Here is the 3rd part of my unscripted mini series «The Training Grounds», where I explore parts of the The Sims 4 Horse Ranch EP. Stian Pratt-Anderson was forced to allow the Equestrian Club use his horses free of charge. The entire M.E.A. seems to work against him. Is it time to focus more on his equestrian dream?
Stian Pratt-Anderson (56) rents the old Chestnut Training Grounds, that's why he must obey the M.E.A.'s rules, even rules that were not mentioned in the rent agreement. He rescued two horses that visitors can borrow/rent for a ride. Stian is single, and his plan is to earn big money from winning competitions at the Equestrian Center. When he can afford it he will buy a small ranch for him and his rescued horses.
So far the two horses Tornado and King seem to go together quite well. The stable has 4 boxes, so he can still double the number of horses. Being rescued often means they come with tricky sets of traits, but with enough care and attention they might success anyway.
Tornado and King are often seen together in the stable or outside on the training courts.
Stian was more or less forced to joined the Equestrian Foals club. It's okay, though: Most of the members are nice, and even more interesting - they are mostly females which might open up for some future romantic relation.
The club members normally meet at the Training Grounds, but occasionally they head over for a drink at the bar. The same bar turns out to be the meet up for the Equestrian Elite club, where the Grand Marshal Robert Calves is the leader. He is in fact leading the entire M.E.A. board and not a man that Stian wants as a friend.
- I heard Stian Pratt-Anderson removed the fee for borrowing his horses, which is great, he stated to club member Maria Egan. - But I must warn you! You will not be able to attend any competition with his horses!
Stian overheard the conversation and he listened carefully. Was Mr Calves about to make up yet another new rule?
- Everyone should know that you can only attend competitions with a horse from your own household! That's why we normally keep our own horses!
- Indeed, Lady Aili chimed in. - We that can afford it, that is.
- Did anyone see my horse, Mia? I can't find my horse!
The next day Stian decided to rescue another horse!
He picked Saffron, of Palomino breed with traits Defiant, Brave and Needy. Perhaps braveness would help when training Show jumping?
When they returned, Stian felt even more confident with Saffron. Now, if only Tornado and King would welcome their new friend!
Having three horses involved lots of hard work and time spent on making them feel good.
Stian was lucky being the neighbor to the Equestrian Center. A woman working there, Sienna Grove, would occasionally step outside to care for his horses.
One night Stian had a talk with her.
- Thanks for helping with my horses!
- Oh, that's nothing! I only greeted them, and you know, once you have met it is just natural to check back on how your new friends are doing.
Stian was impressed with the generous attitude, but being a local, this was nothing new to him.
- I assume you are training them for the contests?, she asked. - They will love it!
- Oh, I plan to, but I did not quite have the time for training them yet...
Sienna was right! He had to get started, otherwise he would never follow his Equestrian championship dream! But the everyday chores got the best of him...
Three horses in the stable meant more food expenses. He really should look around to harvest some prairie grass to limit those costs! He did grow a couple plots of the grass next to the stable, tomorrow he would cut it!
And all the manure... it made great fertilizer, but he only grew a couple pots for own consume, and quality of the crops was not that important to him anyway. So, he had way more of that stinking stuff than he could make use of. But there should be a way to benefit from it, financially!
That night he started training King. He already had some minor jumping skills, did King practice jumping before he was rescued? He seemed to enjoy it!
But while Stian was sleeping, King and Tornado walked outside...
Finding that the horses had eaten the grass was a let down. He could not fence in such a tiny plot, but he would need to pay more attention, and harvest a little grass frequently.
A visitor stopped by on his beautiful black horse to say hello.
It was Baron Auphor of Verde, formerly even the Duke of Meadows. He is 90 years old, so still riding his horse is well done! Baron Auphor lives in Oasis Springs, and he is a member of the Equestrian Elite club, but no longer participates in competitions.
It looked like Saffron enjoyed greeting a horse from outside the household.
The day had finally come! Stian decided to enter a competition, and although Tornado seemed a bit jealous, Stian chose King for his first contest.
Riding in there would look a bit more glamorous, but running inside wearing your umbrella, followed by a slowly walking horse, works too!
Stian's riding skills are quite good, but King hardly met the recommended Jumping skill level.
It turned out better than Stian expected - they got Silver!
It's only Beginner class, so it will still be a long run to win anything Master class.
Outside Stian felt more as one with King as ever before...
He decorated the stable wall with King's photo and the plaquet. This way it will be easier to keep track on the level and discipline of each horse.
Perhaps he should buy a better camera to capture larger horse portraits? There were photographers out there specializing on portraying animals, but he didn't want to waste lots of money on that, at least not now.
So, how about Saffron?
To be continued...
No comments:
Post a Comment