Whoop whoop! My cousin's laptop takes Java! 
So yes, I'm still on holiday in Utah atm. Six thousand miles away from home (and roughly 6 hours behind too), but I'm having a great time with my American family. I've done loads, including going to watch a rodeo and (probably) being the first of the British side of the to try riding Western style (even though it's only the fourth time in a saddle in my life)! It's been amazing!
Anyway, we're having a quiet day today as we've only just got back to Salt Lake City from Bryce Canyon (and my dad would rather have a lazy day for his birthday XD ), so I decided to take the Oekaki for a spin on my cousin's laptop- the result for which is this (which I'm actually pleased with)! ^u^
So I asked Teresa if I could post my own lineart and she very kindly let me make her! She's heavily inspired by the major lineart edits by ty_tay, sapphirespirit, SerenWish and o s h u n, so I can't say that this is a highly original idea.
So yes, I'm still on holiday in Utah atm. Six thousand miles away from home (and roughly 6 hours behind too), but I'm having a great time with my American family. I've done loads, including going to watch a rodeo and (probably) being the first of the British side of the to try riding Western style (even though it's only the fourth time in a saddle in my life)! It's been amazing!
Anyway, we're having a quiet day today as we've only just got back to Salt Lake City from Bryce Canyon (and my dad would rather have a lazy day for his birthday XD ), so I decided to take the Oekaki for a spin on my cousin's laptop- the result for which is this (which I'm actually pleased with)! ^u^
So I asked Teresa if I could post my own lineart and she very kindly let me make her! She's heavily inspired by the major lineart edits by ty_tay, sapphirespirit, SerenWish and o s h u n, so I can't say that this is a highly original idea.
SerenWish wrote:I AM DELIGHTED. NOTHING CAN CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT. AHHHHHHH!
So hush you're fine, I love what you did!
Username: SerenWish
Show Name: A True, True Friend
Barn Name: Dakota (Dakota is a popular name for Western-horses, and may sound cliché, but I chose it because it actually means "friend".)
Age: 10 Years
Gender: Mare
Breed: American Quarter Horse
Colouration: Bay Dun Pintaloosa
Markings: Tobiano and Blanket appaloosa markings
Genetics: E/e, A/A, D/d, Tob/tob, Lpn/lpn and Ptn2/ptn2.
Discipline/Occupation: Western- Cutting/Cattlework, and some light Reining.
Want me to add tack? You can if you want to practice, but I would never ask you to put more on your plate!
Personality: Dakota is a very sharp mare, gifted with the "cow sense" common in cattle-cutting Quarter Horses. She is very intelligent, and has the gentleness of a golden retriever. She is friendly with all kinds of animals, anything from cows, to dogs, to barn cats. She is known around the barn for allowing cats to ride and snooze on her back while she grazes. She is very eager to please and glad to work for beginner or experienced riders. She is a natural leader and will step up into a "lead mare" position if given the chance- while she is not rude or pushy, she is confident and dedicated.
History: Dakota was born on a ranch in South Dakota known for breeding high-quality cutting horses, and was exported to Germany to join the growing ranks of Western horses in the country. We spotted her at a show there and thought she was spectacular. Imagine my shock when I found out that the geneticist Immy had brought her back to Cottonwood Ranch to find a new home, and that I might have a shot at taking her home! It was an honor, especially since we have no cutting horses to call our own!
~~~
~*QUIZ*~
1. So it must be pretty obvious what date I mean by now, but can you guess when it is? The oh so important date of your birth! July 31st cannot come soon enough!
2. What is my favourite colour? Red!
3. What is the name of my degree course? Zoology (& Genetics in particular, I believe, but I can't remember if that's part of the formal degree or not!)
4. I play two instruments, but what are they? Clarinet and Piano (You also have a lovely singing voice! XD)
5. What species is my fursona (bonus points for latin name)? Golden Eagle- Aquila chrysaetos
BONUS: Name my top three favourite horse breeds:
Thoroughbred
Icelandic Pony
Vladimir Heavy Draft
*Flailing for answers*
(This one was hard! I know you have so many breeds you like, so I tried to pick out the more unusual ones I've noticed you fuss over before. XD)
~~~
Extra:
Companions: Due to her caring and accepting nature, we are hoping to put Dakota with our three "misfit" mares- "Pet" the Przewalski's Wild Horse, "Riv" the Mini Zonkey, and "Waltz" the Mule Mare. Not only do they need a gentle, laid-back mare, but they need a sharp mind and a mare who can be a leader- Pet can be flighty, Riv can be pushy, and Waltz is in her own dream world sometimes!
Story:
Some horses are born with the drive to conquer and win. Some are born with the desire to make humans happy- or one, single human. Some are born with unbroken spirits, who reject the life of the domestic.
Dakota was born with a drive, a desire, and a spirit- and a mind of her own. It was obvious from even foal hood- rather than frisk or hide behind her dam's side, she would rather strike out and guide other foals back to their mothers' care. She was mature and mellow, even as a yearling, and took to halter training like a champ. When she was almost three, she was put under saddle with hardly a bat of an eyelash.
Seren had read all these notes and stories in a small journal from her original owner and trainer. She had translated the German and poured over some snapshots of the tiny spotted foal who acted as though she was lead mare from day one. She was confident, but not pushy, and it was astounding. Still... something wasn't quite right.
Sighing, the dark-haired girl turned to look out the window, watching the clump of mares in one corner of the pasture, with a sole figure standing out like a single fluffy cloud in an otherwise blue sky. It gave a niggling feeling in her stomach, a feeling that refused to go away the longer she watched Dakota. She was a genuinely nice horse- actually, there seemed nothing bad about her, except that maybe she was too good to be true. Yet none of the other mares- her nicest, friendliest mares- would go near her.
Seren heard a telling bray, a sharp reminder from one of her more....interesting farm members, and headed out to feed them. Pausing by the fenceline, the caller trotted up to meet her, her giant ears rotating to and fro, like furry satellite dishes. Riv was a bizarre mix of a miniature jennet and a zebra stud, and was an adorable striped Houdini. She was one of the most mischievous characters on the farm, and all in the name of food, and attention. Seren always did feel a bit bad for the little mare, who had few friends or companions, except for the independent Petroglyph, and the floppish Waltz. While they kept Riv from becoming lonesome, and they were friends, they did not offer the right focus or guidance the little yearling zonkey needed.
Leaning her weight on the top railing, she played with the rabbit-like ears, gently tugging on them and earned a soft muzzle nuzzling at her. Direction, guidance- those were all things a mother or lead mare would provide. A human couldn't do that for her. Seren pushed off the fence, and turned in the direction of the main pasture once again, watching the spotted hide of the wheat-colored mare remain still in a corner. The other mares wouldn't take to Dakota, but Dakota wasn't taking to them, either. Maybe because...they didn't need her in their herd? Her trainer had said Dakota thrived near horses who were confused. Maybe she was a leader- maybe she just wanted someone to lead.
--------------------------
It was a rocky start, since the odd equines didn't take to strangers too well- but it blossomed. And Dakota took to them like a duck to water. She moved around the pasture like a seasoned mustang leading her band- of a striped little imp, an endangered spook, and a loping dreamer. They were all happier, quieter, and all around safer. Riv stopped escaping- most of the time. And Dakota was more than happy for her one-on-one reining and cutting practice, too. A mare with an unusual coat took some unusual friends- and solved Seren's long-lasting headache. The dark-haired girl grinned and kissed Dakota on the cheek, earning a soft nicker.
"Dakota, you are a lifesaver!"
Art:
