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Only post if you're Thorn or Fanta! . But feel free to read along :D . Plot: C1 and C2 are both western riders who are in the same state and go to many of the same competitions, rodeos, and/or shows. They are enemies at first, since they are competing against each other for the top places. They keep bumping into one another at shows, clinics, etc., their relationship growing more and more competitive with each meeting.
At the climax of their chilly relationship, C1 and C2 either are accepted into the same week-long clinic or join the same national team (or something of that sort), and are forced to work together. (Or one gets into an accident or something. Some kind of climactic event that changes their feelings toward each other.) Will the two learn to get along, or will they only grow more hostile? |
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Walker Ray Hayes Nickname: Ray, Walker
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Gender: Male
Age: 19 (August 23rd)
Appearance: Tall (6ft 2") with modernly-cut dark brown hair and striking blue eyes. He prefers jeans, boots, and casual patterned button ups. He's never not wearing his grandfather's hat.
Personality: Walker is the definition of golden retriever with a lot of southern charm to boot. He's very funny and flirtstious, always putting others first and helping however he can. However, growing up as the middle child in a large family has caused him to be very competitive, and he has a perfectionist side to his sports.
Parents/Family: Both parents Chase and Diana Hayes, 3 brothers (Austin, Mason, and Carter), 2 younger sisters (Lainey and Peyton)
Significant Other: None
Crush: TBD
Ex's: A few casual relationships, none serious.
Backstory: Walker grew up on a large ranch in a small town on the southern side of Oklahoma. After chores and school, he would watch his older brothers and father rope steer until the sun went down. Once old enough, he was stuck on a little stubborn pony and taught to rope. From there, he discovered the local rodeo. Ever since his dream has been to follow the circuit and now with a job opportunity in California, he can be is closer to the big leagues
Interests: Hiking, photography, rodeo
Dislikes: People bad-mouthing his family
Pet Peeve(s): People who are late <><> Equine Registered Name: HR Blue Collar Cat
Barn Name/Nickname: Blu
Age: 6
Gender: Stallion
Breed: AQHA Appearance: Muscular with a an elegant head and a kind eye, he stands roughly 15.3hh. Blu is a deep bay color with a playful splash of chrome on his right hind and both front legs, and a large snip on his nose
Personality: Blu is a very energetic horse when getting ready to compete. Outside of the ring, Walker swears he is the laziest horse he's ever seen.
Parentage/Lineage:
Sire: Bet Hesa Cat
Dam: RH Blue Collar Drift
Offspring: None
Lent/Owned: Owned (Walker saved all of his money on his 15th birthday to buy the colt)
Other: N/A |
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CHARACTER SHEET ‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗ . CLOVER HAZEL STERLING ‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗‗ . Name meaning: Clover - "meadow flower" Hazel - "the hazel tree" Sterling - "little star", "of high quality" . Preffered name: Clo, Hazel If you're her friend, do not call her Clover. You might regret it. . Nicknames: Haze, Hazy, S, Clove, feel free to add any . Age: 18 1/2 . Birthdate: April 16th . Birthplace: Vancouver, Canada . Gender: Female . Appearance: Medium, wavy brown hair that reaches halway down her back, darkly tanned skin, and pretty yet fierce green eyes. Strong build and medium in height, standing at 5'5". She can be seen wearing jeans, dusty western boots, and a T-shirt on a regular day, the only difference when showing is a neat button-down and cleaner boots. She's never cared for makeup and her hair is either braided or in a small bun. . Personality: Clo is super dedicated to riding and won't let anything-- or anyone-- get in her way. She's tough around people and very confident. She doesn't like people telling her what to do. Something she needs to learn is that she can accept suggestions/tips/instructions from others. Good luck with that, though. When it comes to her horses, or any horses, she has a special connection. Without even needing to speak to them, (though she still will, but not too often) she can communicate and understand them well. Though, to people, she doesn't speak up and is relatively quiet, if horses come in she's completely different. Sticking up for their feelings and well-being, the only time you'll see her raise her voice is when she is worried for a horse. . Family: Dean Sterling | Father | Relationship ★★★☆☆ Her father somewhat supports her riding, as he lived on a ranch when he was young. He does his best to be kind to Clo while also supporting his wife's wishes. Which often contradict that. . Felicity Sterling | Mother | Relationship ★☆☆☆☆ Clo's mother was a loving and caring figure to her at one point, but she has no memory of that time. Ever since Clo got serious about riding, Felicity has been icy towards her daughter. She pursued her about college until Clo said she wasn't interested in it ten times. Claiming it, "...isn't a well-paying or long-lasting profession", Felicity has kept her distance from Clo and only speaks to her when she is in a bad mood, and it's never for a good reason. . Ash Sterling | Brother | 16 years old | Relationship ★★★★☆ Ash is a compassionate brother, and is the peacekeeper of the family. Despite being the youngest, he may be the most rational. Whenever he leaves to travel for a game on his sophomore soccer team, the house gets messy. Not literally, though. Felicity decides she needs to yell at Dean, and then rounds on Clo about something else, which sends the adults arguing and the 18 year old driving to the stable to escape the chaos. Exes: None, ever. She's never been interested in relationships like that and only has a few friends at all. . Backstory: Her family lived in Canada for the first year of her life before moving to Washington when she was three. Half a year later they moved to Arizona, then two years later, California. Finally settling down there, Clo took up riding at age 8 at a local ranch and fell in love. Well, not in that "riding-is-the-perfect-sport-for-me-because-I-can-connect-with-the-horses-so-well-and-have-natural-talent" sort of love. She loved it because it got her away from her messy life at home and had someone other than her brother and parents to talk to. Seeing how much she loved horses, her father bought her very first horse at age 14. Not at all happy with such a "waste of money", that was the moment Clo's mother really began to stray from her daughter's side. Ever since, Clo has taken a defiant leap into riding, as if contradicting her mother's comment. As a senior in high school, her mother hoped Clo would drop the equestrian thing and do something good with her life, such as going to college. But Clo had different plans. She'd recently bought GG Gypsy Girl, an American Paint, from a bad rancher and devoted her would-be college years to training the mare correctly and earning money from showing her other horse. Because of her mother's dislike of her career choice, Clo has been paying for all her horse's needs through a half-time job at the stable she boards at and placing at weekend shows and clinics. She basically lives at the barn. Clo started showing a little after she got Ever, her first horse, and at her first barrel race she won fourth place. That sparked her love for competing and has since risen to one of the highest circuits in California, and has been seen on state leaderboards multiple times. . Other: Her parents are very outdoorsy people, that's why they named Clo what they did. . .
. . EQUINE SHEETS . GG GYPSY GIRL "Gypsy" . Age: 5 years old . Gender: Mare . Breed: American Paint Horse . Trainer: Started by a sketchy horse trianer in Texas, now Clover is training her. . Training: Was broken and trained in groundwork somewhat roughly at her old home. But at least she got the fundamentals, and is looking like she'll be a great pleasure horse. . Appearance: Your average American Paint build, with an athletic yet elegant body. Palomino with large white splashes, and a palomino head with a white star. Her flowing mane and tail are flaxen white, and she has noble brown eyes. . Height: 15.2 hh . Personality: Gypsy is slow and collected, but nervous. She needs a confident and gentle rider who can keep her calm and relaxed. She can run, but prefers not to. Her favorite gait is a slow lope. She is curious and kind, but anxious and fresh when she has her days. Her favorite event is trail. . Likes: Indoor stalls, Ever (see below), and swimming. . Dislikes: Trailering/being hauled, harsh voices, and ponies. . Fears: Whips, loud noises, small animals. . Backstory: Gypsy was bought at age 4 when Clo was 18, from a rough trainer. At her old home, she had bad experiences with whips, dogs, and riding in general. Clo bought her as a project horse, and has grown to love her clingy, anxious self. She was hesitant and skiddish at first, but after months of trust exercises and slow work, she has risen to the somewhat confident, prescice mount she is today. Though still afraid of many things, Clo has been thoroughly surprised and please with her quick progress. .
. MFB FOREVER A CIRCUS CLOWN "Ever" . Age: 12 years old . Gender: Gelding . Breed: Morgan x QH Cross . Trainer: Somewhat well-known trainer from Canada . Training: Has been trained all-around, with a focus on cow work, stamina, and gaming. . Appearance: Sorrel, with no white markings except a snip. . Height: 14.1hh . Personality: Ever is quick on his feet and light footed, experienced, energetic, emotional, and fast. His favorite gait is the extended trot. He feels super light and floaty in all gaits, especially the trot and fast lope. He can easily be pursuaded with treats of any kind. His favorite events are the ones with cows. He's a charming and sweet gelding, and is friends with all the horses he meets. At least he thinks he is. . Likes: Cows, excitement, being brushed, all animals especially cats, and being bathed . Dislikes: Dry grain, unfriendly horses, and tall people . Fears: Tarps . Backstory: Born in the very city Clo was, Ever was trained and raised by a somewhat well-known trainer. At 9 years old, he was put up for sale and bought by Clo's father for a price he never mentioned to his wife. As Clo's first horse, owning him for three years, and being born in the same cities, she and Ever have an unwavering bond and trust. |
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The sun hangs high and relentless over the arena, baking the sand until it kicks up in pale clouds beneath every boot and hoof. Flags snap overhead while the announcer’s voice rolls across the stands, loud and commanding. Walker takes it all in, chest rising with a steady breath. This one matters. Not the small-town rodeos or the warm-up runs that built his confidence. Blu is coiled tight beneath his deep bay coat, ears sharp as he watches the people around them. Around them, trailers stretch in long rows and competitors move with purpose, faces set and focused. Walker adjusts his grandfather’s hat, tugging the brim down instinctively, his grin flashing at a passing. As Walker leads Blu toward the warmup pens, Blu snorts and tosses his head, pulling Walker back to himself. He huffs a quiet laugh and pats the horse’s neck. "Hey Ray, you prepped for tonight?" The voice of his newest friend drifts down from a brick-house of a grey horse. Adler grins, pushing Walker away with his boot playfully, "Come on, you got this. Besides, Blu is a powerhouse. Everyone is talking about him. And you. Looking to be the youngest in the NFR." He grins, admiring the praise, "Yeah, I'm trying at least. Well, I'll see you out there. Catch up later for team roping?" His friends nods, tossing a goodbye and turning his horse and swinging a rope as he leaves. Walker swings up onto the stallion, shushing and settling him as the Mame their way into the warm up pen. |
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Dust. Bright sunlight. Hooves pounding. People cheering. The announcer calling the next rider. Horses neighing. The sounds were familiar, yes, but with them came a newer sense of anticipation, excitement, and stress. The kind that only came with a big show. . Clover Sterling bent down and adjusted the leg of her jeans, then straightened. No use being nervous. She had to be confident, or she'd lose. Lose not only the event, but the esteem she was held at. After winning first or second at the last three rodeos she'd participated in, this invitational show was a step up from the levels she'd competed at previously. Only the highest-placing riders from her district were invited, so there was no room for losing. . Taking a deep breath, Clover put her left foot in the stirrup of her black gaming saddle and swung her other leg to the other side. She settled into the leather and rubbed Ever's sorrel neck to calm him. Though amiable around the barn, the gelding knew it was almost time to run, and was excited. He pranced in place and swiveled his right ear, looking at his surroundings, while keeping his left facing his rider. 'Good, at least he's listening,' Clover thought. She made sure her hat was secure on her head, then clucked Ever towards the warm-up arena. |
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Like any other event, before he even stresses over the open arena, there is a solid warm up. Horses circle in tight circles, muscles gleaming with sweat. Blu steps high, energy rolling through him in short, powerful strides. Walker settles deep in the saddle, hands light on the reins, letting the stallion work the edge off. Eventually the loudspeaker crackles and the announcer draws a breath. Walker’s name follows, clear and loud as he turns Blu toward the gate. Walker settles the stallion in the box. He pauses, steadies himself, and nods. The steer snaps free of the chute, and the pair breaks with it. Blu explodes forward with a long stride. They close fast. The hazer rides tight on the steer’s right side, keeping it straight to give Walker the line he needs. Walker shifts his weight, eyes locked on the steer’s shoulders. At the perfect moment he stands in the stirrups and launches, hands finding hide and horn in one motion. The world jolts as his boots hit dirt and he digs in, using the steer’s momentum against it. Walker wrenches it down, throwing his weight across the neck, twisting until the animal hits the ground on its side. Dust blooms around them as Walker steps back, chest heaving, just as the flag snaps up. He turns toward Blu, who has already stopped to watch his rider. As they jog out of the arena, waving his hat at the stands, the sun feels a little less brutal. The run is over, clean and fast, and the moment settles into him like something earned. One of several events finished for the day. Barrels next, then teams, then broncs if he isn't too bruised. Adler meets him at the gate along with a few others, all congratulating him before their own runs. He chats as more names are called. Blu gets antsy, and as he moves the horse to stretch he nearly runs into a girl on a sorrel horse. He gives her an apologetic look, muttering a quick "sorry". |
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Knowing her first event was barrels, Clo took the warm up slowly. There were cattle events going on right now, and though she and Ever enjoyed sorting and cutting, roping had never been her thing. She slowed her gelding's quick canter to a more relaxed speed, though still fast. She took him around a few more times before slowing him to a walk and leading him out of the arena. She dismounted and put on his protective boots, then checked all her tack. Clean and functional. . The loudspeaker crackled and she heard the announcer say, "Next up, Penelope Hobbes on Cloudy Captain. On deck, Clover Sterling." She took a breath, mounted, and wove through traffic to get to the start gate. She watched the older girl, Penelope, guide her gray mare around each barrel. Clo had seen her run before, and knew she was a challenging competitor. As she watched, she walked Ever in circles to keep him calm. . Penelope was turning the last barrel when a man on a dark bay horse came close to bumping into Ever and Clover. She nodded to accept his apology and kept walking Ever. She hadn't seen the man before, which meant he was either always this high in the circuit or he was in a different town. Or he was new. But then how would he make an invitational? Likely she'd just missed him at other shows. . "Next up, Clover Sterling on Forever A Circus Clown." . Clo adjusted her hat and sat deeply, asking Ever for a calm walk through the gate. She started her preparation circle, holding Ever back at a canter. Already hearing cheers from the crowd, she focused on the pattern ahead and Ever's movements. Keeping her hands light, she sat back, and let Ever out. |
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He guides Blu toward the rail and lets him stand, reins loose, as the barrels are set. There is time now, a pocket of it, and Walker feels the strange restlessness that always comes when his body is still but his head refuses to be. A couple hours until teams. Enough time for the nerves to creep back in if he lets them. The girl on the sorrel takes her place at the gate. Walker recognizes her seat right away, quiet and balanced, hands steady. He watches her like he watches any good rider, not with comparison but with respect. The buzzer sounds and she breaks hard, the sorrel snapping into a clean first turn. Walker leans forward to watch without realizing it, tracking their line. She is fast. Not reckless fast, but smooth, the kind that eats time without looking like it should. The second barrel is tight, close enough that Walker sucks in a breath for her. The sorrel slides, haunches low, then fires out clean. The third turn is all drive, and they sprint for the timer, dirt flying. The buzzer sounds again and the crowd answers it. Walker checks the board out of habit. A good time. A damn good one. When she jogs out of the arena, Walker can't help but watch. Blu shifts under him, ears flicking toward the other horse, and Walker reaches down to steady him. For a moment, the pressure of standings and points loosens its grip. There is still a champion title to chase, still numbers that will matter later. His name is last on the draw for barrels, something he enjoys doing with Blu every once in a while. It keeps the stud shadp, focused. Once it's close enough and he's called on deck, Walker ushers Blu towards the gate, "That's a boy. Just another run." His name is called and Blu launches, stride long and driving, dirt biting under his hooves as they eat up the first stretch. Walker sits deep into the turn, inside hand guiding, outside leg firm, and Blu snaps around the first barrel so close Walker feels the brush of air off the drum. The second turn is faster. Blu drops his shoulder as Walker shifts his weight and trusts the timing, heart punching hard as they slide but power out clean. By the third barrel Blu is all fire and Walker lets him run, urging him home as the ground blurs beneath them. They cross the line hard, chest to neck, and when the buzzer hits Walker knows it is close. Not perfect, but fast. Fast enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with the best run he has seen all day. He grins up at the time, almost a personal best, and waves the dirt off his hat as they jog back towards the back pens. |
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Stroking Ever's neck to calm him, Clo left the arena with roars from the crowd. She was satisfied with the run, and had gotten a good time. A great time. But she wasn't happy with it. The first barrel had been wide, and she'd cued Ever late for the lead change to the second. That barrel was close, a little closer than she wanted, and the third was a good distance, but she rated him too early. 'Always room for improvement,' she told herself. . She walked Ever out as she avoided watching the riders after her. It was a habit of hers to only watch the riders she knew, or those she thought were close competition. If she watched all of them she'd start getting anxious. . Ever's fast walking strides slowed half a notch and she patted his neck. The crowd cheered loudly at a name called from the loudspeaker, and her gaze was drawn to the arena. The man on the bay who had almost run into her before was entering, and from the way he and his horse eyed the barrels, she knew they'd be fast. . The bay launched into a long, bounding stride, and she instinctively stopped Ever so she could watch. The man and horse were the exact kind pair you'd expect to see running the barrels. Clo watched as they practically spun around each barrel, the horse coming near horizontal as he turned them. . The man left the arena with a smile, an incredible time, and a raucous crowd. She had to give it to them: they were good. He'd been faster than Penelope by a few seconds, but Clover didn't have time to look at the clock again to see if he'd beaten Ever. Sure, they were your typical western barrel-racing pair, but their technique was different than others. Somehow they managed to run the same pattern as everyone else, but crisper and more eye-catching than she'd seen before. . Clover prepared Ever for their next event, pole bending, by jogging around the warm-up arena, picking his hooves, and adjusting tack. By the time she and Ever were waiting at the gate, she'd forgotten all about the barrel runs. |
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Blu’s still humming with energy as they make their way back to the trailer, so Walker keeps him slow until the stud’s breathing comes down from a gallop to something manageable. Sweat darkens Blu’s shoulders and chest, foam already starting to gather where the tack sat. Walker uncinches, pulls the saddle free, and sets it on the rail, letting the leather cool with the horse. “There we go,” he says quietly as he sponges Blu down. Blu drops his head inch by inch, eyelids heavy, one hind leg cocked. Walker scrapes him dry, then walks him again, back and forth in the narrow lane, until the stud is alert but settled. Once Blu is tied with hay and a full bucket, Walker leans back against the trailer fender and rolls his shoulders, feeling the thrum still in his own chest. The arena announcer calls for pole bending entries, the sound drifting back on the wind. He checks his watch. A few hours. Plenty of time. Walker grabs a bottle of water and heads for the fence, finding a spot in the shade where he can see the whole pattern. Poles go up, white and evenly spaced, and the rhythm of the event is different. He watches lines and approaches, clocking riders the way he always does, noting where they lose time, where they risk too much. He tips his hat down and lets himself be just another body on the rail for a while. He spots the girl on the sorrel again and watches as she prepares for her run. |
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Afternoon Showers, Sleet Possible
