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Post by ••NARLA•• on Mar 17, 2012 2:47:55 GMT -5
Tamara Clarke
I puled up to the academy in my horse van and parked it in an empty space in the lot. I drew the key out the ignition and swiveled my head to look into the back part of the van where my horses were. I grinned as Gem tried to poke her head through to nuzzle me on the shoulder. I also giggled as Calamity knew that the van had stopped and now was trying to get out and couldnt. I jumped out the van and shut the door as I did so. I went round to the side and let down the ramp. Seeing Calamity agitated, I went up to her first. I clipped the lead rope to her halter and then lead her down the ramp. I went across to the barn where I would keep my horses. I found the stable marked 'Calamity' and opened the door for my mare. Calamity shot into the stable. I edged in with her. I gave her a reassuring pat and then decided to return to the van to get Gem. I shut Calmity's stable door and hurried back to the van. while I hurried back to the van, my cell rang. I picked it out my pocket and pressed the 'answer' button. I introduced. "Good Morning, Tamara Clarke from Canaries Equestrian School speaking." The voice replied. "Hi. I'm here to offer you a couple of racehorses for your racing program." "Oh, hello there. I heard that you were going to call. Are there any horses I'd be particularly interested in?" I answered back. The male voice continued to talk. "I have three I think you will want. They are all beginners and will be excellent for your racers who are just joining the program as beginners. I have Race to the Finish, A Take On Time and finally, Meridan." I grinned. "They sound perfect, can I meet them some time?" "Of course. I can bring them today? Then you can examinate them and then settle them in if you decide to have them?" The man suggested. I sighed, looking at my watch. I had paperwork to do and also had to settle my own horses into their stalls. "Come at 2 o'clock, please." I explained, and hearing the man agree, ended the call. The man was coming at 2, which meant I had 4 hours, 4 and a half at most. Chucking my cell into my pocket, I reached Gem. The piebald cob nickered to me as I stepped up the ramp and attached the lead rope to him. I gently led him out, his cob feet padding gently along the ground as we went. I soon found his stable, which was 3 down from Calamity's, and out him in it. I set off straight away to get some hay and water for the horses to make them settle in. I delivered the buckets first and while they were guzzling that up, I went to the hay barn to fill up two hay nets. Hanging the nets up, I leant against the side of an empty stable and sighed. The first jobs had been done!
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Mar 17, 2012 13:31:17 GMT -5
Katie Bow
I walked into the stables and brushed and tacked up Starlight quickly but with presicion, As i walked out of the stables with Starlight I spotted someone but It wasn't the owner of the riding school, I smiled,I was sure it was my imagination. I was ready for some jumping, some high challenging jumping, and Starlight was ready too. I walked her over to the arena and entered shutting the gate behind me. I mounted Starlight gently and happily then I patted her and smiled. I started to warm Starlight up happily.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Mar 17, 2012 14:15:35 GMT -5
I saw a young girl walk past as I finished off the jobs to do with Calamity and Gem. I sighed, would there be time for a quick ride? I reckon so. I hurried to the tack room and grabbed by grooming box that lay on top of the tack box containg the two horses's tack. Picking that up, i flipped open the lid of the tack box and reached in. I knews that there was no way I had time to get Cally settled enough to ride, so Gem would be perfect for a short ride and would easily behave. I grabbed the stallions bridle, saddle and checked on the saddle for the girth and stirrups. I then sorted thme in my arms and hurried back to the barn. I reached Gem's stable and put the tack over the door. I rested the saddle over the door, and hung the bridle on the halter hook outside the stable. I adjusted the strap on Gem's halter as I walked into the stall. he nckered lowly as I patted him gently. I placed the saddle over gem's back and started to takk him up quickly but carefully. I finished and stood back and checked evefrything. I'd given him a quick groom before tackign him up so he was clean. I stared at my watch. 10 o'clock. 4 hours. I led the stallion out of the barn and to the nearby jumping ring. I watched another girl sstart to warm up her horse there. Hopefully, this would be a good time to meet one of my new students. I swung up onto Gem and walked him into the ring. I leant down and shut the gate, sayignt o the girl. "Mind If i join you?"
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Mar 18, 2012 12:39:39 GMT -5
Katie smiled, I was a lovely da for a ride. I couldn't wait to get working, neither could Starlight, she was buzzing with excitment. As i turned the corner of the long side I saw someone heading this was towards the ring, I just knew they would want to join, I couldn't really say no, it would have been really rude. I sighed, but i knew it wouldn't hurt if someone joined us, it would be more fun, i guess. I looked to the women, "Sure" I said, then i carried on warming Starlight up. I squeezed her gently into a nice rhythmic trot and got her going nicely on the bit, I did a few laps and then changed the reign with a nice smooth turn from F to H and then went round on the other reign just as nicely. I was concerntrating lots, I hardly noticed the women was even in the ring with her horse. I slowed Starlights trot down slightly and then halted with a lovely square halt at E.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Mar 19, 2012 14:51:05 GMT -5
Tam smiled. "Thanks." She grinend befiore adding, "I'm tara, and i takeit that your one of my pupils?" She said warmly to the girl. She clicked her mount on and watched the girl move with her kiwn horse round the ring. "Lovely. How long have you been riding? How long have you and your horse been doing dressage together?" Tam watched the yougn girl ride well round thw ring, with her horse who behaved perfectly. Tam quickly warmed up her horse on both reins in a walk, trot and canter without hesitation. As she finished, she diosmounted and said to the girl, "Do you want me to set up some jumps?" tammy asked, draggina pole ion between a set of jump wings.
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Mar 19, 2012 15:51:19 GMT -5
Katie just nodded in reply not looking to Tam, I had to concern trate andnot have any distractions. I then turned when she talked some more, "Hi, yeah I guess, I'm Katie" And after that I turned away and went back to Starlight. I walked her on and went H and then halted again and did a lovely quarter pirrate and then trotted Starlight forward into a lovely Rhythmic trot cutting to M and then tracked right down to B and then halted and did another quarter Pirrate to face E and trotted across to E and tracked Left and then headed down to the corner and then went to A and walked and smiled happily, I patted Starlight, "Good girl!" I said smiling happily. I let her have a long reign for the minute so I could listen to what Tara was saying. I looked to the lady, "Umm... well, i'm not sure how long i've been riding, but along time! i can do some dressage but mostly jumping with Starlight, she's my absolutely favourite horse of all times!" I said smiling happily and then patting Starlight again.I smiled to Tara and nodded, "Yeah, shall we set up a course?" I said smiling and looking to Tara.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Mar 22, 2012 14:01:58 GMT -5
"You have a lot of talent, katie. You are very promising. I'd like to take you to the county trail comp. I'd like you to reprsent us in Dressage1" She smiled. "I see that. You and Starlight are a perfect pair." Tara set up five more jumos, a wall, a spread, two uprights, an oxer and a cross bar. She smiled. "This ok?"
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Mar 22, 2012 14:14:59 GMT -5
Katie looked down to Starlight, I was good at dressage, i knew that, but i thought I was better at jumping, i didn't mind though, it was still a great honor and I would do it. Katie looked to the owner, "Thanks! i'd love to go!" I said smiling happily then I nodded and looked carefully over the jumps planning my quickest carefullyist route. I nodded and smiled happily.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Mar 27, 2012 12:55:11 GMT -5
"there is also a team jumping competition with 5 members. And me." She smiled. " person is only allowed to enter one normal class, and then they can join the jumping one." She puased, sighing. "I would let you do jumping, but lots of other people do it, and hardly anyone who does dressage is as good at it as you. So that's why I'm picking you for dressage." Tara watched the girls eyes go over the course, and Tara let herself do the same. She smiled, Can i go first?" She paused. "Could you help me later on with the noitce to put up the lounge about the County Trials?" Tam let her eyes swivel down to her mount as he snorted, getting slightly impatient. it was thne her eyes flicked to her watch. She sighed, she would have to leave her jobs till after the race horses arrived.
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Mar 31, 2012 3:19:22 GMT -5
Katie nodded, "Thanks, it's a pleasure to represent this riding school at dressage and i'll do it, but, if i'm also good at jumping, like if i'm better than one person in the jumping team, can i be in it too?" I said looking hopefully To Tara. I smiled and patted Starlight. "Yeah, you can go first!" I said smiling. I smiled happily. I then looked to Tara, "Yeah sure, i'd love to, do I have to do the trails for dressage? am i alound to try for jumping?" Katie asked wondering hopefully.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Apr 4, 2012 7:57:21 GMT -5
"Sorry. You can only enter either dressage, jumping or xc, only one of them. But then you are allowed to do the team jumping. I would like you to do the dressage and then the team jumping. I would let you do the jumping if you are allowed, but sadly, you aren't!" Tamara explained, a bit upset, hoping the girl would understand. She started to trot Gem around the ring, she got the gelding up into a canter then began aroudnt eh course.
(I'll post her doing the course next post)
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Apr 4, 2012 8:05:58 GMT -5
Katie smiled happily, "Ok then, i'll do dressage and team jumping!" I said smiling, "That's if you think i'm good enough for the jumping!" I said smiling happily. Katie shrugged and looked to Tara, "Ok then, I understand, don't worry. At least if I'm good at jumping then you'll be able to take me to the team jumping!" I said smiling happily that I was aloud to do both and was going to represent the riding school. I watched Tara go round and was watchig her ready for her to start the course.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Apr 16, 2012 10:54:03 GMT -5
"Dressage and team jumping it is for you!" She smiled. "I'll write it on my sheet." She smiled, before kicking her horse into a good canter, and striding strongly towards the first jump, an upright, clearing it, she pursued towards the next jump, a higher uprgiht after the 'warm up' fence of the course. Leaping over it, Gem cantered round the corner and boldly towards the next jump, a wall. Gem wavered, but keeping good rein contact to control the horse properly to make sure there was no running out, giving a lot of leg forward, Tammy rode forward the combination of a spread and then an oxer. The horse leaped over the first of the combo, the spread, then cantered the next couple of strides, then bounded over the next, the oxer. The horse rode forward again, expertly. There were two more jumps. The last upright, and then the cross pole. The upright came quickly, and then came the cross pole. Gem thoiught no more thna leping over it and clearing it by a way, which he did.
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Apr 17, 2012 10:55:53 GMT -5
Katie smiled and gave a huge grin and a thumbs up to Tara happily. "Thanks Tara. It's really kind of you!" I said happily.
I watched carefully as Tara rode the course, very well. I clapped as she finished smiling to her. "Nice round!" I smiled to Tara. It was my turn now, I looked over the course once more and then I squeezed Starlight forward into a rhythmic well balanced trot. Starlight came down on a lovely contact straight away. I sat deep in the corner and gave Starlight a little nudge and she transition into canter promptly and nicely.
I rode Starlight forward calmly in a smooth collected canter. I rode confidently towards the first jump and Starlight popped over it easily, I headed eagirly to the next quickly with speed. I approched the next jump, the upright. Starlight lept over it cleanly and we headed round the corner for the next jump, the wall. Starlight approached it and I felt her hesitate as we approached. I gave her a small squeeze and she went forward on my comand and flew over the fence with a perfect take off and we got a perfect land. I looked up heading for the combination. Starlight lept over the first of the combonaion, the spread, She took a few strides before the next one and flew over the last jump of the combonation, the oxer. Starligth was going nicely with a lovely even canter go forward earirgly Starlight lept over the upright easily and we headed for the last jump, the cross pole. We approached the jump staright and took off at exackly the right time flying over the jump and landing perfectly the other side. I slowed Starlight down to a trot and took her round in a trot on a twenty metre circle and then brought her down to walk. "Good gril Starlight!" I said patting her. "I think i'm going to call you Star for short now. Cause your my little Super Star!" I said smiling happily patting her once more.
I looked up to Tara smiling. "What ya think?" I said grinning super happily.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Apr 19, 2012 2:39:04 GMT -5
Tara nodded, "Any time. Especially if the praise to you is true!" She smiled, and patted her own gelding, giving mutterings of praise to the 7 year old, as she settled him down. She hoped to put up a show for the whole academy or even all three academies after the trials.
Tara beamed with pleasure as she stopped and reined Gem in. Gem had behaved beautifully, and jumped the course accordingly. "Thank you, Katie." She acknowledged the praise before blushing and nodding. "It's your go now!" Tara watched the younger girl fly round the course well. Of course, it wasn't perfect, but it nearly was. No round was always perfect, and Tara hoped that Katie would know that, it would then be easier to explain to her so she could learn from her mistakes. But Tara knew that Katie probably already did learn from her mistakes when she performed.
"it was good Katie, very good infact. But, as a good rider as you are, I hope you know that it's not a perfect round, right? And that not even mine was perfect? Do you know your mistakes? Oh, and a rider can never be absoloutely perfect in every way. I made soem mistakes, just as much as you did." Tara explained, smiling.
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Apr 19, 2012 12:55:44 GMT -5
Katie nodded to Tara smiling slightly. Katie patted Starlight happily knowing that she did the best she could. "Good girl Starlight!" Katie praised her joyfully.
Katie nodded and smiled to Tara. "That's cool" She said happily.
Katie smiled happily. I knew the little misatakes I made and knew how I could do them differently next time.
Katie looled up listening to Tara and nodded. "Thank you! I definitely know mine or your round wasn't a perfect round. Sorry if that seemed rude, I hope I didn't seem rude" she said. Katie nodded at Tara second explination that no rider can ever be perfect in every way, That was definitely true. Katie nodded smiling to Tara.
I scanned over the course. "Should we raise the jumps?" Katie asked Tara.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Apr 22, 2012 3:14:23 GMT -5
"Well done, Starlight. She did well, didn't she?" Tara smiled, before dismounting and leaving Gem to stand. "No, I don't see that as rude. I know my mistakes." She smiled. "But howvere hard we try, riders cannot be perfect, we just go down from a lot of mistakes to a few mistakes, if you know what I mean?"
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Apr 22, 2012 15:09:51 GMT -5
Katie smiled to Tara. "Yeah she did great!" I said patting her happily. I smiled and patted Star again. "Definitely an apple tonight girl!" I said smiling super happily.
Katie was glad Tara didn't see her comment as rude, It was annoying when people did because they were the sort of people you could never tell how you really felt. I nodded as I lstened to Tara. "Yep i know what ya mean. So do you want some help raising the jumps?" I asked as I dismounted Starlight and left her to stand but she didn't she followed me as I walkedover to Tara. I smiled to Tara. "Thanks for giving me the oppotunity to ride in the show, It's a great honor and i shall do the very best I can!" I said smiling happily.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Apr 30, 2012 13:35:36 GMT -5
"She was. Remember to give her soem treats." Tara nodded. "And apple would be good." Tara smiled, she knew Katie understood her. "it's hard to find riders as good as you that undeertsnad me without saying, No i'm perfect at riding." Tara noded. "Thanks, that would be lovely."
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on May 5, 2012 13:44:13 GMT -5
Katie nodded and smiled to Tara. "I will. I would never forget Star. She a huge part of my life!" I explained friendly and patting Star. I nodded in agreement to Tara's comment, it was true. "Ok. what height should we raise them to?" I asked looking around at the jumps. "We could make some more challenging and higher than the others, that would be fun, good and a task!" I explained smiling to Tara again walking over to her smiling pleasantly.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Jun 5, 2012 15:57:59 GMT -5
Tara smiled, "Thats a good thing. I've dedicated my life to Gem and Calamity, and they've given me a lot back. So I'm happy." Tara smiled, glad to have soemone who understood her. "Hmm, what are they at the moment?" She smiled. "Raise them up about a foot. Gem needs to be worked properly. "This height is pretty low for him. Though a foot up would probably be super low for Calamity." She smiled. "You should meet Calamity, she's nearly eighteen hands, and is 8 years old. I jumped 7ft2 on her last season. My biggest jump on her. Which was a great improvement for her." Tara smiled and nodded. "Sounds a good idea Katie."
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Jun 6, 2012 7:41:58 GMT -5
Katie smiled to Tara, I always did riding at my full and never held back, You only did a competition once and you couldn't ever replace the marks you got. This is why I always did things at my full especially riding. "Well we should raise them up to about 4ft now at we should only go to the highest of 4ft 6. I don't want to over excersize Star when I'm also practicing tomorrow!" I explained. I smiled I looked around the course. "Well......... We should maybe put some bounce jumps in and a loop on a tight corner round over there by the oxer so we have to do a tight circle with a tight cornered jump on" I explained to Tara, I figured that it would make the course slightly more challenging. I smiled to Tara, "What do you think of the idea?" I asked smiling happily. I patted Star happily and she nickered to me friendly.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Jun 13, 2012 12:53:19 GMT -5
She smiled. "A good idea. Calamity is normally jumping around 5ft for pleasure. So that's why I'm entering her in the 6' Show Jumping at the show." She grinned and nodded. "Are you practicing for the show then, or what?" Tara asked, curious about what katie had said. Tara nodded, "I think we should have three bounce jumps at about 2ft 6 or something. Then you canter down the straight and do a figure of eight, then on the last loop of that, we add another jump to that oxer to make it a tight double? That would be quite hard and challenging. Then, we should canter a tight circle of about 15m, and jump the wall over there," Tara pointed to the 3ft9 wall. She nodded. "If we do that, it will be good."
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Jun 15, 2012 14:59:40 GMT -5
~Katie~
I grinned to Tara happily. "Thanks. That's cool" I explained to Tara smiling. I smiled at Tara question happily. "Yep, I'm entering Star in the Advanced Dressage and Show Jumping and Heart in the Intermediate Dressage, So i'm practicing for that" I explained to Tara happily. I nodded smiling to Tara but when she said 2ft 6 I frowned. "Umm.... That's a bit to low, how bout at least 3ft 6 to 4ft" I suggested wanting a challenge not a simple thing that could come with ease. Then I listened to the second part and nodded. "Yep sounds good let's do the second part and do everything the same but make the bounce jumps higher" I suggested again hoping Tara would go along with it without disagreement.
I agree and nodded just was hoping to change the size of the bounce jump.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Jun 15, 2012 15:04:56 GMT -5
Tara frowned, before breaking to a smile. "Glad to hear your competeing happily. I'm registering for the show jumping 6'. But i think I'm doing it on a horse from home who's coming over, Lark. She's 4 and really amazing." Tara frowned again, then explained. "I think we should keep the bounces that height, since, we spin round the corner in the finish of the figure of eight and jump the tight jump then, so we don't want to push our horses too much before that tight jump. You understand?" Tara sighed, she hoped Katie would understand, after all, Tara did know more than Katie as she was about 10 years older than the teen. "But, yes, everything else will be as we said."
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Jun 15, 2012 15:36:04 GMT -5
Katie
I watched Tara and half smiled looking to Tara. "Yeah, I'm definitely not missing out, no way!" I explained to Tara. I'd never miss out on a competition like this, I would be so annoyed if I did. I then smiled and nodded. With Tara next comment I sighed but wasn't going to argue. "Ok then. I guess it will be ok" I explained to Tara half smiling again. I nodded and smiled to Tara. "Ok then. Lets put out plan into action. We don't want to stand around here just thinking about it, do we" I explained to Tara wanting to get on not hang around. Every time of riding was precious, I tried never to waist time if I was a serious thing.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Jun 17, 2012 3:44:56 GMT -5
Tara greeted the reponse with a laugh. "Definitely not. What would be the point of riding endlessly on a timetable if your not going to show, eh?" Tara laughed. She cocked her head, then grinned, glad that Katie could agree. "And plus, if we raise them at the start, we won't be able to raise them much after wards, right?" She grinned. "We'll try this course, and then if it goes well, raise up the bounces." Tara nodded. "Do you want to go first? Cause Gem and I can happily wait."
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Jun 23, 2012 3:15:41 GMT -5
Katie smiled to Tara, "No point. Sowing is a great part of riding, it's where you can show what you can do with your horse!" She explained to Tara, Showing was just fun. Plaiting up, grooming, dressing up in fancy show things, Katie just loved it. She listened to Tara pointed, Tara was right. "Yeah, i guess so" Katie agreed. Katie nodded, to Tara. "I would usually but I kind of want to see how you handle it and maybe pick up some tips" She explained to Tara hoping she wouldn't mind.
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Post by ••NARLA•• on Jun 24, 2012 11:55:09 GMT -5
"Right. lets get started, shall we?" Tara nodded along with Katie's comments, she was listening, but was also trying to control calamity at the same time. "Really? Ok. I'll go." Tara blushed at Katie's comment, did Katie look up to her, was she trying to get tips from a person who she thought was a better rider? Tara didn't think. She kicked Calamity on and settled her down at a trot. She gathered her reins and went forward into canter, she headed towards the first jump.
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Post by Rubyrocks loves Her Pony on Jun 27, 2012 13:31:47 GMT -5
Katie
I smiled to Tara, Her horse was a little crazy I thought to myself but if you love a horse and you enjoy riding the horse it doesn't matter. "Ok, lets get going" I said in reply to Tara hoping she wouldn't mind going first. When Tara agreed I smiled to her. "Yep. Thanks" I explained happy that Tara agreed and then I layed my eyes on her watching everything she did.
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