Name: Alexander "Alex" Hayes

Nickname(s): Lex, Al

Age: 19

Gender: Male

Role: 2nd-year student,

Appearance: Tall, around 6'2". Lean but lightly roned. Dark brown hair with baby blue ghost roots, often messy and shoulder-length. Has a nose piercing and a tongue piercing. Typically wears casual but athletic clothing—think hoodies, athletic tees, and comfortable pants, often paired with boots.

Personality: Alex is shy and a bit squimish, with a dry sense of humor. He’s a bit of a loner but loyal to the people he cares about. He tends to keep his emotions close to the chest, but he's passionate about horses and riding. He's also known for being competitive, always aiming to be the best, but he doesn't boast about it. Though he can come off as aloof at first, once someone gets to know him, they see a caring and determined person underneath.

Wanted classes: Equitation (and anything else except eventing or dressage)

Partner/crush: TBD

Discipline: Western

Backstory: Alex grew up in a small town and developed a love for horses early on. His family isn’t wealthy, so he worked hard to get the opportunity to attend an equestrian school. He’s always been driven by a desire to prove himself, especially to his father, who never really showed much support for his dreams.

Other: He's got a small, close-knit group of friends, and he has a reputation for being a bit of a risk-taker when it comes to both horses and life in general.

Horse:

Show name: A Staryi Night
Nickname(s): Astaryi, Aryi, Bubba
Age: 6 Years Old
Gender: Stallion
Breed: Thoroughbred x American Warmblood
Mate: TBD
Foals: TBD

Appearance (with height):
A Staryi Night stands 17hh with a light chestnut flaxen coat that gleams under the sun. His long flaxen mane and tail contrast beautifully with his coloring, and the thick hitch blaze down his face gives him a bold, distinctive look. He has four bright white stockings, strong hindquarters, and the refined yet powerful build typical of a Warmblood–Thoroughbred cross.

Personality:
Astaryi is spirited, sharp-minded, and highly expressive. He has natural athleticism and enjoys challenging work, but he's also sensitive and forms strong bonds with his handler. He loves showing off and thrives on praise, yet he benefits from a calm, confident rider who can redirect his high energy into focused performance. He has a playful side, especially during downtime, but is all business when he steps into the arena.

Likes:
He enjoys precise, technical work—especially sliding stops, spins, and circles. He loves the feeling of momentum and the release after a fast-paced maneuver. He also enjoys attention, grooming sessions, and being worked regularly to keep his mind occupied.

Dislikes:
He dislikes long periods without exercise or stimulation, as he gets restless quickly. He also gets annoyed by horses that crowd his space or handlers who are inconsistent with cues.

Is scared of:
Sudden loud noises, especially metallic clanks or unexpected bangs, and chaotic environments where too many horses or people move unpredictably.

Backstory:
Astaryi was initially started as a general-purpose sport horse due to his athletic build and impressive movement. However, during training, he showed a surprising natural talent for reining maneuvers, particularly his stops and spins. His quick learning ability and agility made him stand out as a strong reining prospect despite his height. Though he can jump and enjoys it recreationally, reining quickly became his primary focus. After transferring to a new barn at age five, he began formal reining competition training, and he has been progressing rapidly ever since.

Discipline:
Reining (primary). Jumping (secondary, for fun or cross-training).

Other:
Astaryi is known around the barn for his unique combination of size and reining ability—an unusual but striking match. He tends to become very protective of the people he bonds with and can get a bit jealous if he feels he's being ignored. With the right rider, he is flashy, powerful, and incredibly rewarding to work with