Ashley is a bright and beautiful senior getting ready to take on the world. After getting to watch her ride her beautiful Dutch Warmblood mare, Sarita, I got to know her and her mother a little better, and was enchanted when they asked me to photograph the pair for Ashley’s senior photos. We had so much fun on our photoshoot and literally took pictures until the light was gone!
Happy Friday all, and have a great weekend!
While visiting Tryon for Foster’s surgery, it was an absolute must-do to go visit the fancypants new International Equestrian Center. I’ve heard so much about this place over the last year and pretty much every equestrian that visits it compares it to some version of horsey Disneyland. So, with camera in tow, I got the grand tour and later came back to watch an actual show in progress.
It started by checking out the barns and the special horse paths, that as you can see are fenced off and flanked by human and motor-vehicle pathways. Along the horse paths were also shaded overhands with fans and misters for those hot Carolina days.
Then we made our way over to the rings typically used for the Hunter competitions, and I puzzled over the pink-toned footing that is supposedly magic due to it’s shock-absorbing qualities. It has even been thought to have prevented at least one broken neck from a serious fall earlier in the year.
Hunter’s show arena
We slowly made our way towards the now-famous (at least in this area) George Morris arena, complete with jumbo-tron, astroturf, and again, more fancy footing.
Warmup for the George Morris arena
Jumper in the 1.40 meter class
Then we roamed over the Roger’s diner for a bite, a delightful little vintage spot where you can get breakfast any time and the price is just right.
And to wrap up we admired Bellissimo’s stunning imported carousel, and the front entrance with the ever moving grazing horse statue.
Our photographic tour does not include, of course, the simply vast scale of all the barns and proposed arenas that exist and are currently under construction, nor the quaint temporary-living cabins for competitors and the stunning cottages by the river for long-term rentals. I have no doubt that the next time I visit it all will look completely different, and I definitely want to add this to my list of competition venues for 2016!
Have a happy weekend and a wonderful Labor Day!
Bette, Johnny and I go way back before the days before college, but our friendship really found its roots as dressage teammates in school. Since then, Johnny, an Irish Sport Horse gelding (7/8ths TB- can you believe it?! Not me!) is retired at 21 years old and living the life of luxury while Bette has made a life for herself amongst the beautiful Tryon mountains. We all have that one horse in our lives that simply cannot be replaced, and for Bette, I’m guessing it’s Johnny.
And a couple photos of the famous Jello, for good luck! #jellosleeping (instagram- you won’t be disappointed!)
Many thanks to Bette again for all the tours, meals shared, and tack store visits that made our trip to Tryon fly by! Happy Friday all!
It’s very rare that I get a chance to photograph my own horse, since said creature typically doesn’t like to stand unassisted at a photographable distance, unless I want my picture to be of his nostrils. Or his tongue.
But with the impending surgery in my mind, I decided it was worth the trouble to get some proper portraits of him, you know… just in case.
So with that somewhat melodramatic thought in the back of my mind I trimmed and braided, washed and show-sheened the bejeezus out of my horse (and put him in a certain somewhat-new bridle that I just adore) just like we were about to go down centerline.
These just happen to be some of my favorites. They capture his intelligence and his sweet eye.
They hint at his presence.
And they manage to get a bit of his sense of humor in there as well.
I just love this horse. And I can’t wait to get him home and spend even more days with him.
I’m reaching back into the archives again for this one. Two years ago at this time the hubby and I were traveling the UK, exploring new territories in Scotland and taking him to special family locales in England. Yesterday I spent some time thinking about that trip, as it was the anniversary of the Battle of Culloden, a date well known by all those obsessed (as I am) with the Outlander series. A somber reminder then of an otherwise wonderful trip.
White Rose and Thistle wreaths placed on the battlefield
Culloden Moor
Well of the Dead at Culloden
Cannons at Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Museum
Buckingham Palace
Yorkminster Cathedral
Clifford’s Tower, York
Yorkminster Cathedral
We’re so desperate to go back and explore more of the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and I love the idea of visiting the Lake District in England, but who knows when that may happen.
Wishing all a happy weekend!
Last weekend I attended the Stoneybrook Steeplechase, held at the Carolina Horse Park. Ali decided to go all-or-nothing on decor for the tent competition, and created all sorts of wonderful crafts to really glam up our backstretch spot. I supplied the infamous white horse, which in general lives on my second floor landing looking out the window and creeping out the neighbors.
How cute are these horse head cupcakes??
Insanity in the Middle! Go eventers!
Her efforts ended up winning the ‘Most Creative’ Category, and being awarded a huge bottle of bubbly!
It was a really lovely day, and an excellent opportunity for us to drag the husbands along for a semi-equestrian activity! I think it’s safe to say we will definitely be back there next year!
Well, friends, not much else to report this week. Fosterpants pulled a shoe yesterday and what with the potential ulcers, I’ve left him mostly to his own devices. I’m sure he won’t be too pleased with seeing both the farrier and the vet for spring shots today, but at least he gets another day off.
One of my favorite pairs, Allison Springer and Arthur (Rolex 2012)
Tomorrow myself and a bunch of eventing groupies are headed to the Carolina Horse Park to watch some cross country! There are plenty of familiar faces to see as riders get in prep runs for Rolex next month. And I’m looking forward to finally testing out my new lens as well- I haven’t been able to stalk riders like this since 2012, as you can see from these photos.
Becky Holder will be at Carolina, this time with Can’t Fire Me (Courageous Comet Rolex 2012)
It’s supposed to be right on 70 degrees and a gorgeous day for playing paparazzi and maybe doing a little shopping. Of course I’ll come back feeling inspired and want to hop on my pony and go, but I’m trying to resist anything until after he gets scoped on Tuesday.
Ermahgerd Mr. Medicott, hopefully we will see him in the 2* with P-Dutty
I hope you guys all have a great weekend! Go eventing!
Wednesday night Foster’s glands were fairly massive, and when he didn’t tuck into his mash with his usual gusto I immediately started blasting my friend N’s phone, who luckily is a vet and puts up with my incessant animal queries. We theorize it’s a slight allergic reaction to a weed or grass that has started growing, since she has seen other horses pop up with similar symptoms in the last week. A bit of bute for a couple days to help them go down and be less tender, and hopefully Foster will be chowing down with his usual relish once again.
In other news, a sweet coworker gave me a surprise yesterday! It’s a cast metal figure hand painted to look like Foster! At only a couple inches tall, I thought he was quite brave for taking on the challenge of matching Foster’s markings!
Now, onto today’s photo collection. Because of my concentration in photography, I decided to do a photographic body of work for my Senior show. I was especially intrigued by the work of Edward Weston from the 1920’s, particularly regarding his work with still life and nudes as artistic forms. So I coaxed a couple people into modeling for me in the studio. In case men’s torsos and what not are not your thing (or if you feel it’s NSFW) I’ll start you off with a couple flower/outdoor shots I did the same year.
Happy Friday!
It’s been some time since my last photography post, and admittedly I haven’t done much recently. But stuck inside with yet another snow day provided some inspiration, and Drake loved running around and eating the snow.
Have a happy weekend!
It’s been a while since I’ve posted Drake photos! I just love the colors of autumn, and here in North Carolina the leaves are beautiful this time of year. So when I spotted some lovely light outside my window this week as I was working from home, I just had to take my favorite model outside for a few photos!
A victory lap for the model!
Oh, and then this happened Wednesday:
If there’s one thing about my house that I love, it’s the light
Happy Friday!
Red on the Right 