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dat-inu — Austrians in Australia

Published: 2023-04-16 22:15:40 +0000 UTC; Views: 4871; Favourites: 135; Downloads: 0
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Description It was in the evening, after a long day of work when the two men, Volker and Joe were finishing up the last tasks at the stable before calling it a day. Joe was already done with his tasks, leaning against the wall and scrolling through his phone while waiting for the brown haired man, who just walked the last round to see if everything was taken care of. Responsible as always.

„Okay, let’s go. You need a shower.“, Volker said as he was done, smirking at Joe. He was so ready for one too, though. And also for dinner.
Theatrically Joe grabbed his chest, as if hit by a bullet. „Ooouuch, you hurt my feelings.“ Volker just chuckled quietly and closed up the stable door behind them as they left. „Hey, I just got a news mail in. They’re having some great Australian Warmbloods for sale.“, he mentioned while still being busy looking at the display as they headed back to the main house. „Oh, really.“, Volker replied casually, currently more interested in musing about said hot shower and fresh clothes.
„Yeah, take a look.“ Joe knew the junior stable owner well enough by now to know that Volker rarely showed excited interest in anything. At least not on the outside. Volker took the offered phone, but mostly to not have Joe bug him all the way to the house, knowing he would chew his ears off about it. He scrolled through the offered horses but Joe interrupted him anyway, by tapping on the photo of a grullo stallion. „Him specifically. Just a feeling. Has some promising pedigree too.“, he said and shrugged with a grin. Since he owned an Australian Warmblood himself, he was very interested in that breed and had done some prior research. Volker looked at the photo and had to admit that it was a very fine horse on first glance. Four years old, likely still growing and with great potential indeed it seemed. Actually he’s indeed been looking for a new horse to work with after the renovation work on the stable was pretty much done recently. During the renovation he didn’t have capacity for a youngster horse project. But now? His mare Thundersoul was amazing, yet not suitable for high level competition. The thought of a new horse was tempting, yet he quickly pushed the thought away and handed the phone back to Joe. „Australia is way too far away. I don’t have time traveling the world just to check out a horse for fun.“ And by that it was decided. He wouldn’t go.

Except, the seed was planted and the thought kept creeping back, constantly in the back of his head during the whole next day. He caught himself searching for the sale again, looking at the infos in more detail. What a promosing horse…
During dinner with the family, his father Ludwig noticed his oldest son’s mental absence. He wasn’t one to pay much attention to his phone while sitting at the table in company. „Are you dating someone?“, the elderly man asked straight forward to playfully provoke his son with the joke, fully knowing he wasn't one to enjoy openly talking about his private life.
As expected, Ludwig earned a not-very-impressed look from his son. „A long distance relationship maybe.“, he replied with a dry note and put his phone away. „A young horse for sale - in Australia. So a date with that horse is unlikely.“ And too many unnecessary high costs in case he ended up not taking the stallion home. As junior leader of Wolfsberg Equestrian Center he also had to keep the finances in mind and be responsible with them.
„You know“, Ludwig leaned back in his chair, „you always had a good eye for horses. If your gut tells you to go, then go.“ Which was not quite the answer Volker expected nor wanted to hear. Wasn’t his father as senior leader supposed to reassure him what a responsible and wise decision it was not to go?

The thought kept him awake for the longest time, staring at the dark ceiling, playing every possible scenario in his mind. Joe’s Australian Warmblood Timber was striving and placed second at his very first event. The breed has caught his attention a while ago and Timber just proved the power, stamina and talent of it.
ALRIGHT. He’d go.
And with that he rolled over to finally get some sleep.

***

The news of his decision was met with great interest and excitement by his family. Volker’s youngest sister Kathi was so hyper to see all the kangaroos and cutie-squishy-chubby wombats, but Ludwig reminded her with a laugh that she had lots of upcoming exams in school which she couldn’t miss, but he promised that they’d take pictures if they happened to see some, since he would join Volker on the trip as well appreciated advisor.

The change of climate was already visible from the plane as they flew over the land. Such vibrant warm colors - a great contrast to the rainy grey tones that were taking over during the transition from winter to spring in Austria.
It was a very long travel, and both were relieved to finally be able to stretch their legs again. They spent the evening with dinner in the city and would head out to the facility the next morning.

***

At said morning Volker could feel his anticipation growing, while keeping his composure. As they arrived at the stable, both were impressed by how wide and open the whole area was. The horses wouldn’t be the only eye candy. Australia’s landscape was breathtaking with the golden grass and the gum trees.
There was some spare time as they arrived early and asked the staff where the paddocks were, planning to spending the time taking a look at the horses. As they walked around, Volker spotted the grullo stallion standing close to the fence. Aldebrand was his name. A suitably noble name for a fine looking stallion.
Bran was peacefully grazing alongside another horse. He seemed all content and calm, even as the other horse muzzled him. In fact, it looked like he even enjoyed the contact. Very social for a stallion, Volker noticed.
„So, first impression?“, Ludwig asked to break the silence between them. „Not much to tell yet, but he definitely lives up to his photos.“ Bran was obviously taken well care of and definitely an impressing sight, even for his young age. But he could imagine well what he’d look like when fully grown and with properly built up muscles due training. A promising thought. Still, the man didn’t dare to take too much liking in him yet.

An announcement was made for the interested parties to join them at the outdoor arena for the introduction of the horses for sale. The two men grabbed a coffee while the horses were getting prepared and warmed up for some liberty jumping and for a test ride later on.
At the outdoor arena Volker looked through the info paper about Aldebrand - again, for about the 100th time. Ludwig noticed it, but refrained from mention it. He just smiled subtly and let Volker sort his thoughts until he would open a conversation about it himself.

The handler led Bran into the outdoor arena, talking about his qualities as well as his pedigree and his parent’s successions, as the young horse was trotting around the arena, keeping an eye on all the strangers at the fence. They started his training not too long ago and so far he’s never been jumped under saddle, for health reasons due to him still growing. Apparently the latest x-rays showed that he progressed enough to slowly start that too though.

When Bran was led to the jumping lane he peeked his ears towards them with great interest. He was cued to go for them and he did without any hesitation, landing a clean jump. It was obvious that he was confident in what he’s doing, even with the little experience he had. The youngster showcased his proud trot, seemingly pleased with his work.
A second jump followed. This time something caught Bran’s attention. It was just for a moment, not distracting him enough to fail the jump though. Unlike after the first jump, Bran didn’t strut around this time, but returned to the jump, eyeing it curiously, before stretching his neck to reach for the decorative grass. Playfully he ripped a handful - or a mouthful - off and took a leap, playfully shaking his head with his newly acquired treasure, causing the audience to giggle, charmed by his quirky behavior.
Volker couldn’t help but grin a bit too. He was a huge baby still.


***

Later on, after the introduction and liberty jumping, the signed up riders were able to test ride Bran under observation. It was suggested that only experienced and confident riders would take that opportunity, as the grullo wasn’t yet settled enough, but would reflect the rider’s nervousness in his behavior.

Volker has grown up with horses, as his father himself has been handling horses from a younger age on already. Everything he knew about horses, he learned from Ludwig. Volker has always looked up to him and the way he dealt with them. It seemed so natural and easy when watching him. Ludwig has always taken his sweet time to teach Volker and his younger siblings his ways and share his experiences with them. And over the years Volker’s experience in handling and training horses has grown indeed. He has been an active competitor too for many years, but has grown more into his role as head of training at WEC and bureaucracy, leaving him with less time for competitions, which he sometimes missed more than he would admit. He was an excellent trainer though, proving endless patience, no matter how challenging the horses were.

As he was approaching the stallion for the test ride, he of course took some time to get familiar with him and to look at him up close. Noticing his shiny coat and how well cared for he was, already showing a good base for muscle build up from the training he has received so far.
He gave Bran a friendly pat on the neck before mounting him with caution, watching any signs of discomfort. The warmblood was well used to the handlers he was worked with so far, but not so much with strangers riding him. He seemed calm though, pointing one ear back at him, obviously paying attention to his actions.
With lose reins, yet good contact to the horse, Volker cued him to walk. He allowed him to choose his own pace to accommodate to the new situation and to warm him up.
Ludwig was standing in the middle of the roundpen, watching them ride alongside the fence, observing anything that Volker couldn’t see or notice while in the saddle.
After a couple of rounds Bran seemed to be loaded with energy, ready for more, since he already knew that a saddle and rider meant work - which he greatly enjoyed. So Volker led him into a trot.
The slender frame of the stallion has worried the man a bit in the beginning, but he didn’t seem to lack any power at all. In fact it was a pleasure to ride him, as he could feel the potential in his moves.
„Nice.“, Ludwig mumbled, approving of what he saw and how well they harmonized. With some good training that stallion surely had a bright future ahead. No wonder his son was interested in him, he’s always had a good eye for horses.
Volker paid close attention to Bran - how he moved and how he reacted. He seemed to be a sensitive one, picking up up subtle cues even. But Bran kept his attention on him just as well - unconfident at first, but quickly adapting to the calmness and assuring commands of his rider.

***

After the ride, they had the opportunity to talk to his trainer Allan in person, asking for more specific information about him - such as his routine, habits and any other details like allergies or other noteworthy details. It was fun to learn about his odd behavior too, to protest when feeling neglected or alone.
They were offered to accompany while walking Bran back to the stable for a more lengthy talk. The more Volker heard about that horse, the more he fell for him. He felt a growing excitement that he didn’t yet dared to show, since there were other people seriously interested in him too and it wasn’t given that he could actually bring him home. Yet he couldn’t help but feel attached to Bran already.

Back in the stable, the tack was taken off Bran and Volker offered his help, being the thoughtful gentleman he was. He was allowed to spend a bit more time with him while the staff was taking care of the other horses.
Volker took the opportunity to get to know the stallion a bit more, brushing his fur back into its place where it was lying funny from the saddle pad. Bran’s excitement slowly ebbed off now that the hurly-burly was over and he was getting very calm, relaxing from the soothing brushing. Volker was long done, but he noticed that the stallion closed his eyes and sank his head in a resting manner. Obviously he wasn’t only social with other horses, but also with people. Just another trait of his that made it so easy to like him. He really was one of a kind.
Volker lifted his hand to brush it over the stallion’s nose bridge - gently, to not disturb him in his relaxed state. It was a long and exhausting day for a young horse like him and he deserved the rest. He was such a good boy after all, taking all the new situations and encounters with strangers so well.
Bran leaned his head into Volker’s hand, enjoying the warm touches.

Ludwig was leaning against the wall, watching them for a bit with a warm smile, passively enjoying the moment too. It was obvious that his son, who was usually always keeping a reserved and professionally distanced stance, was taking great liking in that horse. He took his phone out, taking a photo of them, which Volker didn’t even notice while being so focused on the building connection between him and Bran. He sent it to his wife Karla along with a short text;

I think we’ll return with a new addition to the family.


_____________________________________________


DONE xux


that was quite a challenge xD i tried to display all the details about his characteristics in the comic+text

also it was a great opportunity to introduce the owners of my new stable that i've been working on the pasts months like building the facility in planet zoo (nowhere near done tho oml it takes so long) and planning new characters and ofc horses x3

i was torn between rambo and bran at first, but then loved bran's personality too much ;v;

he'd be a great horse for volker. he works as head trainer at WEC but so far only kept one mare as his own horse. bran would be a great addition to that as he's grown really attached to that big baby

my plan for them is to show their progress - i'd keep bran as youngster for a bit longer, showing him growing up, daily life and getting proper training until ready for competition instead of aging him up and sending them to events right away. it'd also be a great story to establish volker more too as new character and stable owner, showing his way back to actually entering competitions himself again by time. with bran he'd have a good reason to

so pretty much showing their and my stable's growth together :>


also i hope it's ok i didn't include the whole text about bran :'''D this text is already a crazy long wall and would result in endless scrolling if i added that too


_____________________________________________


MY BID FOR


Australian Warmblood Import Auction




Import #78


Registered Name:  Aldebrand II
Barn Name:  Bran

Sex:  Stallion
Age:  4 years
Height:  16.2hh
Build:  Lighter than ideal.

Appearance:  Grullo (flaxen carrier)
Genetics:  Ee-aa-DD-Ff
Health Panel Results: Clear
Conditions: None

Breed:  Australian Warmblood
Bloodline: Pure
Breed Grading:  Premium (15)
[ 2, 2, 6, 0, 4, 0, 1 ]

Lineage:

----------------------------------------------------------- SSS: 
---------------------------------- SS: 
----------------------------------------------------------- SSD: 
----------------- Sire: Pure Australian Warmblood
----------------------------------------------------------- SDS: 
---------------------------------- SD: 
----------------------------------------------------------- SDD: 

----------------------------------------------------------- DSS: 
---------------------------------- DS: 
----------------------------------------------------------- DSD: 
----------------- Dam: Pure Australian Warmblood
----------------------------------------------------------- DDS: 
---------------------------------- DD: 
----------------------------------------------------------- DDD:



Design (c) sealle

Art (c) dat-inu  

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