Welcome to the Riddermark's Show Ring and Stables
A short ride from Edoras and close neighbours with the Infirmary, in the open, lush fields of the Riddermark where horses can graze and roam at ease, stands the Riddermark Show Ring and Stables; an old abandoned breeding establishment that has been recently renovated and re-opened to the public and now offers both stop-over and long-term livery for those who prefer to rest their horses and themselves outside the busy capital.
The wide, open courtyard boasts three barns with stables-doors aligned so as to let the horses watch the comings and goings of staff and visitors. The entire fourth side to the courtyard opens up into an arena bedecked with bright paints; the Show Ring wall is open on one side to allow all the residents an opportunity to admire those that take a turn around the course. In the northern corner of the courtyard between two of the buildings that boast a row of curious equine faces sits a squat, two floored stone structure; the ground floor re-designed as an office and cafe area, with seating and refreshments available to all who wish to take a rest, the upper floor humble lodgings for the senior staff. The southern corner leads to a smaller courtyard where can be found store-houses, tack room and supply stores, where any curious rider would find all the trappings and tools needed to keep a busy stables such as this running. In the eastern corner of the courtyard is a path that leads to the two training areas; one indoor and one outdoor, and beyond them fenced in fields for grazing and longer rides.
As you enter, the stable-staff greet you eagerly, and for a few silver pieces will see that your horse is stabled and groomed while you are invited to help yourself to the pastries and tea from the kettle that is always kept close to boil.
Rules:
1) Please keep posts in character if possible.
2) This thread is an open RPG for all things horse-themed, so if you think it appropriate to arrange a trek, teach riding-lessons or try a show-jumping competition, be my guest!
3) The Show-Ring is the exception to the Open RPG rule; this area is reserved for people to post 'showing off' their horse and should be protected from overlapping RP if at all possible. (suggested post colour #BF8000, example post below)
4) Horses, ponies, donkeys and the occasional mule are more than welcome, but please keep it true to Tolkien’s Middle-Earth (no unicorns, pegasi, six-legged horses, etc).
5) The stables is managed by the friendly staff, including a number of stablehands and horse-masters; feel free to use these NPCs in your posts.
6) This is a roleplay thread as well as a Show-Ring, so feel free to spectate other people's horses appearing, but be mindful that not everyone who posts their horse's description in the Show-Ring will also be available for ongoing roleplay
7) Rohir are common in Rohan and unless they are significantly impoverished, each Rohirric PC can be expected to own or have long-term custody of at least one horse each.
8) This establishment does not usually sell horses or tack; if you wish to purchase a horse or obtain horse supplies, feel free to enquire at 'Ye Olde Pet Shoppe' and 'Second Skin Saddles and Tack' respectively in Se Riddermarket
While the stables are still being established, feel free to contribute to the list of resident pets and stable staff with either shared already established NPCs (like Getale or Cnith in the Ældsel), or if you would like one of your characters to hold a particular role as an ongoing position please approach Dannel the secretary IC to make your application.
The current staff members and open vacancies are detailed below:-
Stable Manager - Vacancy Open
Administrator and book-keeper:- Dannel Fitch (NPC of Allacan), a friendly ex-Gondorian scholar with a keen interest in administration and penmanship, but not necessarily the best person to handle horses
Head Riding Instructor - Vacancy Open
Head Groom and Horse-Master - Vacancy Open
Equine Veterinarian - currently Beoric (NPC of Allacan), a stolid, quiet tanned older gentleman who horses seem to instinctively trust - seeking apprentices as he is trying to prepare for his retirement
Stable-hand/riding instructor NPCs:- Three Vacancies Open
Resident Ratter (pet position):- Vacancy Open
Resident Adorable Softie (pet position):- Vacancy Open