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!.
Kegan looked at her watch as she sat at her desk. The weather was sunny but quickly turned cloudy. Her father, the ever-super fan of the weather, had told her that a thunderstorm was rolling. For once, maybe the news was right. Or was it her knees? She didn't quite know anymore. Kegan was used to understanding Texas weather. England was still on a learning curve, but at least the animal care was the same as always.
Deciding she was over with the paperwork, for today at least - Kegan grabbed her raincoat. She didn't think she would need it right away, but it was better to have it.
As she stepped outside, the clouds seemed to sense her presence. Her action offended them, making the clouds turn a darker color. Any ounce of light was pretty much gone, and a whistle of a strong wind could be heard through the trees.
Well, shit, Kegan thought. So much for getting her horse groomed. If anything, tomorrow would be a solid grooming day for almost everyone.
Kegan scurried as fast as she could to the offices. She cursed herself for making such a reasonable-sized parking area. As she was about to open the door, Kegan heard the sounds of wet tires. Thankfully, the vehicle didn't have those awful blue LED headlights. But her curiosity kept her at the door - under the protection of the awning. Rain hit the metal roof as Kegan waited to see who this mysterious person was that pulled up. They had a good enough reason to be let past the gate.
To be added to the staff housing list, please DM Aofie on Discord or PM! Character name: Job: i.e. herder, ranch hand Location: i.e dorm, cabin, onsite
Staff Dorms: There are two buildings, one for men and one for women, if they choose to live on site. Each building has ten rooms for singles, but each room is big enough to accommodate doubles or couples. A communal bathroom has five showers and five stalls. There's also a lounge area and a kitchen. Women: 1. Kalani Mele Rocha 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Men: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
CABINS Cabins are reserved for the herders (if they choose to live on-site). Each cabin has a bathroom, kitchen, and bed. There is enough size to cater to a herder, a partner, and an assigned herding dog. There are three locations of cabins. Two near the cow barn, two near the horse barn, and two deeper into a pasture behind the cow barn.
Onsite Staff: A three-bedroom, one-bath, kitchen for the on-site Vet, Farrier, and Cattle Manager (if they choose to do so). Vet: Open Farrier: TENAYA SYDNEY HOLLAND Cattle Manager: Open
Communal areas: Where the Diesel family and the staff of the ranch can have some down time. There is a pool with a spa and a firepit, for those who don't want to take a trek to the pond. A secondary fire pit seating area by the pond is also available.
A large sunroom kitchen and dining area attached to Kegan's home is open for family-style meals. It is where breakfast is provided (i.e. premade breakfast burritos, or a buffet). It is also where Kegan treats her staff to a family-style dinner on Fridays and Sundays.
An entertainment room is also tucked away for the staff to enjoy. Both communal spaces can be accessed without having to pass through Kegan's personal space - allowing staff to go to and from as they please. The pond has a dock to jump off of, or to fish. There are also boats for those who want them. Entertaining at the pond is accessible via the boat house.
Upper Horse Barn + Arenas: Where personal horses and rescues are housed. This barn was renovated slightly to update it, and to add a bit more space. It's where Kegan can offer lessons if asked, and for those who want to practice their skills.
Lower horse barn: A brand spanking new barn Kegan built for the ease of her herders. It replaced the function of the older second barn, which is currently being renovated. An overflow of rescues can be found here until the third is finished.
Rescue horses: Coming soon! This barn is currently being renovated. It will soon house more rescues or those that require to be quarantined before moving to the closer barns.
DISCLAIMER: This map in no way shape, or form, shows the realistic distances between all the buildings. It is an image showing those who work or visit how the main buildings are laid out. I did my best to clarify things as much as possible, but if you have questions - please reach out. More maps may be added at a later date.(:
Green dots = hedges Unmarked purple squares = staff cabins for herders and onsite Farrier and Vet Orange circles = firepits Blue and grey rectangle = pool (for those that don't do natural water swimming) ↑ = pastures this way → = pastures + two more cabins + a second pond ↓ = pastures + third barn (coming soon)
full name • Kegan Lainey Diesel nicknames • Lainey, Ms. Diesel,Miss age • 35 birthday • November 6, 1988 occupation • owner of Diesel ranch, Western rider gender • female sexuality • bisexual
the appearance
face claim• Emma Stone
identifying features• Kegan stands at a very average 5'-6" with a frail looking build. She's pretty pasty, making people wonder if she's ever outside or knows what hard labor is. Even though she gives the appearance of someone who has never had to do their laundry, Kegan's porcelain skin is riddled with scars of hard work. A more modest dresser, Kegan tends to hide herself. Not that she's self-conscious, but showing skin wasn't anything she ever enjoyed. Mainly due to work. If anything, her appearance makes her a surprise to those who first meet her. And a form of entertainment to those that do know her.
the personality
likes • good leather goods, cheese of all kinds, western riding (especially barrel), baby cows (especially highlanders) dislikes • well-done steaks, people who think she's a pushover/don't take her seriously, beans in chili strengths • Barrel riding, business management, knowing her herd like the back of her hand, saying no, fluent in Spanish weaknesses • compromising (can be a bit stubborn), second-guessing her abilities dreams • follow the advice she gives to others, expand her connections, prove herself fears • Timothy cutting her out, parents leaving the earth too early overall personality • Kegan is strong-willed, stubborn, and someone who reads differently from those who first meet her. She can sometimes come off a bit abrasive if things don’t meet her standards. It mainly comes from her eye to see things others have missed, whether it is numbers in a spreadsheet – or if a cow or bull has a personality change. While she can be quick to turn something down, it doesn’t mean she won’t listen to concerns. Kegan is fair, of course – hiding her thoughts from the public. As she doesn’t believe in public humiliation. But don’t see her as a pushover. Kegan has the horns of a longhorn and will happily push back if needed.
the history
father • Mark, 75 - retired (but still gives input if asked) mother • Tanya, 73 - retired siblings • Timothy, 43 - brother Jackson, 38 - brother (no contact) important people • Diana - 42, wife of Timothy Lillian & Tiffany - 16, nieces, daughters of Timothy her employees hometown • Houston, Texas overall history • Kegan was born as the youngest and only daughter of the Diesel Ranch empire. Born in Houston, Texas – ranching and oil was all Kegan knew. She never grew up with any kind of struggle, but that didn’t mean she grew up without a sense of reality. Sure, there was the money – but being raised in a traditional southern home, Kegan always knew the difference between Miss and Ma’am.
Like her brothers, she was taught the ways of ranching – which included the fine art of Western riding. Kegan picked up the skill quite well, especially barrel racing. The quickness and balance needed for it gave her an adrenaline rush.
She excelled in school, attending Texas A&M in Agriculture and Business. After university, Kegan threw herself into the family business – even though she knew she would never really take over either. Like all family-run businesses, Kegan locked horns with her brothers and father. But it proved her knowledge and prowess, something investors and shareholders couldn’t ignore. After a few years of proving herself, her father gave Kegan a third of the family business originally split between her two older brothers.
Unfortunately, things became heated when the middle brother made some questionable decisions – resulting in a loss. He was strongly urged to give up his share, causing a scandal and division in the family. Kegan did her best to remain neutral in the situation, but the rift made her mother fall ill.
It took a few more years for the family to heal, with the middle brother remaining at low or no contact. Realizing the business was becoming too stressful for him to handle, Kegan’s father stepped down. He and his wife decided to retire to their English vacation home.
Kegan saw this decision to expand her horizons, realizing that most of her adult life was dedicated to the family name and brand. So, she sold her share of the business to her older brother. With that money, she moved across the pond with her parents. They were surprised but knew they could do nothing about their daughter’s decision and dreams.
After revamping the vacation home and building herself a home of her own – Kegan bought a ranch that was being sold in the spring of 2023. Which coincidentally had the same last name as her. After a lot of blood, sweat, and tears – Kegan transformed Diesel Ranch 1.0 into Diesel Ranch 2.0. It officially reopened in late fall of 2023. While the ranch was nothing like the ranch she had in Texas, Kegan found herself happier and more relaxed. She made a name for herself without being in the shadows of her brothers.
She has since made herself known as a fair, but strict employer to the former employees of the old ranch owner. Demanding excellence, but does not push anyone past their limits – something she doesn’t quite hold towards herself. She is constantly improving the ranch, either for the animals or for the staff that live there.
the role player
alias • aofie age • who knows other characters • how many licks to get to the center of a tootsie pop
