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. ♥