[finoodle]

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Owner: PhrogMutt
Name:
Height: 11 hh
Gender: Mare
Coat Color: Brindle Buckskin
Eye Color: Pea Flower Purple
Season: APCT Custom Import

Please post your writing and any art entries for the APCT event on this page.
The new deadline for the minimum 400 words is as follows!:
September 6th 6:59 AM (Chicken Smoothie time)
September 5th 11:59 PM (PST)

[phrogMutt]

Week One

February 2nd, 2025
So Starts my quest to find the perfect steed for competition in the Arctic Plains Continental Tournament.
My aims for this expeditions is to find a trainable Actic Draft Horse, one that will be fit for Pulling, Log Toss, and Triathalon. For these I will be in search of a Draft who is stocky and well muscled, but not bogged down with too much thick fur (as that would weigh them down during the swimming portion of the triathalon).
This journal will document my journey in finding and training this equine for the task at hand.
I've decided to take Butter Bean with me on the journey, so I can keep up with the herd, and hopefully show the new creature that I'm frendly with it's kind.
I depart at sun-up, hopefully I have prepared enough rations for the trip.

February 3rd, 2025
I have made it up into the mountainside in good enough time. There is a herd not far off, all seem to be well suited to the mountanous terrain- this well suits my needs.
Butter Bean faught me the whole way up, I know he's much rather be at home laying in the barn but I didn't think bringing one of my horses of a different breed would go over well. Butter Bean will have to live through it.
I have found a place to set up camp for the night a ways off from the herd. They've undoubtedly noticed us by now, and are likely warey. I hope to slowly make contact over the next two weeks.
The sun is nearly set now, and I should be off to sleep.

February 4th, 2025
Butter Bean woke me up bright and early. he's not used to having to ask for his breakfast. A pampered equine he is. The herd is forraging through the snow for any hidden greens to eat, something Butter Bean should learn to do while we're up here.
I packed up camp and by the time I finished the herd was already on the move. We made quick work of following after them though made sure to stay our distance.
Today we travelled deeper into the mountains, towards a space I know is a more open area. I decided this would be a good spot for the capture pen. Over the next few days I should be able to spot which of the herd'll best fit my needs.

February 6th, 2025
Bit of a rough one the past two days I'll tell you that much. Had a real tough time gettin' the herd to calm once in the pen but they had enough space that they settled eventually. The stallions are guarding the mares of course, the mares are less warry but still on edge. Had a real hard day gettin' everythin' settled but I think we'll be progressin' soon.

February 7th, 2025
Today was good, managed to get the mares haltered, the two stallions were still hidin' in the back.
To be clear though the mares didn't take to it easy, still plenty struggle, but we got it done. Butter Bean's been gettin' less an' less cooperative but I've been doin' more on-foot work anyways so he gets to relax off to the side. Been leadin the mares a few feet by halter every couple hours, rewardin' 'em with some fresh alfalfa I brought. I have some high hopes. Theres one mare in particular who seems far less unnerved than the others, lovely antler rack too. Must say I think she's who I'll pick but only time will tell.

[phrogMutt]

After many days of work, I managed to get the mares used to my presence. I determined I was correct in my assumption and decided to take the mare with the large antlers back down the mountain to train.
Her herd followed us down to make sure she was well taken care of, even now I still see them linger near most days.
I've named her Champion, in hopes she would reach such a title. She is free to roam the wide range of my ranch, often roaming with her previous herd, though always returns at night or when called.
Over these past few months I have worked hard to both get her accustomed to thr sports i had planned for her as well as getting her in peak conditions for said sports.
She was resistant to the pulling gear but has becoe reluctantly used to it and has grown much muscle since.
She was a natural swimmer and and excellent runner so the triathalon came natural to her wild body, I have no doubt she will topple the competition.
Log toss seemed natural as well, something she seemed to have done will in the wild, though it did take some effort to teach her to actually throw the logs instead of simply moving them aside. I'bve noticed her neck muscles have tones quite well due to her trainings, surely something that will impress the judges well enough.
As we near the competition I look back on these many many months of bonding and training and even if she does not place, I know she will be an excellent asset to the ranch. Maybe even the rest of her herd will join us someday though I'm not going to force it.