[grand] O p e n i n g

[&Sydney McAdams&]

6:30. A time when the sun is just starting to warm the waking earth. When the morning dew is slipping from the trees, and the wind whips silently through the trees. At least this morning it was. A big thunderstorm the night before, had left the atmosphere cool, the ground not soaked but just watered down to perfection. Almost no dust flew up as the Land Rover drove up the dirt driveway and into the stable parking lot. Sydney got out, flipping her sunglasses to the top of her head. Coffee from Starbucks in one hand, she shut and locked the doors of her precious car and headed inside. She was dressed in new, low-rise breeches; black, shiny, tall boots, and a forest green polo tee-shirt. So what if she looked rich, she was afterall. Sydney didn't mind showing the fact that she had money, she was proud of what she earned. She took her sunglasses from her head, running her hand through her long hair. She stopped to look at the grand opening sign that hung on the front of the stables. She chuckled a little bit, hoping that someone would come today.

"Cheers" She said softly, raising her coffee cup up. She took a big long drink. She needed staff, badly. Right now she could take care of the seven horses that were at the barn, but if they actually got any business, she would need to hire some people.

She took one more look at the sign, then got to work. After putting her coffee up in her office, she made her way down to the feed room. She started filling buckets full of grain, all different for each horse. Thinking that it was to quiet, she turned on the radio kind of loud. It wasn't country music though, that you would find at most barns, playing in the background. This was just the top 40 station. She returned to filling the buckets and then started deliverying them to the correct stalls. Carrying four or five buckets at a time, she got feeding done pretty quick. Sydney was always efficent like that, wasting no time on getting things done.

Ok, now time for the fun part. Sydney got out the wheelbarrow and pitchfork out,starting to pick out the first stall. Patches didn't even notice Sydney entering the stall, he was too involved in eating his grain. Sydney looked like a pro. picking up the piles. With one clean, swift motion, she would swoop the pile up and swing in into the wheelbarrow. She hadn't picked sixteen years worth of stalls for nothing. She continued the excersise until the stall was spotless, then moved on to the next stall down the line.

[[xx] Taylor Spears]

_{Taylor's eyes peered up at the grand opening sign, she bit her lip and rolled her eyes, she hoped to god this stable wasn't going to be one of those that was like run by a total freak who was all insane on the wild and freedom, that just wouldn't do for Taylor Spears. Many would be suprised that a girl could do this, but since her auntie took care of her from about five she had been around horses and riding. She got her first job at thirteen and has worked at stales ever since she just doesn't go bragging about it like most, and shes never had her own horse or loaned one. She sighed and the small lilac bag that swung down her shoulder and to her hip banged gently against her hip as she walked into the stables. She wore Lilac Jodphurs, she prefered colour to ordinary plain ones, she actually preferred jeans but she couldn't turn up like that on her first day. She wore her knee length black riding boots and a nice plain tigh white top with short sleves and her hair was down and straight but she had two bobbles around her wrist ready to pull it up when she started work. As she entered the yard she could hear loud music, it sounded modern, it sounded good, she smiled, maybe it wasn't going to be so bad. The stable was very nice, and she could see Six horse heads, and then a seventh poked out of where a wheelbarrow was stood outside. Firstly she went to the office, no one was there, then the tack room, no one. So she went over to the stable where a woman was beginning to muck out one of the stables. She smiled to herself and she cleared her throat, a polite was of getting noticed. She was actually nervous. She had no idea what the pople here were like, how many they were and what horses they had. Taylor was a hard worker, which was suprising considering her school report and efforts, but at the stables she just felt, like herself and relaxed and calm, it was a different girl you would find. She was lucky to get this job, she didn't know if the manager was expecting her today or what. She didn't have a clue, she had been accepted for the job by contacts with the previous stable and then she had been told today was her first starting day. She scuffed her boot on the floor, looked down and then back up. "Um. Hiya, i'm Taylor i go accepted into the job as a stable girl last week.... I was told to come down today to start..." She held out a hand, totally nervous and sure she was making a fool of herself.}

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[&Sydney McAdams&]

Sydney pushed on her horse, All, getting him to move over so she could continue picking out the stall. She thought she heard footsteps in the barn, but she brushed it off as she flew the poop into the wheelbarrow. She had picked up her last pile when she heard someone clearing her throat behind her. She set the pitch fork against the wall of the stall and turned around, facing a teenager. She just looked at her while the teenager stumbled out her words. When she said accepted for a job, a light bulb went on in Sydney's head. She nodded as the girl finnished her sentance. How could she have been so stupid?!

"Oh yes, I forgot all about you! I'm Sydney." She said, holding out a profesional hand and shaking the girl's. She turned around and picked up the pitchfork really quick and dumped the last pile in the wheelbarrow.

"Here, you can go take your stuff into the observation room and I'll take care of this, and then we'll get started. Sound good?" She said, eyeing the girl's bag. Sydney was so glad that she had staff. She had forgotten completely about even hiring her, let alone starting today. There had been so many details to attend to for getting this place open, that it just slipped her mind.

((Sorry for such a short post))

[[xx] Taylor Spears]

_{Taylor watched the woman carefully but paid more attention to the horses. She was hoping once the woman was finished she would give her a tour of the stables and of the horses. She loved to know the details about them, their age, breed, height, personality. She had this connection with horses, she could spend hours around them and just not get bored which was an amazingly suprising fact for a girl like Taylor, no just for Taylor. She just smiled and gave a small shurg of her shoulders as she mentioned forgetting about her, it dind't matter to Taylor, things like that just flew over her head. She looked down at her bag as she mentioned something about an Observation room, she had seen it sign posted on the door as she had come down towards the barn so there was no need to look for directions. "Okay, i'll not be two minutes." She said, eager to see the horses more than anything. She swung her bag off her shoulder and walked away quickly to the room, dumped her stuff in the corner and than came back out, a spring could actually be seen in her step. She came back towards the barn and approached the young woman again."So, what horses do you have here?" Hopefully now she'd take her round to see them all. That is after all what she was getting at.}

[&Sydney McAdams&]

Sydney parted with the girl, taking the wheelbarrow outside and dumping it in the muck heap, then taking the pitchfork back to its spot in the tack room. She came back to see Taylor already there, waiting patiently for her. Well, it looked like this girl wanted to work, and that was all Sydney cared about. Sydney led Taylor back to the first stall, opening the barred window. A paint horse, standing about 14.2 hands poked his head out of the opening, greeting the pair.

"This is Patches, one of the school horses." Sydney explained, petting his velvetly nose with her fingers. "He is a great kids horse, and I'm pretty sure that all the students are going to start out on him. He is basicly bomb-proof." She continued. She wanted Taylor to get a good understanding of the horses at the barn, so that that horses would get mixed up, or people wouldn't get put on a horse that they couldn't handle. After a minute of letting Taylor pet the gentle paint, Sydney walked down to the next stall. A big bay horse stuck its head out, its big baby eyes looking toward Sydney.

"This is my thoroughbred, Al. He is just a big sweetie. Although he is 17 hands, he will never hurt a fly." Sydney said, petting Al's forehead and fixing his forelock.

((this could take a while to go through all the horses. I mean there is only 7, but still))

[[x] Imogen // Taylor]

<sub>Taylor watched as the young woman came back, she was already fiddling her fingers today, eager to meet the horses here, she could see them, they all looked just beautiful and perfect in their own ways and she just wanted to know about them, and ride the ones she could. Taylor would ride anything, she would get on any horse and try it without a problem, she didn't have much a of a fear, she was more in control and safer up there than what she was when on the ground.

Smiling she followed the woman into the stable of the paint horse, pony, whatever and she smiled, stepping forward she ran a hand down the neck of the horse, patches, "He's so adorable. I wonder why he has his name?" She said with a small grin as she patted the horses head, she had taken a liking to this one, it was probably the colouring. As the woman moved on she stepped out with her and to the other stable where the Thoroughbred stood, that was one breed of horse she loved. She loved their spirited nature and fast temperament but they were so smooth and willing. "Hes beautiful, do you have any thoroughbred school horses?"</sub>

[&Sydney McAdams&]

"We have a appendix quarter horse, but thats as close as it gets. I just couldn't find a good thoroughbred school horse." Sydney smiled as her baby lost interest in the new face, and went to munch on the last of his grain. She kept walking to to the next stall, a dapple grey horse looking over them. "Speaking of the devil, here he is right now." She said, giving a small chuckle and leaning against the stall door. "This is Reggy. I'm going to use him for intermediate riders, and Reggy is probably the one that most people are going to learn how to jump on. She said, continuing the lecture.

She only stopped for a minute before going onto the next horse, wanting to get down with the introductions so that she could put this girl to work. "This is Pumpkin." She said, introducing a palamino hanoverian."Don't be fooled by her name, she can be a snot when she wants to. She is definitly the PMS horse, so she is going to be for strictly higher qualified riders. She can definitly jump though.She's not to bad at dressage either."

She moved on to the next horse, hoping that she wasn't going to fast for this girl. Besides, she would learn these horses better soon anyway. "This is Merrylegs." She said, a little grey, welsh pony, straining to stick his head over the door. "He definitly picks favorites. He is your average pony; stubborn. He will be for the littler kids that are really into competitive riding. This pony will only get along with kids that really want to work. And he can be a snot in the stables." She said, patting Merrylegs on the forehead and moving down the line.

A quarter horse poked his lazy head over the door and looked at them with lathargy. "This is Jack. Although he will never buck or anything, he is very lazy. He tests everyone that rides him, just pretending not to listen. He isn't dangorous though. He is going to be the horse that takes that rider from just riding a horse, to really having to communicate with them." She explained, now getting a little bored with having to explain everything.

"And, the last horse, is my newest project,Suzie Q. She is a four year old hanovarian that I'm training. She has a lot of potential, but definitly needs some work." She said, scratching the roan beauty behind the ears. Suzie nickered softly and Sydney put her hands behind her back.

"So, I know that was just a lot of information. Any questions?" She asked, hoping that she wouldn't have to repeat everything she just said.

((ugh))

[[xx] Taylor Spears]

<sub>As they moved on from stable to stable she paid full attention to what the woman was saying to her, taking in the details. She wouldn't forgot them, now school work she would, but not horse names, ages breeds etc, they stuck with her, probably because she was actually interested in that. As they moved from horse to horse she also approached them and let them sent her as she familiarised herself with them with gentle pats and small words so they could hear the sound of her voice. The Palomino caught her eye, beautiful and perfect temperment, but the wierd thing with Taylor was she loved Ponies, and because of her weight she could easily fit upon one, usually 14hands to 14.2hh, or she loved fast horses, not exactly bigger built ones, the more lean well held and proud horses, maybe not exactly jumping horses, just those she could trail ride with and just bomb around with, but then she would take to the arena and jump if she was asked for, she was more for the fun aspect of it all.

"No, none." She told her as she stepped out back into the full sunshine and gave a small smile, a content one. She wiped her palms against her hips, just for the sake of doing something. She stood there, waiting to be assigned a job. Hopefully this woman would bring in more horses, more that were high sprung and needed training, Taylor would be perfect, she thrived on those horses, fast, giddy that needed fully breaking.</sub>

[&Sydney McAdams&]

"Good." Sydney said in her proffesional voice. She was starting to like this girl already, she didn't have to repeat anything or get her attention. She walked back up to the start of the line of horses, now closer to the tack room and feed room.

"Ok, here is how its going to go down." Sydney started, putting her hands on her hips."If you have the morning shift, you get here at 7:00 am. First thing to do is give every horse their breakfast. There is a clipboard on the wall of the feed room that says every horse's diet. After feeding, make sure they all have clean water, then start on the stalls. Clean every stall and sweep the aisle. After that it will probably just be random things that need to be done. You do know how to ride, right?" She asked, hoping that Taylor got all this. She hoped that she didn't sound to prissy or anything, but she just wanted things done and done right.

[[xx] Taylor Spears]

<sub>Taylor listened, she found herself mirroring the womans posture too, she was rather eager to get to work. She really didn't know what she could do now, but she was sure she would let her know. There was one problem, she had school 5 days a week like normal pupils, so maybe the 7am start was for the weekends only. "Feed, Water, Stalls and sweep, got it, but you know i'm still at school, my time table said i came here full days on weekends, then on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights after school..." She said to her, hoping that she didn't find it rude that she corrected her, she didn't want to come across rude, that was the last thing that she wanted or needed on her first day here. Besides Sydney was a nice woman.

"Yeah, i've been riding for around twelve years." She told her, smiling to her, now quiet proud of what she said. She smiledto her, she couldn't wait to get back in the saddle, that was the best thing about, she mostly got to ride, well she did at the old one, riding horses that were been an handleful or when taking out trail rides for the riding school. She looked back towards her, waiting for what was coming next.</sub>

[&Sydney McAdams&]

"Yeah. That's fine." Sydney said about the correction. "Until we get more grooms, I hope you won't mind working full days on the weekends." She said, a little reserved at that moment. She knew how fun high school was, and didn't want to take away all of this girl's free time. She listened as Taylor explained her riding ability, nodding in acceptance.

"Great. Ok, If you would just sweep the aisles for me right now and make sure all the horses have water, I have some paper work to do. The broom is in the tack room and the hose is right over there. After that, I might let you help me excersise some horses, but I need to see what needs to be done." She deliberated, giving Taylor her first task. "If you need anything, I'll be in my office."

Sydney turned around and headed up to her office, skimming her hand through her hair. Hopefully this would work out good for the both of them. She sat down in her leather chair and started filling out the boring forms, something that every business owner hates.

[[xx] Taylor Spears]

<sub>Taylor took her instructions, if riding was going to be at the end of it all she would do it, sweeping was the most boring past of stable chores, it had to be said, but none the lease she got straight to work. Picking up the brush she started outside the stalls, brushing the dust, straw, hay and dirt into a pile in the center, then brushing them all together and out into a large pile while she would into a wheelbarrow. She did this up and down the stable isles until there wasnt any visible objects upon the floor. She then got out the hose and hosed it down before sweeping the watery, debrey and mucky water away into the guttering. The wheelbarrow was emptied, put back in its place, same with the brush and the hose was placed back too. At that point she walked past the stables, smiling to herself as she walked towards the office, wondering which horse she would be given to ride, she would take any, the yard was quiet at the minute, and hopefully she would get a chance to ride them all over the next few days here but she did hope Sydney got some more horses in. Infact she was thinking of suggesting an Idea of running a small professional dealers, she had suggested it to a private owner at her previous stables and she had liked the idea so much she had gone along with it and made a lot of money over the 3 months she was doing it by importing horses from around the Country, out of state and other countries, training them, giving them grest reviews and then selling them on for an higher price, the perfect money making way for someone who loved horses, challanges and riding. Taylor just wanted there to be more horses to ride who were higher sprung and faster.

Approaching the office she dusted a piece of straw that was stuck upon her leg. She then knocked carefully upon the door, three sharp knocks before she turned the handle and poked her head around, notdaring to step a foot inside, hoping the woman didnt find it rude she had opened it. "I'm all done, its all sweeped and the stable isles have been washed down too." She told her.</sub>

[&Sydney McAdams&]

Sydney sighed, trying to get all the paper done as fast as she could. She didn't regret buying this business, but was beginning to get overwhelmed by all the legal work. That's ok, she was a big girl, she could handle it. After ten forms, all filling out the same thing, she heard the new groom coming up the stairs. Either she was lost about doing something or she was already done. Sydney hoped it was the second one. She watched as Taylor took the liberity of opening the door, glad that this irl wasn't afraid of her. Sydney knew she could be intimidating sometimes.

"Wow, great." She said, not expecting this girl to do such a good job. She looked over her list of things to do, thinking to herself for a moment. "Ok, there are some things that we need to get done today....but they arn't that important. I need a ride." She said, looking up at Taylor and smiling. Sydney needed a break from her actual job and thought of a great way to relax.

"Ok, if you would, you can ride patches, just until we have some liability forms signed with you. I'm positive you won't even break a nail riding that guy." She said, chuckling, getting up from her chair and following Talyor down from her office.

[[xx] Taylor Spears]

_{Taylor looked to her and she smiled, she was finally getting a chance to ride. She didn't mind riding the bombproof ponies, she decided she would slip in the idea of a professional dealing yard to her when they were out there or riding. It was a nice conversation piece if someone else was interested in it too. She clapped her hands, almost in a giddy little way and she gave her a smile. "I'll go and get him ready then." She said before she disappeared into the tack room and she returned with an head collar, lead rope and grooming kit. She would tie him otuside so that she knew that Sydney could see her and know that she knew what she was doing. She walked towards the stable and put the grooming kit down beside the door. "Heya gorgeous boy." She said, patting his neck and giving his muzzle a kiss as she opened up the stable door, the gelding stepping back as she stepped in. "Ain't you just beautiful?" She cooed as she gave his head another kiss and she slipped the head collar up over his nose and her hand brought the other piece around and she fastened it together and then clipped on the lead rope, she gave him a huge praising pat, "Good boy." She told him as she lead him towards the front of the stable, she quickly ducked down and got the grooming kit and she contiuned towards the tether poles where she tied the lead rope around the loop and she gave him another pat as she took out a body brush and gave him a thorough work over with it. Paying special attention to where the saddle would be and the girl, then been gentle upon his face where the bridle would be. She wiped his eyes with a clean damp sponge and then she picked out his feet before giving his mane and tail a quick brush. She then went to the tack roomw ith the grooming kit, placed it down and found his tack under a name plac. She picked up the saddle and the bridle, the saddle upon her arm, the birdle on her shoulder. She went out and hoisted the saddle onto his back gently, placing it forward them bringing it down to the correct position. "Aren't you just a doll?" She said as she leant under his stomach to get the girth and she attached it and tightened it up. She then took off the head collar, from what Sydney said he was totally unphased so she wrapped an arm around his nose and she put the reins over his neck, she had control slightly now. She then stood to the side and slipped the bit in which he accepted straight away, he was such a chamer. "You little charmer." She then pulled the birdle up and gently tucked one ear under, then the other and then tied the throat lash on the correct one. He was done. She smiled and she gave him a hug. "You good boy." She said, giving him another praising pat as she lead him towards the tack room where she placed down the head collar and lead rope. She called out to Sydeny, "Are we riding out or in the arena?"}