Horse Ranch: The Training Grounds - 2 of 5

Here is the 2nd part of the mini series «Chestnut Training Grounds», where I explore parts of the The Sims 4 Horse Ranch EP). Can Stian Pratt-Anderson fulfill his dream of equestrian championship? What about his business idea of charging strangers for borrowing his rescued horse? And - can he keep the Equestrian Club out of sight? Most pictures are taken during gaming sessions, unscripted.

Stian Pratt-Anderson (56) is no hero, he just rents the old Chestnut Training Grounds and he rescued one horse. He protested when the Equestrian Foals club Leader, Lady Aili, suggested to use the Training Grounds for club meetings. Stian prefers peace and quiet, with plenty of time to tend to his mental wellness while getting ready to train the mare Tornado for future competitions.

At the same time he could tell something was wrong with the horse. Tornado had no horsey friends, and although their relation was building, Stian felt sorry for his new Needy mate. He knew Mini-goats were perfect company to a lonely horse, but having them jumping around would totally step on his nerves. Could he take Tornado for a ride to meet other horses?

Then he realized that he had no friends who could bring their horse to such a meet up. Going out there to let Tornado mingle with a total stranger horse, felt both stupid and risky. They were two of a kind.

The easiest solution was of course to rescue one more horse! A playmate for Tornado, but also a back-up for Stian to train for Championship, in case Tornado turned out to be no good.

The Anglo Arabian named King was rescued at he Equestrian Center, but Stian was regretful as soon as they stood at the entrance of the Training Grounds: If Tornado would spend time with King everything might work out just fine, but if they didn't connect socially, Stian would now be in deep trouble when it came to quality time for tending to his mental needs.

Before introducing King to Tornado, he decided to build some relation to the new mate. Going for a short ride perhaps...

But King, with traits Needy, Fearful and Defiant, did not allow Stian to mount immediately, so he threw Stian out of the saddle. Stian got hurt, but being a Military professional, he knew that stepping back would only signalize to the enemy that you are the weaker party.

They went for a quick relaxing ride, but Stian felt rather nervous and had totally lost the grip on Horse riding. It seemed like he will need to practice a bit, despite having some practice from his teenage years.

Oh, they met a stray cat! Luckily King was not scared by it. After all, stray cats are not common in Chestnut Ridge...

The very next day Lady Aili (46) was seen arriving New Appaloosa at her horse, Champagne.

Her club offer had recently been turned down by Stian, but as she is now returning there might be a chance she discussed the situation with her husband, the powerful Malcolm Landgraab Mester Cacti.

Now, wait - Lady Aili is not alone!

She is joined by Robert Calves (61), the kingdom's Grand Marshal, the Founder of Mazaloom Equestrian Association (M.E.A.), and Leader of the club Equestrian Elite! This certainly doesn't look good for Stian, who is renting the Training Grounds from the M.E.A.!

The trotting company arrived at Stian's place, and he immediately understood that this was not a polite welcome wagon meet up.

- Stian Pratt-Anderson, do you like renting this place?

- Yes...

- So, you will need to play by the rules of the C.E.A.

- But, I do pay my rent, that's all we agreed upon...

Lady Aili gave Robert Calves a nod that she obviously thought that Stian would not notice.

- Well, Mr. Calves said. - Thing is there is a brand new rule. The Equestrian Foals club will be using the Training Grounds for their club meetings. If you don't like it, you will need to pack your stuff and rent elsewhere.

- Uhm... I...

- You get 3 days, Pratt-Anderson!

Stian could hardly believe what he heard! This club of noisy horse lovers would now flood his peaceful stable? How would two Fearful horses react to that?

Stian had to stop thinking of the silly club. He felt stressed already, and realized it would get hard to meditate with noisy club members all over the grounds. There was no Spa in Chestnut Ridge, that he could escape to, and it was too far visiting his favorite Wellness establishment in Del Sol Valley.

He focused a bit on building his Horse Riding skill. To his surprise he preferred riding King.

King and Tornado were socializing quite well, keeping each other company without bothering him so much. They shared he exact traits, but that could be both positive and negative.

But no more strangers visited to borrow his horses, and he made no money at all. It was not only the business idea that failed big time, but also the horses skills would build much slower. He could not train both of them!

At least they had each other, Tornado was no longer so lonely.

Only Stian felt a bit left out and lonely now. He relaxed in the community corner of the Training Grounds, he played with a horse puzzle, he even cleaned the old coffee machine - twice! The refrigerator counter was old and worn, it had been used to serve small meals to visitors back when the Training Grounds served as a meeting place for locals. By placing a group meal there, any visitor could grab a dish as desired.

But Stian did not plan on serving anyone. It was still 1 day until the 3 days warning was up. He could either accept the new situation or move out. What would happen to Tornado and King if he handed them to others? His savings was intended for making ends meet over the next year, he could not afford buying his own house with a stable.

He took up an old hobby, Woodworking.

He decided to craft a few horse sculptures to calm his nerves. Perhaps he could arrange a horse statue street market to bring in some Simoleons? He realized that the visitors stopped coming to borrow horses for riding, thanks to the influence by Lady Aili. This was not fair, neither to him nor the horses!

That night he phoned Robert Calves.

- This is Stian Pratt-Anderson. I decided to stay at Chestnut Training Grounds. The Foals club and I will work on a solution.

A few days later there was an Equestrian Foals club meeting. It was only meant as a general hang out, without too much focus on the horses. Lady Aili explained that most of the members had never used the place before, and getting familiar with the facilities was a good thing.

- And, she added. - As Horse Riding is not a true club activity, we do also focus on socializing! 

Stian served them nothing but coffee, but it was a very hot Summer evening, and hot drinks was obviously not a success. Wasted coffee and power consumption, he thought to himself.

Tornado overlooked the gathering, and it is hard to see what she was thinking. Maybe she wondered what all those strangers were doing at her place?

Then the club members debated Stian's business of charging §500 for borrowing a horse for maybe just a couple hours.

- It is way too expensive, Lady Aili claimed. - I have access to as much money that most residents can only dream of. I am talking on behalf of our general members.

- I agree that §500 is expensive, Adriana Caliente (31) nodded, also she from Oasis Springs. She is the athletic daughter of Nina Caliente and Don Lothario.

- Allow me to suggest that borrowing a horse must be free of charge during club meetings, Lady Aili concluded. - It might help building more interest for both this club and your business.

A little later Adriana Caliente decided to borrow King for a ride. First she brushed his coat to build a relation, then she mounted... 

... and finally she was thrown off the saddle! King was not interested. Stian liked to think that the horses felt being taken advantage of by providing rides free of charge. Of course they couldn't care less about the Simoleons.

Adriana Caliente had very poor Horse riding skill, she turned out to be a total newbie. King allowing her to go on with the ride surprised Stian. Perhaps King was a good mate to newcomers?

Stian had avoided rescuing aggressive horses, just because he thought they would be harder to deal with. King was not aggressive, perhaps Stian's thinking was correct, after all? It was obviously time to start practicing some Barrel racing! Or should he go for some other discipline?

Before she left, Adriana had a surprise gift for them all:

- Horses are supposed to rule the World, she said and handed Stian a new ball **. - I enjoyed the ride, and just because you accepted not to charge us club members, I can still gift you this one!

And, how about King?

The Anglo Arabian stallion started rather shaky, but turned out being a good fellow. Now, perhaps Tornado was to blame for that, they really found good chemistry.

To be continued.

Disclaimer: Story includes elements from other packs. Cats, the club system, the café counter and a few more features are not included with the Horse Ranch EP. 

** Globe Horse ball toy is now available from my downloads page!