Top Deck was a very friendly little foal who constantly sort out Assana for a bottle a milk. She didn't mind feeding the little colt but she was a little worried that he was getting confused on who his mother was. Cloud Magic watched him attentively, but didn't intervene when he sought comfort from humans.
When the day started to warm up and melt the frost on the ground, Assana took Athena to the training grounds. She knew the mare was fearless in everything she did, but she wanted to teach her some more control, and calmness. She had her stand for periods of time, just standing still while she shifted her weight around in the saddle or looked around at the surroundings. When she let Athena move off she kept it to a slow walk. As a reward for her calmness and willingness Assana took her for a few laps around the race track at break neck speeds. |
Later that night, when everyone was in bed and fast asleep, Top Deck aged up and matured into a beautiful stallion.
Not long after Top Deck had aged up, a burglar came tiptoeing through the property and came in through the back door while everyone was asleep. She wasn't very smart though because she set off the alarm the moment the back door opened.
Assana rang the police and they came just as the burglar was making her escape. They apologized for not catching her and promised they'd get her next time.
Luckily nothing was stolen, but they all went back to bed feeling a little bit violated and unsafe.
Assana insisted that Riley move Luna's bed to his room so she could protect him and keep him safe while he slept. He agreed eagerly and took the little dog upstairs to bed with him.
Assana rang the police and they came just as the burglar was making her escape. They apologized for not catching her and promised they'd get her next time.
Luckily nothing was stolen, but they all went back to bed feeling a little bit violated and unsafe.
Assana insisted that Riley move Luna's bed to his room so she could protect him and keep him safe while he slept. He agreed eagerly and took the little dog upstairs to bed with him.
Part of Riley's chores was to make sure the horses water troughs were always full. And now that winter was starting to come and frost was appearing on the ground and windows it was even more important that he check it to make sure the water wasn't iced over. Once his chores were done he would spend ages playing with Luna until the school bus came to collect him. |
That morning, Assana worked on Top Deck for the first time. She started with just tacking him up. He took it well. He grew bored quickly though so she tested him with her own weight and she mounted him. He didn't take a step, just stood there. After a while he started eating grass, completely unfazed about having a rider on his back. Not wanting to push him any further for the day, Assana ended his training there.
The next day when Assana took Top Deck to the training grounds she worked on his movement and speed. He was very slow and not very motivated. She sent him around the race track, round and round and round again. Eventually she started seeing results, but he quickly grew bored of the training so she had to keep their session short.
The International Showjumping event was that night, The Carlton Classic.
Assana had entered Athena into it. Her jumping skills were only matched by her mother's, Cloud Magic. So she knew she had the skill for it.
Not only did they come 1st but they also beat Edna Nickerson, who came up to Assana as they were about to leave. She offered to buy Athena for $10,143 cash. Assana agreed even though she was sure she could have gotten more at an auction, she knew Athena would be going to a great home that would put her exceptional talents to good use.
Assana had entered Athena into it. Her jumping skills were only matched by her mother's, Cloud Magic. So she knew she had the skill for it.
Not only did they come 1st but they also beat Edna Nickerson, who came up to Assana as they were about to leave. She offered to buy Athena for $10,143 cash. Assana agreed even though she was sure she could have gotten more at an auction, she knew Athena would be going to a great home that would put her exceptional talents to good use.
While Assana was mucking out the stalls and putting fresh straw down, Cloud Magic gave birth to a little black and white Filly. This filly was later named Dancing Cloud.
This new little filly was also brave and bold just like Athena was. Fearlessly leaving her mothers side to investigate raccoons and deer that travel past the property.
This new little filly was also brave and bold just like Athena was. Fearlessly leaving her mothers side to investigate raccoons and deer that travel past the property.
Assana spent the next few days totally focused on Top Deck and working on his speed. She'd discovered that he had almost perfect jumping abilities but he lacked speed and motivation.
When she officially announced he was completely trained, she entered the Strangetown Regional Horse show just to double check.
He was totally unflappable. The crowds, the noise, the smells, none of it bothered him. He went on to win the competition.
When she officially announced he was completely trained, she entered the Strangetown Regional Horse show just to double check.
He was totally unflappable. The crowds, the noise, the smells, none of it bothered him. He went on to win the competition.
The next day Assana sold Balin at the auctions for $8,264.
The weather was also warmer and had melted the frost, so Assana took Cloud Magic and Dancing Cloud to the training grounds.
Dancing Cloud pranced around and kicked up her heals playing and showing off, while Assana put Cloud Magic through her paces. Once she was all warmed up she took her over the jumping course. Despite being a bit out of practice, every jump was perfect.
The weather was also warmer and had melted the frost, so Assana took Cloud Magic and Dancing Cloud to the training grounds.
Dancing Cloud pranced around and kicked up her heals playing and showing off, while Assana put Cloud Magic through her paces. Once she was all warmed up she took her over the jumping course. Despite being a bit out of practice, every jump was perfect.
The next day Assana tacked up Cloud Magic and took her for a ride while Riley was at school. She didn't plan to be gone long since Dancing Cloud was still so young.
She stumbled across a small property that had three grey stallions for sale.
((Authors note: All three are downloads from the Exchange, not my own creations))
She stumbled across a small property that had three grey stallions for sale.
((Authors note: All three are downloads from the Exchange, not my own creations))
After spending some time in the paddock with the stallions, she took an immense liking to the one named Drifter.
She ended up purchasing him from the owner who generously included his tack for free.
As she rode him home she fell in love with him. He was obedient and gentle and had a wonderful smooth gait. She hoped he'd pass this on to his offspring.
She ended up purchasing him from the owner who generously included his tack for free.
As she rode him home she fell in love with him. He was obedient and gentle and had a wonderful smooth gait. She hoped he'd pass this on to his offspring.
While Riley was at school, Luna and Dancing Cloud spent alot of time together, playing and chasing each other and keeping each other company.
Late in the dead of night, something tragic happened. Luna heard a raccoon outside, and rushed outside to defend her home and family. She chased the raccoon across the street where it lost her. As she crossed the road again to go home, a car hit her.
For a moment she was lost. Then the reaper came for her and comforted her before she went through the portal to the spirit world.
Her body was discovered in the morning by Assana when she went to feed the horses. She buried her in the flower garden and went to give Riley the bad news.
For a moment she was lost. Then the reaper came for her and comforted her before she went through the portal to the spirit world.
Her body was discovered in the morning by Assana when she went to feed the horses. She buried her in the flower garden and went to give Riley the bad news.
The Household mourned the loss of Luna in their own ways. Riley withdrew and stayed in his room reading the whole weekend. Only coming out when he was hungry or needed the bathroom.
Assana tried to comfort him but ended up leaving him to his grief. The world didn't stop just because their sweet little dog had passed and she needed to keep training and looking after the horses. They were their only source of income and they couldn't look after themselves.
Assana was often lost in thought though, as she rode Top Deck around the training race track.
Assana tried to comfort him but ended up leaving him to his grief. The world didn't stop just because their sweet little dog had passed and she needed to keep training and looking after the horses. They were their only source of income and they couldn't look after themselves.
Assana was often lost in thought though, as she rode Top Deck around the training race track.
Dancing Cloud didn't cope well with the loss of Luna. Her constant play companion had disappeared and she didn't understand. She clung to her mother more then she had ever before. Never leaving Cloud Magic's side.
A few days later, Dancing Cloud aged up and matured into a pretty mare. Her black coat shone with health but since Luna had died she lacked confidence still, and stayed close to her herd, no longer the brave little filly she was in her baby days.
As another cold snap hit, Riley's birthday came around. Assana invited all his school friends and Karla and her family of course.
It was a fantastic party, a real blow out. There was cake and music and dancing!
Assana gave Riley some books she'd specifically bought for the occasion as his present, and he loved them. It was his best birthday ever.
It was a fantastic party, a real blow out. There was cake and music and dancing!
Assana gave Riley some books she'd specifically bought for the occasion as his present, and he loved them. It was his best birthday ever.
The day after the Riley's party another filly was born. Assana named this one Snow Magic for the white spots on the black filly's coat.
Assana took Drifter to auction later that day, but he sold for less then she had expected, only fetching $6,451.
Assana took Drifter to auction later that day, but he sold for less then she had expected, only fetching $6,451.