Horse Ranch: The Training Grounds - 5 of 5

Here comes the 5th and last chapter of my unscripted mini series «The Training Grounds», where the The Sims 4 Horse Ranch EP is in focus. The Training Grounds is a residential lot owned by the M.E.A., rented by Stian Pratt-Anderson (57). There he lives alone with his 1 2 3 4 rescued horses. So why does he feel a bit lonely and grumpy?

One of Stian's traits is the High Maintenance trait, which makes him very tense at times. If you want to have your nails done more or less constantly, then you should probably not run a training center with 4 horses in the first place. But if you still do - make sure you get time to tend to your own needs, not only the horses' needs. Tornado, King, Saffron and Tuff seem to get along very well, and at least their social needs should be met.

The training grounds lot is categorized as a residential lot, but anyone visiting the lot are allowed to borrow a horse for training their horse riding skill. It's a great offer when you don't have room or time for a horse back home. There is an equestrian club hanging out here at times, but because horse riding is not a possible club activity (yet?), those members could just as well have visited individually. Stian provides with easy food, a coffee brewer, magazines to buy and a puzzle game. It is like a tiny recreation center where horses get most of the attention.

One night Ms. Celina Greco (31) and her brother Mr. Kendrick Greco (21) stopped by.

They took Saffron for a ride. Although it was their very first visit, the riding went pretty well. They are children of a family attached to certain local horse related traditions, but although Celina is in line for her mother's Mester Bedrock title, they don't have room for a horse.

Stian normally works in the Military career. He has Officer grade, and is employed by the Royal Palace. Due to budget issues he accepted to take a full year off, which gave him a chance to follow his old equestrian dream. Some savings might allow him to buy his own little ranch when this year is up.

He is active and often go out there to look for gems and other stuff. The horses bring in very little money. In fact, he is about to come short.

He has been investigating a new business idea; selling horse manure! This brilliant fertilizer should somehow reach farmers and gardeners, and if he could earn some money from it, then even better! But can manure be sold professionally?

One day Stian rode to Newcrest to meet one of the kingdom's most successful business woman, Corinne Dougham Mester Crestville (68). He had wrapped up a stinking pile of manure in a blue box with a golden ribbon. The goods still left a strong smell, though. He handed the gift to the wealthy woman.

  

- Oh my, what were you thinking?!, she responded once she had opened the gift.
- It's a business idea, Stian explained. - Can you sell this at your shopping mall?
- Ouch. Just no!

Corinne Dougham was negative and told Stian to leave, even  before he got a chance to explain. 

Then he did some more online research, and found that at Gilbert Gardens in San Sequoia there is in fact a farmers shop aimed towards pure goods, not even wrapped up! They mostly sold edible crops, but Stian contacted the owner, Lord Floyd Altham, and they agreed to give this idea a try. Lord Altham would allow Stian to sell some horse manure as a test project!

Stian rushed off to the little store. The lot is actually a traditional nectar making and selling location, but these days the focus is more on regular retail like food, flowers, books and toys. There is a café, and the nectar focus is still strong.

Stian was pleased to see that the manure could indeed be set for sale! But how could he benefit from it in the long run? Would he need to start a dedicated Manure Shop instead of buying his own ranch?

The next day Mrs Aili Landgraab (47) stopped by again. She is born a Lady, but using her husbands last name opens a lot more doors. She leads the club Equestrian Foals, and previously she directed Stian to open the Training Ground for the club members. It made Stian a member of the club, too.

- The annual club meeting takes place next week, and as a member I command you to show up!
- I had other plans, Stian protested, knowing that Aili was used to have it her way.
- Your original plans have absolutely no interest to me, they will need to wait!

- I am working on a business idea, a great idea that your husband might be interested in?
Aili shrugged. - I can assure you that my Malcolm is way too busy for such minor ideas. See you at the annual club meeting!

As soon as she left, Stian decided to focus on training his four horses for entering contests at the Equestrian Center next door. A few of them already won medals, but only on the beginner level.

He practiced jumping, barrel racing and took them for long rides. One by one. His gran plan was to have all four of them entering contests during one day! The next day.

Winning equestrian contests on the first levels hardly bring in more than 100-200. But times 4, it will actually be a decent daily wage.

Each of the horses were already assigned by Stian to focus on one of the four disciplines. Who shall go first?

He started with Saffron. Barrel racing was fun, and Saffron actually won gold!

Then he called over Tornado, and signed him up for some show jumping...

Also Tornado won gold! Wow, Stian was now very happy. There was still enough time to enter the two remaining horses, King and Tuff.

Also King won gold! Tuff, the latest addition of rescued horses, only made bronze, but 3 gold and 1 bronze in one day was pretty good! Net earnings were about 500. Sign up cost was §400 but in a few cases he had to sign up twice. He still got a net win, so he decided not to complain. 

In the stable he had already a routine of decorating the wall with those result objects under a photo of the winning horse. Winning gold will probably mean that they can sign up for a higher level than beginners. Then the winning might bring in more cash, too! As they earn multiple awards Stian will sell of some of the oldest wall objects, bringing in even more money. Is this how he will save up to buy a little shop for selling only horse manure? He would not need much space, unless he will also sell other horse management items.

Then the day arrived for the club's annual gathering. A large group of members gathered at the Rusty Horseshoe, Leader of the M.E.A., Robert Calves (62), who is also Grand Marshall in charge of the entire Military system, and indirectly also Stian's boss, attended to give a speech. Then Calves' wife Juniper Grove arrived. 

- I just wanted to see how you do at work, my love!
- Oh, well... uhm... I'm busy now, I'll be back home in sixty minutes...
- Okay, love!

Then Juniper left the location, and Mr Calves could get started. It's not so long since he married Juniper, who was by then a widow with a son. Some years ago Calves had bought the ranch that her late husband was renting. Through the marriage he could finally benefit fully from the ranch that he owned. Calves is the founder of the Equestrian Center, so he had a great impact on how Chestnut Ridge developed over the last decades.

- Cough.. a-hem..., Roger Calves started.

- It has been a good year for the Equestrian Foals club. Traditionally we like to honor one club member to keep up the good spirit! This year one member in particular deserves our yellow ribbon for contributing to a better club: Stian Pratt-Anderson!

- Oh my!

- You got our Training Grounds back to its old activity levels! Once again the stable is filled with horses, and club members can actively use to build skills or to hang out with equals. You are the member of this year, Stian!
- Thank you!

Stian won the annual yellow ribbon, and they all clapped their hands. Then there was served some nectar and they danced, while Calves rushed back home to please is wife.

By this we're leaving Stian and his four rescued horses for now. His break from the Royal Palace security department will soon be up, and he needs to make important decisions about horse manure. For now he will reside at the Training Grounds, but he is looking for a life mate. Maybe another Equestrian Foals club member? Being a small family running the place would be even more fun!

The End.