[watercliff]

Username; watercliff
Show Name: Jigsaw Jaguar
Barn Name: Mackie
Age: Six Years Old
Height: 17.3hh
Halter: #ffd1dc please!:)
Discipline: Show Jumping
Competition Mackie was grazing quietly with another mare, Bonfire, their heads close as they mowed away in their pasture; they had met rather fast, the high energy chestnut excitedly darting back and forth as she watched the trailer. Mackie had found it rather amusing. She had also met some of the other horses on the property, though Francesca had let her in with Bonnie
Bonfire perked up suddenly at the sound of the gate opening, watching as their male handler, Hunter, walked in with Hershey; he was a sweet and quiet stallion, more focused on work and Hunter than he was the mares, though as Hunter shooed him off he happily went to play with his old friend. He playfully bumped into Bonfire and she reared up slightly, bumping him back while they nipped at the others faces. Mackie had backed off a little bit, the unfamiliar scent of a new horse and stallion bothered her nose; she hesitantly returned her head to the ground to graze but kept a keen eye on him. Then he was beside her.

Mackie panicked slightly, pinning her ears and snorting a warning, though he calmly ignored it and nibbled at her short mane to say hello; grazing by her for a little while and watching as Hunter greeted Bonnie. Hershey lightly pressed his head into Mackie, softly rubbing his forehead on her shoulder; the new pair could hear Hunter laughing a bit behind them, but neither bothered to look. Mackie had calmed down, no longer seeing the boy as a threat; inviting him to stay as Hunter whistled to call him back out. Hershey played with her halter for a minute before nickering his goodbye, the two touching noses as they sniffed each other again; then he took a wide turn and trotted back to Hunter.
Bonnie had come back to stand beside Mackie, whinnying and wanting to play as she kept taking the other mares tail and bobbing her head; Mack gave a little buck before the two girls took off down the pasture, crow-hopping as they slowed to turn. Bonfire turned quick, her hooves kicking up dirt as she seemed to fly back up the field, though Mackie took her time; she wasn't confident enough to pull quick moves like that. Though she started back up and almost caught up with Bonfire before they reached the gated end of their pasture.

The next day, Hunter and Hershey came back; it was early in the morning, the sun barely showing over the trees as he went to each walk-in stable that was connected to the pastures and put out fresh hay and water; attempting to call everyone in for food but everyone was either asleep or too far away to hear. Hershey plodded out of the stable and nickered to the mares, bobbing his head as he came closer; nibbling and nipping Bonnie's mane and neck as he greeted her first. Then he bumped noses with Mackie, letting her lead the gesture to show she was comfortable before he turned in a circle; pawing at the dusty area before laying to roll. Bonfire pulled a dramatic crow-hop and darted, her tail flicking as she cantered back around to the group; Hershey rubbing away his itch and Mackie hesitantly laying to try it as well; flipping onto her back and giving a little wiggle to kill an itch she couldn't convince their tree to help with, snorting as she rolled back onto her stomach, feeling Hershey do the same to reach over and play with her ears; licking them and trying to catch them as Mackie flicked them away.

She was quite content with Hershey nearby; no longer feeling unsafe with his presence. Perhaps she could think of him as just another mare in their pasture. The two looked over at Hunter as he called, “come on, you hog!” Though was faced with disappointment as the stallion worked his way into a rather comfortable looking sit and continued to lick and nibble at Mackie. The two knew the spitfire chestnut was in getting her food, and would come barreling out when she was finished. High as ever on her oats. He continued to look at Hunter, who stood defeatedly at the sight, and then moved to continue with his work.
The pair stood up and shook, Mackie bumping heads with him as they started their goodbye; nickering softly before the mare trotted into the small stable to start their routine; and then Bonfire, indeed, came out bucking and borderline galloping. Very high on her oats. Hershey whinnied and chased after her playfully, the two hopping and bucking as they chased each other around. The three felt calm together, and that sweet sooty mare was thinking about him; so lost in thought that she walked into the wall. Hunter almost made himself hyperventilate he was laughing so hard.

~840 words

[-Unbridled-]

Username;; -Unbridled-
Show Name: Roaring River
Barn Name: Sage
Gender: Mare
Age: 3 years
Height: 18.2 hh
Halter: Black
Discipline: Trick Riding
Competition: Sage came to West Coast Equestrian Center after a horrific past. She was a trick horse in a circus. She was great at what she did, but when she entered the ring, it was obvious she was beaten into learning her tricks. She was covered in wounds that they tried to hide. She was reluctant in the ring, but all her handler had to do was flash the whip, and she would do exactly as she was instructed. When a worried audience member witnessed the abusiveness after a show, she called the proper authorities to have the situation taken care of. All the animals were removed and rescued from the circus, including Sage, who was in critical condition. She was nursed back to health and given to West Coast Equestrian Center. When she arrived, she was terrified of anything living, breathing, and moving. She didn't want to leave the trailer. When she was finally coaxed out of the trailer, she was put into a paddock with one other horse, Jericho

, to see how she interacted with other horses and to see how socialized she was. At first, Sage was terrified, she huddled in one corner of the pasture, and let out fearful whinnies as if to tell the stallion to stay back. Jericho kept his space for her comfort. Jericho had quite a past, much different from her. He was known to be a violent stallion, especially towards other horses, but he felt different towards Sage. He thought she was absolutely beautiful, and wanted nothing more than to help her overcome what she had been through. When he felt Sage knew he wasn't going to hurt her, Jericho walked up to her. He gently nudged her and softly nickered to her as if to comfort her. Sage's ears swiveled towards him. He had her attention. She became less tense as he got closer to her. He decided he would lay down next to her and comfort her. They would lay there for a little over an hour cuddling before she would get up to properly greet Jericho. He helped her realize not everyone in the world was against her and as evil as what she perceived the world to be. He taught her what love was. From that day on, Sage and Jericho were inseparable. He taught her to trust humans and other horses. She eventually came around, and you couldn't tell she was ever abused. Sage and Jericho went on to live happy lives together. Sage is still a trick pony, and is very successful. Her scars have healed nicely, both mentally and physically. While she has not forgotten her past, sage does not let it define her or break her. She is thankful for the life she has now with the ones she loves, Jericho definitely included. Jericho saved her from her past before it destroyed her. He helped her realize she has so much life to live and look forward to. She knows she has a bright future ahead of her, and plenty of years to spend with Jericho by her side.

[Half Tree]

Username;; Alhena
Show Name: Μια μάχη γυναικών - "A Womans Fight" in Greek
Barn Name: Deianeira - (Man Destroyer)
Gender: Mare
Age: 7 yo
Height: 17.2 hh
Halter: dark brown leather with gold hardware
Discipline: Cutting
Competition: Lets say Deianeira's first encounter with a Stallion was unpleasant and one that left a lasting impact on her life. It began on the race track at one of her first introduction races. She was new, and green. Didn't know the unspoken rules among the veteran racers and was bright eyed and bushy tailed. She was full of excitement and ready to win. However there was one problem. An older stud who was brazen and egotistical. He would side eye Deianeira and pin his ears back each time he came too close.
As Deianeira and her rider made their way out to the starting gates, the stallion came up on her left side, aiming to bite the mare on the behind as he passed. He succeeded in doing so and in return Deianeira kicked out and slammed her back hoof into his chest. No one took a bite at her, and she was tired of this stallion targeting her because she was new.
She was competing against a majority of studs who were jeering in the gates, all making sly comments about Deianeira and how she wasn't strong or fast enough to win. She was new and lacked experience.
The bell rang overhead, echoing throughout the track and into the stands, and suddenly the gates flung open and all the horses too off. Deianeira bolted out, flinging herself and her rider forward to keep up with the other studs. "Come on Deianeira you need to go faster", her rider yelled out above the sound of thundering hooves. The mare pushed herself harder, veering left towards the inside. She began passing her competitors one by one. Suddenly she was in third position, coming up behind the older stallion who had been agitating her all day at the tracks. She widened her stride to get up beside him, as there were now neck and neck. The stallion looked at her, she could see the anger in his eyes. He was not about to let Deianeira pass him. He pulled forward in front of Deianeira and suddenly slowed down, causing Deianeira to slam into him and then slide down into the dirt. Deianeira fell down on her side, twisting her leg as she did which put her in a great amount of pain. As the rest of the studs passed they all whinnied with happiness, after all racing was a boys sport to him and now Deianeira would no longer be a threat.

After Deianeiras accident, she was never able to race simply because she had a hatred for stallions. She was retired early and re-homed to a local ERRP rehabilitation facility where her injury was treated and she made a full recovery. However due to her disliking for stallions she was never able to compete in team competitions that involved her being around studs, so she was selected to start training as a cutting horse. It was perfect to handle her anger and she didn't have to worry about any studs getting in her way.

Congrats! I'm glad she found a job for anger management and I love the name. <33

Thank you everyone for entering. c:

[DeadlyArcana]

;0;
Was not expecting to win this!! Thank you so much stumps I love her