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Beautiful Horses of Pennsylvania |
D'Lovely I loved this horse's name: D'Lovely. And I really liked what Tess wrote, "Her name couldn't be more perfect as she is really quite 'delovely and delightful!'" Then I read the rest of Tess' description of D'Lovely, a Canadian Warmblood mare: "When we laid eyes on this stunning mare seven months ago, my daughter, Erica, and I were hooked. We knew this was just the 'girl' to continue with us on our equestrian journey -- a journey that's included many highs and many lows. This journey has been especially challenging because Erica suffers from Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis which presented at age 10. In a nutshell, she's endured pain and swelling to her joints, undergoing surgery, joint injections, and multiple stints of physical therapy over the last five years. Other sports have come and gone because of her condition but riding has remained a constant passion. 'Daisy' has supplied Erica with something no drug therapy could provide. This mare's willingness to please defies all reason. She is loving and sweet with a heart of gold and goes to extraordinary lengths to please her partner. To see the two of them flying through the air in unison never ceases to thrill me! For the hours of fun, love, friendship and normalcy, I will forever be thankful for our D'Lovely K."
Erica and D'Lovely K |
Betty Bucks County Carriages provides elegant carriage services for weddings, fairs, festivals and special occasions. It was a special occasion for me to get to visit their home and photograph Betty, one of their carriage horses, for my Beautiful Horses of Pennsylvania painting series. She is a very solidly built black Percheron mare, very calm and serene, with the strength necessary for pulling one of the family's divine carriages! Take a look at some of the photos on their website. I especially like the snowy scene with the sleigh ride! Here's a link: http://www.buckscountycarriages.com/
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Shane Reserved Shane, whose AQHA registered name is The Silver Digger, is an over 21 gray gelding with energy to spare. He was king of his pasture, looking beautiful in the sunny acres of grass for my photos. Then he headed over to the trees that edged his fence line. I loved how he looked nestled in the foliage. Shane's owner, Nicole, is an author. Here's a link to a wonderful wintry story she wrote about Shane: http://www.nicolewritings.com/html/writing.html JUST OUT: Shane is the main character in Nicole's brand new children's book, Shane's Mane. Here's a link to information about the book. http://www.shanesmane.com/ Enjoy!
Shane and Nicole |
Morning's Millie This seems the perfect painting for Christmas eve, reminiscent of the most famous stable in history. Horse owners know that stables can be beautiful places. Even the most rudimentary barn, with the right sun beam, is set aglow -- filled with glorious shapes and shadows -- with an otherworldly warmth. Who can imagine the inside of a stable lit by a brilliant star? When I first met Morning's Millie -aka "M" - she was patiently waiting my arrival in her stall. The lighting was wonderful, so I started taking photos immediately. Charlotte had written that M, her Haflinger mare, was "unusually dark . . . with a sooty covering that outlines all her dapples . . . one of the most beautiful Haflingers I have ever seen." She is beautiful! I hope you enjoy this special Christmas eve painting!
Charolotte and M |
Felice Felice is a very sweet miniature donkey -- 18 years old --and just about the cutest thing in Pennsylvania! Her owner, Charlotte, wrote: "... she always makes me laugh every time I see her. She has been in parades, gone into nursing homes to visit the patients and takes me for drives in her little cart....Everyone agrees she is one of a kind."
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Woodstock See some photos from Woodstock's photo shoot. First, I must say that this horse is fine. Not fine in a delicate way - Oh NO! Fine in a sleek, muscular, fit way. Woodstock is fine in the way an elegantly engineered locomotive engine is fine. Built in a way that exudes power, Woodstock moved carefully through the small pasture as I snapped photos. He started out slowly, gradually picking up speed. Never for a moment was he out of control. Woodstock in a Belgian Draft Horse, who carries his owner Bill over the fences at jumping shows and fox hunting. A favorite at local shows and parades, Woodstock has a fan club to cheer him on and a wall of ribbons for his efforts. In this painting, I wanted to capture Woodstock's latent energy. He's just starting to gather steam, capable and ready to pull a train.
Woodstock and Bill
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Bally Shannon Reserved Bally Shannon was such a calm, well-mannered horse that I wanted to his painting to show his peaceful manner. He stood absolutely still while I flitted around him snapping photos. He just stared off into the distance. He looked to be in fantastic physical condition, and I cannot believe he is 24 years old, because he looks like an eight year old. His owner, Trudy, shared some of his many accomplishments: "Bally Shannon, or Paddy as he's known, has proved himself to be a multi-talented, gracious equine. Although retired now, his career has spanned from an eventer to an unlikely FEI dressage mount to the compassionate Paralympic equine partner. He's probably the oldest horse the USEF has ever issued passport. He's competed for both United States and Canada at Para-Equestrian International Dressage Show. "Although successful at horse trials, having qualified for the DeBroke Preliminary Level Championships, Radnor and Essex Three-Day Events, his legs were too weak. After numerous lay-ups, the previous owner considered euthanizing him. He was only 8. After I paid for his leg surgery, I had her consent to try dressage. Little did we think that he would take me up to Prix St. George and Intermediate I. The owner sold him to me when she got sick. He's probably the only horse to have competed at Dressage at Devon that cost a dollar. "Since it is difficult to find a good dressage horse who will behave for the physically disabled, and I board where Paralympic Team train, I was asked if they could try him. At several dressage shows I would compete in a FEI class and Paralympic rider would compete in their class. Paddy helped several para-riders make the team. He won the Festival of Champion Par-Equestrian Division at Gladstone, NJ, three different years. The USEF and USET flew him to Seattle, WA, to compete in an International Paralympic competition in Vancouver, BC, where he won for USA Team and Canadian individual."
Bally Shannon and Trudy |
Thistledown Sheridan Thistledown Sheridan was so fun to photograph, although I took most of the shots while hiding behind a large tree in his pasture! As you can see he has some bulk and quite a bit of energy! And he was showing off both of these assets as he galloped through the trees of his shady-filled pasture -- obviously thrilled that he was getting his picture taken. Such joy! But I was never quite sure if he was going to plow me over at full speed .... thus my hideout behind the tree. Susan, "Danny's" owner, has become an expert on Gypsy Vanners since acquiring her young gelding. She told me that the Gypsies (people - not horses) in Europe had endured centuries of wars -- often having their horses confiscated by passing armies. They hit on the idea of breeding horses with vibrant colors! Who in their right mind would want to be sitting on a boldly colored horse like Danny during a battle? Might as well have a black and white target printed on your uniform. Gypsy Genius! As Susan's fox hunting mount, I'm sure Danny stands out as they gallop through the fields! And after seeing him in action, I'm sure he is fearless in the field. I wanted to mention the inspiration for the color palette for this painting. This summer I saw a wonderful exhibit, "Blossom~Art of Flowers" at the Canton Museum of Art. One small striking painting kept drawing my attention. It was very simple: a black vase with a couple round white flowers surrounded by a solid black background. It was painted by Dana Levin. It was beautiful! I loved the stark contrast and simplicity, and wanted to try to a similar color scheme. Of course I needed a black and white subject -- and Danny was perfect.
Danny and Susan |
Chrissy Chrissy is a Haflinger mare who is one of the wonderful horses at Reins of Life - a therapeutic riding program in Landenberg, Pa. Reins of Life's founder, Judy Freedman, was excited to tell me all about Chrissy: "She is drop dead gorgeous and just going to be so photogenic. Her full name is "Christie Brinkley", but is called 'Chrissy'...we also call her Prissy Chrissy. She is a Halflinger 14' h pony with the most gorgeous long blond wavy mane and matching tail. She will be a part of Reins of Life's therapeutic riding program, to lighten, and brighten up the lives of our sweetest little riders, ages 2-25 with special needs. Just imagine our littlest girls seeing this outstanding pony who will remind them and every little girl of 'Barbie's' pony." Chrissy is such a sweetheart! When we visited, she came right up to welcome us, and then posed, prettier than a picture, for photos. What a doll baby! I'm sure she is a favorite with all the students at Rein of Life. Here's a link to learn more about this therapeutic riding program: Reins of Life. |
Eliron Ring of Fire After reading Glenna's description of her Arabian Stallion, Eliron Ring of Fire, I could not wait to meet him. She wrote, "Eliron Ring of Fire has a gentle temperament and level head and passes on his exotic beauty, symmetry, elegant motion, and athletic ability." I knew the minute "Ringo" appeared from the barn doorway that he was going to be fun to photograph and paint. Even on his lead line, he exuded energy. He could hardly wait to show off. Once free in his pasture, he let loose. Racing majestically, head held high, Ringo was like a rich golden stream of light. He had the grace, beauty and airiness of a ballerina and speed and athletic ability of an Olympic sprinter. One of Glenna's friends, Doug (whose horses Forest and Manastash Nation are in the Beautiful Horses of Pennsylvania series too), also nominated Ringo. His words are so true! "Ringo is moved about the earth by a whimsical puppeteer. He is barely affected by gravity. Able to go from standstill to canter in a flicker. Sculptured, chiseled head set on an elegant neck up from a powerful, compact frame carried on springs for legs. He is graceful in temperament and aware of his own beauty. Modest among his people, his is handled by children even while he wears his passion on his sleeve. He should be painted to capture how he displays his energy for life." After meeting Ringo, I too thought he should be "painted to capture how he displays his energy for life." He's an amazing horse! Here's a link to Eliron Ring of Fire's website. (Click on Gallery to see some photos of Eliron Ring of Fire.)
Eliron Ring of Fire and Glenna |
EBV Airwalker and His Girlfriend, Clononeen Cash When I read about EBV Airwalker's many accomplishments, I knew this Gypsy Vanner had to be part of the Beautiful Horses of Pennsylvania. Here's what his owner, Mary Ann Riess, wrote: "Airwalker has done a lot in his short life. Air walker comes from a line of well known and respected horses. His father is El Brio stallion Charlie whom is out of RoadSweeper UK and his mother is Mariah out of The old Horse of Wales. We purchased Airwalker as a yearling and his first show was Dressage at Devon in hand. Which he won 1st in his class! We can't wait to see what he does as a 3 year old this year! He is already riding x-country and is a safe and quiet mount. He goes both western and English and we have started to jump him and work on low level Dressage moves with him. Air walker already has his first foal on the ground and has another one due this spring by our grand champion mare Pretty Penny." Airwalker was out in the pasture with some of his girlfriends when I visited, and I couldn't resist including this pretty mare (right) with him in his painting. Mary Ann said the mare is Airwalker's favorite, Clononeen Cash.
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Andalusians
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