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!.
Jessie ate fast without meaning to. She was hungry, she loved her food, and she'd grown up in a house full of boys. If you didn't eat quick enough, someone was going to try and steal something of your plate - probably your favourite thing you were saving to eat last, like a roast potato. Jessie had had to fight off offending forks before, and old habits died hard. She shovelled it in a little less than gracefully, but she felt comfortable in the company of a fellow farm friend, and not like she was about to be judged for dreadful table manners.
“I’m happy we made this work,” She took a swig of her drink, giving her time to answer by nodding until she was sure she wouldn't show Daisy anything offensive. "So am I, I'm really glad you came here too." She added, because hell if it wasn't nice to have a friend in town from her old life. "At least now, neither of us really have an excuse to be a hermit." They could drag each other out if one needed a break or some social time, or visa versa.
“She likes the idea, but if I take too long – she’ll throw a fit. I guess I keep her too long from her hay, or that sweet, sweet dust pile.” Jessie chuckled at that, relenting to her gelding's request and offering the horse a couple of nuggets she dug out from the far corners of her pocket. He had a good nose for those kinds of things, she had to give it to him. "Okay that I can sort of be on her side for... can't keep away from the food too long or she might waste away." Jessie joked, though the horse looked in great shape. She was, herself, a foodie, and had no idea how she hadn't packed on pounds over the years - lucky, part of it and the fact she'd always been so active.
“So, how long have you been riding at Blue Acres?” Jessie paused, her head tilting as she counted backward. "Uhh, a couple of years now, I think? I was at Seven Oaks a long time ago, but I moved here." She smiled kindly, there was no bad blood, it had just worked for her better at BA than the previous yard. "What about you?" She asked, "Are you local too?" Because she knew how much even five minutes could make to a journey when you were doing it a couple of times a day.
It was always a bit of pot luck, with Wildfire. The fiery chestnut had the tendency to go into the show ring like an un-exploded bomb, and then erupt at the wrong moment. He had a mind of his own, and a strong one at that, and whilst she was a sympathetic and quiet rider, there were days when the gelding just couldn't contain himself, and decided to imitate other animals - bull in a china shop, or a graceless stag. Warming up was an interesting affair, but that wasn't unusual. She tended to spend a lot of the time apologising to other riders as she shot past them, her horses head in the sky as he snorted spit with a wild eye, or careered around bucking his little heart out. She'd never intended on getting quite such a spirited animal, but the heart wants what the heart wants, and he'd called out to her when she'd seen him.
Going into the ring, she felt his pulse quicken, and Jessie gave the gelding a reassuring pat, gathering her reins gently - though he still shot forward in anticipation all the same. Used to him, Jessie went with him, rising out of the saddle to light seat as they completed a large circle and waited for the bell. There it was. Wildfire heard it and surged forward in excitement, letting out a squeal and a buck before she turned him to the first. As he landed clear over the first couple, Jessie felt herself relax a little, her focus still sharp - it was going to be a good round. He was keen in her hands and sensitive under saddle but he was holding it together, listening to her - then he landed over the next and let out another large buck. Reminding him of his job, the horse powered for the next jump, and the next, and when they crossed the line, Jessie looked up to the board to see they'd gone clear. She beamed with pride and gave the gelding a happy pat, laughing as he tossed his head and tried to fuck off again, but she pulled him back to a trot and let him exit the ring to go and cool off.
“Well, I think all equestrians could say that.” Jessie laughed her agreement, "Very true," She agreed, knowing that a lot of horses did seem to prance and preen a little more when people were watching. She knew there were just as many that were hard to get the horses ears to point forward for one picture, but then again it still means they knew when there was a lens being pointed at them. She didn't mind Wildfire showing off, it made him look extra fancy in the ring, even if it did pull his focus and attention occasionally.
“Ah, this is Pippi. She’s only behaved now. I can’t guarantee this good behavior will be leaving with her after her bath.” Jessie smiled again as she finished brushing down her chestnut beast, his coat beginning to gleam with her ministrations and she was pleased the hard work paid off. "So, she's not one to enjoy having her hair washed?" She joked, "I thought women loved that kind of pampering?" Though she was terrible at remembering to get her own hair cut, only booking a last minute appointment when her hair was full of split ends and at an annoyingly long stage.
“Another mud lover?” Jessie gave the other woman a smile and a light hearted roll of her eyes. "You called it, right up until you're asking him to get his toes dirty going through a puddle," She chuckled. She loved the gelding but he didn't half follow that frustrating cliché of ginger's being hot tempered and stubborn. The horse would happily splash about in the mud of his own accord but a saddle and person on his back and suddenly he was all about not dipping his toes in the water. He wasn't all too thrilled about the bathing either, but the weather had warmed somewhat and it was appropriate enough to shower off the mud and filth the animal had accumulated in his gleeful run about.
“You’ve got quite the good-looking horse over there. What is their name?” Jessie glanced up from where she was scrubbing a particularly stubborn mud stain, to the other woman. "Thank you, he certainly knows it too...and plays it to his advantage! This is Wildfire." She announced, with a well timed snort and a toss of his head from the aforementioned gelding, sending a spray of dirty water across his owner's face. Shaking her head at the tantrum like antics, Jessie wiped her face roughly with the sleeve of her top. "And who is this much better behaved lovely?" she enquired, indicating to the horse the other lady was grooming - who had a much less annoyed expression than her own beast.
"I suppose that is a nice way of looking at it," Jessie gave another easy grin and a nod, "Got to enjoy the little things - keep things positive for the day." She had always been a look on the bright side, silver lining kind of gal and tried to appreciate the small things, to enjoy one thing about a day even if it's bad. She didn't like the idea of wasting her life or focusing on the negative - there was too little time for it. She saw him nod at her next words, knowing she was right in that respect at least. "Very much so. I don't ride, but I've seen some pretty wrecked leathers whilst working." Jessie pulled a face slightly, "I guess it's hard to remember sometimes how much we have to look after them, for them to look after us." She gave a guilty chuckle at that, knowing the state of her own tack sometimes when she was feeling lazy.
"I can't imagine having to do that," Jessie's grin widened, "I've made it a strict policy to only do what I'm asked to, and if I find other issues, to bring it to my clients. I'm aware that some things are cosmetic, and I always like to provide a through check off the bat." She thought maybe he didn't quite realise she was joking but figured it best not to draw attention, instead she smiled again brightly and nodded. "That's good, I've known people before to care a lot less and go ahead with work anyway then hand off the bill and shrug at it being an issue." Luckily it hadn't happened too much to her; occasionally on the farm it had with her parents, but they had their usual contacts for help and such and tended to stick with the same people who were reliable and trustworthy. "Thank you though, this is great" She added as she watched him get all the tags and such sorted and in order.
"trust me, I had to ask Mrs. Parker what the client meant for it, too. Disadvantages of not having a smartphone, It’s this new thing, I guess. Kind of like a buffet of sorts? Just a massive variety of cookies and whatnot, keeping the cake a small thing for the couple.” Jessie raised her eyebrows but then considered it and shrugged, "I guess that is the power of the internet, people able to swap ideas that much easier - you see one thing and it sparks another idea, even if it's a bit off the wall. I kinda like that idea now I get it more though." She admitted, having a sweet enough tooth she could imagine it being quite nice. Though she was more a meat eater and a buffet sounded like a better idea. She wasn't big on social media but she'd heard enough from other people about things like Instagram and Pintrest for ideas.
She sipped her drink as Daisy nodded. “Oh, absolutely. I love seeing all the horses out, prancing about. It’s always a nice thing to see when I’m walking home from work. Maybe I could stop by and see you ride?” It was Jessie's turn to nod and give a smile, "They are really relaxing to watch; sometimes I get distracted by them grazing when I have time to kill. But sure, of course you can." She had no problem with bringing friends up to the yard. The stables were kind about visitors too, as long as they followed the rules of the place. She couldn't see Daisy being any trouble though. She rolled her eyes as Daisy's grin widened, never having been great at hiding her feelings and always quick to blush, she wasn't great at attention and usually hid from the spotlight.
"Yeah I know," She admitted, cooling her cheeks with another drink, not needing her friend to say anything about how bad she clearly had it. “I’m very happy for you Jess! That’s amazing.” She chuckled, raising her eyebrows slightly, "is it so hard to believe I could find myself a good man?" She joked, knowing that wasn't what her friend meant at all. She just had that fairy tale thing in her head and couldn't help herself, but being a hands on, farmer type of gal with a bubbly personality didn't attract all that many guys surprisingly enough. “Yeah, I don’t have anything to lose, really! I’ve thought about picking up riding again. I mean, I think I would meet plenty of people that way, Mrs. McConnell still has Betsy that’s rideable. The mare probably wouldn’t do anything fancy, except a trail ride here and there.” Daisy suddenly had a thought but wondered if it was the right thing. But taking Jess’ advice, why not? “Do you think I could maybe meet any of your riding or school friends?” She smiled again easily enough. "You would, there are a lot of horsey people in town, and it's quite easy to slide into lessons and make connections. Sure, when you come up to see the horses some time I'll introduce you. Besides, there's nothing wrong with going for a plod, it's a nice way to take a breath and de-stress."
"This is not funny, Fire." She warned, giving the chestnut a firm look as the horse snorted and tossed his head, then danced away from her again. Jessie stopped moving and put her hands on her hips, brow furrowing as she waited for Wildfire to quit prancing about. He took another five minutes to quit it, and then came to a standstill, watching Jessie with an overly-intelligent eye. People who thought horses were stupid, were dumb themselves. Horses were anything but stupid. And boy did they know it, as Wildfire had a wonderful time forcing Jessie to get her steps in - practically lunging his owner in an effort to stay out for another five minutes. She got it, she loved the idea of five extra minutes in bed, but she still had to accept getting up; just like Fire would have to accept coming in.
With a few more laps and several carrot bribes, he was finally caught. Jessie shook her head at the animal but it was good natured humour as she lead the horse back to the barn in half hearted triumph. She tied the chestnut to the post in the grooming area, much to his dismay, but he needed washing off after haring around the field. He had worked up quite the sweat, and Jessie wanted to hose him off - she guessed riding was out of the question until later. “Sorry, I’ll try to make sure her mud doesn’t splash too bad!” She glanced up as she heard the words, seeing someone join her at the other grooming area. Jessie chuckled and indicated to her horse, covered in white foam and steaming away. "As you can see, splash away, he's already gotten himself into a state."
"That’s lovely. I kind of wish I had the drive for school. I just don’t think I could do it.” She gave an easy smile and a slight shrug, "there are always days I wish I wasn't doing it - it's the same as anything really, that you have to work at. It has good and bad days, regardless of whether you wanted to do it in the first place or not." It was no different to having any ambition in life; even your passion you could hate some days. When you were tired or hungry or bored or overcooked, some days you just didn't want to. The horses even took their toll some days, it was how life was. But the point was still getting up in the mornings and still putting in the effort and the time to it.
“Bakery is very busy. A lot of weddings happening. Someone ordered a cookie table, so there’s been a lot of overtime. We’re hoping for a break between now and October. The farm will be getting busy too, with apple season. I guess I’m lucky that I can run on low hours.” Jessie smiled again and settled back in her chair, relaxing easily as she always did around people. She'd always been a very sociable person, which had made it tough moving away from home to begin with. "A cookie table? What the hell is that?" She laughed, imagining a table made of cookie and thinking that wasn't what Daisy meant. "I love this season though, just before the cold sets in and it's dark all the time." Jessie was always summer over winter but she traipsed through the mud and the cold and dark each year to make it out the other side.
She saw the look of guilt but didn't comment - Daisy hadn't been here at the time, nobody had, and Jessie was not one to be resentful or hold grudges or anything. She could have called and told people back home, but she had chosen not to, so that she didn't worry them -that was on her. She didn't expect them to know. “Well, that’s one way to meet. But I’m glad things worked out for you! Have you been together long?” Jessie shook her head, her face lighting up a little as it always did when talking about Nick. "Not long, no... a few months - we're just dating right now but.. I really like him, D." She blushed, she had always been a heart on sleeve kind of girl but she felt like Nick was finally one she didn't have to worry about stomping all over it.
Jess took a sip of her own drink, watching her friend for her response. “That’s reassuring. Yeah, I can tell a lot of people grew up with each other. I mean, I meet a lot of people at the bakery – but when the time comes to hang out outside of work, it feels weird. Like I don’t know how to ask. There are a few soup kitchens. Maybe those, since I don’t think lessons or sports are my vibes?” She wrinkled her nose in the way she always did when she thought; being an extrovert she knew these things were easier for her than other people who weren't as outgoing. "I guess you just... make the move and ask? They can only say no and then you don't have to ask again. Or they say yes and you've made that step! I'm sure they would though, if you all get along in the shop why not have a drink after work sometime?"
"Just means more leftovers later if you fill up too fast,” Jessie grinned in return and nodded, "I have to admit that the way I grew up kind of makes me feel bad about wasting food." farmers were not rich, despite the stereotype, and often ate from what they made on the farm. Her family were predominantly sheep and cows, over crops but they'd have a vegetable patch that Jess had helped to tend to. It was something she wanted to have when she had her own house, a garden and a vegetable patch. She liked having dirt beneath her fingernails, unlike most girls.
“I’m glad that work has been accommodating though! How many more years do you have left now?” she smiled and nodded, thanking the waitress as they dropped off the water and taking a sip. "They're really good, I've got a couple of years left but still loving it so far. How is the bakery going?" she asked, having meant to pop in before now and finding herself running out of time during their opening hours. “A guy? Oooo. How exciting! What’s his name? How’d you meet? Me? Oh...well..” she blushed again, pausing to place her order of the bacon and cheese steak burger with the waitress before answering. "He's called Nick, and he's a paramedic. It's a ...funny story actually. I was mugged when I first got here, I didn't really know anyone and he was the first person on scene. I threw up on this shoes." she pulled a face. "Must have been magic because he came back to see me in hospital and things just developed..."
“To be honest…not that great. I’m having a hard time meeting people. I don’t know if it’s my looks, my personality…I just…It sucks, Maybe I’m better cooped up at the farm.” Jessie's lips turned down at the corners to hear her friend wasn't having a good time. "Don't be silly, it's not you. It is a tough place to make friends, I'll admit. I was quite lonely when I first moved here. I didn't know anyone and it's not been easy." she chewed her lip. "The best way to do it is to throw yourself out there. Join some clubs or lessons, I've met a few people now at the yard! A lot of people grew up here but they are nice, I promise."
“No, not yet! I just got water for the both of us,” Jessie nodded and gave her friend another smile in response, glad she wasn't so late that she had missed Daisy ordering the drinks. "Thank you," She added, she was good on tap water generally and didn't honestly drink much alcohol but her eyes glances over the mocktails and other fruity concoctions before settling on her usual - a coke. Some people thought her choice would be lame but whilst she was happy to go for a drink, she always felt that you didn't need to be drunk to have a nice time.
Her eyes flickered over to the food instead as she made her choice on drinks. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation and she laughed, "sorry, serves me right for skipping breakfast." She admitted, knowing her friend would understand. “How have you been Jess? You have your new semester starting soon?” Jessie nodded, blowing out a breath, "I've been good! Work is picking up but they've been absolute troopers with my uni days; they've changed this term so I had to shuffle shifts." She pulled a face, her lab job went hand in hand with her criminology course which was great for her. She liked her job, they were good and flexible people and good support with her school work. She knew they hoped she stayed on one she was done and she was thinking about it. "I...also met a guy, recently." She added with a faint blush as her mind went to Nic. "But enough about me, how are you?"
Jessie had been looking forward to lunch since Daisy had asked her. She had always been a sociable person, very outgoing and more of a extrovert than introvert. Since moving to Hickstead, she had struggled - people were tough to meet when you didn't know anyone. She tried to be her usual bubbly, friendly self and reach other but so far the only bite she'd had really was Nick - and now they were dating, so it kind of made the friend thing null and void. She'd met a few people at some functions, and managed to make a couple of connections but she was used to always being around people and she had to admit she felt lonely sometimes. With such a full household with all her brothers, she had always been having a laugh or joke with them, or if not them then her friends or their friends, shoving each other about and joking about - her family were tight knit, and then there had been the farm hands who were like family anyway.
She liked the town though, Hickstead suited what she wanted and she wanted to stay, but she missed people. So, she had naturally jumped at the chance with Daisy. They may have been some kind of rivals growing up, but it was all in jest really, and she had no reservations about having lunch with her. She'd pulled on an over-sized tank top and a pair of jeans, sticking with nice casual as she headed into the lounge. It was easy to spot her friend and she gave her a hearty wave before heading over and sliding into the seat opposite. "Hey, did you order drinks yet?" She asked, unsure if she was a little late or if Daisy had gotten there early.
"I can't sleep a lot of the time, so I'm awake at stupid hours," Jessie smiled back, "Oh, I can understand that. I got so used to getting up to help with the milking back home on my parent's farm that it's just a given that I wake up with the dawn - or before it," She gave another easy grin, "At least it means you make the most of the day," She said, always one to look at the brighter side of things. Besides that t was true, it did mean that she got the chance to make the most of her day as there were more hours in it than someone waking up at midday.
"For stirrups, it's always best to do pairs so you feel off center, and to bring in the saddle it belongs to as every saddle has differently sized bars - and so that they can be colour matched at the same time." A crease became visible between her eyebrows as she took in what he was saying to her. "Yes, I suppose it's the same for why you should swap your leathers and avoid getting on from the same one each time," It might be minor if you used a mounting block but it would mean an uneven stretch of one side more than the other so she regularly swapped her leathers over. Jessie took control of the papers as they were slid over, looking down at the questions.
"If you put your fill this out with your contact information, I'll get to tagging your items and getting this all sorted out for you, If I find anything that is of concern, I will contact you and talk about the issue and what can be done - I'm not in the habit of just shocking people with the bill. This lot will only cost you about eighty to ninety pounds unless I find anything that needs more attention." She nodded along to what he said as she grabbed a pen and began to scribble in her details. "That's great thank you, it's happened before when people have carried out work before checking and then you have to start googling how to sell your kidney," She joked.
"I lost track of time, I've been in the shop since five this morning, it's hard to keep track of things when there's not much going on," Her eyebrows rose in surprise. "5am? Why so early?" Probably a little personal of a question, but that was quite a time to be up, she figured most people for that time in the morning were bakers or post workers, or emergency services. She was used to early mornings having grown up working on her families farm, and 5am wasn't too abnormal, but generally they could get away with half past or even 6, depending on the day. It was strange being able to get up later if she liked and sleeping in, but she savoured those treats for special days and still tended to wake with the dawn.
"Can certainly see what I can do. Oh, I knew what was likely to play next and it's... well, not something I think would be decent to have playing in front of other people if I'm honest." She half smiled, "Oh well, now I'm intrigued." She laughed lightly, wondering what exactly had been about to start playing. She watched him take a poke at the items she'd brought, hoping he might be able to do something to help. "I'm going to take it that you ride, and these items are being put into use, yes? Saddle isn't an issue to fix - I can do it in my sleep, give it a full check over, replace anything thinning, or close to breaking, make it like new," Jessie nodded, "Yep, they'll be in quite heavy use, but I try to keep it in good condition." She did her best to look after her tack, to avoid having to buy new. "I can fix this, but I wouldn't use it for riding - it's easier and safer for me to make a replacement. As for for the reins, another easy enough fix."
It was a shame about the straps and she sighed. "It probably won't be worth the fixing then, I'm not likely to use it for anything else." Unless he could do something with the leather - like recycle. "Saddle will take me three days on average to go over it completely, maybe a little quicker if you want it sooner. Stirrup leather, that's thirty to forty minute job - always recommend to do both at the same time to match, otherwise you end up lop sided, but that's your call. Reins same sort of time as the stirrup leather - easy enough." She frowned slightly, "I hadn't thought about the stirrup leather in pairs thing..." She admitted, tilting her head. "I didn't bring the other with me... but then if I can't use it after, I should probably just take it back. That's no problem for the other bits though."
She grinned easily as he hurried to help. "No rush, it's okay!" She said quickly so he didn't panic, he seemed concerned at her juggling and she could understand - her juggling skills were not up to par, and she'd already proven by dropping half of the things outside. Jessie always said to people - never to throw things at her - because although she'd made some fantastic catches in her time they were always a fluke and she was prone to dropping. "Good morn-Morning. Yes." She nodded, "It's just about still morning, were you in your own world?" She asked brightly. She had a habit of drifting into her own mind unless she was focused on something in particular.
"Let me help you with all that." Her eyebrows went up slightly as she looked back down at everything in her hands as if she'd forgotten she was holding it all. "Oh yeah! Uh, yes thank you." She wouldn't have minded normally but with her broken arm, she was very awkward. She tried to gently put it on the counter but he managed to grab a fair bit himself. "How can I help you today?" She looked at her assortment of stuff and blushed faintly. "So these are kind of bits and bobs in need of fixing, if you're able to help with any of it at all? I was thinking if you could take a look and just see if it's possible to mend or if I need to chuck them." She watched him turn the music off and smiled easily, "Oh it's okay you could have left it playing."