begin with as to whether she would make it, but she was strong a fighter, and she pulled through. They put feelers out for her mother, someone had to be wandering the streets having just given birth, but nobody stepped forward.
In her younger years, Phoenix spent her time passed from pillar to post. Foster homes would temporarily take her in, but they never lasted long - either the family no longer had the means to support an additional mouth to feed, or they ended up moving and as she wasn't adopted, she had to return to the children's home, or it didn't work out. She was a good kid, generally put her head down and got on with things, happy to sit there and read or colour and rarely made trouble. Though she could be spirited and willful at times, people often described her as 'away with the fairies'. She got on well with one particular family, the mother being a rider who stirred Phe's interest in showjumping. She found she had a talent for it, intuitive with the horses, patient and light hearted, she worked hard and was brave enough to keep trying even after her falls.
Unfortunately for her, the family once again did not work out. They had believed the mother infertile and had been looking to adopt, but only a year after Phe had moved in, and began to settle, thinking she might finally have found her home at 12, they fell miraculously pregnant, and back Phoenix went. In the end, her life took a surprising turn with Edna. It was a whirlwind of an experience, and before Phe could even comprehend, she was suddenly inducted into a larger family of eccentric women. She didn't wish to believe at first that she finally had her family, and she kept largely to herself, out of everyone's way. As the years ticked by and she wasn't giving away again, she finally began to open up and find her feet in life. She opted to go to university to study English and Psychology, but ended up not using either as her passion for horses took her to affiliated showjumping, and then onto the higher leveled showjumping circuit. In her spare time, she picked up odd jobs and exercising other peoples horses to supplement her income, along with getting into stunt/trick riding for seasonal fun.
PETS
Summer Renaissance - Renny - nine years - 15hh - gelding - Mustang - trick riding/liberty
identifying features• Big ginger hair would be the most obvious feature, along with her generous smattering of freckles.
the personality
likes • jumping puzzle games crime solving and mystery TV shows and films Cheese and Grape sticks Reading That after-rain smell in the summer her horses finding people's weird or wonderful secret talents
dislikes • secrets lies people taking advantage of her good nature and generosity reality TV shows books that finish on cliff hangers spoilers redhead jokes - they get old diet drinks - it's all about the sugar
strengths • strong rider courageous - will give anything a go puzzle solving - good at figuring out riddles/puzzles - a real problem solver making her own clothes - will redesign stuff from charity
weaknesses • not good at flirting or recognising when people flirt with her will binge watch TV shows if she gets stuck into them struggles to say no to people - bit of a people pleaser quite self critical
dreams • to compete with the top level showjumpers at Hickstead and Olympia and then compete internationally to have a big family
fears • something awful happening to her horses heights
overall personality • sociable, quite a social butterfly, will talk the hind-leg off a donkey, naive, oblivious at times - terrible at flirting and useless at knowing when someone else is interested, soft hearted, curious - will often accidentally overstep the mark without realising, brave, rarely says no to anything, generally happy to go along with things but will put her foot down at times, even tempered in general but if really pushed does have a flare of red-headed fire, fun loving and easy going, non-judgmental and doesn't worry about other people's opinions, carefree and likes to enjoy the little things in life, sees the good in everyone, open minded, generous.
the history
father • unknown
mother • unknown
siblings • unknown
important people • Sybil + Adelaide (20), Phyrne (25), Bailey (33), Edna (46) hometown • London, England
overall history •
In the words of Jacqueline Wilson, Phoenix was born a dustbin baby. Parents unknown but likely either a scared teenager or homeless addicts of some description, Phoenix was left to the elements in a dustbin down the back alley of a street full of bars. It was pure chance that someone heard her wailing, cold and hunger giving energy to her little lungs as she cried for help. She was rushed to hospital; malnourished and underweight it was touch and go to begin with as to whether she would make it, but she was strong a fighter, and she pulled through. They put feelers out for her mother, someone had to be wandering the streets having just given birth, but nobody stepped forward.
In her younger years, Phoenix spent her time passed from pillar to post. Foster homes would temporarily take her in, but they never lasted long - either the family no longer had the means to support an additional mouth to feed, or they ended up moving and as she wasn't adopted, she had to return to the children's home, or it didn't work out. She was a good kid, generally put her head down and got on with things, happy to sit there and read or colour and rarely made trouble. Though she could be spirited and willful at times, people often described her as 'away with the fairies'. She got on well with one particular family, the mother being a rider who stirred Phe's interest in showjumping. She found she had a talent for it, intuitive with the horses, patient and light hearted, she worked hard and was brave enough to keep trying even after her falls.
Unfortunately for her, the family once again did not work out. They had believed the mother infertile and had been looking to adopt, but only a year after Phe had moved in, and began to settle, thinking she might finally have found her home at 12, they fell miraculously pregnant, and back Phoenix went. In the end, her life took a surprising turn with Edna. It was a whirlwind of an experience, and before Phe could even comprehend, she was suddenly inducted into a larger family of eccentric women. She didn't wish to believe at first that she finally had her family, and she kept largely to herself, out of everyone's way. As the years ticked by and she wasn't giving away again, she finally began to open up and find her feet in life. She opted to go to university to study English and Psychology, but ended up not using either as her passion for horses took her to affiliated showjumping, and then onto the higher leveled showjumping circuit. In her spare time, she picked up odd jobs and exercising other peoples horses to supplement her income, along with getting into stunt/trick riding for seasonal fun.
the role player
alias • the boss woman
age • -1 years old
other characters • oh none, at all.. totally zero...
