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Post by Alice Gordon on Mar 12, 2011 1:23:58 GMT -5
Alice: "OK we're here," Jason said as he pulled up at the small store and diner. Getting out Alice grabbed her bag and a few seconds later they were in the famous Maggie's.
Alice was facinated at how many people there were there and how populer this small diner was.
Giving Jason a nod, they walked up to the counter where a young girl of about her age with dark curly hair was standing.
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Post by Alice Gordon on Mar 28, 2011 3:56:57 GMT -5
Soraya: Soraya was surprised to see two complete strangers coming through the door. It's not common to see somebody new in the small town of Hudson, since everybody knew everybody around here. The girl had shoulder length ash-blond hair and was like the boy in the Briar-ridge stable hand uniform. Both was around 18 or 19 years old and looked like they was on some kind of mission.
"Morning I'm Soraya Duval. Your both new in town right? Well how can I help you?"
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Post by Lisa Stillman on Apr 18, 2011 23:56:29 GMT -5
Lisa Stillman:
Lisa eyed the young newcomers who were smartly attired in the Briar-Ridge uniforms. She quietly sipped her coffee as Soraya introduced herself and gave them a warm, Hudson welcome.
"If they're going to be working for Val Stanton, I wish them every ounce of luck," Lisa mused to herself.
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Post by Lisa Stillman on Apr 19, 2011 23:47:25 GMT -5
Lisa:
Thinking on it further, Lisa came to the tentative conclusion that the new hands had probably been hired on in anticipation of the Rodeo, Reins and Race event that would be hosted in Hudson.
Knowing Val, she's going to want a team out of Briar Ridge to win this year, Lisa thought with a wry smile, and she'll spare no expense to try to make it happen, especially with the W.E.N. coming to town to cover it!
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Post by Alice Gordon on Apr 20, 2011 13:28:45 GMT -5
Glancing Jason, Alice replied: "Yes I just moved here last week, but Jason has been here a month. We're the new stable-hands at Briar ridge... Well I have these pamphlets and we want to know if you could give them to the customers...?"
Handing the girl one of the pamphlets she added: "By the way I'm Alice Gordon."
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Post by Soraya Duval on Apr 20, 2011 13:39:34 GMT -5
"Nice to meet you Alice and you too Jason," Soraya replied with a broad smile, accepting the piece of paper, "I'm Soraya the daughter of Maggie who owns this diner." "What are you advertising," she asked when she noticed another suspicious glance from Alice to her companion. "Is Briar Ridge hosting some event?"
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Post by Alice Gordon on Apr 20, 2011 13:52:24 GMT -5
"No not quite," Jason said pulling nervously at a loose seam on his uniform, then looking up he added "It's more like a mini war at Briar Ridge with us trying to get them to change the way they treat their horses."
Soraya looked to astonished to speak so Alice tried to explain properly: "I don't know if you knew but they treat their horses like dirt and when they hired me they expected me to do the same. I then challenged their top rider in a jump off to prove what way gives the best results." Alice knew she was rambling on but she needed to get Soraya to understand. "I have always believed in treating my horses as partners, giving them the respect they deserve, but Briar Ridge is too focused on the performance and winning that they push the horses too far and hurt them!"
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Post by Lisa Stillman on Apr 20, 2011 18:22:10 GMT -5
Lisa:
Lisa tried to hide her own astonishment over how openly the young woman was describing her negative experience at Briar Ridge. She had long suspected that Val Stanton and her trainers' methods were less-than-friendly towards horses, but Lisa couldn't deny that a lot of owners came away satisfied with the results.
With a mental shrug, Lisa figured some horses did need a more disciplined approach than others, but she didn't condone outright abuse. A sudden shiver ran down her spine as she recalled a horse she'd sent to Briar Bride that had been presenting some puzzling behaviour issues. Promise simply refused to be saddled, and the trainers at both Briar Ridge and another stable had given up on her and her explosive temperament.
And then Scott Cardinal recommended a fifteen-year-old girl with a special gift, Lisa smiled inwardly, as she remembered her initial skepticism the day the veterinarian brought over Amy Fleming to take a look at the supposedly 'rogue' horse that was Promise. Sounds like this Alice might find Amy to be a kindred spirit. I bet they'll make fast friends in no time. That is, they'll make friends if Val's methods don't drive her away from Hudson first!
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Post by Soraya Duval on Apr 24, 2011 4:59:56 GMT -5
Soraya's eyes were wide with surprise as she listened to Alice's description. She knew what really happened at Briar Ridge, being best friends with Amy who's horse business was Briar Ridge's biggest competition and also their neighbors, but this is the first time a worker ever complained!
When Alice seemed to calm down Soraya interrupted: "Wow! Well you can definitely leave those pamphlets here and put one of your posters in the window. This a great cause and I'm so happy that somebody else is willing to take on Val! I'm friends with Amy Flemming from Heartland and we're tired of Briar Ridge's methods, so you can count on me being there!"
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lisa Stillman watching them and she quickly excused herself and walked over to where she sat. "Morning Lisa, what can I get for you?"
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Post by Lisa Stillman on Apr 24, 2011 18:26:58 GMT -5
"Hi, Soraya," Lisa said with a smile. "Just a re-fill on the coffee, please... and one of those pamphlets. I have a feeling they're going to make for some interesting reading."
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Post by Alice Gordon on Apr 25, 2011 14:26:02 GMT -5
Alice was quick to put up the poster and when she finished she and Jason started to explore the shop.
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Post by Soraya Duval on Apr 25, 2011 14:28:46 GMT -5
"Yes definitely," Soraya agreed filling up Lisa's cup and then handing her a pamphlet. "I going to call Amy in a while. Something tells me she would love to hear about this."
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Post by Lisa Stillman on Apr 25, 2011 15:50:58 GMT -5
"I'm sure she will," Lisa said in agreement, sending a quick glance over to where Alice and Jason were in the store. "Thanks, Soraya."
After taking another sip of coffee, Lisa turned her attention to the pamphlet. When she had finished reading its contents, she gave her head a decisive nod. She liked what she'd read, but knew it would make Val Stanton none too happy to see her methods at Briar Ridge being criticized, even if the criticism wasn't extremely overt.
Read between the lines, though, and anyone with an ounce of horse sense will know they're referring to Briar Ridge, Lisa thought. If they're not careful, they'll soon be looking for work somewhere else!
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Post by Lisa Stillman on Apr 25, 2011 22:02:07 GMT -5
On her way out, Lisa took a moment to read the poster Alice Gordon had up in a prominent place inside Maggie's.
A jump off at the Hudson English arena on Saturday, eh? Lisa thought as she read the details of the challenge Alice had mentioned earlier while talking with Soraya. I may just have to make time for that.
Climbing into her Porsche Cayenne, Lisa buckled her seatbelt and pulled out of the parking spot.
"The Val Stantons of the world could use some humility," Lisa spoke to herself as she drove through 'downtown' Hudson on her way back to Fairfield. "Maybe this jump-off could be the start of things. I sure wish Alice Gordon the best of luck. If she's going up against that champion Cindy Norton, she's certainly going to need it."
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Post by Alice Gordon on Apr 26, 2011 13:45:26 GMT -5
Since it was still quite early Alice and Jason spent some time in the shop having fun examining the merchandise and Alice bought some sugar-cubes for Spatzi, knowing how much he loved them. She was quite worried though about how people would respond to their uprising, but hoped they would realize that their only trying to help the horses.
She saw that at least one customer had already taken a pamphlet and saw her examining the poster on her way out.
Well the news is out and now we can only hope, Alice thought glancing over her shoulder at the stack of pamphlets lying on the counter.
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