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Description
Jessica Smalls: Finally Breaking In The Western SaddleKelsey rounded the corner with her worn out western saddle in hand, it's dull silver catching the barn lighting ever so slightly.

  "Aren't you excited!?" - Kelsey asked, basically bubbling with glee.

  "If you could call it excitement. I think I am more nervous than anything." - Jessica said, her brow furrowed and eyes sternly focused, as she fumbled with the cinch on her western saddle.

Kelsey noticed Jess struggling and came over to assist her.

  "Here lemme help you." - Kelsey said kindly taking the pieces out of Jess's hands. "This the first time you ever tacked up a western saddle?"

Jess's face went flush as she slowly nodded in embarrassment, her sunglasses were the only things hiding her true feelings.

  "Let me show you then!" - Kelsey then proceeded to slowly show and explain to Jessica how to wrap the girth and tighten it just right. "See, not that hard!"

Jessica's face scrunched up, "I guess. It's all so new and confusing." - Jessica admitted.

  "Don't worry, it'll get easier with time." - Kelsey said as she began tacking up her own horse. "I still can't wrap my head around how you English riders tighten your girths! It always looks so hard."

Jess blew air from her nose and slightly smiled, "It comes with experience I guess."

Kelsey warmly smiled, finishing up her last loop only to pull it down and tightly secure it. "Ready?" She asked.

  "I think so." - Jessica gave a weak look.

  "Don't be so nervous! It's only a different saddle not a new horse. Plus 'Storm' doesn't seem to mind, just look at him, he is taking it like a champ!" - Kelsey pointed out the bald faced chestnut gelding in the cross ties, whos eyes were half closed, and lower lip was starting to droop.

Jessica laughed at this discovery and softly patted the geldings shoulder, to which he woke up and slowly turning his head to look at her with sleepy blue eyes.

The two headed out of the dimly lit barn and out into the brightly lit California day.

Kelsey stood watch as Jess attempted to mount with the new saddle, guiding her verbally from the side, letting Jessica get the feel for it on her own. The saddle creaked under Jessica's weight. "Such an odd feeling." - Jessica remarked.

Kelsey then proceeded to mount up herself, 'Cat' shifting slightly under her weight. "It is definitely different from a English saddle, but once you break it in you'll find it to be one of the most comfortable thing to sit on." - Kelsey said as she fixed herself in her own saddle.

The pair then walked off, Kelsey leading the way towards the back lot. California's gorgeous landscape enveloped them. Kelsey led them to a cut path within the California foliage, white sand became their own personal red carpet through the California valley, as they walked between the bushes of black sage and valley violet.

"It's so beautiful out here." - Jessica exclaimed, taking in all of the pretty sights.

"I also find it to be very peaceful. Its the perfect place to take a stroll in my opinion." - Kelsey spoke warmly, taking in the tranquility of her surroundings.

As the two walked they began talking, as the California sun warmed them in its rays.

"So what really brought you out here? To Hermosa I mean. Obviously I can see why you came to California, I mean just look at it." - Kelsey motioned with her hand at the scenery around them.

Jessica nodded. "I actually came to California for Hermosa." - Jessica revealed.

Kelsey's interest peaked at Jess's comment. "Really? Why?" - Kelsey asked.

"I grew up in a household of English riders, from childhood onward all I did was jump horses. You get burnt out on that after a while, and some things in my life had changed and I knew that I needed a change too." Jess sighed as she thought about it. "Anyways, I overheard at a show about this ranch out in California that specializes in Western horses, and I had already been considering of trying Western out and thought to myself, 'Why not go and try it,' 'It can only be good', and so that is what I did." "On a whim I flew out here, I met with you, and I fell in love with the property." Jess then looked to Kelsey, "And then when you started talking about how your ranch was in need of an English instructor it felt like it all was meant to be, like I was meant to be here."

Kelsey smiled warmly as Jessica, "It does definitely feel that way doesn't it."

Jessica nodded and smiled.

The two would go on talking further, their conversation getting more on the emotional side, and later in the conversation Kelsey would find out the real reason Jessica came to Hermosa.

Back in New York, Jessica use to work at a huge banking firm, while show jumping competitively and training on the side for a well known stable. She also use to be married, to a man she loved who didn't love her back. The same man who broke her heart, and had been cheating on her for years without her knowing. They divorced quickly after she found out, and in complete and utter loss she quit her job and position at the stable. She left it all to start over, to start fresh. She decided to focus all her time and energy on her passion for horses, and to try something new. That something new was Western. She impulsively bought 'Storm' as her starter horse, and in true perfect timing fashion she found out about Hermosa. And then all the pieces just fell together.

Midas: The Missing Gold CatAs some of you might have noticed, Midas hasn't been around much as of lately, and there is a reason for that.

A few months back Midas started showing signs of laminitis , only for it to slowly morph into early onset arthritis of the joints. Kelsey, mortified, decided to retire him early. This seemingly came out of the blue for everyone, and Kelsey has been taking extremely good care of him during this time. She doesn't ride him as much anymore, but sometimes will take him out on low effort rides. He still is the same horse, with the same big heart and personality, just some days are harder than others for him to be comfortable. Kelsey has put all of her time, energy, and money into helping him. Hermosa even gained an onsite Vet because of it. So he is doing good, and he will still be with us for the foreseeable future. He is just done showing, for good. Now he get to just live his life carefree and spoiled rotten as he should be <3

--- --- --- --- --- ---
Artist Notes:
Knocking out two birds with one stone!
I really wanted to do a story on Jessica & Storm, since Stormy boy hasn't gotten much action since his creation and still needs a good ref (even tho the story was more about Jess than Storm but oh well) Jess will be a main stay, I have some more plans for her so make sure to stick around for that,

As for Midas, ... In all reality I just haven't felt inspiration to draw him, and it's time to let the offspring have the spot light. (don't get me wrong, I absolutely love, adore, and cherish Midas, that will NEVER go away.) He is still mine & Kelsey's heart horse, it is just time to let him chill. Which is also why I focused a bunch on his daughter, and future grand son (who I am excited for!), but I figured retiring him due to injury would give a better reasoning instead of me saying "I am just bored/tired of drawing him and I need a new subject" I probably still draw him, since I love him, but I have so many other horses who need attention, and Midas has done a lot <3

Ref Used & BG Photo

Description
Jessica Smalls: Finally Breaking In The Western SaddleKelsey rounded the corner with her worn out western saddle in hand, it's dull silver catching the barn lighting ever so slightly.

  "Aren't you excited!?" - Kelsey asked, basically bubbling with glee.

  "If you could call it excitement. I think I am more nervous than anything." - Jessica said, her brow furrowed and eyes sternly focused, as she fumbled with the cinch on her western saddle.

Kelsey noticed Jess struggling and came over to assist her.

  "Here lemme help you." - Kelsey said kindly taking the pieces out of Jess's hands. "This the first time you ever tacked up a western saddle?"

Jess's face went flush as she slowly nodded in embarrassment, her sunglasses were the only things hiding her true feelings.

  "Let me show you then!" - Kelsey then proceeded to slowly show and explain to Jessica how to wrap the girth and tighten it just right. "See, not that hard!"

Jessica's face scrunched up, "I guess. It's all so new and confusing." - Jessica admitted.

  "Don't worry, it'll get easier with time." - Kelsey said as she began tacking up her own horse. "I still can't wrap my head around how you English riders tighten your girths! It always looks so hard."

Jess blew air from her nose and slightly smiled, "It comes with experience I guess."

Kelsey warmly smiled, finishing up her last loop only to pull it down and tightly secure it. "Ready?" She asked.

  "I think so." - Jessica gave a weak look.

  "Don't be so nervous! It's only a different saddle not a new horse. Plus 'Storm' doesn't seem to mind, just look at him, he is taking it like a champ!" - Kelsey pointed out the bald faced chestnut gelding in the cross ties, whos eyes were half closed, and lower lip was starting to droop.

Jessica laughed at this discovery and softly patted the geldings shoulder, to which he woke up and slowly turning his head to look at her with sleepy blue eyes.

The two headed out of the dimly lit barn and out into the brightly lit California day.

Kelsey stood watch as Jess attempted to mount with the new saddle, guiding her verbally from the side, letting Jessica get the feel for it on her own. The saddle creaked under Jessica's weight. "Such an odd feeling." - Jessica remarked.

Kelsey then proceeded to mount up herself, 'Cat' shifting slightly under her weight. "It is definitely different from a English saddle, but once you break it in you'll find it to be one of the most comfortable thing to sit on." - Kelsey said as she fixed herself in her own saddle.

The pair then walked off, Kelsey leading the way towards the back lot. California's gorgeous landscape enveloped them. Kelsey led them to a cut path within the California foliage, white sand became their own personal red carpet through the California valley, as they walked between the bushes of black sage and valley violet.

"It's so beautiful out here." - Jessica exclaimed, taking in all of the pretty sights.

"I also find it to be very peaceful. Its the perfect place to take a stroll in my opinion." - Kelsey spoke warmly, taking in the tranquility of her surroundings.

As the two walked they began talking, as the California sun warmed them in its rays.

"So what really brought you out here? To Hermosa I mean. Obviously I can see why you came to California, I mean just look at it." - Kelsey motioned with her hand at the scenery around them.

Jessica nodded. "I actually came to California for Hermosa." - Jessica revealed.

Kelsey's interest peaked at Jess's comment. "Really? Why?" - Kelsey asked.

"I grew up in a household of English riders, from childhood onward all I did was jump horses. You get burnt out on that after a while, and some things in my life had changed and I knew that I needed a change too." Jess sighed as she thought about it. "Anyways, I overheard at a show about this ranch out in California that specializes in Western horses, and I had already been considering of trying Western out and thought to myself, 'Why not go and try it,' 'It can only be good', and so that is what I did." "On a whim I flew out here, I met with you, and I fell in love with the property." Jess then looked to Kelsey, "And then when you started talking about how your ranch was in need of an English instructor it felt like it all was meant to be, like I was meant to be here."

Kelsey smiled warmly as Jessica, "It does definitely feel that way doesn't it."

Jessica nodded and smiled.

The two would go on talking further, their conversation getting more on the emotional side, and later in the conversation Kelsey would find out the real reason Jessica came to Hermosa.

Back in New York, Jessica use to work at a huge banking firm, while show jumping competitively and training on the side for a well known stable. She also use to be married, to a man she loved who didn't love her back. The same man who broke her heart, and had been cheating on her for years without her knowing. They divorced quickly after she found out, and in complete and utter loss she quit her job and position at the stable. She left it all to start over, to start fresh. She decided to focus all her time and energy on her passion for horses, and to try something new. That something new was Western. She impulsively bought 'Storm' as her starter horse, and in true perfect timing fashion she found out about Hermosa. And then all the pieces just fell together.

Midas: The Missing Gold CatAs some of you might have noticed, Midas hasn't been around much as of lately, and there is a reason for that.

A few months back Midas started showing signs of laminitis , only for it to slowly morph into early onset arthritis of the joints. Kelsey, mortified, decided to retire him early. This seemingly came out of the blue for everyone, and Kelsey has been taking extremely good care of him during this time. She doesn't ride him as much anymore, but sometimes will take him out on low effort rides. He still is the same horse, with the same big heart and personality, just some days are harder than others for him to be comfortable. Kelsey has put all of her time, energy, and money into helping him. Hermosa even gained an onsite Vet because of it. So he is doing good, and he will still be with us for the foreseeable future. He is just done showing, for good. Now he get to just live his life carefree and spoiled rotten as he should be <3

--- --- --- --- --- ---
Artist Notes:
Knocking out two birds with one stone!
I really wanted to do a story on Jessica & Storm, since Stormy boy hasn't gotten much action since his creation and still needs a good ref (even tho the story was more about Jess than Storm but oh well) Jess will be a main stay, I have some more plans for her so make sure to stick around for that,

As for Midas, ... In all reality I just haven't felt inspiration to draw him, and it's time to let the offspring have the spot light. (don't get me wrong, I absolutely love, adore, and cherish Midas, that will NEVER go away.) He is still mine & Kelsey's heart horse, it is just time to let him chill. Which is also why I focused a bunch on his daughter, and future grand son (who I am excited for!), but I figured retiring him due to injury would give a better reasoning instead of me saying "I am just bored/tired of drawing him and I need a new subject" I probably still draw him, since I love him, but I have so many other horses who need attention, and Midas has done a lot <3

Ref Used & BG Photo