[sapphirespirit]

Closed for new forms . two days to finish forms.

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[sapphirespirit]

Real life is keeping me busy. This will be judged soon. Please do not bump the form or pm me about it- I haven't forgot I have just been busy. Thanks

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[sapphirespirit]

No it's closed.

[sapphirespirit]

Username:
Chronometer
Show Name:
New Year's Day
Barn name:
Delilah
Gender:
Mare
Colour:
Mulberry Dappled Grey /Cremello Chimeric
Breed:
Dutch Warmblood (50%) Bashkir Curly (25%) TWH (12.5%) Anglo-Arab (12.5%)
Age:
Eight and a half
Height:
17.1 hh
Discipline:
Three Day Eventing
Tack:
Bridle -Saddle -Breastplate -Saddle Pad -Boots Forelegs -Boots Hind
Personality:
Delilah is a rebellious young lady. She is extravagant and carefree, and is not afraid of anything. To be honest, she acts more like a stallion than a mare. She's a speed demon, and can often be seen running around in the paddock just for the sake of it. Her attitude towards work is a little odd to deal with; she would much rather play, so exercise has to be made fun for her. Under saddle, she is strong, and difficult to hold back, especially with a rider that just pulls and does not release. Her gaits are smooth and rhythmic, and her changes are clean. Due to her adventurous personality, her favourite phase of eventing is cross country, where she can go almost as fast as she wants.

This mare is fond of people, and is always searching for treats. With her cute face and bossy manner, she always gets them! She does get fed up with people at times, since she has very little patience. The only time when she will display never-ending tolerance is around small children. She loves them, and will act like the perfect little angel around them, even when they are all the way up on her back. Delilah forms strong relationships with people, and can get very anxious when separated from a good friend.
Best Friend:
Longley
Longley is a gentle soul, and always tries to make friends. Delilah gave in to his endless pestering, and the two can often be seen playing over the fence. The gelding's idea of play is 'eat the other horse's face off while they eat yours,' and this seems perfectly fine with Delilah, who fancies herself male. The pair work dressage together, which makes it less boring for both of them since they can always entertain themselves by being bad together.
Worst Enemy:
Amontillado
These two hated each other from the moment they met. Both of these mares like to be in charge, and neither will back down for anything. When Delilah arrived, her and Amontillado got into a terrible fight. Delilah was kicked in the shoulder, and needed several stitches. Both mares become impossible to handle when they see each other, biting and kicking and doing anything to show the other horse who's boss.
History:
Delilah was foaled at a small farm in Concord, Massachusetts. A handsome Warmblood stallion, Welcoming The New Year, was bred for the first time to a lovely, kindhearted mixed mare, Daytime In London. The owners simply wanted a nice foal to continue the stallion's lines. When she was born, she put quite a few smiles on quite a few faces. The inquisitive little foal was always exploring, and visiting her human friends. She responded well to early training, and when she was three, she was trained under saddle for the first time. Apart from the usual difficulties that come with training a young horse, this went very well.

After two years, the farm ran into several economic problems, and had to sell a few horses. Delilah was flashy and fancy, so she would sell for a pretty penny. By this time, she was jumping 85cm, and was schooling 3rd level dressage, with a solid second level. A riding school in the area bought her, where she was used in the more advanced lessons. Unfortunately, she threw and seriously injured one young man, and had to be sold again. A competitive stable bought her, and she was used in cross country, until she was introduced to eventing. She liked the challenge, and excelled in all three stages, wining many ribbons. An injury put her out of work for six months, and she was given to Cottonwood as the stable did not want a 'useless' horse. She healed fully, and went back to her usual rambunctious self, waiting to be adopted.

It is very well known that Cottonwood is excellent at finding the best owners for their horses. A photograph of Delilah and some notes attached were mailed to Fairbanks. There, they caused some controversy, since no one really wants to buy a horse from a picture. Martha, Charles, Twite, and several students took the long journey to visit the mare. It was love at first sight for all. Delilah was adopted, and given a forever home at Fairbanks.

Theme Song:
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own

Tough, you think you've got the stuff
You're telling me and anyone
You're hard enough

You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go in alone

╔══════════════╗
Likes

• Cross Country
• Attention
• Children

╚══════════════╝

╔══════════════╗
Dislikes

• Dressage
• Boredom
• Being chastised

╚══════════════╝

Art & Stories

A New Arrival - Art + Short Story

Hey There Delilah

Delilah I can promise you
That by the time we get through
The world will never ever be the same
And you're to blame

Dr Charles Pollard didn't quite know what the song was about, but he liked it anyways. It was soft and simple, unlike the other garish noises the radio had been blaring out. He enjoyed listening to it, and stared out the window quietly, feeling the music. The endless dusty track rolled past them, with the driver skillfully avoiding the potholes. Each person seemed to be lulled into a brooding silence by the hum of the car's engine.

"This is a terrible idea."

Trust Martha to drive the quiet away. She would always speak her mind, especially when there were horses involved.

"How so?"

The question was posed not with the need for an answer, but simply to create conversation. Everyone knew it was a daft idea, especially with all the travel expenses. Whilst the words were being juggled back and forth between the others, Charles took the opportunity to have another look at the jumble of papers in his lap. Incomplete lineage diagrams, veterinary reports, registration papers, everything was confusing and unclear. The one thing that stuck out was the photograph, a beautiful high resolution image with perfect colours. A mare stood to attention as the subject of the picture. At first glance, she looked like some odd sort of skewbald, but the notes told otherwise. She was a chimera, a rare and beautiful accident in the world of equine genetics.

"It looks like a ridiculous cow."

"Why, I could cut myself on those withers!"

"Blimey, look at them legs!"

Despite the comments, Charles was drawn to the mare. Having only seen her in a picture, he was determined to meet the odd yet fascinating horse. Perhaps it was the spark in her eye, or the bold way she held herself. Whatever it was, he had to see the beauty. Excuses were made, arguments fought, and flattery was employed. Finally, Charles had permission to leave the island with his wife and Twite, and two of his students.


***


The automobile crept slowly towards Cottonwood Ranch. The company had again lapsed into silence, and were forced to listen to a horrible, scratchy song on the radio to remain awake. Drowsiness hung in the humid air like a curtain, washing over the unwary. A sharp turn violently jolted everyone out of their daydreaming as the bumpy road changed to smooth gravel.

At Cottonwood's entrance, the car stopped, and five of the occupants climbed out. Charles thanked the driver, and turned to look at the facility. Acres upon acres of pristine pastures extended across the land. A network of white fencing created a work of art against the grass. Horses were everywhere as well. Fat, thin, tall short, bay, grey, all colours, shapes and sizes. Each animal was happy and content. This place was beautiful.

"Ah, you must be here about our mare, Delilah."

A kind-faced young lady approached them, smiling. She had a professional yet bright attitude, which immediately put the newcomers at ease. Pollard answered her with the affirmative, and the group was led to a massive barn. A chorus of whinnies, nickers and snorts could be heard. As they entered the aisle, the lady explained that only mares and geldings were held here; the stallions were in a slightly smaller barn to the East. Charles couldn't quite wrap his head around the fact that so many horses could be kept in one place, and all needed homes. He would love to take them all home if he could, but that was nowhere near rational thinking. Besides, Charles suspected that Cottonwood would always find the best homes for their beloved horses.

The group stopped at a stall, from which was hanging a piece of paper reading #29: "Delilah," followed by feeding charts and vet information. The occupant of the stall was in the far corner, happily playing with her jolly ball. The gentle afternoon sun filtered into the stall, and played across her colourful back. She ignored her visitors, and focused on destroying her favourite toy.

"My God, she is beautiful!"

Nods and murmurs of agreement were passed around the group. No photograph could do the mare justice; she was a true pice of living artwork. Curiously, the beautiful horse approached her visitors.

"Hello, Delilah"

At the sound of Charles's voice, the mare pricked her ears and regarded the man with intelligent eyes. She immediately took a liking to him; his kind face and gentle voice invited confidence without being demanding. The other people looked nice to her too. Hopefully, they'd like to take her with them.

"Would you like to see how she moves before you try her?"

The answer was obviously yes, and the lady grabbed Delilah's halter and lead rope, and led her and the group of five to a fenced arena. Her halter was removed, and she flew away happily. Freedom! The mare galloped around, bucking, jumping, and having a great time. She felt the need to show off for these newcomers, and slowed to a fabulous extended trot. Murmurs of approval again circulated through the group. Now this horse could move! Her legs danced effortlessly across the sand, keeping in a steady rhythm. Her head was held high, but her back and neck were soft. The colours of her coat rippled in the sun, creating a fascinating kaleidoscope as the mare danced for her audience.


***


"So, what do you think about her?"

"Erm, I think, ah, I think..."

Poor Charles was speechless. Having just seen Delilah under saddle, no one could really blame him. Her movements were flawless, and although se acted up a bit, she demonstrated an amazing ability to communicate with her rider. Her jump was beautiful, with lots of scope and a perfect bascule.

"I think we quite like her, and would love to call her our own."

Martha stepped in to save her embarrassed husband. She too was under Delilah's spell, but was determined to secure a deal. Charles, bright red, stalked away from the group to visit the pretty mare again. She stood in her stall, playing with her ball again. Not wanting to interrupt her, Charles leaned against the door and watched her quietly. She stopped to take a look at him. The mare liked this person, so she willingly stepped forward to greet him. Charles grinned, and fished a sweet out of his pocket. Offering it to Delilah, he reached up and patted her neck.

"Good mare. We'll certainly go far with you, I believe!"

He found his voice again as Delilah's nose searched him for more treats. She was gentle, and Charles gladly allowed her to dirty his shirt. This mare deserved everything. She was truly something special, he thought with a smile.

Congrats

[Chronometer]

Thank you so much! She is one of the most intricate and beautiful horses I've ever seen at Cottonwood, and I'm delighted to call her my own c: