Stall Fifteen: Firebird

[Ripley]

Stallion: Firebird
Age: 7
Pedigree: Oddside x Vintage
Owner: Intrepid Racing
Breeder: Intrepid Racing

Post here to interact with Firebird and his connections.

[Ripley]

Ripley and Malcolm slipped down the stall rows, eyeing the stallions with intrigued eyes. Their own barn was well represented by GS Royal Crown and Popcorn Blitz, but they knew the benefits of those two like the backs of their hands. Horses Ripley fully intended to breed to at some point in the next couple of years were located at the stallion open house and she wanted a closer look. She'd eyed the breeding sales, only taken an interest in All For Glory, but she wasn't buying. She was out to plot and plan while the rest moved to the sales ring.

Three horses had caught her eye on the line up: Firebird, Royal Cadenza and Pyrotechnics. She had a general idea of where to go with the first two, had aggressively sought out the matches based on pedigree and overall athletic level. Nothing but the best for her broods. She was definitely becoming a force to reckon with in the breeding territory. Keeping it interesting and throwing off the people who might have gone a different, more obvious way.

"Mal, we're going to pay our dear Intrepid friends a visit. I want to say hello to a couple old friends and swoon over my favorite gray stallion."

Mal rolled his eyes, knowing Cosmic Warfare wasn't going to know what him. "Well... fine, but don't drool Marsh. It's not cool."

"Better than drooling over a shallow human male."

Ripley stepped toward stall fifteen, eyes alight with excitement. Business before pleasure. It just was a benefit that business was also pleasurable.

Ripley grinned at the familiar people standing in front of stall fifteen and laughed. "Hello, care to help me solidify my breeding plans?"

[Cavallo]

Rick Manning was a tall man, trim and fit with the bulk that came from handling hot tempered stallions day in and day out and Firebird was no exception. The chestnut son of Oddside and Vintage had more than lived up to his parent's legacy. Fire tossed his head with his usual high energy as Rick led him from the stall and out into the ring. His grip on the stud change was resolute and the fiery chestnut knew better than to attempt a true coo. He stood still with the stallion briefly in the middle as the chestnut immediately took to his proud stance. He snorted and pawed with slight impatience, but Rick managed to simply smile at Fire. "Yes, I know boy...you're not one for this standing around business..." He patted the toned and muscular neck of the primed athlete. Retirement hadn't meant that the stallion would go soft, besides Firebird would never allow himself to settle into a true sedentary life. He was active and Rick made sure that he had the exercise he needed to stay so.

He patted the stallion's neck before unleashing him at a trot to the outer edges of the ring on the lunge-line. Firebird moved with an energy that was charged and electric, drawing eyes unto himself and he relished in the attention. Rick smiled and smirked as they did their circuits about the ring and then allowed the stallion to slow as he drew closer and led the stallion over to the rails when people could walk up and greet the chestnut. His ears were pricked with interest at all of the activity hustling around them and he bobbed his head mildly with excitement, eyes looking to latch onto anyone who'd come up and say hello. Rick stroked the stallion's neck as they waited. People came up, much to Fire's delight and fed him treats which he inhaled in seconds and whuffled his appreciation for the attention.

His eyebrow's raised slightly as he watched some the crew from Witch Creek approach and whistled sharply to get Nick's attention as he patted a waiting Cos. Fire's head jerked sharply at the sound and snorted his censure, nudging his arm in protest. Rick patted the stallion and watched their approach as Nick moved to greet them.

"Marsh, Floyd...always a pleasure. Things are really going well here don't you think? He gestured to the bustle as people moved from stall to stall and ring to ring, meeting and greeting prospective studs.

[Ripley]

Ripley's eyes scanned Firebird meticulously. Like Witch Creek, Intrepid was known for exercising its breeding studs to keep them in the best shape. Firebird was an exceptional animal with immense muscle packed with power. He was bulldog of a horse at 17.3 hands and the kind of animal Ripley would get behind in a heartbeat. Durable he had been and talented enough to knock out a victory over both Infinite Warcry and Frozen Motion. She didn't forget those capable of beating Hall of Fame level horses. Firebird was the exact type of animal she was looking for for a certain animal destined for Hall of Fame.

She smiled as the horse powered closer with Rick at the helm. She knew him from brief chats with Nick, had met him personally when they'd planned the stallion open house. Pride filled her at the sight of all the people and at all the stallions. It didn't get much bigger or better than this. Ripley laughed, hugged over the fence, causing Mal to raise his eyebrows.

"Don't get cozy with the enemy, Marsh," Mal warned. He had a faintly defiant eye as he looked Nick over. He couldn't forget their argument months ago over his and Adele's marriage. Sure things had quieted down, but that's what happened when you browbeat your wife to at least compromise for a small house in between Intrepid and Witch Creek. Best of both worlds for everyone.

Ripley leaned back, shot a glance at Mal. "I'm a big fan of this. God knows how we'll make it bigger next year, but we'll be up for the challenge. And we haven't even hit the main event yet!" She lowered her voice, "Everyone better hope our foals sell or we'll take advantage of their lack of interest."

Ripley held out a hand to Firebird, nodded to Rick. "You haven't lost your good looks yet, Fire."

"How's he been?"

[Cavallo]

He had been just as surprised when Ripley Marsh leaned over the rail and hugged him. It was brief and the only thing he could do was simply smile and shake his head, despite the smart comments coming from Mal. He had gotten used to the idea of his and Adele's marriage and he wasn't out to make waves where they were concerned. He could secretly gloat though that they lived in the middle now, which was better all around...for everyone.

Speaking of which, Adele sauntered over after checking in on Cos with Nick and walked right up to Mal as he threw a disapproving look at Nick and kissed him right in the furrow of his brow from his scowl and whispered for only him,"Lighten up babe, save some of that frustration for me later..okay?" She teased, her voice velvet seduction as she pulled back and winked at him and turned her back to his chest, pulling his arms around her and smiled over at Nick. He rolled his eyes in jest, but a smile curved on his lips. He decided to direction his attention over to Ripley and her question.

He turned his gaze to Firebird who was relishing in the limelight as Rick stood close by maintaining control of the stallion. He took in the impressive form and he had to agree with Ripley, Firbird had not lost his good looks. "He's doing great, but we still have to work him hard. He isn't busy in the breeding shed, so we have to find other ways for him to let off some steam. Rick and his crew do a great job working and conditioning them and Fire still loves to go out on the tracks. Crazy horse doesn't know when to quit and would just run all the time if we let him." As if to testify to the truth of that statement, Fire snorted and grew excited, so Rick had to back the chestnut off the rail and walking him briskly in the ring before coming back to his adoring public on the rails.

"He's settled in nicely though for the most part, but we're waiting on the right mares for him. Hence...only one foal on the ground so far, but he's looking promising...out of Afterglow for North Diamond Manor."

[Ripley]

Mal grew calmer as his wife stepped up to him. He didn't mind the public display of affection, relished it. They should all be jealous. No one could find this kind of woman because he already had her. Nothing could match his loyalty and love for Adele. She was simply wonderful. He chuckled at her as she huddled against his chest. She was such a problem for him with her coy words and her attempt at hiding their private relations. He hugged her, ignoring Ripley who was pretending to ignore them. Like a typical big sister, she was constantly remarking how glad she was he had finally settled down. "Keep quiet. I have lots of frustrations." He laughed. "Want to catch lunch after Ripley is done making an offer your boss can't refuse?"

Ripley shot him a ferocious look and he grinned. He knew when she was pretending to not listen. She was too honest to be a really good pretender.


"Yeah we find the same thing with our bulkier studs too. Native Flame's a devil to keep in shape. You can't let him go without exercise otherwise he'll give you hell. We've had to hire on five new hands over the past months to take care of the studs. If you venture over to see Crow or Popcorn Blitz, you'll meet Leona. Al picked her specifically to come along. She knows how to handle the hot ones and has some humor to spare."

Ripley cast a glance over the handsome devil, picturing the foal in her head as though it stood right in front of her. "I'm not surprised he's taken so long to get some interest. I haven't had anyone to spare, but now we've got all these new barns on the circuit. North Diamond Manor picked a good one to match him too..."

"I may have the one that knocks your socks off though, Landing..."

[Cavallo]

Adele's cheeks flushed, but she laughed out loud at his retort. "Well, then I'm looking forward to this evening. As for lunch, I think I'll be more than hungry so that sounds lovely to me...Might have time to devour more than food." She looked up at him from his arms and smiled wickedly. He had brought out the best in her and she was falling more and more in love with him every day. She snorted as she watched Mal prey on Ripley who was acting as though not to hear them, but she arched an eyebrow in question as to what he was alluding too. They tried to respect each others positions in rival barns, so this would be news for her as much as it would be for Nick.

Nick nodded in Ripley's fair assessment of the stallion. It was a lot of work to maintain the massive stud operation they maintained, but they were doing it. A horse like Firebird needed the work. He tore his gaze from the chestnut and looked at the small woman with a suspicious stare. Ripley was very much like him when it came to breeding...devious and she was only getting more and more efficient as time progressed and Witch Creek became more and more established.

"I'm almost scared to ask, but you know me...I can't seem to say no to you. What is this offer I won't be able to refuse?"

[Ripley]

Ripley's face split into a wide grin at Nick Landing's words. She adored him as her friend. She was more than happy with Brooks, but Brooks just didn't take an interest in this breeding thing. Nick did. He got it. Everything relied on clever breeding and this was it. She had pondered matches left and right and she just hadn't come to that awe moment until she'd spotted Firebird's name in the Stud Book. Now here he was, this flaming mass of stallion. And she had a mare to mellow him out, fine him down and turn into a superstar of sorts. Ripley grinned wickedly at Nick, tucked her hands in her pockets.

"Well I happen to have a mare you gave me as a two year old who is retiring after the Dubai World Carnival. She needs a date in Y16 after she unwinds. She's quite successful... you might know her." Ripley paused, tilted her head. "Bella Luna."

Mal tightened his grip around Adele, thrilling at Ripley's words. He couldn't wait to get his hands on a Bella Luna baby. Could. Not. Wait. He'd missed Ripley's raising of the sensational Red Herring, Mastermind, Bella Luna and Cross My Heart. He would not miss their offspring. He cocked a brow at Nick. "Whadya think there Landing?"

[Cavallo]

Both eyebrows raised at that comment. Bella Luna with his Firebird, both Intrepid bred horses and both extremely accomplished on the turf. The foal would literally be a turf monster and the thought alone was exciting to say the same. His eyes took on the gleam of excitement as he turned from Marsh to watch a prancing Firebird. Fire would bring spice and Bella Luna would bring her athleticism and speed, it seemed to be a formidable match.

"Ripley Marsh I would have to be an idiot to agree to that match, but I think maybe slightly an even bigger one to not." There was the conflict of interest. He wanted Firbird to be an amazing stallion, but handing the competition a turf monster was more talented competition for himself. Nick Landing was also not just a trainer though, he was a breeder and the temptation to have a hand in such a beautiful pairing was too much to resist and that was why he would consent to the match. He wanted to know what this baby could do.

Adele shook her head and jabbed Mal in the ribs with her elbow. "Keeping secrets like that..." she mumbled and shook her head in mock disapproval, but she was just as intrigued as Nick to see what kind of baby this pairing would produce. She rode dirt horses, but that didn't mean she didn't keep tabs on the turfies. Nick had been working hard to improve his turf ranks, with most of his dual bred horses leaning more towards the dirt. This year they would see the first fruits of those attempts with the introduction of Natural Selection to the ranks. She almost envied Estella for the chance to ride the colt, but she knew the two were a better pair. She wondered silently with Ripley's retirement just who would ride the Firebird x Bella Luna baby...or when the pairing itself would take place and that seemed to be just the question Nick was about to ask.

"The things I give you Marsh....when were you thinking?", he asked with pursed lips and furrowed brow as his finger stroked his lower lip in thought.