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Post by Aurora Bianchi on Feb 3, 2020 18:55:33 GMT
Get to know us:
Let's go back to year 1985 and we'll find a man with a dream and a horse. That man was Victorio Bianchi, nothing more than an immigrant that got a second hand colt that was worth less than his weight in flour. His name was Joker, he was short and stocky but had springs under his hooves. Unluckily, there are no pictures of the pair, but people said they were a show of their own, they always had the spotlight.
Long story short, the worthless colt grew up to be a winning stallion. With a lot of effort and hours of working hard, Victorio bought a beautiful property in Buenos Aires, Argentina and partenered up with celebrities of the riding world to build a breeding facility. The award-winning stallion helped too.
When Joker died, Victorio wrote a heartful letter. He described the animal like "a mind of his own. He had his ups and downs like everyone else" and said that "he was a rebel at heart but also a disciplined horse". The man also remembered a scene: "I was sitting in his stall, knees to my chest. Joker was staring at me, his ears perked up, his tail flicking at the flies. Out of nowhere, he nudged my head with his muzzle and then kept it close to me. I felt like he was telling me he was with me, I had his support".
Victorio also had a beautiful family that helped him go through the rough patches of life. Almost all of his descendants are and were equestrians. His smart and vivacious granddaughter inherited the property, named Unique Steeds Stables. She only deals with the paper work, because her young daughter is the one that knows the most.
PS: Find our past blog entries here! |
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Post by Aurora Bianchi on Feb 3, 2020 19:05:28 GMT
FacilityLocated in the beautiful Buenos Aires, Argentina, our facility offers quality housing for breeding and competing horses. The weather usually let us do our daily chores and not getting any snow and below zero temperatures is a plus.This is where some of our riders live, as well as our grooms and vets. Since not everything is work, riders that don't live here are welcome to relax. This barn-like structure is where we keep our trucks and trailers, always ready to take the horses to a show. Our Cross Country course offers a not so deep pond where horses are cooled down in summer. We also use it as a trail for relaxing rides. Each of our barns has a pasture behind it, where horses are let out every morning to live like horses. Mares and yearlings are let out together, and stallions and geldings together. We have two barns and they both look exactly like this. Inside, there's room for 18 adult horses, 2 mares with foals and one small box for keeping an eye for sick horses. A vet office is also inside the barn, along with two washing stalls, one tack room and one pen in the middle, just in case rain doesn't allow us to let the horses outside.  Our indoor arena also has two little pens outside, so the horses waiting to work or already worked can wait there. Our outside arena is perfect for Show Jumping and Show Hunters courses. Also has a place where the public can sit and enjoy. To the right and left of our indoor arena, are the roundpens. Here we lunge the horses. Everything made by me except the indoor arena made by Morticia and the world, made by Cheshire Farms.
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Post by Aurora Bianchi on Feb 3, 2020 19:28:17 GMT
Staff Aurora Bianchi
- 20 years old
- Rider assigned to USS Kannjay and USS Denied Highlight
- Her mother owned Unique Steeds Stables
- Aurora basically runs the whole place. Her bossy personality took her where she is right now, so that's something she wouldn't change about herself. Despite being always annoying others so they do their tasks, she gets along well with the other riders, which she considers a family
Dante Miravelis
- 26 years old
- He came to Unique Steeds Stables because he worked for another breeding facility and he wasn't needed there anymore
- Rider assigned to GVH Newfoundland and USS Chesenka
- Dante is a total introvert and hard working person. Being so quiet is probably why he was paired with the hurricane that are his assigned horses. When he's at the rider's lounge you'll find him reading and occasinally chatting with Lorenzo, the only one he considers a friend
Ángeles "Angie" Arce
- 19 years old
- Angie ended up at the stables because her girlfriend (who she met when taking riding classes) dragged her here
- Rider assigned to USS Zaamena
- This unexperienced rider was dragged to work here by her girlfriend, Lana. She is very insecure of her riding skills but still cheerful and smiling. Angie is always trying to learn, so she sticks around the place's riding instructor or watches the other riders train
Louisa "Lou" Whittaker
- 22 years old
- She had a gut feeling that she had to work with horses instead of just drawing them. So, after taking lessons for 7 years, she found a spot here
- Rider assigned to USS Primadonna and USS One of the Drunks
- This girl walks around being totally carefree. If she has a good day, fine, and if she doesn't, it's fine too, her positivism keeps her going. Lou is an artsy person, that's why there's a guitar in the rider's lounge and a lectern so she can paint. Sometimes she has a hard time fitting at the stables, she is very close to her twin sister but now Lana hangs a lot with Angie
Lana Whittaker
- 22 years old
- Lana never stands too far from her twin sister, Louisa, so she followed her to Unique Steeds Stables, to begin a new adventure.
- Photographer and rider assigned to USS Sins not Tragedies and Foxen Cornetta
- Lana is the opposite of her sister: a pesimist. Bad days take her down way too quickly, but luckily she never gives up. Having Angie beside her helped her a lot, even though they both criticize their riding skills constantly
Lorenzo Paz
- 27 years old
- He is Aurora's friend since that 2006 Summer Camp at the riding school. When the previous groom quit, his friend decided to call him
- Groom and stablehand
- Lorenzo is too perfeccionist for his own good. All horses are always shiny, their manes are braided when they're at the pastures and they're perfectly trimmed. What a shame this stable had a thing for painted horses. Even his clothes are never dirty, doesn't matter what he does. He also has the tendency to overshare
Nora Smith
- 53 years old
- Nora was a famous rider back in her days and was Aurora's mother's rival in the arena. They ended up being friends and she and Aurora now co-own the place
- Trainer and co-owner
- Nora is a calm and patient woman that doesn't tolerate fooling around when she's working. Being with the horses is special and she knows they must be respected. She tries to prepare her pupils to be the best while still caring about the horse and communicating in a subtle way
Marlene "Mar" Evans
- 30 years old
- Mar helped Dante at a horse show a few years ago. So when there was an emergency at the stables, the crew didn't think it twice before calling her. The girl felt so welcomed there that decided to take the veterinary spot. Now she's in a relationship with Dante
- Vet
- There is no chance Mar is going to give up when she wants something. Maybe she will pause her goal a couple weeks or months, but then she's back at it with renewed energies. There's something nobody can forget about her: how flirty she always seems. She's all naughty smiles and chuckles with everyone, you'll never guess she likes you. That trait sometimes lets her get what she wants
Genaro Franchese
- 36 years old
- Unique Steeds Stables wanted to hire a new rider and posted an add. Genaro just got kicked out his job at another stable and had to take his mare somewhere else. He ended up offering his mare as a surrogate and got a job here
- Rider assigned to USS Marvelous Don and USS Providenza
- Genaro is kind of a gentle giant, trying to be friends with everyone. The other riders think he has a soft spot for Lorenzo and maybe even likes him, but we don't know yet. He likes natural horsemanship and clicker training, maybe he'll work this way with his assigned horse.
We guess he doesn't look his age because he uses way too much sunscreen and creams
Paulina Mora
- 25 years old
- Paulina used to ride with her best friend from highschool, Marlene. When the stables needed a new rider to handle a young horse, the vet suggested her for the job
- Rider assigned to TBS New York Minute and USS Sunderlaand
- In a few words, she's a social media addict. Sometimes she cares about what people think about her and sometimes she doesn't, but posting pics is her thing. She also has a soft spot for cute animal babies, so pairing her up with a yearling was a good idea. She can be competitive but will never hate on a rider because they're better than her
Carter Loomis
- 27 years old
- He's Paulina's cousin, the one that always had her back. He also has a special thing for crazy and hard horses, so we knew he'd be a good addition to the team
- Rider assigned to Kilborn's Maverick Merlot
- He likes to ride crazy horses because he's crazy too. He could look at a rearing horse dead in the eye and he wouldn't flinch, fear isn't an option. He can be brave and strong, but also a little goofy, really likes to play pranks on the staff
Caroline "Cara" Van Haussen
- 24 years old
- Caroline came to us thaks to an exchange program. She comes from Canada, where she was a FEI level rider. When her first and only horse passed away, she thought a new start in a new country would be good
- Rider assigned to USS Marsala's Fall
- We have the social media addict, and on the other hand there's the fashion obsessed. A good pair, I admit. In her country, she was sponsored by all kinds of riding clothes brands, maybe that's why she likes to be stylish. Besides that, she can be a little down sometimes, because of how much she misses her horse
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Post by Aurora Bianchi on Feb 3, 2020 20:00:42 GMT
Horses
 USS Kannjay aka Jay
- 5 years old Bay Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) stallion (Foundation x Foundation)
- Competes in Show Jumping and Show Hunters
- To summarize his personality, he is a very calm horse, you couldn't guess he's a stallion (unless there are mares neraby). If someone else bothers him, he will put limits. Enjoys jumping but prefers relaxing when he's at the pasture. His best friend, Gary, sometimes tries to make him play and rarely succeeds
USS Sins not Tragedies aka Shimmy
- 7 years old Sooty Buckskin Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) stallion (Foundation x Foundation)
- Competes in Eventing and Show Jumping
- Shimmy is a true stallion: stubborn, challenging and moody. He makes an extra effort everyday to make sure everyone understands he hates them and won't play, even if his life depends of it. His ground manners are awful but at least he accepts being ridden. Slowly and with patience, he's getting better at the riding thing
Kilborn's Maverick Merlot aka Rick (Bought from @herawalker )
- 5 years old Bay Sabino Dutch Warmblood (Riding Horse) stallion (Foundation x Foundation)
- Competes in Show Jumping and Show Hunters
- Rick is way too excitable. A small workout or task gets him all worked up, sometimes in a wrong way. At the start of a training session, he will always avoid the bit. Rick doesn't get along with our males, only with Bartholomew, his own minion. We had to get the pony because the big stud became a wrecker, biting and kicking fences and stall door
TBS New York Minute aka York (Bought from Zatanna Westerlund)
- 5 years old Sooty Bay Dutch Warmblood (Riding Horse) stallion (Cupid S x PCRA End of Me)
- Competes in Show Jumping and Show Hunters
- York is the closest we have to a gentleman. He has great ground manners and loves everyone in the staff. But there's one thing about him that makes him a llitle hard: you have a doubt and he won't jump. This stallion takes care of himself before his rider, so if he's unsure about something, he will stop and throw her over the fence
USS Marvelous Don aka Donny
- 4 years old Blue Roan Tobiano Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) stallion (Courtour's Messick x USS Primadonna)
- Competes in Show Hunters and Show Jumping
- Donny is a sweetheart. He likes peace and cooperation, always stays away from trouble. It's hard for him to understand certain things the humans ask, but still makes his best. I think the phrase "No scope, no hope" suits him perfectly, he tends to exaggerate jumps' height. A total saint but is hard to bridle, he knows how to use his height
GVH Newfoundland aka Newbie (Secret Santa gift from Claire von Hohenfeld)
- 4 years old Flaxen Chestnut Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) stallion (Foundation x Foundation)
- Competes in Show Hunters and Show Jumping
- Don't let his height and bulk fool you, he is actually a sweet bear. He may have a few stallion moments under saddle, but is well behaved for his age. He likes wasting his energy by chasing a ball all around the pasture. Despite trying to take over the role of leader of the herd, Shimmy won't let him
USS One of the Drunks aka One
- 1 year old Chestnut Dominant White Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) colt (USS Sins not Tragedies x PCRA Butterfly Effect)
- Doesn't compete yet
- One is the kind of horse that sees things nobody else sees, he just spooks at everything. Maybe he can see ghosts. Grooming him is easy as long as you don't bring new tools and we suspect putting a blanket on him will take decades. The other horses sometimes bully him but he is fine with that
USS Oh Figaro aka Gary
- 5 years old Black Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) gelding (Foundation x Foundation)
- Competes in Eventing and Show Jumping
- This cute gelding is a dork, he really wants to please his rider on the first try but is a bit clumsy. Just like a little kid, he causes a lot of trouble around the barn (can untie himself and others, for example). His favorite activity of the day is being in the pasture with the stallions and annoying them in a playful way. We thought this guy would be a perfect fit for little people, so he is now part of our child and teen riders team
USS Pan D'oro aka Oro
- 3 years old Buckskin Sabino International Sporthorse (Dutch Warmblood x Gypsy Vanner) gelding (USS Kannjay x SiLS Diosa de Oro)
- Competes in Show Jumping and Show Hunters
- This somewhat big guy can't intimidate anyone with his shy personality. He doesn't trust everybody and prefers to play on his own, maybe with a ball or fallen leaves. Unless his good friend Sunny is around annoying him. He came to us without his mom, and maybe that's why he has trust issues. We decided to keep him as a horse for our child and teen riders
GVH Terre-Neuve aka Neuve (Secret Santa gift from Claire von Hohenfeld. Parents by celiaacosta )
- 4 years old Bay Dutch Warmblood (Riding horse) gelding (TBS Damster x TBS Armed & Dangerous)
- Competes in Eventing and Show Hunters
- We chose Neuve to be one of our horses for the child and teen team of riders. He seems to get along with shy people and has a few quirks that make us laugh. For example, he will try to walk away the second you put a foot on the stirrup. He can be seen alone at the pasture, or hanging out only with Newbie, since they came together
USS Zaamena aka Big Z
- 8 years old Chestnut Tobiano Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) mare (Foundation x Foundation)
- Competes in Eventing and Show Jumping
- This lady is the most peaceful around. You can throw any rider on her back and she will behave like a professional, making her best to understand what she's asked to do. Unless the fences are tall, in that case amateurs won't be able to ride her. The only problem we have, is taking her back to the stables from the pasture, she will run around teasingly
USS Primadonna aka Donna
- 5 years old Red Roan Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) mare (Foundation x Foundation)
- Competes in Show Hunters and Eventing
- Donna is a weird mix of the typical moody mare and the sweetheart. She gets distracted easily and can stare in the distance deep in thought for hours, or can engage in the training and find new ways of solving tasks. Being totally alone is very stressing for her and prefers to be near living things at all times, specially youngsters
Foxen Cornetta aka Netti (Bought from Emilia Fox)
- 5 years old Bay Dutch Warmblood (Riding Horse) mare (WJS The New Mozart x Royal Beauty S)
- Competes in Eventing and Show Jumping
- She can be called a duty filler: ask and she'll do. She won't work fine with any rider on her back, but someone experienced will definitely have the easiest ride of their lives. The mare's so soft she can even be led with a hackamore on a difficult Cross Country round. Those rounds can get muddy but luckily she loves being bathed
USS Marsala's Fall aka Sally
- 5 years old Bay Sabino Grey Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) mare (Kilborn's Maverick Merlot x SCA Winter Wonderland)
- Competes in Show Hunters and Eventing
- Since we got her, we know she has a talent for jumping, but we also know it's always a risk with her. When she has the crazy days, she's prone to getting injuries. It's always a scratch on one leg or maybe a chunk of mane pulled off for scratching too hard, we hope it never gets worse. Besides that, she likes humans and enjoys being asked for new tasks. She also has some kind of emotional gift and can tell when someone is feeling down
USS Sunderlaand aka Sunny
- 2 years old Buckskin Tobiano (Bay chimera) Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) mare (Fredrikelof's Exeter x USS Zaamena)
- Doesn't compete yet
- Despite showing copious amount of sass as a foal, Sunny matured to be a somewhat decent mare. She still bullies other horses and occasionally tries to kick you, but her manners got better. Her madness is still there though, but she uses that while training. Charging fences at full speed is her thing.
And surprinsigly her distances are still right
USS Providenza aka Pippi
- 3 years old Bay Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) mare (WHEC Syriusz x USS Primadonna)
- Doesn't compete yet
- This mare is a bomb, almost literally. We liked to think she only had some kind of temporal behaviour or agresivity issue. If things aren't going the way she wants, if you make a minimal mistake, you're out. She kicked her first knee when she was four days old, that has to be a record! Being still isn't her favorite thing, but we're working on it.
USS Denied Highlight aka Dani
- 1 year old Red Roan Dutch Warmblood (Gelderlander) filly (USS Marvelous Don x Gallaway's Hidden Treasure)
- Doesn't compete yet
- Dani may be small, but is already a leader. She bosses the other foals around like a mother and does it without even using violence. We noticed she really likes grazing, it's weird to see something stopping her from eating
USS Chesenka aka Chess
- 1 year old Smoky Black Roan Dutch Warmblood (Riding Horse) filly (TBS Kanto x Foxen Cornetta)
- Doesn't compete yet
- Chess knows nothing about humans' personal space and will try to cuddle all the time, specially if you have something sweet on you. With the herd she is a little indiferent, sometimes follows the other foals and sometimes she doesn't
Rosalee aka Lazy
- 8 years old Bay Frame Draft Cross mare
- She doesn't compete, she's a surrogate mare
- Lazy is, well, lazy. She came to us with her owner, Genaro, who needed a job and a place to board his mare. She would do anything for him, they tend to play at liberty a lot. She prefers to stay away from the other mares, they are moody and she prefers peace. We found out she's a good mom, a patient one but is never afraid to put limits on her children
USS Bartholomew aka B
- 6 years old Bay Leopard Appaloosa American Miniature Horse stallion
- He's a pony companion and an attempt of halter pony
- Bartholomew is a star. His stallion-ness is even bigger than his little body, which makes him the perfect partner for Rick. Grooming him and bathing him is hell, luckily he doesn't need workout because his neurotic self keeps him running side to side all day
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Post by Aurora Bianchi on Feb 4, 2020 4:33:27 GMT
Barbie girl (4/2/2020) Dress me up, make it tight, I'm your dolly
You're my doll, rock'n'roll, feel the glamour in pink
-Barbie girl, Aqua-
Lou had just finished training her assigned horses and entered the rider's house, she didn't live there but liked to chat with her friends or maybe take a snack before going home. She found a blond wig on the kitchen table with a little note on it's side: "Congrats, Lou! You'll be joining 2020 Fastelavn Show Jumping Show. The thing is you have to dress up as something. So I thought a Barbie costume was perfect for you. Luv, Carter". The girl didn't understand and thing, but was serious for shows and competitions so immediatly contacted her boss to make sure this wasn't just another of Carter's jokes. Sadly, it wasn't, and the costume for her was ready. "It was the easiest we could find!" Angie excused herself "Nora told Paulina and I we had to buy you stuff for a costume". Well, Louisa didn't say anything, but Paulina looked like a real doll even without the wig.
Fake nails and old sunglasses made the final trick. Nobody asked where the pink helmet and saddle were found, a place like that probably only sold ugly tack. Fake lashes and a lot of pink make up were a good add on, we hope the judges take a close look at the riders. We were going to add hoof glitter but it was way too much, pink strings of hair were enough for the mare. "The crop top wasn't necessary, we're in the middle of fall here!" Were Lou's first words when she tried the full thing "And jean jodhpurs? Really?" All she did was complain, maybe she'd forget the ridiculous costume in the show ring.
Featuring USS Primadonna and Louisa Whittaker
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Post by Aurora Bianchi on Feb 6, 2020 3:44:30 GMT
...Ready for it? (6/2/2020)
Some, some boys are tryin' too hard He don't try at all, though -...Ready for it?, Taylor Swift-
An in-hand show was everything a horse breeder needs to show off their best products. And everything a rider needed to haunt their dreams. Most of our riders have never been to a show like this, but it was about time their trainer Nora came up with another crazy idea. In this case, we're heading towards DBR Stallion Takeover. "Imagine that" Lana sighed "I have to take the most temperamental stallion to a show full of stallions. He'll kill me". Genaro and Caroline were pretty calm, their assigned stallions are sweet and never problematic. Dante was worried because the newcomer, Goldie, is way too friendly for his own good, even with other stallions.We'll also take our new rider and first teen addition, Erin Klauss, seen in the picture above with our chihuahua with hooves, Bartholomew. He just loves to show off and you're fine as long as he focuses on you.
This mighty boy here is Goldie, a new handsome stallion we just got from Jay Wilkinson. He was good despite almost getting kicked a dozen of times, he has to learn not all stallions want to be friends with him. Or all dogs. Or all people. Putting a labrador personality in the body of a giant beast wasn't a good idea.
Newbie was unimpressed by all the chaos going around him, he just wanted to receive his treats for being a good boy and go back to his stall at home. Also, traveling with the other stallions wasn't something he liked, they're too noisy or want to fight for no reason. Despite her horse not posing, Cara kept the happiest of the faces.
Lana was totally right when she complained. Shimmy stood like an educated horse for the conformation part of the show, but as soon as he was asked to move, his inner devil showed up. He kept his ears low and his tail swishing all around the arena, and we know he can feel his assigned rider curse inside despite keeping the smile.
And finally there's Donny, his mind is always somewhere else. Luckily focus wasn't needed here, so it was fine if he stared at the public for two minutes straight. Sometimes his ears flicked at the sound of a palmtree or a seagull but his eyes were with the crowd.
Featuring USS Bartholomew, Erin Klauss, Grandorado S, Dante Miravelis, GVH Newfoundland, Caroline Van Haussen, USS Sins not Tragedies, Lana Whittaker, USS Marvelous Don and Genaro Franchese
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Belle Laughlin
Prix St. George Rider
Break me off a piece of that fancy feast
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Post by Belle Laughlin on Feb 6, 2020 16:53:48 GMT
All of your horses are so unique, I'm jealous <3
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Post by Aurora Bianchi on Feb 8, 2020 20:01:04 GMT
All of your horses are so unique, I'm jealous <3 Thank you! I try to make them unique |
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Post by Aurora Bianchi on Feb 8, 2020 20:24:04 GMT
Come alive (8/2/2020)
But you can flip the switch and brighten up your darkest day Sun is up and the color's blinding Take the world and redefine it
-Come alive, The Greatest Showman- Free Jumping shows are quite easy. All our horses are used to jump since they are two or three years old, just to make sure they find their own technique before we throw a rider on their backs. Like lunging, free jumping helps riders and horses communicate verbally before using aids and cues on the saddle, it slowly let them get to know each other with a few safe barriers. We were lucky to take five of our horses to the DBR Fly me to the Moon Free Jumping Show. Two of them, both homebred mares, had their first ever show there.
First there's our talented Grey girl, Sally, showing her skills effortlessly. She was a bit uneasy this time, she didn't like the big rose bushes bear her, but managed to behave and jump clear. We are afraid she hurts herself when she spooks, she's prone to injuries.
Here you can see one of our homebred mares, three years old Pippi, showing off her recently learned skills. She was born with it but the process of having her handler running on her side and then being let free...it was problematic the first few times. She'd buck all the way and then, when the jump was right in front of her eyes, she'd finally pay attention to it.
One of our newest horses, Neuve, gaining confidence over jumps. He has the Dressage basics but still needs to find a comfortable way to jump. That's why we keep obstacles low. Also, his rider is a child so there's no need for him to jump higher.
Another of our homebred stars, Sunny, matching her name with a summer fruit. Once again, she rushed the fence and ended up jumping way bigger than she should. She's still young so we take care of her joints whenever she does this.
We didn't want to bring only young or unexperienced horses, so Jay was the boy perfect for the job. He's been off proper jumping schooling for a week so we decided to give him a low and easy fence, no effort, just enjoying himself. He seemed to have fun because he refused to let his handler catch him after the jump.
Featuring USS Marsala's Fall, USS Providenza, GVH Terre-Neuve, USS Sunderlaand and USS Kannjay
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Post by Shagaia Nedjari on Feb 8, 2020 21:12:31 GMT
Wow the coat of Neuve is amazing  |
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Post by Marquis on Feb 9, 2020 14:42:03 GMT
So cool seeing all your horses' different jumping styles! Loving how they all handled the jumps differently!
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Post by Aurora Bianchi on Feb 9, 2020 19:09:38 GMT
Wow the coat of Neuve is amazing It is! He's a gift from the talented clairehohenfeld and he's so cute |
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Post by Aurora Bianchi on Feb 9, 2020 19:10:21 GMT
So cool seeing all your horses' different jumping styles! Loving how they all handled the jumps differently! That's why I love the variety of jumping poses out there. So useful for shows where all the horses are doing the same thing |
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Post by Lidija Rotherford on Feb 9, 2020 22:07:42 GMT
Some promising jump horses you've got there  |
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Post by Aurora Bianchi on Feb 10, 2020 19:57:28 GMT
Some promising jump horses you've got there Thanks! Let's see how they do with riders, sometimes we humans are confusing haha |
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Saddle-up-sims
