Raven's Brook | equestrian jump-in rp

INTRO

Horse riding isn't as simple as it's made out to be. It's not 'sit on a horse and tell it what to do'. The entire equestrian sport is all about partnership, trust, and commitment. Do you really have what it takes to be the best?

Raven's Brook is one of the highest performing equestrian centers in the country. They are home to big names all across the globe, horses and humans alike. They teach every kind of discipline and perform all kinds of sports, Western and English. While they're widely known and fairly large, there certainly are bigger barns; instead, Raven's Brook carefully curates their halls to include only the best of the best and the most promising of the bunch. The Raven's Brook riders are a fairly tight-knit community, however they have a very healthy amount of competitiveness in their blood and arguments aren't rarely seen.

(The rules are simple: be nice and include everyone, change something if I ask you to change it, write a good paragraph per character, and don't have perfect characters. Horses and humans have their own separate lives on their own takes on competition, daily life, etc. Horses can talk to each other and other animals but they cannot communicate with humans. For the most part, disciplines are based in real life, but you can have odd breeds in odd sports and whatever.)

SETTING

The horses are separated into the mares and stallions/geldings; stalls are roomy and cleaned daily. The back of each barn leads out to separate pastures, divided by a gravel road but close enough so the horses can see each other. The humans have equally fancy housing; while some live a small distance from the ranch and commute to it whenever they work, many RB equestrians rent rooms out of the large ranch house on the property, hidden behind the pastures. Just before the stables is the main eventing building, a huge labyrinth of hallways leading to different rooms and arenas. The front features the help desk, and immediately to the left and right are the main eventing arenas where shows are often held. The next hallways have smaller arenas for private events and personal training. Further back in the building are a couple other smaller arenas, and the general horse caring facilities complete with wash bays, solariums, tack rooms, and an open back leading to various paddocks and round pens for when the weather is nice enough. Behind the horse pastures lay a cross country course and private trails that RB members are free to use.

CHARACTERS

Pretty much every sport is allowed: cross country, western pleasure, show jumping, dressage, barrel racing, professional racing, polo, reining, show hunting, trick riding, etc. You can make your own form and jump in (you don't need to wait to be accepted) but at least be sure to include a picture, name, age, discipline, personality, owned horses (if human) and breed, owner, and show name (if horse). Other animals are allowed, barn cats and dogs and maybe an odd goat if you really feel like it. Include in these forms their species/breed and why they're allowed at the farm.

Horses/humans do not have to be even (especially if you have a human that owns multiple horses) and you don't have to make one of each, but I'd prefer if we still had a good number of humans. Feel free to discuss ownership with other players if you have an npc-owned horse or a rider without horses.

Needs owners: Bubba

To call the stables disorganized would be an understatement. Ever since the center changed ownerships a week ago, the stable staff seemed all over the place. Events were being scheduled but not publisized, emails weren’t reaching the higher ups, the rent for the ranch house seemed to be climbing higher and higher, and that was just the beginning of their problems.

Such was to be expected. The old owners had just passed the facilities down to their youngest child, and although they grew up on the farm, they understandably hadn’t gotten the hang of everything yet. It didn’t help that a dozen mustangs were just transferred to the stables. They weren’t pure wild ones; most had a fair amount of training and could stand the stalls, but a few had to be kept in the pastures for a while and one had already escaped. Luckily it was retrieved quickly, but it sure was a sign of the times. Many RB members were doubting the new owner and worrying for their horses and careers.

Lukas, for one, wasn’t too bothered. He went about his business like he did everyday, training and exercising and training. Granted, he was still adjusting to the new farms — and new country, for that matter — to start competing just yet. That and he was focused entirely on his own mustang. He had no idea what posessed him to take up one of the more wild mustangs. Something about the one he chose just intrigued him. He handled a frisky Daisy in her younger days; who says he couldn’t handle a wild horse?

He had started the day early. By sunrise, he had exercised, showered, dressed, and made his way to the pastures at the back of the property. Daisy would be tended to later. For now, Lukas was focused on working with the mustang. His usual formal attire was swapped out for jeans and a tshirt, though a helmet, halter, and bag of treats hung from his hands as he strode down the path. He searched the wide fields through the heavy morning mist, hoping for a sign of his horse so he wouldn’t have to trek out to the very corners of the property. Nope. No sign of his partner. With a sigh, the boy laid his stuff on the gravel and stepped over to the fence. This was a huge shoot in the dark. He only took up the mustang just a week ago; although he’d been doing everything he could to familiarize the horse with him, there was no guarantee they’d answer his call. It was worth a try, at least. Lukas cupped his hands around his mouth, calling the horse’s name into the mist and waiting in anticipation for a response.

(anyone can adopt his mustang! idc if they’re male or female. Lukas would probably end up riding them bareback/brideless)

(The stable owner is also adoptable! Send me a message if you want the position so we can plot together)

There was a brief moment of dead disappointment when where was no response. Still, Lukas kept his eyes hopefully on the mist, sticking his hands under his arms to keep them warm. Mustang or not, he wasn't going to give up on this horse. He knew the stallion had potential, though plenty of those around him wanted the stallion gone and switched out for a 'better' one. The surprise in his mother's voice when he called her telling her the news was more than enough to motivate him to prove her wrong.

The boy was so focused on the horizon that he didn't register Dinah's presence until she spoke up. He jumped a bit, and chuckled in embarrassment. "I did not hear you there," he mumbled, smiling at her. He felt he was good friends with the girl; they bonded over their shared outsider-ness, and it helped that they were the same age. She was a funny gal -- too many at his old barn were stuck-up old bastards.

"Hardly any," Lukas responded, frowning resting his arm on the fence. "I know it will take a time. It is good to see you out here, too. How is-" A whinny interrupted his question, and he looked back to the field hopefully, distracted from the conversation. When he saw a pale palomino coat emerge from the mist and look their way, Lukas just about jumped for joy. "I can't believe...!" he breathed, and broke into a wide smile. He held the bag of treats into the air and called the stallion again. "Come on over!" He hardly expected the horse to come galloping over, but if it took an hour for him to wander on over he was willing to wait for that. The mustang should be familiar with the rustle of the plastic bag, anyway; the whole last week was spent offering the horse treats to try to get him to come closer and be more comfortable doing so.

Someone came over to the fence. Another creamy coat emerged from the mist at a full sprint, speeding past Tesoro and right up to Lukas with a clumsy stop. The boy laughed after recovering from his initial surprise, and offered the horse a carrot which disappeared in a second. "Hey Bubba," Lukas cooed, poking the Fjord's nose gently.

Bubba was acting as... what did they call it? The therapy horse. He had no real reason to be out in the field, aside from just enjoying the cool air, but he supposed some of the humans figured he would help calm the mustangs. And he had done a good job getting started with that; he'd made friends with a few already, and was more than happy to give them company or chat with them about the barn. They had odd ways of talking and acting sometimes, being previously wild horses, but that didn't bother the social butterfly.

It didn't matter to Bubba who was visiting. As soon as he heard Lukas' call, he perked right up. People meant treats, even if they weren't his owner. "Hello!" He whinnied to the humans as he ran past Tesoro, stopping awkwardly just before the fence where the people stood. He gobbled up the treat he was given with relish, then sniffed at Lukas for more. When he got none, he turned his attention to Dinah and stretched his head out towards her, his top lip lifted and ears pricked forward hopefully.

"He really is a beauty," the boy whispered absentmindedly. Lukas hardly acknowledged Bubba's head shoving past his own to lap up the treat he was offered, his eyes soft and happy. He was too focused on Tesoro's behavior, just inching forward as if embarrassed to be seen even looking in the humans' direction. He wasn't the toughest guy on the block for sure -- Daisy had certainly given Lukas a run for his money and so he wasn't exactly inexperienced with opinionated horses. It would likely just take a little longer. Even now, he recognized that tiny hint of interest that Daisy had begrudgingly showed him as a filly.

Lukas only noticed his friend leaving as she pressed a treat into his hand and said her goodbyes. He jerked his eyes away from the stallion, half-realizing Bubba and Dinah were still there and quickly adjusting to face Dinah's direction to wave to her. "See you soon, give your ponies some love from me!"

He put the treat in the plastic bag, turning back to Tesoro and noticing with a bit of surprise that he was getting closer. Hesitant, gradual progress was still progress. Bubba, however, was being very unhelpful sniffing all over his clothes in search of another treat. "Don't be a hog," he said, waving his hand to shoo the Fjord away and hiding the treats behind his back. Luckily the gelding seemed to get the message or notice Tesoro's warning himself, and he kicked his heels up and bolted back towards the center of the field, following a whinny in the distance. "Good," Lukas murmured to himself, and looked back at his mustang. He held the treats out again, shaking the bag and raising his voice to reach the horse. "These are all for you if you are nice!" He stood otherwise completely still, positioning himself to lean casually against the fence as if he were simply watching the clouds pass by. "I really do have all day."

Bubba could have stayed with the humans forever, getting love and treats and scratches, but something even more exciting called in the distance. He turned from Lukas abruptly, tossing his head in Tesoro's direction in farewell as he passed him, unfazed by the stallion's less than friendly attitude. As soon as the two were behind him, Bubba completely forgot about the exchange. Now, his other friends were on his mind. He followed the call he had heard just a minute before, crying out in joy as Chem, Brendon, and a couple other stallions came into view. He galloped in a wide circle around them, finally stopping in a skidding halt near Brendon and snorting from excitement and exertion. He was overjoyed at simply the idea of having another stallion to match his energy this early in the morning. Everyone else he approached that morning wasn't in the mood. Ahem, Tesoro. "Good morning!" the gelding said, tossing his head and picking up his front feet playfully. The younger one was an odd sight next to the long, lean sport horse, almost a mushroom-esque little gelding in comparison. His thick, muddy coat was also a sharp contrast next to the sleek grey.

There was hardly ever a day when Anwen could be sighted without her best friend Jacob. Today was not one of those days. The two blonde teens strode through the main building all smiles and laughter, already in riding breeches and cute floral shirts. The girl greeted everyone she passed with a friendly wave and bright smile, but kept talking to the one beside her nonstop. All nonsense about school and prom and who's going where afterwards. When they reached the grooming stalls, the conversation gradually petered out to farewells and the two went in opposite directions.

Anwen wasn't the most popular at the stables. She'd made a bit of a reputation for herself and not in a good way. As the granddaughter of the original owners and niece of the current one, she had somewhat of an entitled aura. Her wide smiles and gentle looks were often looked at with disdain, deemed 'fake' by many. Those people were subsequently labeled 'jealous' by Anwen herself. She couldn't care much about her reputation, though. She had all she wanted; several horses, a huge comfy room in her family's personal farmhouse, and the best friend a gal could have.

Speaking of horses, her favorite should be just about ready for the day. She found her groom exactly where she thought she would, just as the young man was finishing up grooming her mare. At seeing her owner, the little Arab nickered in greeting and tossed her head in the cross ties. She was very handsomely groomed, not a hair out of place, already warmed up and being fitted with her tack for the morning. Today, that meant a matching set of leg wraps, bonnet, and saddle pad all in a nice pastel orange with an English bridle and saddle atop it. She thanked the groom, took the reigns, and strode out into the warming sunlight of the morning towards the back of the property.

It didn't start out as a lovely ride. Anwen (as always) expected it to be effortless and fun, but the little mare seemed completely out of the loop today. She was distracted, looking towards the mare field when Anwen was trying to turn round to trot around the far edge of the stallion field. Her rhythm was nonexistent, and she kept snorting uncharacteristically. Anwen yanked at the reins, frustrated. "Come on, girl, what's your problem today?"

Sawyer was normally well-behaved and very willing. But today she just had a stick up her butt. She was not feeling it. She loved her rider, don't get her wrong, and she'd do anything for her, but yesterday was full of dressage eventing and bathing and et cetera et cetera. Today she wanted to take it easy and see her friends, and she'd be damned if she didn't get her way.

Luckily Anwen tuned in to her thoughts pretty quickly. One would hope so, Sawyer having been her very first horse given to her at age 4. She relaxed her hands, sighing. "Yeah, I'm tired from yesterday. I suppose we could do with a day off." The mare could feel her rider relax, and eased into a comfortable walk. That was more like it. She still looked towards the mare field, and Anwen adjusted to walk her down the middle of the two fields. The human greeted others as the pair walked past others retrieving their horses and getting started for the day, but neither was interested in stopping to talk to any of them. Sawyer herself was just about feeling better until she spotted a large form down the path, and messed with the bit in annoyance. Anwen, curious, continued forward until they reached the figure; it was Johnnie, atop his giant Pharaoh. The Arabian pushed to continue on and pretended not to see Pharaoh, but Anwen kept her still despite her silent protesting. She sat a little taller in the saddle and stopped her horse, ignoring the mare slightly fidgeting beneath her. "Good morning!" Her smile was sickly sweet. "How's it going for you two today?" This was the first time she'd come face to face with the young man without being in a rush. She knew nothing about him, in all honesty, though she spoke like they were good friends. She simply recognized that he was one of the new members, and wanted to make him feel welcome, being the niece of the owner after all. It was tedious work, but it kept her in everyone's good graces it seemed.

Sawyer didn't feel the same way. She was much more outward in her dislike of the two, or the stallion at least. He was aimless and oafish. Not a spark in him, it seemed. In another life she may have thought the big stallion was handsome, but his disposition annoyed her too much. The passionate gentle giants were her favorite, but she even favored the hot heads more than this big guy. Though dwarfed by the warmblood, Sawyer fixed him with a bored stare and switched her tail. "Good day," she said sourly. "I didn't see you in the jumping or dressage competitions yesterday." She judged him with a half lidded eye, stating her comment like it hardly surprised her.