Earth Pony Calamity Mane [Ready]

[Bellosh]

DISCLAIMER: Long ago, I apped a pony name Moondancer, someone who was mentioned twice in the pilot episode, but was never actually seen. I tried getting her in as a cast character, but without an official visual design, I had to designate her as an OC. This is why I'm apping this pony as an OC, even though her name was used in the Last Roundup to refer to an unseen pony.

Roleplay Type: World of Equestria RP

Name: Calamity Mane

Sex: Female

Age: Mare at the very twilight of her middle-aged years

Species: Earth pony

Eye Color: Pale gray

Coat: Copper

Mane/Tail: Calamity’s brownish-red mane and tail are kept short and ragged.

Misc. Features: A beauty mark can be found underneath Calamity’s left eye.

Physique: Body and leg muscles are more toned than the average mare.

Residence: Rancho Las Vacas, a sprawling plot of family-owned land to the southeast of Dodge Junction, nestled in prairie land suitable for grazing.

Occupation: Rancher

Cutie Mark: A lasso curled up in a circle

All who knew Calamity Mane when she was a foal would likely claim that her future calling in life had never been in doubt. Spending much of her time on the family ranch outside Dodge, it was not a matter of what Calamity’s cutie mark would represent, but when her flank would no longer be blank. The filly’s day of destiny came soon enough; her parents went into town on an errand, leaving their eldest child behind to look after the dairy cows. Well, one mischievous calf got the bright idea of jumping the fence while the ranch owners were away, and only our filly managed to catch the act as it transpired.

With the hired hooves all tied up on other matters, Calamity Mane grabbed the nearest lasso in sight, and took off after that crafty calf! Fortunately, Calamity knew the lay of the land better than the runaway, so she managed to head the little cow off at a pass. After a brief and exhilarating chase, the filly lassoed the calf and brought her back to the ranch. All throughout her pursuit, Calamity Mane felt adrenaline and excitement pump through her very veins, doing the things she always saw her parents do until now. It just so figured that when Calamity returned, she also came back with a cutie mark.

History:

For six generations prior to the birth of Calamity Mane, her family has operated the renowned Rancho Las Vacas. Working the wide ranges since more than a century ago, this vaquero clan raises dairy cows from birth until they became ready to work in farms in more populated areas. The members of the clan also make sure that all their cows reach town, where the bovines then board trains to their new homes.

Calamity Mane, the eldest daughter of five children, was essentially just like any other filly born on Las Vacas. She learned the tools of her trade at an early age, and was among the first foals in her class to earn a cutie mark. Yet after a time, working on the ranch became too routine for Calamity. The older she got, the more she craved to prove herself the best cowgirl in all of the Wild West. So the young rancher started entering rodeos once she became of age to do so. With a combination of heart, constant training, and family-nurtured talent, it only took a few local competitions before Miss Mane won her first blue ribbon.

As Calamity Mane grew into a fine young mare, her star only rose higher. She ended up winning the national rodeo competition held in Canterlot quite a number of times, and the cowgirl converted her newfound fame into a successful stint as a stage performer in travelling western-themed stage shows. As both a rodeo champion and a master of rope tricks, Calamity at one time could actually be described as one of the best cowgirls out there. It was during this time in her career that the mare romantically bonded with a fellow rodeo competitor of hers. Both respected the other’s abilities and shared the same basic values, so it didn’t take long for the pair to marry, and for Calamity to become pregnant.

Coming back to Rancho Las Vacas in anticipation of giving birth, Calamity Mane was shocked to find her ancestral home in a state of neglect. Most of her siblings moved on to either establishing ranches of their own away from Dodge, or otherwise had pursued destinies not related to cow herding whatsoever. The sole brother remaining lacked talent for running a ranch, causing it to flounder in Calamity’s absence. Once she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, the mare publicly announced her retirement from rodeo life, at the very pinnacle of her career, to focus on restoring her family ranch back to prominence.

And so Calamity Mane remains at Rancho Las Vacas to this day. Somewhat disappointedly, her now young-adult son rejected the frontier for life as a big-shot Manehattan stockbroker, but Calamity wishes her child the best. These days, the former rodeo star sticks to her roots as a rancher, although at times, she dreams of making a comeback into a public limelight despite her advancing age. And just maybe, she’ll find a pony worthy enough to take over Las Vacas once she’s no longer capable of strenuous labor.....

Character Summary:

Those who meet Calamity Mane when she’s not doing ranch work or rodeo tricks might be first offput by her incredibly boastful nature. Over the years, she’s developed quite a habit of spinning tall tales about herself so ludicrous that they just couldn’t be true. And of course those stories are complete fabrications, but by telling them with gusto and with enough jokes at her personal expense, Calamity knows her audience will likely be entertained. And for all her ego, the rancher is also very hospitable towards others, welcoming guests who drop by Rancho Las Vagas with hearty meals, outrageous spiels, and even a place to sleep if they really need it. Mrs. Mane has a knack for expressing her genuine friendliness in a way that many feel like they’ve known the cowgirl since forever.

Calamity Mane doesn’t partake in competitive events or touring shows anymore, but that doesn’t mean she’s abandoned the life of a public figure quite yet. For about one weekend each month, all ponies are invited to tour the working areas of Rancho Las Vagas, meet the cows, and witness Calamity Mane exhibit her rope tricks. During the summer, Calamity turns her property (advertised as the “Calamity Ranch” in non-Frontier markets) into an all-ages summer camp where kids and adults alike receive first-hoof experience in ranch life. And of course, the shining star of the West accepts all invitations to preside over events or judge at rodeos.

If given the opportunity, Calamity Mane can become a dominating figure, prone to brushing other voices aside to take command over a situation if she deems it prudent. But nopony in Dodge Junction or beyond can question the middle-aged mare’s determination and heart. Without question, Calamity would do everything she can to help anyone in distress, even complete strangers.

[SteelEagle]

Looks good to me!