That Western Style

No big real-life events to report, other than an awesome chill Saturday birthday for Bethany back on the 8th. We've been savoring some AMAZING summer weather here in the Mitten. 70's, sunshine, breezy... just about perfect if you ask me. We've spent a lot of time outside but have not neglected Star Stable either.

The Western Festival wrapped up on Tuesday, 8/18. In its later stages, Star Stable added some enjoyable new Western-themed races, but alas, no free pets this year. 

Wild for Hay Race:

So much hay! Fun detail: if you mistime a jump and bump a bale, it moves quite realistically!

Cowgirl Cross Country Race

The little hills and valleys on the loop outside of the arena made for some tricky jumps.

My favorite western races are still the two cross country ones from last year that start and end in the renegades' camp. The slippery mud keeps things interesting, and the splattering each time our horse lands a jump is such a satisfying touch.

For the record, our best score in Gary Goldtooth's gold mining challenge was 238 nuggets, which we managed on the second-to-last day of the festival on Frosty.

Too bad we had to give it all to greedy Gary.

I wonder what he'll do with it all?

We dutifully completed all the daily tasks from festival start to finish, even though there wasn't as much motivation for us as sometimes (no tokens to amass for next year, no new event-limited items we loved enough to shell out max shillings for.) We did make enough shillings to buy a few pieces saved to our favorites in the global shop, which was great!

The very last thing we did was complete the pumpkin growing contest between Dorith and Jasper.

Oh, wow. Sorry, Tigertin and Clara. If this contest comes back next year, maybe we'll finally remember to ride Magic the Shire for the pumpkin transport.

In a shocking turn of events, it was another pumpkin tie.

Lisa Peterson then performed a song on stage like last year. Pretty sure the song was different this year, though, and people just watched from hay bales - no dancing.

So long, Western Festival. 

The Western theme has carried on for one more week with a Yeehaw edition of the Style Riders competition. 

Day 1: A Sheriff and Her Steed

We were going for Woody and Bullseye from Toy Story. Not sure if anybody could tell, but we tried. XD

Day 2: Ranching is Hard Work

We tried to pick something practical for ranch work but added sky blue to lighten the mood and keep the pair cooler. Many of the free sets we've gotten are earth tones, so we thought this color palate would be a refreshing change of pace.

Day 3: The Lonely Bandit

We think Clara and River made quite convincing bandits. New Halloween costume idea, maybe.

Day 4: Line Dancers, Dance!

Carrotcake was a good sport and rolled with the Barbie vibes this one gives off.

Final: Rodeo Night

This is as fancy as we could manage with our limited Western wardrobe.

Last bit of news: it's bazaar time again! On sale this time are the Mule for 595 star coins, the Shire for 450 star coins, the Jorvik Connemara for 486 star coins, and the Akhal Teke for 510 star coins. 

I'm still not loving the old Connemara Pony or the Akhal Teke, but my sisters and I are all pumped to take home a goofy mule at long last!

Here are our choices:

flaxen chestnut pangare, sooty bay dun, grullo...

...bay leopard, black pinto, sooty bay dun blanket...

...dapple gray and bay dun

I don't care for the markings on the black pinto, but the others are all fanastic! My clear favorites, of course, are the two appaloosas. Both are so cool that I didn't have to do much to convince my sisters to narrow it down to one of them. Which will we pick? Not sure yet, but we'll be sure to tell you all about it in our next post. I wish we could get both, as well as they go with each other. I know that's not going to fly right now, don't worry, Lily. Maybe someday, though...