[Kassypen]

It's finally time for you to rest, but you don't want to go to sleep just yet so you instead go to visit your horse in the main festival barn. When you step inside, a brown and orange tabby patched cat rubs against your legs and you smile, petting her. You remember someone saying a cat named Henrietta was living in the barn and you assume this was her. You reach to pet her again but she's gone. "Weird." you whisper to yourself.
But then you find your horse in their stall and you watch them eat their hay until you wander back over to your tent to sleep.
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◃ All napacello rules still apply
◃ All cs rules still apply
◃ You may gift the prizes won in this event, but you may not trade them
◃ Both owners and nonowners can participate! If you do not own a napacello then you may use our mascot, Neo, to answer all prompts. Though if/when you get a horse in this event, you may use them immediately
◃ You may answer the each prompt with either art or writing! [But not both!]
◃ Each prompt will state the prize, and whether it will be a raffle or staff will be choosing a winner
◃ You must use the napacello you registered at the entry booth to answer prompts, but you may reference other napacellos

How to Enter:
◃ When you finish your prompt response, post it here
◃ Do not reserve posts, only post when you have finished your prompt
◃ DO NOT MARK THIS THREAD - INSTEAD MARK THE MAIN EVENT THREAD

◃ Prompts are open for one week, and end at CS rollover. If you post late you won't be counted

◃ If answering in writing, you must have a minimum of 100 words.
◃ If answering with art, you may only make one piece and it must be at least a clean and recognizable sketch.
◃ No comics or animation. No words in art responses
◃ You may only answer a prompt one time and everyone will have equal chances in raffles
◃ And of course, most importantly, have fun!

Three prompts will be posted at the beginning of each week, each will have a separate prize. You may enter for as many or as little as you wish. Some will be raffles, but the larger prizes will have staff pick the best answer to the prompt. Prettying up is allowed and encouraged!

If you have any questions please contact Kassypen

[Kassypen]

Week Two:
#1 - This week you have a slot to run a horse showcase in the main ring. Will you be training a foal? Showing off your skills in jumping? Or something entirely different?
Prize: Opportunity to change one of your horse’s gender
Type: Raffle

#2 - Which people have you met at the festival? Where and how did you meet them? **this is a team prompt, you will work together to create a story, each writing it from their own view**
Prize: orphaned twins - each teammate gets one
Type: Staff Pick

(Only two prompts this week due to the time prompt two will take)


Here



Week One
#1 - vivere!
#2 - moreponiesneeded
#3 - Laurara

[Kassypen]

Now open for posting! Please only mark the main page and the adopts page

To begin the event, you must complete this before being able to do anything else

[blackhoeses]

[prompt #2 entry] [833 words]

I pat Terry on the nose for the last time before going to look around at the festival. As I start to head out of the stable my thoughts flash back to the day I had found Terry.

It was late at night I was tired from a long day on the farm and caring for all the residents there. I nibbled on a sandwich as I turned on my laptop. It was time for the nightly ritual of cheeking the websites were people put horse and animals up for sale or adoption. I am always on the look out for those that need to be rescued or for those poor souls that there owners post saying "if some one dose not pick them up in x amount of time they will be put down or taken to x auction". Some of these horse come to the farm in rough shape, they get the love and care they need before finding forever homes. I pull my wandering thoughts back to the work at hand, recently I had noted the lack of good jumping barns in the area. And the local kids that liked to come around to the farm were asking when I would get horse to do lessons on.

The same day I started work on the new barn and the arenas. I had expand my search to include young jumping horse. Not that we ever turned a horse away for there trained discipline but I was now looking with a eye to keep on the farm foever. And just then a picture caught my eye in it was a beautiful golden bay moroccan tobiano stallion. He was stunning my hand shakes a tiny bit as I click on the link to his sale page. I start reading about him he is 5 years old, has been trained in jumping and in the blurb about him it says he is smart and is good around kids and other animals. *I clap my hands in excitement* Then his breed catches my eye I have never heard of it, he is something called a Napacello Warmbloods. I immediately open a new tab and start researching the bread. Wow this breed sounds perfect, I make a mental note to see if there are any adoptions sites or sales sites that focuses on this breed. They would be perfect for the new jumping barn.

I quickly click back to the young stallions page to see how much they want. My hart is in my throat and then I see that the price there asking is not to much. Then I see something that makes my hart stutter they have put his sale as a 24 hour before the take him to a action in the next state over that I know that has a lot buyers for those place in Mexico. I look at the clock it says 8:30pm and try to figure out if I should call. I diced to risk it and call up the number listed an man with a heavy accent answers and after a few minutes of talk we agree on a time to meet up the next day.

After morning chores, i hook up the small trailer to my old but trusty truck. And follow the GPS to the address given as I pull down the drive I see a barn that seen better days. But has not quite reached that point of past all hope feel. Off to the right of the barn I see the young stallion kicking up his heels in a round pen. As I get out of the car a middle aged man walks up and greats me. As we stand there talking, I found out that this barn had recently closed and all the horse were being sold off. And that the poor young stallion whose barn name was Terry was the last. All the buyers that had come before and looked at his rambunctious play and got scared away. As I looked Terry over and put him through his paces. I realized what a gem he was and bought him on the spot. The man was so relived that Terry was going to a good home he threw in some tack and new purple halter.

The Man then told me about a festival that was to happen in a week or so. And that if he had been able to wait he would have taken Terry there. As it was a special rescue event, with competitions and napas in need of new homes. I think to my self this is a perfect place to look for more horse to go in the jumping barn. And will give me a chance to take Terry out to a event and see his temperament before having kids under foot. I am jard out of my thoughts when I realize I am back at the tent. I decide to take a short nap before exploring more.

[blackhoeses]

[prompt #3 entry] [375 words]

The old truck gratefully sputters to a stop, I make a mental note to myself to take it in the the mechanics when we get back home. The long trip from our home with the large trailer seems to have been been a little harder on it they I would have liked. I am shaken out of my tired thoughts as Ides of March or Terry as he likes to be called lets out a loud but slightly tired whinny. As I get out of the truck and let down the window on the section of the trailer that Terry is in so he can get a breath of fresh air, while I figure out what I am going to do first. Just then my stomach gives a loud growl as all of the tasty smells form the food vendors wash over me. I let out a sigh and head back to the truck to snag a granola bar to tide me over. Because as ever good horse person knows taking care of you horse always comes first. While eating the granola bar I take a look at the packet of papers I received when I first came in to the Festival. In it is a basic map of the grounds being used for the festival.

I poke my head around the end of the trailer and get my bearings. After I figure out which way the main festival barn is, I begin to unload Terry. We take our time heading over to the barn, as Terry and I are still figuring each other out. I had only picked him up the week before. So I was still learning all his quirks and doing my best not to put his trust in me under to much strain to fast. As it was I was super happy we had come as far as we had in only a week. After settling Terry in the stall we were directed to by the harried barn coordinator. I took a zillion trips between trailer and stall before having everything unloaded and tucked in its spot. I gave Terry a final good night scratch and head to set up my tent. Before following my nose to those delicious food smells.

[DarkestWerewolf]

Prompt 1 - 148 words
It was nearly half a day’s worth of driving when I finally reached the destination - somewhat. An old beaten path leading into a forest was all I could see. The evening sun was slowly going down. I had to get there before night. I continued driving. As I drove deeper, little lights could be seen around the trees of the road, lighting the path to the festival. I smiled. As I got there, the hustle and bustle of activities caught my attention. People were everywhere. I parked my truck and stayed seated inside, observing for just a while more. Excitement was pooling at the pits of my stomach. I have been looking forward to this festival for quite a while now. Just hearing people talk about it got my excited. The goal was to bring home a new friend. I couldn’t wait to see the rescue horses!

Prompt 2 - 214 words

Just then, a neigh snapped me out of my thoughts. Agust D had sensed that we had stopped and wanted to know what’s happening as well. I thought back to the day I had to decide which Napablood to bring. I spent an hour pacing back and forth the stalls with all the horses present, taking a good look at each and every one of them. I was thinking of bringing one of the younger ones to give them an experience they’d never forget but Agust D started neighing impatiently - urging me to make a decision. Agust D had always been quite the unique stallion. He was a leader but can be rather mysterious at times. A stallion full of mysteries. He was decent at competitions and was generally well-behaved yet no matter how much I care for him, there are still mysteries about him that I don’t know about. I smiled and clapped my hands, drawing the attention of all horses.
“Alright. Agust D, you’ll come with me to the festival!” I said.
At that, the stallion beamed with pride. The next day, I loaded him up and drove off.
“It’s gonna be a long ride, boy. Hang in there.” I said from the driver’s seat.
A snort echoed, acknowledging my words.

Prompt 3 - 382 words

I turned off the engine of the truck and slowly got off. I took a deep breath of the air. Fresh air, something that the city states wouldn’t have. Aside from the fresh air of nature, there were mixed smells of various things like hay, food from the stands and charcoal from all the outdoor cooking. Ruffling through my bagpack, I finally found the flyer for the festival. It was well known all around and this year was my first year attending it.
I smiled to myself, looking forward at all the hustle and bustle under the evening starry sky. It was truly a sight to see. Excitement filled my belly as I thought of all the wonderful events and things to do at the festival. I had a goal in mind; to bring home a new companion.
Just then, a soft thud and neighs echoed from my trailer. A smile found its way onto my face as I went to open it up. Out stepped one of my dearest Napablood, Agust D. Sapphire blue eyes scanned the area. His ears pinned back due to the unfamiliar surroundings and activities.
“Sorry boy, you must be tired huh? Let’s bring you to your temporary place.” I did softly to him.
After a while of looking and standing around, Agust D calmed down and I brought him to the barn where the Napabloods of other festival goers resided. The stall was already ready for a horse to stay in. Fresh water, hay and bedding. After brushing Agust D down, I let him get accustomed to the stall.
“It might not be the stall you’re used to back home but hey, we’ll make the best of it alright? Even if you hate it, it’s only temporary. You might be able to meet some new friends too.” I smiled, scanning the barn.
Napabloods of varying sizes and colours were everywhere. Simple a beautiful sight to see.
I took out a homemade apple treat and gave it to Agust D.
“Just get some rest alright? We travelled the entire day and it must be tiring and stressing on you as well. I’m gonna go get some food before heading to my tent to rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I said to him, nuzzling his nose before leaving.

[bantry bay]

prompt 1 - 290 words
It'd been a while since I'd been to a horse show. After a year of switching between horses when the gelding I'd used to ride retired, I hadn't much reason to go other to cheer on my friends. But now I had a horse, and I was ready and waiting to snatch up the next show opportunity - although it was unlikely I'd compete it was always fun to watch and take in the atmosphere. The Fall Festival, though larger than I was expecting, was the perfect opportunity - and perhaps, if I was lucky, I might buy a horse so that Neo could go on to be a good lease for others. I loved him with all my heart - he was special. But he wasn't mine, and it would be selfish to keep him for my own.
There were so many reasons to go - to hang out with friends, of course. Some long-time buddies I hadn't seen for a while were planning on attending. The competitions, too - watching them would be so invigorating! And if there were some low jumper courses, well, I had planned on giving Neo a spin. But most of all, I dreamed of the rescues. Horses upon horses, searching for new homes - and I, fresh to the world, with enough money to spare to give home to a horse, maybe even two! As a kid I grew up on a ranch, and horses streamed in and out from bad situations - some hurt, some just neglected, but all of them had a hollow look in their eye. And even if it was just for one horse, I wanted to free them of that fog and let them live their lives. Maybe its' cheesy, but so was I.

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prompt 2 - 471 words
He wasn't the most handsome horse, or the most athletic, but he was a good boy, and he was cheap. I'd started leasing Neo a few months ago - back when I was clueless about horseflesh, and new nothing but how to ride. A friend had taken me to look at some warmbloods at a local barn when I spotted the paint gelding, peacefully gnawing at the hay in his manger. I'd reached out my hand to stroke his face and he complied without complaint, even reaching out his head for pats. "Awh - he's so cute!" I exclaimed. I'd been looking for a mare, something with a little more fire (or so they said I ought to) but something about him spoke to me. I talked to his owner about a lease - 3 months, maybe 6, a year if things went well. I signed a contract and with that, Neo was in the trailor and I was driving him home. So easy, I had thought - just a hop, skip and a jump to my very own horse! I'd leased ponies as a kid, but nothing payed for with my own money.
The next morning I went to retrieve him from the field, pep in my step. Everything was fine until I picked his hooves, where to my horror, I discovered he had lost a shoe! I frantically checked his other foot and was relieved to find his other shoe was still there. "Well, mister, you'll have some time off until the farrier comes," I scolded. Cursing myself for not thinking of this before, I strapped bell boots onto his feet and let him loose in the field again.
I eagerly awaited my first ride, but I thought it safe to wait until both front feet had their shoes. So while I waited, every day I went and groomed him, making sure his remaining shoe was right where it was supposed to be. I found that he really enjoyed being curried on his rump, but hated his ears touched, and that he liked carrots very much but wouldn't eat the tops. A few days later the farrier came and went, and I finally got the opportunity to ride Neo.
He wasn't girthy, and accepted the bit with grace. Although a little unbalanced on his right lead, perhaps from his previously missing shoe, he moved with the beautiful fluidity common to his breed - truly a magnificent horse. No bad habits, and a good attitude - boy oh boy, I was lucky to have him as my first lease.
So when I got the news of the show I jumped at the opportunity to bring Neo along - perhaps to compete, or maybe just to have a change of scenery. I had some money to spare and was happy to pay for board. Maybe he wasn't the best horse, but he was my horse, and I was happy to have him.

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prompt 3 - 310 words
The trailer hummed pleasantly as I pulled into the parking lot for the festival. The orange lights were warm and welcoming as night set in and the wind blew cold. I got out of my truck and glanced at my map yet again, making sure I knew the location of the stall I had boarded. I unloaded Neo without a hitch and led him to the nearby stables, where his stall was plump with shavings and alfalfa laced the corner. I filled up his water bucket and closed his door, letting him be for the night.
My stomach rumbled and with a jolt I remembered I'd made plans with some friends to eat at the convention center, where there were some restaurants, booths, and a bar. I checked my watch in a panic to realize it was only quarter to 7 - I had nearly an hour before they would expect me. Letting my feet guide me, I wandered around the festival, looking in on some of the rescues. A couple caught my eye, and I made a note of their registration numbers so I could come back later. A particularly sickly looking grey mare whinnied as I passed by, and I gave her the carrot I'd been saving for Neo - she seemed to enjoy it and lifted her upper lip, nodding her head up and down as I grinned at her reaction. Eventually I found myself at the convention center. I checked my watch again - 7:20. Ten minutes to kill. I chatted with some booth owners - there was a particularly friendly pie lady who captured my attention. Our conversation came to a lull and I spotted my friends walking into the hall together. Someone noticed me and pointed. "Hey y'all - look, its' Sam!" Quickly thanking the pie lady, I rushed over to join them, excited for tonight and the festivities tomorrow.

[moreponiesneeded]

Prompt #1 -- 244 words

A beat up silver truck pulls into the fairgrounds, pulling a shiny, used not abused trailer behind it. It shudders to a stop in the gravel parking lot and a couple steps out. They survey the bustling fairgrounds before making eye contact over the hood of their truck. Malcolm shrugs and grins, his girlfriend does not look as enthused. In fact, Vera looks absolutely nauseous.
There was no time to dwell however, their trailer shifted with the animal inside of it and the two sprung into action. Malcolm grabbed a bag of shavings and rushed to set up their assigned stall while Vera unloaded their leased horse. Neo backed out of the trailer like a pro, shook the shavings out of his coat, and immediately lunged to take a bite of grass.
Vera sighed and slumped into the stallion's shoulder. He was a wonderful horse, a dream to ride. But sometimes when you buy a farm it would be nice to fill it with horses. Neo would be going back home after the festival and she and Malcolm didn't want to go home to an empty barn. Vera is pulled out of her thoughts as Neo's tail swishes directly into her face. She jumped, Neo looking back at her with what she swears is a grin. "OK, ok. Let's get you some hay huh?"

Prompt #2 -- 120 words

Neo chows down on his hay as soon as he's lead into his stall. Only the best for king Neo. Vera and Malcolm fist bump. They made it this far without a trainer, the rest of the show should be a breeze right? Suuuure. Why not. Neither of them had ever been to a show without a trainer at least sitting on the sidelines. Mostly because they both have only ever ridden other people's horses. When Neo was offered as a lease for the weekend they immediately jumped on the opportunity. The stallion had plenty of experience not only at this showgrounds, he's been to show grounds all over the country. There's nothing that would phase him at this point.

[Lavellan]

#1 - You have just come to the event and are getting a feel for how everything is going to run. What made you come to the festival? What do you look forward to? Is it the rescue horses, the raffles?

Even from the moment that I arranged to leave for the festival, I knew what was drawing me to it, that what made me abandon my farm (in the capable hands of a neighbor, I have to add) for the entire festival period.
There were many things that drew me, of course - the chance to ogle so many beautiful Napas that I would otherwise have never met, the different things, tips or tricks that I might pick up at information stalls or from just talking to the people organizing it. One thing that I was really looking forward to was the chance to meet with other Napa owners, to hear their stories and their experiences with their horses, and maybe even learn a little bit from them as well!
The raffles, of course, were fun, but my luck was never the best, and chances of me winning were probably slim to none. I never really got emotionally involved with raffles, never hoped too hard to win. My luck was just sour, I was more than used to it by now. Still, it was exciting to get involved, exhilarating to hold onto that hope that I might win.
But, of course, the thing that really drew me, the thing that I look forward to the most, is the rescues. Even if there are none that I can adopt, even if I don't directly get to help them, just seeing them, and knowing that they'll be going to a beautiful new home with a fantastic owner is all that I needed to know. Giving them a moment of love, a quick pat or a cheeky treat unseen to any others, speaking to them gently and showing them a kindness, something like none of them might have seen before, was good enough for me...
But still, I had room in the trailer... Just in case...

312 words

#2 - Which horse did you bring to the event and why? Are they your favorite? Do you want to get to know them better? Are they your best statted horse?

With a squeak of old breaks and the sigh of an engine turning off, I arrived at the event, taking off my seat belt slowly and deliberately as I checked my phone for notifications. The long drive behind us, I needed to make sure the right people knew we had arrived safety, sitting in the peaceful silence of the cooling truck.
A ruckus began behind me, however, cutting the silence short. I laughed lightly, locking my phone and slipping it back into my jeans pockets. Carlyle would be eager to get to know where we were. The young stallion, barely older than a colt, had a quiet nervousness about him, a shy cautiousness that hindered him in making friends with my own Napas at the barn, so I made a possibly foolish decision and decided to bring him with me. I didn't know how he'd react - he hadn't left my premises since I had adopted him. I wasn't sure how he'd react to the smells and the sounds and the strange horses, but if all went to plan, he'd be leaving here with a little more confidence than when he arrived. I wouldn't leave his side until he was comfortable, anyhow. Even if that meant I sat with him until he fell asleep.
The trailer was dark and warm as I opened the doors, and those wide, mint eyes landing on me as the stallion regarded me. I love all of my Napas, don't get me wrong, but there was something about this youngster that really tugged on my heart strings. Maybe I could bring him around with me - he'd follow me like a puppy at heel, wouldn't cause any trouble. Unloading him from the trailer, I could see that his mind was beginning to race. His nostrils quivered, his ears were never still, and his eyes flitted from spot to spot. Scratching his favourite spot at the base of his mane, I murmured a few words before asking him to walk on. We took our time following the path to the stalls, letting him sniff and look and pause whenever he needed it. People flew past us, eager to see the event, but I didn't want to pressure Carlyle into moving faster than he was willing.
After what was only a few minutes, we arrived the stalls, and I picked one at the back of the row. It'd be quieter here, calmer. Taking off his halter and turning him into the stall, I had to step back quickly to close the door - otherwise he would be out after me. I watched him for a few minutes, raising his head over the walls to see his neighbors. One was a gelding, the other a mare - neither would cause him much trouble, I hoped. He didn't relax immediately, of course, but I stood in the stalls until he quietened. His constant turning in the stall soon softened to occasional head turn, his huffs and snorts turned into soft sighs. I couldn't believe it - he was actually calming, and I was able to move away from the stall before I realized what was happening. I quickly scribbled a quick note on a notepad from my bag, sticking it to his stall door "Hi! My name is Carlyle, and I am a little nervous! Please use soft voices and, if I am really distressed, call my human on 555-...."
The last time I checked on him, he was dozing in his stall, clearly tuckered out from the long drive. I took a quick picture - adding to the millions of pictures of the young stallion already on my phone - and went to move away, excitement bubbling up at the thoughts of experiencing the event. I'd hang around close to the stalls for now, though, to make sure he was truly alright, but right now, I needed to get to the snack stand that we passed on the way to grab a fall treat!

659 words

#3 - After getting to the festival, what would you do first? Would you make sure your horse was comfortable? Would you check out the rescues? Would you get food?

With a heartbeat aflutter, I sat at the laptop, reading about the events in my area. I had just been looking for something to do at the weekend, something to divide the work weeks, but there was an ad for an event that caught my eye, something that had me reading with an appetite for words that I had never experienced before. The Napacello Fall Rescue Event. Just reading the title of the article had me excited. I planned my trip that very night, making arrangements for people to watch the farm and feed the horses before slipping into an excited sleep.
The festival came faster than I could have hoped, and, before I knew it, I was settling Carlyle in to the stables, the sights and the smells filling my senses as I left the stables. Carlyle had settled quick, giving me the chance to see what I wanted to...
But what first?! There was so much to see, so much to do-
A rumbling in my belly reminded me that I should probably eat something before exploring, and, a quick pumpkin treat later, I was back at my original dilemma. But I knew that, deep down, that was what I was here for.
The thing that drew me to the festival in the first place was the rescues. A sucker for a sad story, I knew that I wouldn't be able to resist the pleading eyes or broken spirits behind, and so I had brought a bigger trailer than I needed. Rescues were always difficult to work with, and even more heartbreaking to learn about, but there is a beauty behind them, a fire in their spirit that I'd never be able to walk away from.
Crossing the busy event, casting quick but not lasting glances at the various stalls and exhibits in the area, I made my way to the rescues, knowing at the back of my mind that I might not be able to leave empty-handed.
Of course, my breath hitched when I spotted them. Ribs were the first thing that could be noticed about the various equines in the area, their emaciated selves begging for care. They were a sorry lot, but I couldn't have walked away if I tried. I stepped as close a they would let me, some showing interest in the strangers passing by, and others even coming close for scratches or pets. Each one I passed, each sad eye I caught or each story I heard tugged at my heart even more, and, as I explored the rescue area, I just knew.
Even if I could only directly reach one or two, I had to help these horses.

447 words

[moreponiesneeded]

Prompt #3

sorry if the colors are off, my computer displays them weird.