Post by Syzygy on May 25, 2014 7:28:20 GMT -8
PARTLY CLOUDY
The Basics
Show Name: Partly Cloudy
Barn Name: Rio
Age: 15
Gender: Gelding
Breed: Welsh Section B Pony
Breed Registry: Welsh Pony & Cob Society
The Appearance
Coat Color: Dappled grey
Stable Color: Teal
Height: 13-1 hands
The Personality
Personality: Definitely a pony who has more heart than height, there’s nothing too big or small for Rio. He thinks he’s bigger than the big horses and is full of spunky personality. If a ride is getting too boring, he’ll spice it up by spooking at nothing, jigging in place, stomping his hooves and once or twice he's done a small crowhop or kicked out in frustration, but he's easy to handle even through his antics and has never intentionally tried to throw his rider. At shows he’s a clown… letting one rip right as a judge walks past, stealing hats, helmets and anything that’s not bolted down and even tossing in a small, excited buck in the middle of a dressage test just to liven things up!
Rio will literally try to go over, under or around anything that’s put in front of him… be it a jump standard set way too high for his stature, a barrel race against top winning full-size horses or even his own pasture fence! He’s a character, and that’s what makes him so loved by Shiori.
Caution Around: Green trash bins scare the daylights out of him (Shiori thinks it must be the god-awful smells coming from the bins…)
The History
Basic History: Rio was born on a breeding farm where he was raised alongside the rest of the foals produced that year. At two he was started both undersaddle and to cart, but his spunky personality just was too much for him to become a proper driving horse. When the owners of said farm decided to shut down and get out of horses, he was sent to auction. Picked up by a slaughter-buyer, it seemed as though the little pony’s days were numbered… until he caught the eye of a young man in search of the perfect horse for his young daughter. Something about the little ragamuffin grey caught Hiroshi’s attention and he bought Rio from the slaughter truck without even knowing if he was trained.
Rio was kept by a friend for six months and was then sent to a trainer as soon as he had his weight back up. Three months at the trainers showed that he was well-trained and just needed a little touching up in some aspects and had a personality as big as the universe. Hiro also managed to track down Rio’s breeders and get his papers. He was gifted to Shiori when she was six and they have been together ever since, the pony and his human.
The Technicalities
Discipline: Western all-round, English all-round
Owner: Shiori Hamasaki
Rider: Shiori Hamasaki