As requested, here is the text/image tutorial of how I edit my screenshots. As a forewarning: this tutorial is NOT meant for Photoshop newbies--if you do not have at least basic knowledge of how to use Photoshop, this tutorial will not teach you!

At certain points, I may direct you to other tutorials to teach you how to do certain techniques I use in this explanation. You may ask me to elaborate on anything those tutorials say that does not make sense, but don't ask me to explain without reading/watching them first.

What I Will Be Using:

• Photoshop CS5 (Download for you scallywags!)
• Topaz Re-Mask 3 (Download for you scallywags!)
• DanLuVisi's Brush Set
• Water Splash Brush Set
• Pioneer Woman Action Set (Just for Slight Lighten)
• Kaleeko's Warm Color-Pop Action

As the event's description: "Cross Country tests the speed, strength, and endurance of the horse and the skill of its rider. The Queenstown Spring Cross Country Trials is hosted this year by none other than Shoreline Hill Stables. The trials will consist of two different classes, each judged separately. Entrants must submit three pictures of horse and rider over three different obstacles."

I decided to go with a Twinbrook setting for this event, since there doesn't seem to be a lot going on there and the flat-land swamp area seems pretty ideal for Cross Country; however, this idea turned out to be a bit problematic, since a lot of the swamp is unrouteable terrain and I couldn't place lots in any of the ideal places to put obstacles.

So, I went with a "simple" approach; the first picture is on a tiny batch of routable terrain I could find, where I used the Pose-Player add-on to orient the horse/rider (total pain in the arse--never doing that again), the second I edited one of the fishing holes to be less deep and with a jump at the end; then the last one, just a standard jump in one of the emptier, flatter areas of the swamp.

I really tried to go for easier obstacles than I have with previous jumping competitions, since I feel I might've gotten a little ahead of myself when I was making poses before. It's still not quite novice level, but closer. I can't wait until Margo actually learns to ride in Desperate Sims though, so I don't feel so guilty making her all uber.

Well, except that last jump! I actually wanted to make a larger fumble, showing her actually falling off (though in this instance she does fall off, she just hasn't yet), but I really liked how the pose turned out so I just used it anyways.

The stance/water in the second image is based off of this picture; the poses in the third/fourth are based off of this one.

PS: Don't you love how in the third picture, Bean is just like, "Lookit me, I'm gorgeous, let me pause and catch this  breeze to show off my beautiful profile," and Margo's like, "OMG OMG OMG WAT IS HAPPENINNNGGG."

Bean. You are the ultimate troll. ♥

Alright, ladies and gents! The results are in, and its time to announce the winners of this month's Individuality Show!

I want to preface this by saying--this was very, very difficult! I honestly felt like changing my mind every time I went back and looked at the entries, because there were so many that I feel deserve recognition. I ended up having to wait an hour or so between judging each entry so that I could keep a fresh perspective--so, the following results are based on those scores.

I really loved all the entries, though--you guys have some really wonderful horses! I had to be quite a harsh critic to be able to pick my favorites, so below I'm going to explain what I liked about the winning entries, what I might like to see more of in the future, so that when I hold this show again later on you guys have a better idea what I'm looking for in the entries.

Alright, so without further ado:

Information
Name:	Daisy de Wynter
Age:	Teen (15yrs)
Traits:	Snob, Mean-Spirited, Ambitious, Equestrian
Jobs/Activities:	High School School Newspaper Lawrence Equestrian Academy
Eventing Horses:	Mumba

There are few girls out there with as surly a disposition as Daisy de Wynter. Few can recall when she's ever been nice--and even fewer can recall the last time she smiled. Nothing in the world lives up to her expectations, and she has no problems announcing this--leading to there being very few people out there willing to remain in her company.

However, if her arrogance gives her anything, it's incredible ambition. Daisy never stops trying to improve, and always expects the best--so she accepts nothing less than First Place from herself. "You're first, or you're last." Not the most poetic words to live by, but she lives by them all the same.

Though Daisy's talents span over many areas--writing, schoolwork, debate, and even art--she has always favored the riding arts most of all. Her family's rather enormous wealth--a tragic gift from her late father--has afforded her luxuries such as her own horse, "Mumba", as well as a place in LEC's Riding Academy.

Daisy's Eventing History

So far, Daisy has participated in the following competitions at Equus-Sims:

Event	Horse	Placement
La Maitrese Show Jumping Event	Mumba	1st Place

To request Daisy's skill in photography, or to ask her to participate in a competition with one of your own horses, please read the information in the Services section.

Information
Name:	Margo May Kane - View Her Journal
Age:	22 Years Old (Currently 16 in Desperate Sims Time)
Traits:	Shy, Clumsy, Loser, Coward, Photographer's Eye, Animal Lover
Occupation:	Freelance Photographer and Competitive Equestrian Stablehand at Simlous Lake Horse Ranch
Represents Stable:	Currently N/A
Education:	High School Graduate Graduate of the Lawrence Equestrian Riding Academy
Current Specialty:	Show Jumping (Primary) Cross Country (Secondary)

When people first meet Margo, she often comes across as being incredibly withdrawn and anxious; she's been shy from a very young age, but those who take the time to get through to her will have a loyal friend for life.

Unfortunately, she's had quite a lot of other difficulties to overcome. She was a bit of a loser during her school years, picked on and outcast by a majority of her classmates for being clumsy and cowardly. She has always frightened easily, and has a hard time sticking up for herself. Despite all the struggles she's been through though, from the heartache of a broken family and her attractions to very troublesome boys, she has pulled through remarkably, growing into a sturdy, hard-working young woman that embraces challenge.

Since she was 13 years old, Margo has been an aspiring photographer, using anything from camera phones to an old, vintage camera of her mother's to catalogue the events of her life. She enjoys sharing these experiences and pictures on her blog Yours Truly, Margo. Her persistent efforts with this skill over the years gained her a photographer's eye, making her not quite such a loser anymore.

When she was 15 Years Old she also joined the Lawrence Equestrian Academy, where her love for horses was nurtured and transformed into an incredible passion for participating in shows and events. To afford this experience and training, she worked as a stablehand at Simlous Lake Horse Ranch in her hometown of Twinbrook, learning not only the value of equine companionship but the responsibility it takes to care for them--and turning her into an avid animal lover.

Because of her passion and experience in both areas, Margo has chosen to combine them and offer her services as a photographer for both humans and horses, as well as her services in competitive horsemanship to those with a horse but no one to ride it.

Margo's Eventing History

So far, Margo has participated in the following competitions at Equus-Sims:

Event	Horse	Placement
Equus-Sims Think Pink! Event October 2011	Dusty Dame	1st Place
Hanoverian Stud Qualifying Show	LEC Espresso	87 Points (Gold)
La Maitrese Show Jumping Event	LEC Espresso	2nd Place
Queenstown Spring 2012 X-Country Trials	LEC Espresso	4th Place
Appaloosa Plains 2013 Spring Series	LEC Espresso	4th Place
Spring Pairs Hunter Trails XC Event	Dusty Dame	TBA

To request Margo's skill in photography, or to ask her to participate in a competition with one of your own horses, please read the information in the Services section.