- Horse: Kiss & Tell FS
Show Entry: Montevideo Hunters Invitational
Prompt 1: (Q-15) Kiss & Tell was brought to Foxtail Stables as a young horse for training and showing; unfortunately that means that the manager, Riata Stone, knew very little of the mare's past. That was until Erin Moore became curious and uncovered the hidden truth. Erin took to the internet to find out answers on the fabulous hunter mare that is leading Foxtail in points, and making a name for the pretty bay. She started by researching her pedigree, which led her down the path to find the breeders.
Piper had been a pleasant foal to work with, according to her breeder and first caretaker - Karen Hartford of Hartford Farms. She had been born in the middle of the afternoon (exactly the moment Karen had taken a trip to the local feed store for a restock of foal shots and supplements). Her dam, a fat dappled brown warmblood named Alice, had kept Ms. Hartford up for nights - displaying signs that hinted labor was close, for two weeks. The afternoon had been a rare beautiful day after several days of dreary rainstorms. The large broodmare had shown no active signs of labor before the caretaker had left - and within an hour had the leggy filly laying in the deeply bedded stall - her four white socks brightly contrasted against her wet coat.Karen peeked her head over the stall door to see a tender moment between new mother and daughter - a sweet kiss, a welcome to the world touch, as the mare whickered and nuzzled to the newborn.
Piper was a very curious baby, often seen trying to stick her soft pink muzzle through the mesh of the stall door - in attempts to learn more about the world outside of the box stall. She would even whinny at the staff as they passed by to get their attention (which always worked, because who can say no to a sweet filly). She was a willing participant in learning how to accept a halter and a figure 8 lead. Sometimes she was startled and scared when her mother would walk around a corner to where she couldn't be seen - gentle words and encouraging hands would get her past the moment to get her back up to pace with the broodmare. The naughtiest thing she would do was to run away when the stablehands went to grab the mares and foals to bring them in for the night - she enjoyed the long summer days in the sun and breeze - and would have spent all of the time out in the large pasture laying around and frolicking in the tall grass. Luckily, she wouldn't go to far, and it was always easy to find her - as Piper would squeal in what could only be described as glee as she bounded through the knee high pasture grass. Alice would call to the filly when it was absolutely time to come in, reining in the free-spirited foal. She would then crash almost immediately into the clean straw of the large stall when they were led inside. She maintains a lot of the same habits still - her love of being in the pasture, sleeping full out in a freshly bedded stall, and being absolutely curious at anyone walking by. The barn staff laughed at the newfound information from Erin, enjoying the knowledge of the talented hunter mare.
Prompt 2: (Q-74) Kiss & Tell is always braided with a hunter green strip of ribbon in her first three plaits. At first it started out as an innocent mistake, when one of the grooms accidentally grabbed the wrong colored yarn and absentmindedly plaited with it. They realized their mistake and switched out the green for black down the rest of the mane. The color so minimal that it wasn't noticed. When the next show came around, the same groom was in the middle of braiding the horses when Piper's turn came up. Remembering the mistake from before, it was repeated again - it so happened that the young mare had done exceedingly well at the previous show, the superstitious groom didn't want to take any chances with jinxing the mare. When the rider noticed and pointed out the colored yarn to the trainer, they agreed that it was fitting for the mare, and so the tradition has stuck with the hunter. Occasionally a tiny charm will accompany the second plait - usually something to go with the season; a four leaf clover, an Easter egg, a palm tree, a witch's hat, a snowflake; it's one of the simple joys to look forward to each show for the grooms, trainer, and riders.
Horse: Lionheart
Show Entry: Montevideo Hunters Invitational
Prompt 1: (Q-44) Ransom is completely and irrevicoably in love with a goose - Sir Honk. Who is not at all fond of the large gangly warmblood. Honk was an accidental rescue - he was supposed to be flying south for the winter and figured migration was just too hipster for him, settling with permant residence at Foxtail Stables. The large and irritable Canadian goose can often been seen wandering the paddock fences, as though checking on the quality - with random bursts of honking whenever a horse even thought of looking at him sideways. Well one day Sir Honk was taking a bath in the water trough of Ransom's pasture - and the love affair started. The dark bay became ever enamored by the gloriousness of the goose's feathers, and wings, and the water splashing, and those flappy webbed feet, and don't forget the amazing noises one mighty goose can make. Lionheart at first was puzzled and amazed, standing off with neck arched and nostrils flared - he snorted and blew for a few moments before lifting his knees up in a prancing trot - apparently trying to show off for the pevish gander. As he neared the bathing bird, the gelding slowed and stood with wide eyes. Another round of courage led to him pushing his muzzle closer to the water trough, less than a foot separating the two creatures, a soft breath - and the proud Canadian finally took notice of the intrusion. Several grooms came running at the alarm and commotion - at the fence they found the enraged goose flapping his large wings and honking and squawking in mad chase after the tall bay - clearly giving the curious horse a good scolding. Lionheart almost lost his name during that moment, as panic was clearly seen in his rolling eyes and his mad dash around the paddock. The hands separated the two creatures by trying to use muck forks and brooms as defense weapons, creating a barrier away from the scolding goose. They managed to slowly push Sir Honk out of the paddock and off in the direction of the road - when one of the grooms turned to comfort Ransom, he was all doe eyes and pinning after his new love-affair. He even called a few plaintive cries in the ruffled goose's direction.
Now they have a daily ritual of preening and bathing in the water trough - or at least the gander bathes and Ransom stares at him with doting eyes and even following the goose around the pasture, stopping to munch or drink, or get a good scolding when the nuzzles go too far.
Prompt 2: (Q-74) Lionheart hasn't gained any special show rituals for himself yet, as he hasn't been part of Foxtail Stables for too long. He does however relish in the overall barn show rituals which include: carrots and cut apples are served with every grain meal - chunks are easy to pick out in the oats, bran, and pellet mashes. All of the showing horses receive daily grooming and washing - their coats gleam under the stable lights. They receive massages and liniment treatments to help their muscles with the extensive work outs. If necessary, they are treated by a chiropractor to help realign joints. Ransom seems to thoroughly delight in the special treatments - he has been caught dozing off in the middle of a grooming session, pigging out on the extra treats, and relaxing in the shade on his day off on the return home. He seems to show his appreciation by doing very well in front of the judges in the show ring - bringing home glossy ribbons and prizes. With time, Lionheart will hopefully earn a few lucky charm routines for his show life.
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