Post by Deleted on May 11, 2015 18:14:31 GMT -8
RHYSELLISMADDOCK
<<Played by Apex>>
Shine a light through an open door
Full Name>>First Middle Last
Nicknames>> None
Age>> Oct 31, 1985 [29]
Staff or Student>> Hunter & Show Jumping Instructor
House>> N/A
Gender>> Male
Sexuality>> Heterosexual
Face Claim>> Matt Ryan
Turn away 'cause I need you more
Personality>> The cool, sharp, charming, and arrogant character that Rhys Maddock portrays is merely a mask to hide the man within. Beneath the charade of an arrogant Welshman is a seriously sorrowful, lonely man; he still mourns the life he had to leave behind and the things he had to forgo, something he blames himself heavily for. Because of this, he has a great deal of resentment - mostly towards him self - and a great deal of self-loathing. These traits, though, are not something most see -- instead, they see the exterior man; one who is as unpredictable, as brash, as debaucherous, and as unlike the true gentle horseman he actually is.
Rhys' rough exterior plays a cool contrast to his gentle nature with his horses, and his deep understanding of their thought processes and feelings. He is empathetic towards them, reading them with a fine eye, and is well known for his ability to spot a lameness well before anyone else. His training methods reflect his ideals about building relationships with horses; he believes in a solid foundation of dressage and groundwork to establish partnership before moving on to ask big questions.
Rhys is a hard shell to crack; he trusts few, and lets even fewer in, and is particularly quick to act and judgemental. He can come across as sarcastic and crass, at first, which can be particularly off-putting. Those who are allowed within his walls are close, trusted companions; Rhys would put his life on the line for them.
Likes>> Coffee, cigarettes, whiskey, punk rock, early mornings
Dislikes>> False personalities, tardiness, flying, tea, country music, excuse making
Fears>> Dying penniless and alone, never re-gaining his reputation
Hopes>> To get back on the international circuit; to re-gain his reputation as a top rider and trainer
Secrets>> Quit his last training job and abandoned international competition after being caught with a young rider (who he didn't realize WAS just 18 - she played it off like she was in her 20s). Rhys was blackmailed into leaving both positions or risk having his reputation completely sullied. As far as anyone is concerned, he left on reasons of "personal stress".
It’s the way I’m feeling I just can’t deny
Appearance>> Rhys is not a very tall man, standing only about 5'8" on a good day - this never seems to be a problem, however, as his personality is much bigger than his stature. He's in good physical shape but not overly built; thin, but muscular would be the best way to describe him. His dark brown hair is usually relatively long (just past the tops of his ears) and is often tousled, if not tamed beneath a riding helmet or a ballcap. Generally, Rhys prefers a light stubble as opposed to a full beard, but come show season he is clean-shaven and professional. His barn attire tends to consist of a pair of tidy breeches, clean and well-polished tall boots, a polo or band t-shirt tucked into his breeches, and a zip-up hoodie on colder days. Outside of the barn he's a jeans, t-shirt, and canvas shoes kind of guy, but isn't adversed to dressing things up a bit with a button-down vest, or a collared shirt.
Markings>> Half-sleeve of a Celtic-style horse on his left arm, representing the Welsh goddess Rhiannon
But I’ve gotta let it go
Medical History>> The usual; scrapes and bruises, broken ribs, and a broken collar bone from riding. Thankfully, nothing too serious.
Criminal History>> Other than a few nights in his youth getting thrown out of pubs for drunken debauchery, and more than a few speeding tickets, nothing of note.
Full History>>
- Born on October 31st 1985 in Fairwater Ward, Cardiff, Wales.
- Son of Ellis Maddock and Beth Maddock (nee Reece)
- Named for his mother's family name, but given the traditional Welsh spelling
- Family of lower working class; father a labourer in Fairwater.
- Discovered horses at the age of 14, after visiting a Welsh Pony breeding farm and riding stable with a friend who was taking regular lessons
- Saved up his pennies, and worked around the yard as a hand, in order to pay for riding
- The trainer at the farm, Jack Ogden, saw potential in him, and quickly took him under his wing. Soon, Rhys began riding the trouble school ponies and helping Jack move them along to become fine lesson mounts.
- At 16, after working hard for two years and dropping out of school, Jack introduced Rhys to Ellen McCafferty, an American hunter, equitation trainer and respected judge, when she was visiting the yard in Wales to find ponies. She was taken with Rhys' ability as a rider and horseman, and offered him a job as a working student at her farm in Wellington, Florida.
- Left his family behind to go to Wellington for a year, joining Ellen's team as both a groom and rider. He quickly developed an affinity for the equitation ring, and soon enough found himself competing in the Maclay and Medals aboard Ellen's horse With Honors.
- Placed in the top ten at the Maclay finals in his first year competing in equitation, deciding to move on to the jumper divisions and performance hunters with Ellen's horses after that
- At 17, competed in his first Grand Prix, an Under 25 event held during the Winter Equestrian Festival. Was noticed by the USEF talent squad, as well as potential sponsors.
- Competed as an amateur for two more years before moving into higher level competition at 19.
- Still with Ellen, Rhys began showing in the big international classes at WEF as well as at other big shows - including indoors. He quickly became known for his skill with both hunters and show jumpers, his ability to take a problem horse and solve their issues, and his quiet confidence on-course. The Grand Prix ring became his home, and the hunter ring quickly became his cool-down area.
- At 24, he had sponsorships, his own stellar reputation as a horseman and decent human being, as well as a string of juniors and adult amateurs under his tutelage.
- Met Louise Bentley in his 25th year, during the Vermont Summer Festival show. Unbeknownst to him, she was 17 at the time, but played it off like she was in her 20s. As he was only in the international jumper rings that season, he had no idea that she was still an active junior. They quickly developed a passionate, fiery relationship, only to be caught by Louise's disgruntled upper-class, rich CEO father; he threatened to destroy Rhys's reputation as both a rider and trainer with his connections if he didn't end the relationship with his daughter and step away from the show ring immediately, and also threatened to press charges. Finding out Louise was actually a junior, he was heartbroken, but did what he had to do; he stepped away from horses for four years.
- Having attempted to put this incident behind him, he is now coming back into training and coaching, with Ellen's recommendations of starting at the Blue Ridge Academy as a coach in order to solidify his reputation as an excellent trainer and rider.
We found love in a hopeless place
Pet Name>> N/A
Registered Name>> --
Age>>--
Gender>> --
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History>> --
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