Assana spent the first day of summer in her garden and with the half blind mare, Fortune.
Her garden had been replanted during spring and was growing quickly. Alot of the plants she didn't know as she had used some unknown seeds she had found. She was curious to see what they would grow into.
Her garden had been replanted during spring and was growing quickly. Alot of the plants she didn't know as she had used some unknown seeds she had found. She was curious to see what they would grow into.
She spent an awful lot of time with Fortune, working to gain her trust. She petted her, whispered softly to her, brushed her and picked out her hooves.
When it was time to put a saddle on her she was very comfortable around Assana.
Assana was a little worried how the mare would take to the saddle as she was missing half her sight. But it had never seemed to effect the brave mare so she pushed her worries to the back of her mind.
When it was time to put a saddle on her she was very comfortable around Assana.
Assana was a little worried how the mare would take to the saddle as she was missing half her sight. But it had never seemed to effect the brave mare so she pushed her worries to the back of her mind.
Assana let her take things slowly and at her own speed as she got used to carrying a rider. They trotted around the rural part of town and along some of the more worn trails. Assana was careful to take the easy paths and make sure there was nothing the mare could trip on.
As Fortune gained confidence, Assana took her to the training grounds. Not for any jump or race training but just to wander around and get used to the atmosphere.
As Fortune gained confidence, Assana took her to the training grounds. Not for any jump or race training but just to wander around and get used to the atmosphere.
For the rest of the day Assana worked on her metal sculpture, chipping and chizzling and shaping it how she pleased while her mind was occupied with the semi blind mare.
She wasn't sure what she could do with her, certainly there would be no jumping. But she might be able to race.
She wasn't sure what she could do with her, certainly there would be no jumping. But she might be able to race.
While Assana was working on her metal work, the phone rang. It was the JRA riding school manger/instructor. Two of their school horses were retiring and they needed replacements. Assana's horse training skills and reputation for being a trustworthy breeder and trainer were becoming common knowledge around town so they had come to her for some obedient horses that would do well as school horses.
Assana sold them Lucky and Bramble Magic. She told them that Lucky had been a rescue through no fault of his own, and while he had some stubborn moments he would be perfect for some of the more advanced students. Bramble Magic would be suited to riders of all skill level. He was quiet and had great manners around people.
The school was overjoyed and paid $16,428 for the pair.
Assana sold them Lucky and Bramble Magic. She told them that Lucky had been a rescue through no fault of his own, and while he had some stubborn moments he would be perfect for some of the more advanced students. Bramble Magic would be suited to riders of all skill level. He was quiet and had great manners around people.
The school was overjoyed and paid $16,428 for the pair.
That night Assana went down to the JRA Center to say a final farewell to the pair. And brought a new stallion home to work with. She bought Traveller, a stunning light bay American Quarter Horse. He was one of the best horses that had come through the sales yard (apart from her own of course). He was young and had much to learn but he had potential.
She rode him all the way home as the sun was setting.
Assana was very impressed with him and knew he would go far with just a small amount of training. He was smart and learnt her queues quickly just from the short ride home. Assana went to bed very hopeful.
Assana was very impressed with him and knew he would go far with just a small amount of training. He was smart and learnt her queues quickly just from the short ride home. Assana went to bed very hopeful.
Over the next few days Assana worked with Fortune and Traveller. She focus her attention on the half blind mare and built her confidence up.
Assana was joyfully surprised when Fortune took to the race training. She was very fast and surprisingly light on her feet. After a few days of training Assana thought she was ready for a real race.
Assana was joyfully surprised when Fortune took to the race training. She was very fast and surprisingly light on her feet. After a few days of training Assana thought she was ready for a real race.
The Landgrab Cup was an advanced race and would really test Fortune. Assana didn't really care about winning or losing, she was more interested in the mare's reaction and how she would deal with the situation and if this was the right future for her.
She shocked Assana and alot of other people by coming in first. And it wasn't a neck and neck win but a blow out. She completely outclassed the other horses.
She shocked Assana and alot of other people by coming in first. And it wasn't a neck and neck win but a blow out. She completely outclassed the other horses.
After the race Assana talked to some of the other stable owners. There was one man who had trained and showed several blind and partially blind horses.
He offered to buy her for $11,153 simoleons and promised to take the best of care with her. He reassured Assana that all the riders for his stable knew how to handle special needs horses.
Assana sold her to him, she couldn't think of a better place for her. Fortune would be well cared for by people who knew exactly what she needed.
He offered to buy her for $11,153 simoleons and promised to take the best of care with her. He reassured Assana that all the riders for his stable knew how to handle special needs horses.
Assana sold her to him, she couldn't think of a better place for her. Fortune would be well cared for by people who knew exactly what she needed.
Later that night Elle was born. The filly Lucky had sired.
She was so small, so adventurous and full of spirit right from the moment she was born. She stood up on her own wobbly legs and started sassing her mother.
She was so small, so adventurous and full of spirit right from the moment she was born. She stood up on her own wobbly legs and started sassing her mother.
Assana got up while it was still dark and a little rainy and started harvesting her matured plants. She had grown bell peppers, banana's, onion, pumpkin, limes, tomatoes and some flame fruit. Her money tree was also ripe for harvesting but it didn't pay much.
She took her time weeding and then fertilizing the plants and let the rain water them.
She was relieved that Fortune had grown out staring at her garden like Dragon had. And sometimes when she was working in her garden she would think about it and wonder what had fixated them so.
She took her time weeding and then fertilizing the plants and let the rain water them.
She was relieved that Fortune had grown out staring at her garden like Dragon had. And sometimes when she was working in her garden she would think about it and wonder what had fixated them so.
Assana let out all the horses out of their stalls and then started forking out hay for their breakfast.
While Assana was dishing out the last bits of hay she received a phone call from the rescue organisation she had been working with occasionally.
They told her about a palomino stallion that had just come in and he hadn't been worked with for years, and his sociability was rusty. She agreed to take him into her care if the could drop him off.
While Assana was dishing out the last bits of hay she received a phone call from the rescue organisation she had been working with occasionally.
They told her about a palomino stallion that had just come in and he hadn't been worked with for years, and his sociability was rusty. She agreed to take him into her care if the could drop him off.
A few hours later, a trailer arrived a dusty palomino unloaded. He stood there for a while and just looked around, unsure of what to do with himself. Assana tried to lead him round back to her herd but he refused. He even tried to bite her.
She left the pally on his own to explore while she invited the rescue volunteer inside for a snack. The horses name was Chaz and no other trainers would deal with him.
The girl was so relieved that Assana would help him. She said that this was his last chance because no one could get near him. He was anti social and didn't want to be near other horses and he would bite any people that came near him.
She said she had managed to get a saddle on him but he was difficult to control and didn't take direction very well.
Assana listened to it all. It sounded like a similar case to Eclipse's. Another ornery stallion she had helped.
She shook the girls hand and thanked her for bringing him and taking the time to tell her what she needed to know. She promised to contact her when he was ready for adoption.
The girl was so relieved that Assana would help him. She said that this was his last chance because no one could get near him. He was anti social and didn't want to be near other horses and he would bite any people that came near him.
She said she had managed to get a saddle on him but he was difficult to control and didn't take direction very well.
Assana listened to it all. It sounded like a similar case to Eclipse's. Another ornery stallion she had helped.
She shook the girls hand and thanked her for bringing him and taking the time to tell her what she needed to know. She promised to contact her when he was ready for adoption.
Because he had such serious trust issues Assana worked with Chaz all day. She spent the morning talking to him and grooming him while he was tied to the hitching post and eating a low energy feed. With his nose buried in the food he didn't seem to mind what Assana did.
When she put the saddle on him she gave him an apple and associated it with a good thing. She wanted him to learn that saddle = food so he would look forward to being ridden.
With the saddle on him, she took him for a ride to the training grounds. He wasn't as bad as she had thought, he just needed strong leadership, and it was the trust they would have to work on. But once he was actually wearing the saddle he seemed to mellow out and relax a bit.
When she put the saddle on him she gave him an apple and associated it with a good thing. She wanted him to learn that saddle = food so he would look forward to being ridden.
With the saddle on him, she took him for a ride to the training grounds. He wasn't as bad as she had thought, he just needed strong leadership, and it was the trust they would have to work on. But once he was actually wearing the saddle he seemed to mellow out and relax a bit.
The training with Chaz goes so well that she decides to give him one more challenge for the day. She enters him into the Wolff Cup. It was just a beginners race and she had no expectations of winning as this was just a test of what the horse could do, what his limits were and how much stress he could handle before he played up.
Surprisingly enough he seemed to thrive with the challenge. He was very competitive and even though he'd only had one days worth of training he fought his way to second place.
Surprisingly enough he seemed to thrive with the challenge. He was very competitive and even though he'd only had one days worth of training he fought his way to second place.
For the next few days Assana worked diligently with Traveller and Chaz.
Elle would often watch the training with open fascination and would follow them around the yard getting in the way.
It wasn't long though until she matured enough for her own training to begin.
Elle would often watch the training with open fascination and would follow them around the yard getting in the way.
It wasn't long though until she matured enough for her own training to begin.
Assana treated Elle like she treated all her untrained horses. Gently. She spent time building trust with the young mare before she even tried to put a saddle on her. She believed that when she built trust first it made the training easier and faster as well as more pleasant for the horse and causing less falls.
By evening it was still drizzling and humid, but Assana had built enough trust with Elle to ride her. She saddled her up with some new western equipment she had ordered online and had delivered. Elle looked stunning.
She rode her around the trails, taking time to establish leadership and controlling her gaits. going from a walk to a trot to a gallop and then slowing down to a trot again.
She rode her around the trails, taking time to establish leadership and controlling her gaits. going from a walk to a trot to a gallop and then slowing down to a trot again.
The next day, Assana took them all to the training grounds for a big day out. She started with Traveller's training. He was a good jumper and loved it. He soared gracefully over every jump.
Elle was next. She had watched Traveller's training session and boldly jumped every jump... with no skill.
Elle was next. She had watched Traveller's training session and boldly jumped every jump... with no skill.
She plowed through the oxer jumps, sending the rails flying and nearly tripping over them, and then over jumped the walls. The water jump was the best though, she thought the goal was to land in the water not jump over it. Assana ended up very wet after their training session and without Elle's skill much improved. Elle might have been brave and obedient, but she was not very good at jumping.
Because of her lack of jumping skill and the terrible training day, Assana wanted to end the day positively. She knew that while Elle wasn't agile, she was very fast. She entered her in the Bridgeport Derby for beginners.
Elle blitz the competition and won with ease. It seemed she wasn't a lost cause after all.
Elle blitz the competition and won with ease. It seemed she wasn't a lost cause after all.
The next morning after breakfast, Assana got another phone call. The American Quarter Horse Association was looking for a poster horse and was interested in buying Traveller.
Assana spent some time talking to them about explaining the training she had done with him. She was willing to sell him for the right price.
Haggling ensued and finally the price of $8,357 simoleons was agreed upon.
Assana cleaned him up and waited for the horse moving company to come and pick him up and take him to his new home.
Assana spent some time talking to them about explaining the training she had done with him. She was willing to sell him for the right price.
Haggling ensued and finally the price of $8,357 simoleons was agreed upon.
Assana cleaned him up and waited for the horse moving company to come and pick him up and take him to his new home.
Assana spent the next few days training Elle and working on Chaz's trust issues.
She focused on Elle's jumping ability and soon she was good enough to enter into the advanced competitions.
One night she signed Elle up for the Chan Horse Show where she made only a few minor mistakes and placed second.
She focused on Elle's jumping ability and soon she was good enough to enter into the advanced competitions.
One night she signed Elle up for the Chan Horse Show where she made only a few minor mistakes and placed second.
Running Cloud, Traveller's colt was born the next day.
He was a curious foal with a strange obsession for one of the stalls. No matter which horse was already in there he insisted on sleeping in that stall and no other.
He was a curious foal with a strange obsession for one of the stalls. No matter which horse was already in there he insisted on sleeping in that stall and no other.
Over the next few days spending time with Elle and her jumping a few trust exercises with Chaz, she found she had more spare time at the end of the day to work on her sculpting. She worked on it with dedication until it was finally done and an artistic metal chair was finished. She was a little perplexed with herself though because she could have sworn she had meant to make a bookshelf, not a chair.
having no need for an extra chair, she sold it for $35 simoleons.
having no need for an extra chair, she sold it for $35 simoleons.
Assana spent a whole day working with Chaz and trying to get him over his jumping phobia. He would go over the Cavaletti with small complaint but for anything he actually had to jump he refused to move.
Eventually Assana gave up on the idea of him leaning to jump and instead focused on him running. She perfected his pace to the point that he didn't get tired as quickly nor as thirsty, meaning he could train for longer periods of time.
She finally deemed him ready for a new home and rang the rescue and told them that Chaz was now ready, and they could start looking for a home for him. He would need an advanced rider that would put the time in with him and do the ground work needed to gain his trust, but once you had it he was a pleasure to ride.
Eventually Assana gave up on the idea of him leaning to jump and instead focused on him running. She perfected his pace to the point that he didn't get tired as quickly nor as thirsty, meaning he could train for longer periods of time.
She finally deemed him ready for a new home and rang the rescue and told them that Chaz was now ready, and they could start looking for a home for him. He would need an advanced rider that would put the time in with him and do the ground work needed to gain his trust, but once you had it he was a pleasure to ride.
Later that evening when the events were on at the JRA Center, Assana entered Elle into the two advanced jumping competitions. The first was the Hsu Regional Horse Show. They had stiff competition but managed to pull the best time and win.
The second event was the Manegold Classic. They came first in that event despite a time penalty for a hesitation.
The second event was the Manegold Classic. They came first in that event despite a time penalty for a hesitation.
When they got home from the show jumping, Running Cloud had matured and was ready to begin his training. Assana wondered if he would be a jumper, a runner or a perfect cross country candidate.
The next morning she went through her normal training routine of gaining trust and doing ground work first. It was vitally important that they were comfortable with being handled and touched before a saddle came anywhere near them.
The next morning she went through her normal training routine of gaining trust and doing ground work first. It was vitally important that they were comfortable with being handled and touched before a saddle came anywhere near them.
Assana later took him for a ride. He was very fast and a quick learner too. He picked up her queues and followed them.
In the afternoon, Assana took all her horses to the training grounds for a group work out.
In the afternoon, Assana took all her horses to the training grounds for a group work out.
She raced Chaz around the track for a few laps and then took Running Cloud over some jumps. She even gave Cloud Magic a bareback session. They flew over the jumps without fault.
Cloud Magic was a little out of practice but after today's session Assana was feeling uplifted and very happy. She entered Cloud into the Babcock-McConnel Grand Prix international show jumping competition.
They came 3rd which Assana was a little disappointed with. She thought if they'd practiced a little bit more that day maybe they would have done better.
They came 3rd which Assana was a little disappointed with. She thought if they'd practiced a little bit more that day maybe they would have done better.
While they were at the JRA Center Assana had Cloud Magic put with a stallion called Swell so they could do their 'thing'.
He was friendly and neat and he was a paint just like Cloud Magic.
Assana wondered what sort of foal they would produce.
He was friendly and neat and he was a paint just like Cloud Magic.
Assana wondered what sort of foal they would produce.
Over the next few days Assana spent time training Elle and Running Cloud.
Running Cloud grew into his name and became one of the fastest horses Assana had ever ridden. She decided to take advantage of this and started entering him in competitions. The first one was an Advanced race, the Aldrich Million.
Being an unknown competitor he wasn't the favorite to win. But win he did, upsetting the punters and Stephen who had been riding the favorite to win, Manzanita.
Running Cloud grew into his name and became one of the fastest horses Assana had ever ridden. She decided to take advantage of this and started entering him in competitions. The first one was an Advanced race, the Aldrich Million.
Being an unknown competitor he wasn't the favorite to win. But win he did, upsetting the punters and Stephen who had been riding the favorite to win, Manzanita.
Assana also entered Elle into the Manegold Classic where she came up against Denali ridden by Liza Hite. They were also making a name for themselves and were tough rivals.
With a bit more training for Denali, and Elle might struggle to beat him.
With a bit more training for Denali, and Elle might struggle to beat him.
As Elle and Assana arrived home from the Manegold Classic with their blue ribbon, Cloud was giving birth to a precious little cremello filly, Hoaka.