Welcome to Choteau, Montana, in 2018. What was once only a small city focused on fossils, has now started to turn into an equestrian mecca. Everyone still knows everyone, so the question remains, what will you become?
06/04 - Site opened 18/04 - Update log #01 including new features! 27/04 - A New skin has been released!
It was impossible to truly hide in a small town like Choteau. Even after a few days at her new job and settling in well, a name had come up in passing that caught her interest. Luciano Valentino. A fellow jumper and former competitor at the highest level.
Gail's pickup pulled onto the property, and she found a place to park near the barns. Calling ahead probably would have been the polite thing to do, but she was just in the area and decided to drop by. If no one was home, then she could always call and make a more formal appointment. The presence of another vehicle did give the impression that at least someone was home.
She walked into the barn as trying to enter one of the houses was technically breaking and entering. There were only a few horses compared to Corner Meadows which had considerably more. One horse in particular caught her eye--a grey with blood marks that extended well beyond just the shoulder. He was gorgeous, and it was impossible not to stop and stare. Good conformation, good breeding, he looked like a powerful jumper. Gail clucked at the gelding to draw his attention and apologized profusely for not bringing anything more than a cookie she had in her pocket.
Luciano easily walked Bambino back into the barn, his former jumping partner of a mare following him without needing to be led by the reins. He'd noted another car there, and he was more than aware it wasn't Gabriels rental, which meant it was possibly a client.
"I see you noticed Silver," he stated to announce his actual presence, taking her in quickly, trying to ascertain the nature of this visit. "I've been working on him, he's got talent, could go far with the right rider, but for now he's one of my stock I use for lesson based purposes," he added on, not even noticing that he'd replaced his riding helmet with a baseball cap - and not even to shade his eyes, just out of a long habit from being in the ring.
"Luciano Valentino, most people call me Luc though, how may I help?" he gave a smile. "If your here looking for my services as a trainer I have a free slot if you want me to evaluate your abilities right now, start to devise a training plan? Unless you called earlier and Gabriel forgot to note it down, in which case I'll apologise for being late - I was working with Bambino," at the mention of her name the bay mare snorted, moving to nuzzle against Luc, searching in his jodhpur pockets for mints.
Post by Abigail Sorenson-Faulkener on Apr 21, 2018 22:21:53 GMT
Definitely should have called. Luciano looked a bit different since they'd last met, but it was him. "He's gorgeous. And I wouldn't doubt his talent. Scopey and a big jumper, I bet." Gail felt a twinge of hurt that he hadn't recognized her. Had she really aged so much? Then again, everyone looked different out of riding attire.
"Abigail Sorenson-Faulkner. My apologies for dropping in like this, but I was in the area. Um, we used to compete in the same circuits. You might remember my Thoroughbred, Sable Star. Consider this more a social call than business. I just moved into the area about a week ago. Took up a teaching position over at Corner Meadows. Kids, mostly." She gave an awkward shrug. It was work and a way of giving back. A good riding instructor had gotten her to win Maclay, and she hoped that someday, she might see a student ride to great success. "It's a nice place you've got, Mr. Valentino. Fairly new though, by the looks of things."
Even Gail didn't know if she wanted anything from Luc other than to say hi. By the sounds of things, they were both trainers now and not competitors. And Rod wasn't likely to mind if she decided to catch up with an old competitor. He knew she had eyes only for him regardless of how he looked. The few years following his accident only proved her devotion.
Post by Luciano 'Luc' Valentino on Apr 22, 2018 19:33:54 GMT
"Abigail! Of course! Please forgive me, I didn't recognise you then," it was with very little thought he moved to pull her into a hug. "It's been a while since we last competed against each other has it not, do you still compete?" he added on glancing around at the mention of the barn.
"I don't sole own it, I'm joint owner with one Gabriel Strand, he's got big ideas, I needed some place that I could properly set up a training business, our two requirements came to an alignment," he gave an easy smile. "So it made sense to me to part fund the purchase, even if we haven't got everything quite sorted. The fact that it gave me free accommodation as well," he gave a smile.
"Come, let us go to the third place, we're part way through converting it to a lounge/office/more accommodation on the upstairs but only just started really, we can have a sit over coffee and reminisce over old times - no?"
Post by Abigail Sorenson-Faulkener on May 21, 2018 16:13:51 GMT
The best Gail could manage was a well meant, but tired smile. It was years since she had to leave riding almost entirely. "It has. And unfortunately no. My husband was badly injured in a boating accident, and I had to leave horses behind to take care of him. He's doing better now and got a job working at the high school, so you might see him around town." Not that she didn't still worry about him constantly. If he fell, he might not be able to get up, and his modified road worthy golf cart usually raised a few eyebrows. But, the independence greatly improved his mood, so Gail did her best to trust her husband to call if something went wrong.
She listened with great enthusiasm at his plans and description. Her old farm in New York was small, but it had similar goals. Horse training and taking on a few students for competition. It also gave people who wanted her to ride their horse for a circuit some place to board the animal. Convenience all around. "Sure, that sounds lovely." If there was one thing that united horse people, it was coffee. Early mornings and long nights made caffeine induced wakefulness necessary.
Gail followed him to the house quietly admiring the surroundings. It was a nice place, truly, and brought back plenty of memories. "I take it you're starting fresh with a new string of horses? If you're in the market for buying, I still know a few people with good prospects and some more proven horses that just need to be shown more. I've still got Jack, but he's close to retirement. Maybe use him as a lesson horse, but that's about it."
Age: 35Gender: Male Online: Jun 30, 2018 4:29:55 GMT
Alias: RobminMoney: $ Posts 20
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[attr="class","bslmarg"]DARLING I'M A NIGHTMARE
[attr="class","bsltmarg"]DRESSED LIKE A
DAYDREAM
[attr="class","bsbody"]Luciano gave another of his warm smiles "Coffee, Tea?" he enquired. Not that he could promise the coffee or tea would be particularly palatable, given that he tended to rather more rely on coffee shops. Which some would find surprising given his heritage but it didn't particularly bother him. It was just how he was, and how he'd always been. "I'm not planning on going back to competitions however, I made a promise to Bambino after what happened," he added on with a soft sigh. He still didn't want to think about how it was his fault - even if it wasn't, it was. Because it was easier to blame himself than to accept it was totally out of his control. [break][break] Before he could continue that thought two italian greyhounds came bounding in, one white and blue with pink nails, and a diamante collar, the other red and white with a blue and white studded diamante collar and blue nails. Maybe slightly over the top but either way. Immediately they leapt onto the couch Abigail was on, tails wagging happily. "Rocco, Pia, get down!" Luciano scolded as he looked over, and sighing further as he was promptly ignored. "Just push them away if they get on your nerves, I'm looking for a rider for Silver by the way,"
Welcome to Choteau, Montana, in 2018. What was once only a small city focused on fossils, has now started to turn into an equestrian mecca. Everyone still knows everyone, so the question remains, what will you become? 
