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Description

Horse Registered Name: Lonely Slander
Breed, Gender, Age, Height: AQH, Mare, 10 yrs, 15.4 hh
Color: Flaxen Chestnut
Rider/Handler Name/Gender, Age: Addison Baker /Female/23
Class: Mare Halter
Previous Show Experience: N/A
Stable Name and Country: Black Rock Stables/USA
Show: 2022 2nd Annual Chestnut Challenge: OPEN

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Of all the things that could go even slightly wrong for Addison, it had to be today.

Just days after arriving home from New York after their wins at Maple Crest Equestrian , both Mrs. Erica and Eri had approached Addison and Lucielle with a sort of proposition. They offered them both leadership roles in the newly formed BRS Hunter Team. Luci had been quick to turn down the role and opt for a simple team position, knowing she and Joji had so much more to learn before she felt comfortable leading anyone in any direction, especially when she hadn't been riding consistently for very long. And her lack of commitment to one single discipline would for sure force her to split her free time at the barn, something she already barely had. Addison on the other hand, had been riding in the hunters for most of her 23 years, with Boog being her first personal horse that had helped her grow as a rider. She loved her sport so much, and as the main driving force behind the hunter program at Black Rock it'd be a waste to turn down such an opportunity.
"It's not too different from what you're already doing. Maybe a few less chores and a little more riding and showing. Longer days at shows and a few extra lessons. You'll be riding some of the BRS horses along with Boog, and later help with some of the greenies." Eri had explained. "As a team member Luci will be there with you for extra lessons when her schedule allows."
"You could call it a sponsorship of sorts." Mrs. Erica simplified. "I'm still your head coach and you'll just be representing the barn as team captain."
Addison was more than on board. " Yes. 100% yes!" She beamed. It felt like she was going somewhere, moving forward and upward in her sport. And having Luci along for the ride meant she wouldn't be alone, something she'd gotten used to before her friend had started Joji in hunters.

A couple months of this new responsibility and Addison had already found herself at her first show officially representing Black Rock. Luci hadn't been able to make the show because of school so Addison was the sole hunter from BRS. Luckily Reina volunteered to come along with Richter so Addison wouldn't technically be showing alone. Since it was for chestnuts only she couldn't bring Boog, but she'd been working with Nelly since stepping into her new position and had already learned plenty from the little mare. Roderick had so many positive things to say about her after being entrusted with her for a couple drag hunts. She'd become one of Mrs. Erica's favorite horses.

Just as she had on day one, Reina helped Addison prep Nelly for their class. Her braiding was far superior to Addison's (and she knew that fact extremely well), so of course she took over when Addison tried her hand at doing it herself.
"Have you considered asking abuela for braiding lessons, Captain Addison?" Reina smirked as she finished Nelly's tail.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll ask when we get home." Addison laughed.

Later in the stadium arena, Addison watched in horror as the smallest of birds perched curiously on Nelly's neck and pecked at one of her meticulously made braids. Nelly didn't seem to mind as it attempted to pluck out a few hairs, probably meant for a nest somewhere. Or maybe it thought the tiny braids were food? Regardless of the reason, Addison was in a mild panic. 'Remain calm, don't worry about it, it's not a big deal. It's not like this is your first show with your boss's horse and even a hair out of place could affect your team status.' Addison thought to herself. Of course that wasn't true. Mrs. Erica wasn't some perfectionist in a sport where anything and everything can happen. But the nerves were really getting to her.
She caught movement past the little bird and Nelly. Reina has almost doubled over in silent laughter at the arena entrance where she had chosen to watch the class.
Was it that funny? It didn't feel that hilarious to Addison, who was still panicking.
But when she focused back on Nelly, who was standing perfectly still and unbothered, she couldn't help but let the smallest of chuckles out. Boog would never let an animal other than Addison perch on him. And he could already be ornery about his mane being braided, he'd lose his mind over a bird trying to yank his hair out. Nelly couldn't care less.

Addison's panic slowly faded away to a sort of quiet resignation. Of all the things that could go wrong, this was actually the least severe. Best to just remain calm, and continue as normal.

Word Count: 798
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Not me getting sick and losing all motivation to work on anything and just playing monster hunter for a week TTuTT
I had to channel my own panic brain to write Addison's minuscule melt down.
Also catch me putting slightly more detail into a specific group of spectators compared to the rest lol

------------------------
art, Nelly & Addison (c) Infinite-Dog

Description

Horse Registered Name: Lonely Slander
Breed, Gender, Age, Height: AQH, Mare, 10 yrs, 15.4 hh
Color: Flaxen Chestnut
Rider/Handler Name/Gender, Age: Addison Baker /Female/23
Class: Mare Halter
Previous Show Experience: N/A
Stable Name and Country: Black Rock Stables/USA
Show: 2022 2nd Annual Chestnut Challenge: OPEN

---------------------------
Of all the things that could go even slightly wrong for Addison, it had to be today.

Just days after arriving home from New York after their wins at Maple Crest Equestrian , both Mrs. Erica and Eri had approached Addison and Lucielle with a sort of proposition. They offered them both leadership roles in the newly formed BRS Hunter Team. Luci had been quick to turn down the role and opt for a simple team position, knowing she and Joji had so much more to learn before she felt comfortable leading anyone in any direction, especially when she hadn't been riding consistently for very long. And her lack of commitment to one single discipline would for sure force her to split her free time at the barn, something she already barely had. Addison on the other hand, had been riding in the hunters for most of her 23 years, with Boog being her first personal horse that had helped her grow as a rider. She loved her sport so much, and as the main driving force behind the hunter program at Black Rock it'd be a waste to turn down such an opportunity.
"It's not too different from what you're already doing. Maybe a few less chores and a little more riding and showing. Longer days at shows and a few extra lessons. You'll be riding some of the BRS horses along with Boog, and later help with some of the greenies." Eri had explained. "As a team member Luci will be there with you for extra lessons when her schedule allows."
"You could call it a sponsorship of sorts." Mrs. Erica simplified. "I'm still your head coach and you'll just be representing the barn as team captain."
Addison was more than on board. " Yes. 100% yes!" She beamed. It felt like she was going somewhere, moving forward and upward in her sport. And having Luci along for the ride meant she wouldn't be alone, something she'd gotten used to before her friend had started Joji in hunters.

A couple months of this new responsibility and Addison had already found herself at her first show officially representing Black Rock. Luci hadn't been able to make the show because of school so Addison was the sole hunter from BRS. Luckily Reina volunteered to come along with Richter so Addison wouldn't technically be showing alone. Since it was for chestnuts only she couldn't bring Boog, but she'd been working with Nelly since stepping into her new position and had already learned plenty from the little mare. Roderick had so many positive things to say about her after being entrusted with her for a couple drag hunts. She'd become one of Mrs. Erica's favorite horses.

Just as she had on day one, Reina helped Addison prep Nelly for their class. Her braiding was far superior to Addison's (and she knew that fact extremely well), so of course she took over when Addison tried her hand at doing it herself.
"Have you considered asking abuela for braiding lessons, Captain Addison?" Reina smirked as she finished Nelly's tail.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll ask when we get home." Addison laughed.

Later in the stadium arena, Addison watched in horror as the smallest of birds perched curiously on Nelly's neck and pecked at one of her meticulously made braids. Nelly didn't seem to mind as it attempted to pluck out a few hairs, probably meant for a nest somewhere. Or maybe it thought the tiny braids were food? Regardless of the reason, Addison was in a mild panic. 'Remain calm, don't worry about it, it's not a big deal. It's not like this is your first show with your boss's horse and even a hair out of place could affect your team status.' Addison thought to herself. Of course that wasn't true. Mrs. Erica wasn't some perfectionist in a sport where anything and everything can happen. But the nerves were really getting to her.
She caught movement past the little bird and Nelly. Reina has almost doubled over in silent laughter at the arena entrance where she had chosen to watch the class.
Was it that funny? It didn't feel that hilarious to Addison, who was still panicking.
But when she focused back on Nelly, who was standing perfectly still and unbothered, she couldn't help but let the smallest of chuckles out. Boog would never let an animal other than Addison perch on him. And he could already be ornery about his mane being braided, he'd lose his mind over a bird trying to yank his hair out. Nelly couldn't care less.

Addison's panic slowly faded away to a sort of quiet resignation. Of all the things that could go wrong, this was actually the least severe. Best to just remain calm, and continue as normal.

Word Count: 798
--------------------------
Not me getting sick and losing all motivation to work on anything and just playing monster hunter for a week TTuTT
I had to channel my own panic brain to write Addison's minuscule melt down.
Also catch me putting slightly more detail into a specific group of spectators compared to the rest lol

------------------------
art, Nelly & Addison (c) Infinite-Dog