Pony Places: Sala - New and improved

We heard from our friend Mel Melville that Cheryl Umarov was now at Sala, and that the place was undergoing some serious improvement.

We visited a couple of years ago, and I can say I don’t remember the pony area being this impressive.

While I haven’t (yet!) talked Mel into a permanent position on the Pony Correspondent staff, I’m not foolish enough to ignore her tips.

We visited Sala together, and it was really neat to share the exploration with a confirmed expert.

Examining the barn and finding water troughs, an excellent library, and just the most detailed work we’ve ever seen was a pleasant surprise.

The pretty pony in pink here is Swenyia Chuwen, she's an innocent bystander and the victim of a drive-by snap ;)

The steeple courses are covered in grass, almost obscuring the obstacles.. I love it!

I caught up with Cheryl today and asked a bit about the new developments.

She definitely intends to get things rolling at Sala. An event just today drew a nice big crowd, and we hear it was fun and quite a hot contest.

A lush environment, lots of play areas, and the most awesome inclined cart paths to cross between sims.. the new improved Sala is worth a visit!

The SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sala/129/128/24

Kcreations - Knee Length Pony Boots

Deirdre
A lovely pair of knee-length pony boots this week by Kcreations, featuring some awesome leather textures.

Like Kat's older pony boot which we featured last year, this is a lovely, detailed piece of craftsmanship (craftswomanship?) that will complete the look for any pony.

There is an ankle version (not shown here) with straps instead of laces, but sporting the same excellent leather textures and seams.

Horseshoes underneath the foot will tell anyone watching that you’re serious about your passion :)

lelo
Like we told you in our last post about Kcreations, Kat’s been busy again.

Next to her lovely catsuit she has been working on her ponyboots.

She added a great leather texture to the line as well as these new knee-high boots.

As before, you can change the color of the laces, metal, sole and boot.

These boots offer more colors than most fashion shoes (28!), so you could wear them with your favorite summer dress and color match, i’m sure you would turn some heads with it though.

For the soles you can select a leather, carbon fiber or plain texture, next to the color that is, personally i’m a fan of the CF.

You also get a RLV lock function on the boots, though i can’t imagine why you would want to take off these boots... ohh wait you would want to change into ballets of course, silly lelo.

Name : Kcreations
Owner : Kat Fetisov
The SLURL :
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Lineside/102/146/77

	Deirdre	lelo
Quality	9	8
Price	8	8
Service	9	8
Store	7	7

Xaara Pony Event and News and Sim-I-Lar Riding Boot

The turnout for the procession at Xaara last Sunday was excellent - better than expected, in fact, since not everyone RSVP’d. It seems it’s simply not a SL tradition.

One person reported 30 people on the sim when she arrived. Xaara staff was understandably elated.

The procession started in the castle courtyard, and guests filed out in their carts in good order.

The trail was quite spectacular, and we rode for some time with our dear friend Mel Melville and her pony Irzune.

SL general instability that day caused a few crashes, but everyone took it in stride, and a lovely time was had by all.

In fact, Jorden Grau communicated with us a couple of days later, and shared some excellent news for the pony community : in a few weeks, Xaara will focus more directly on pony play, and the chateau will be renamed “Chateau Xaara Country & Pony Club".

New events are already planned by the friendly and competent Xaara team.

Stay tuned to the Pony Correspondent for more news as it develops!

---

Some time ago, we were tipped about an excellent riding boot at Sim-I-Lar, a shoe store we hadn’t covered yet.

A quick visit showed that the boot did in fact look very good.

But as sometimes happens, the owner refused our request for an evaluation copy.

That usually means an item doesn’t get reviewed, but riding boots are rare enough that I decided to make an exception, although lelo did grumble ;)

So all we can tell you about the Sidewinder boot is that it looks good, and sells for 750L$

The SLURL : http://slurl.com/secondlife/Arafo/17/164/23

Le Manoir de Sade

“Jaydana is leaving us to pursue other opportunities...” ;)

No, we had a great time with Jay over the last couple of years, but RL beckons, so we wish her the best of luck.

But the Pony Correspondent column remains!

Lelo and I will continue keeping you informed about cool pony people, places and things.

---

My sweetie discovered a new pony sim, and we went to investigate : Le Manoir de Sade, which like other sims not exclusively devoted to pony play, nevertheless has an excellent pony (and puppy!) play area.

This is one of the only - if not the only - French pony-related sim we’ve found.

Sade was established in 2008, and a pony attempt was briefly made at the time, but the current pony group has been active for the last three months.

The sim is gorgeous, with lovely stone architecture and landscaping, and a number of fun little nooks to sit and chat.

The puppy area has a fun obstacle course with jumps, tubes, a balance beam.. it looks like quite a challenge.

The pony dressage field has a neat feature we haven’t seen elsewhere : you can select the markings for the figures on the ground with a touch on a sign in the fence.

Ponies train Wednesday and Sunday nights, usually. Angelique Redangel is in charge of the pony training.

The SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sade/214/244/22

Reminder : Sunday 12:30 is the pony procession at Xaara! There's still time to call Jorden Grau and RSVP if you want to participate. See last week's post for details.

Pony Procession at Xaara

Calling all ponies!

Get your tails over to Xaara on Sunday 31 July between 12.30 and 2.00pm, SL time.

There will be a procession, pony parade style, across the Xaara sims.

Ponies and trainers will meet in the courtyard, and proceed out the gate, around the castle and down the tree-lined path to begin the procession.

Please RSVP Jorden Grau if you want to participate.

This is one of Deirdre’s ambitions in SL for as long as I can say I have known her, and I am hoping to tack up and join in, if real life is good to me.

And if I can’t make it, I am hoping that someone will grab loads of pics to post.

So, don’t forget, Xaara, 12.30 PM SL time onwards, Sunday July 31st.

This should be a really amazing event - don't miss it!

The SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Xaara/43/163/21

Euro Pony Stables

I am saddened to say that Euro Pony sim is closing as of August 1st.

This means that you have just a little over two weeks left to visit, before the sim closes.

If you have not already been there, then please make the time to swing by and explore before yet another pony sim closes it’s doors for the last time.

I always found the sim and nice place to trot about, never too busy that you were harassed there, and I love the stadium that was built.

It is always tragic when a pony sim closes, but I understand the cost of running one is high, and there comes a time when you just have to let something you love go.

There is also a puppy area and a BDSM castle, as well as a lake for swimming and canoeing. An apple tree game where you (ponies or puppies) run around the tree gathering the apples as they drop to see who can collect the most apples.

It is the nice touches like that that will be missed.

So come on ponies of Second life, let’s all give Euro Pony Stable a great send off, and enjoy climbing the skyways and running the tracks around the sim, you don't have much time left to do this before it disappears for us all !

The SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Euro%20Sim/181/104/29

Xaara - Where dreams Come True (Revisited)

On returning for last weeks sneak peak, I learned much more about Xaara, which in my opinion merited a further mention.

Not least of which was the most happy news that the area around Xaara stretches to 3 sims, all open to ponies, and in fact, with the exception of the small stable area outside the chateau, and the stable area in the chateau courtyard itself, the other 2 sims are almost totally designed with pony play in mind.

On landing at the landmark, you will find yourself in what can best be described as the town shopping area, with shops to the south and west of your landing position.

North finds a gondola and waterways, perfect for a non pony romantic gondola ride with your sweetie. Going east takes you to the main area with art studios and the, an really only describe it as an entertainment area, with rlv devices lad out in a “story of O” based concept.

Following the handy signs will lead you to the stable and chateau by heading south and then east and up the hill. Just walking to the chateau takes you past some well designed scenery and cuddle places, most of which are out of the way enough to maintain an air of privacy if desired.

The main stable are just north of the chateau, but entering the courtyard does find you with another indoor stable as well. Passing through and keeping south takes you back down a hill to a bridge over into the 2nd sim.

The sim crossings wasn't to painful on my early visits, even in full pony tack and while hitched to a cart, so with luck, that remains to be the case allowing for a more varied and interesting ride. Once in the “Deep Blue” sim, there is much to explore and fin,d including a beach area with great surf there too, dance balls tucked in the middle of a forest, and of course, the bridges to the 3rd sim to name just a few.

Best to follow the path south to the end, and then east to find the bridge to the next island. The third island has its own stable and pony area, cart rezzer and hitching posts, and lots of paths to explore.

Best described as a vacation resort, particularly with ponyplay and Story of O themes at the forefront, with vacation homes for short term rental, this Xaara, and neighbouring sims should keep many of you happy for some time.

Be sure to pay a visit soon. I am sure you will enjoy it.

The SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Xaara/44/163/21

The Prim and Plume Pony Club

Sounding more like an English pub, this is in fact a pony club just off the Route 9 Linden road that passes FFF, and is easily reachable from the Farm.

The P&P is set within it’s own parcel and is set within a barn structure.

In the grounds is a small camp fire with log seats surrounding it, perfect for those that have had a long hard ride and just want to relax for a moment before continuing their ride.

Behind which is a nice wooden pergola, perfect for keeping the pony in shade while you rest around the fire.

The club itself is located inside the main stable building, which is lightly furnished, leaving an open area for dancing. Dance balls are against the far wall on entering the building.

The club is totally casual, so no ponies will get punished for breaking any roles, rules or protocols at the club, unless, your owner/trainer is with you :P

Wearing of bits is in fact discouraged, the aim instead of the club to promote a casual socialising place, and somewhere to let your hair down for some fun.

On my visit this occasion, 80’s music was playing, which, as it happens, is a popular choice with me.

The SLURL : http://slurl.com/secondlife/Makkeolli/215/105/63

And once you have chilled out enough, its just a short trot along the road back to serious training at FFF - and - I seem to recall there being one or two other pony places along the road - is you know of any, please let me know.

Would be a great idea to have a Route 9 pony tour, visiting each pony place along the way.

---

And a quick update to let you all know that Xaara, mentioned here a few weeks ago, has once again got the stable up and ready.

A landmark to get you to the stable is here : http://slurl.com/secondlife/Xaara/216/133/38

The nearby chateau also has stable inside the courtyard, so be sure to explore it all on your visit!

You can also see the Xaara blog here :
http://xaara-sim.blogspot.com/

Tropical Dream Pony Club

I am pleased to report that the Tropical Dream Pony Club is back in SL once more.

Notably missing for several months, it was quite by chance I learned that the club is back once more, giving the ponies of SL a nice tropical beach setting in which to train.

Sadly, on my visit, no one was there. I can report however that the sim is full of the usual array of pony activities, all themed for a tropical beach setting.

The island even sports a vet, in case of injury or ailment to your treasured pony.

The stables on the ground level are built in the popular “tiki hut” style, and lend a tropical atmosphere.

In the west of the island is a club house, with a well-stocked bar and lounge area, and docked nearby is a large yacht, lending yet more atmosphere to what is a lovely place for any pony to train and work on their tan.

Reminding me of the Hedonism resort, this looks like a fun place to keep an eye on.

Be sure to bring your bikini or swimming trunks along too.

A quick TP to the main stable takes you away from the fun resort, and into more familiar pony training territory, with green grass and all the usual training aids expected in a pony sim.

Be sure to check it out and lend support.

The SLURL : http://slurl.com/secondlife/Inamorata/174/192/21

More PonyBoUnd

Following a hot tip from a friend, I visited PonyBound once again, as I hear rumbling of new developments going on there.

And I am happy report that there is a scripter on board who will be developing scripts for the tack, and the owner is creating new items.

Top of the list of these is a game - I cant reveal details yet as it is not quite ready, but it should be something totally new to ponies, and can is not exclusive for ponies either, so puppies can join too.

So with this and the long awaited game from Saleena’s boutique, this fall should be an interesting time for ponies.

What the designers I have spoken with really need is ideas, they can come up with some ideas, of course, but, many heads are better than one when it comes to creating something new that SL does not yet have.

So if you have any thoughts, wants or crazy kooky ideas for something, post it here or drop me a line in world (Jaydana Thorne) and I’ll pass it around and try to get it made.

The builders I speak with are always keen to get ideas from the people that buy their products, so please, don’t be shy and you never know, it might just get made.

The SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sensual%20Dreams/189/188/3263

How Time Flies

I was wandering around FFF, battling the lag that seems to have been ever present this week, and bumped all too briefly into Button Wright.

Before she had to log, we were discussing how the pony scene in FFF has changed so much in the last four or so years.

And whilst there has been many improvements, we also reminisced over things we missed about the good old days.

There have of course been the many sim closures, as well as pony community legends that have passed, or left SL for many different reasons. All of whom have been and continue to be missed.

There have of course been new technologies that help to change the way pony play has evolved, not least of which is RLV.

So let’s pause and give thought to those that helped to shape pony play in SL, those that give up their free time to hepl the rest of us find our place.

We thank you - and will continue to support you.

Xaara - Where Dreams Come True

When looking for a new pony place, it is often hard to make sure you are not going to end up in the middle of an amaretto nightmare.

This search turned up something promising. The sim’s descriptions lists it as a “vibrant D/s RP social group” and promises ponygirls are soon to come.

So I teleported over there as fast as a laggy SL would allow, and was instantly (well, once the surrounding area has rezzed) impressed.

Intelligently set out on landing in Sim, with shops and a pleasant set of walkways around.

Further exploration soon found me at the small stables area, with lots of Unbridled pony gear close by for training purposes.

A very attractive - though small - pony area, but this opens out onto a larger more broad based sim featuring a collection of art to explore and browse.

The sim is open and attractively decorated, with an emphasis on being a social group, which to me sounds like a great place for a pony craving attention.

Check it out for yourself and visit soon.

(Written by Jaydana Thorne)

The SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Xaara/136/122/21

Deirdre here : In a strange and typically Second Life turn of events, the little pony area at Xaara is no more. Ayla Guisse remodeled the day after the post. The pony area has moved to the Chateau : stables inside, and training area outside. Not her fault, we didn't consult her before writing. She called me and we had a nice chat - she mentioned that Magic Lanikai, a pony sim, will move next to Xaara in the coming weeks. The folks at Xaara are apparently looking forward to the move, and are taking a keen interest in pony play; we should see some interesting activity in those sims soon. As ever, we'll keep you posted!

More PonyBoUnd

Following on from last week’s article about the newly discovered store, PonyBoUnd, I was talking with the owner who let slip some very interesting ideas that I thought you should all be aware of.

First is that the current initial crop of products are not yet scripted.

I do have it on good authority that this is one of the first things to be looked into changing, and updates will be made available for those as the range grows.

Second is a “pimp my tack” mix and match range.

Details are not yet confirmed, but the idea is that you have your basic tack set, and can chop and change, mix and match to create any number of combinations, styles and looks.

This is yet another reason to keep an eye on this brand. As is often the case, this is currently still in development, so may take a while before we get a full idea of just how custom you can take the tack, but it certainly has promise.

And for the record, the pony mask is still my favorite part of the full latex pony avatar. I can’t wait to see just how this one gets scripted.

Watch this space.

(Written by Jaydana Thorne)

PonyboUnd

I always enjoy getting tips from people within the pony community, and this was on of those tips.

It happens, sometimes, that someone finds something that I had not yet found on my own.
It’s always good to have others out there to help me with the research.

On receiving the landmark for PonyboUnd, I promptly teleported there without the need for Scotty to beam me up :).

First impressions suggest this is a new store as there are only a handful of products on sale and naturally, I liked what I saw

A free pony AO and sounds HUD are offered. On one side of the store are pony girl items, the other side ponyboy.

Admittedly, this looks like very early days for the store and so there are only a small selection of items, all centered around a very interesting black latex pony avatar.

The pony mask looks like being the most interesting of them all to me, and I am looking forward to talking with the creator to see if there are any scripted features - like RLV - since i am a big fan of RLV and the added depth that can give.

I think this might be another store to keep a close eye on - and certainly worth a visit - particularly if you are looking for a latex pony mask.

And it’s always great to see another designer creating for pony play.

The SLURL: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sensual%20Dreams/189/188/3263

Pony Play Noobs

I forget sometimes how it is for noobies coming into ponyplay, as it has been a long time since i was there.

Having said that, I received an IM from someone new to SL, and who had a sub who wanted to be a pony.

One question I was asked was : how is a ponygirl different from a furry?

I actually found I had no answer to that. I have seen furries in pony sims, partaking in pony play just like human ponygirls.

My first thought was that a ponygirl is still a human, treated as a pony. But a furry can be a furry, treated as a pony.

So, the truth of it is, I am not at all sure if there really is a difference, except in appearance - any furries out there have any insight?

Another question I was asked : “What does a Trainer/Owner do?”

Again, I was stumped, though I managed to fumble a reply of “Treat your ponygirl like you would a horse” - helpful if you have a history of horse riding, not so helpful if you don’t.

Having given it some more thought, the Owner would do whatever they wish to with their ponygirl. A Trainer would at its most basic, provide training.

But this isn’t like learning to drive a car. There is no right or wrong to what you should or should not do.

A certain sim may have rules, but other than that, pony play is what you make it. What works for one pony and owner/trainer couple might not for the next couple.

So if you find something you both enjoy, don’t worry about whether it is right or wrong.

Unless you intend to become a competition pony.

Pole Bending Track

Yes, I know lately Saleena’s Boutique has featured frequently in this column, but that is because Saleena and I were brainstorming for new ideas.

One of the newer items now on sale from Saleena’s Boutique is the result of our ideas.

The Pole Bending Track.

And no, I don’t get commission. But it isn’t often that fresh new ideas for pony play activities come to SL, and so I got rather excited by this.

For those that don’t know what pole bending is, its a rodeo event.

Click here for an example.

The track utilises Saleena’s pony saddle vehicle to give everyone a fair run, and contains the scripts to prevent cheating.

The saddle vehicle comes on a temp rezzer so you don’t have to go out and buy a saddle of your own.

Admittedly, this is a variation on the classic slalom, but with the option to give saddle rides, while doing so, and the poles are spaced wide enough to allow a full gallop, with a rider, while weaving between the poles.

Touch a pole, and you don’t just get a penalty, the pole wobbles, or falls over.

The pole bending track is now on sale from Saleena’s boutique and is a fun addition to any pony ranch or stable.

This just proves that if you have an idea for something you feel might be missing from SL, there are people who will take it on to try and create it.

So if you do have ideas and don’t know where to go to try and get it made, let me know, and we can see if any of our designers will take up the idea.

The SLURL : http://slurl.com/secondlife/Eventide/200/103/57

VvB - Equestrix 9” Platform Riding Boots V4

What can I say about these boots that has not already been said? I totally love them, and I love the comments I get when wearing them.

They are a very powerful looking boot, a clean, elegant design and perfectly textured.

The spurs are a nice touch, and now, the boots come in Alpha layer.

No more invisiprims to hide part of your ponygirl’s tack if you ride in the saddle, or your prim horse if you ride.

Coming in below the knee or over the knee variations, and with a hud to make customising and resizing the boots as easy as anything, there really can’t be much left to improve on to keep updating these.

If you don’t yet have a pair of these in your equestrian closet - what are you waiting for?

Riding boots don’t come anymore superb than these, and add that dominant air to any riding outfit.

The SLURL :
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Armaud/58/225/26

The Pony Taxi

Hi everyone.. Deirdre and lelo here, as Jaydana is taking a short break - we hope she’ll be back soon with cool pony goodness for you.

As a preliminary to an upcoming Freedom Continent post in the regular blog, we’ll give you a pony-related foretaste by mentioning a neat service at Pirandello Bay : the Pony Taxi.

A neat presence board tells you what ponies are available to give you a tour of the continent. You click to page a pony, she comes over, and takes you on a guided tour.

If you’ve never been on a pony cart ride, you’re in for a treat :) As a vehicle, I have yet to find something in SL I like more than a cart.

It’s fast enough to cover the relatively short distances on a sim, and in fact, fast enough to miss some of the scenery if you don’t make occasional stops.

The pony we called was friendly and helpful, and took us on a long tour, hitting the interesting spots of the continent (we won’t list them here).

As the sign says, ponies work for tips : if a ponygirl takes you on a half-hour tour with helpful comments, I’d say she definitely deserves something for her time.

Sin Ushimawa is the pony in charge - sadly we weren’t able to reach her in time for this post. There are a number of vacant spots on the board, so I believe she’d be happy to get ponies calling to offer their services

Pirandello Bay has a fixed landing zone, inside the info center. When you get there, walk to the big map, take the door at the right, and once outside, take the right-hand path, it leads right to the taxi stand.

The SLURL:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Pirandello%20Bay/190/97/56

Saleena’s Boutique

Following from the exclusive sneak peak a few weeks ago at Saleena Alcott’s ponygirl jousting game, I am happy, excited and pleased to report on two new projects which are in the final stages of testing before going on sale soon.

Happy because I was chatting away with Saleena, bouncing a few ideas off her, and she was looking for inspiration for a new project, and the idea of a fox hunt came up.

Regular readers will know that this was first hinted at by me in one of the first columns i wrote for SL Fetish Fashion, and again several months ago, though nothing much had came of it.

While brainstorming, we and my SL partner became plotting for how to realise a plausible hunt in world.

And, between the three of us, we came up with something Saleena liked and felt was potentially, not too difficult.

The game requires a minimum of 2 participants, and relies on RLV to block the mini-map so no cheating by tracking dots across the sim.

Interesting fox running animations, the potential to increase the number of participants by including some hounds, ponygirls and riders, makes this a very exciting project.

But that’s not all. While brainstorming, we also came up with an idea for another project. Keep watching this space.

The SLURL : http://slurl.com/secondlife/Eventide/200/103/57

Dark Jewel - 4 Wheel Pony Carriage

The designer of the carriage contacted me earlier this week to notify me of this new pony carriage.

Needless to say, I was excited to be given a sneak preview and was suitably impressed by the carriage.

First impression on seeing it was that it was a beautifully crafted piece of work. So I changed into pony tack and took it for a test drive.

I was not disappointed. The cart handles perfectly, is well balanced and nicely maneuverable.

The speeds are easy to cope with and turning is not overly difficult. Turning a cart is one of SL’s more interesting challenges at times, and it can be astonishing how much variety there is in the various carts turning.

This carriage also offers a whole bevy of options, including many different inbuilt colors, auto return and different access levels.

The pony can be “hitched” using RLV, and include a scanner HUD for those not already wearing a relay. Once hitched, the pony will be unable to free themselves until you decide the ride is over.

On touching the carriage, the pony is then given a small menu of options, designed to find a suitable camera position and to adjust the pony’s position at the cart.

At the rear of the carriage is a box into which you can place your slave, or a spare pony, again utilizing RLV. Useful feature.

The carriage is resizable, and comes with too many features for me list here. The manual for the cart is lengthy, and not always clear, but, who really bothers with manuals anyway?

In case you hadn’t guessed, I like this carriage, and am assured that this is the first of a line of new carts from Dark Jewell.

I was so impressed, I went and bought one for myself, and will be looking forward to seeing more from Dark Jewell soon.

The SLURL : http://slurl.com/secondlife/Blissful%20Moments/209/15/22