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In His Element — Description
Our lovely bay roan snowmelt Obertaurer stallion, Ulrich, training with Vixie on the bridlepath! Definitely loving it, he is a fan of the snow. Hopefully these two will be in the show ring soon!!
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Morning after Christmas, all the horses had their new blankets and halters on, the staff and boarders were sporting their new clothes and gadgets. All seemed right with the world. Surprisingly, it began to snow after almost a full brown December. Vixie was in a mood for a challenge. Exiting her bedroom, she slipped her puffy maroon jacket over her warm grey hoodie. Everyone must have gone outside, seeing as Vixie could not hear or see anyone in the manor. She made her way to the main barn and found her way to the office. Holly sat at the desk sifting through various papers and folders. She looked up with a smile, her makeup flawless as usual, hair in its usual half up half down style.

"Good morning Vixie, what can I do for you!?"

Vixie's face was serious. She was not sure if Holly would find her well suited....but she wanted to ask to buy Ulrich from the stable. She took a deep breath, hoping Holly would say yes.

"Morning Holly. Well, I have been saving up for a while....and it has been a long time since Talem passed away in the barn fire at Silver Raven Stables. But, I am ready to buy another horse."

Holly beamed.

"That is wonderful!!! It really has been years since you lost Talem, and I too think you are ready for a new mount. Who are you interested in? We do have a few horses that would be perfect for you!! Maybe Quicksand? He is a great little horse, a great jumper. He is a bit older, 10, but not bad! He still has a good many years to go!! Ohhh Poto would be a good mount! Or Stagger Lee!"

Of course she listed ever horse that she wasn't thinking of. She takes another deep breath. She was gonna do it.

Well....I do like all of them. But....I was actually thinking more along the lines of.....Ulrich?

Holly's eyes widened, her voice held a tinge of worry.

Vixie, I don't know if Ulrich is a good idea. He is still young and kind of hard to handle, he has a lot of spirit.

Vixie felt herself begin to bubble, she knew she could handle him.

"Holly....I am not a little girl anymore, and you know I am one of the best riders at the stable. I can handle him. Please...Please Holly?"

Holly shook her head and let out a defeated sigh.

"Well, if you think you can handle it. I am fine with selling him to you, I know you will take good care of him. Just please be safe."

Vixie exploded, with many thank yous and a huge hug. She handed Holly her wad of money and signed a contract of sale. Right there and then, Ulrich was hers. All hers. She ran out of the office and down the stable isle to the stallion wing. She found her way to Ulrich's stall, the bay roan paint turned his head to her, quietly munching his hay. Blue eyes looked at her curiously and his ears perked forward. Vixie opened the stall door and greeted him with a pat and a kiss on the muzzle.

"Your mine now!!! Im so happy! Come on boy, lets get you all suited up and we will go on a little easy hack through the bridle paths!

Being an Obertaurer, he was still a little wary of her. Since his breed is the type that does well with only one handler. Being a new one to him, he was going to be a bit of a challenge for her until he accepted her as his bonded rider. She finished taking him up and tossed on her helmet, with a click of her tongue and a little tug of the reins, they set out to the stable exit.

She took him round to the mounting block just outside the outdoor arena and stepped up into the saddle. He danced a little, his ears going back and forth from being perked to pinned. He was not sure what to think. But Vixie WAS a very good rider after having to ride all sorts of different horses in the years since her mare Talem passed. She exuded confidence, and Ulrich could feel it. But still, his strong spirit was not to be tamed by her so easily. They started out of the stable yard toward the beginning of the bridlepath. Ulrich danced nervously under Vixie, but she kept her calm, confident demeanor. Every time Ulrich would swish his tail and try to kick out, she would give him a little yank and a little smack with the slack of her reins. Of course, it didn't help that the wintertime snow made him want to run and frolic. He was feeling fresh in this crisp morning air.

"Alright, come on now. This would be fun and relaxing, we both know that, but SOMEONE needs to get their shit together and stop being a little butthead....EH HEMMMM....hint hint?? Yeah...Im talking about you there, Mr. Sassypants. Come on now lets just relax."

Ulrich snorted as if to say "Pshhhh yeah ok...whatever chick." But after another 15 minutes of unnecessary antics, Ulrich began to tire himself out. Vixie let out a sigh, he followed. Now they carried on down the snowy path at a slow yet lofty trot. Surprisingly his mouth began to soften, he chewed lightly as his mouth foamed. His ears still flicker slightly listening to Vixie. She knew this would be short lived, but she new if she didn't get him back to the stable quick, he would regain some energy and remember he didn't want to be "tamed" yet. They made a little U turn and headed back. She talked to him softly, telling him he is a good boy, giving him pats. When they finally reached the stable, Holly was waiting there at the door with a smile on her face and an apple in her gloved hand. Vixie dismounted, rolled her stirrups up and gave Ulrich more pats.

"So, I see it actually went well!! He is quite the stallion isn't he. He will be a great show horse someday."
Vixie nodded, pulling the reins over his head and leading him forward as Holly motioned them to follow her to the barn.

"I'm glad you will be his companion Vixie. I misjudged you two. When he began to relax for you, I was astonished. In my year and a half of working with him he has NEVER done that. I'm happy for you two. I have no doubt you two will be a team to be reckoned with!

With that Vixie had already hooked Ulrich to the cross ties. She took his tack off and put it away, the returned. Holly fed Ulrich the apple, he munched at it happily, making sure to slobber as much apple spit onto his new owners jacket as he could. This is definitely the beginning of a very....emotional rollercoaster-esque relationship.....

Skeleton trace cause I felt like it. Riding stock 3
Hedge/Foreground drawn by me, background: