Favorito KG
Posted February 27, 2009
Favorito KG is a sleek black bay Andalusian stallion with a talent for jumping! It's not a sport usually associated with the breed, but Favoirto has a natural talent and enthusiasm for jumping. So he's been encouraged to develop his talent! You can see him in action in an online video: Favorito Jumping. Watching him as he cruises around the jumping course with his regal Baroque headset is amazing!
Since my visit to Avalon Farms, Favorito KG is now standing at stud at Hart Training Stables in Leslie, MI.
You can learn more about Favorito and see lots of photos -- including some of him jumping -- on the Avalon Farms website.
Favorito KG is part of my Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. To see more paintings in the series click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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Arturo
Posted February 27, 2009
Big, strong and muscular, Arturo is a graceful athlete. The 16.2 hand Andalusian stallion from Avalon Farms is a natural at Dressage. Born in 2000, Arturo, has a very famous sire, who I got to meet on my first visit to Avalon Farms a few years ago.
Here's a quote from their website:
"Arturo’s sire, Majorio II (our foundation stallion), was one of the few Andalusians to perform with the “Royal Lipizzan Stallion Show”. Majorio II toured North America for years with the show.
"Arturo KG exhibits the extraordinarily powerful backend that enabled his sire to perform “airs above the ground” for years, and the lift and reach of his pure Carthusian dam. Arturo has the natural charisma and “flash” that Majorio II passed to many of his offspring as well as his exceptionally smooth gait (in a breed known for a smooth ride)."
You can learn more about Arturo and see lots of photos of him on the Avalon Farms website.
Arturo is part of my Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. To see more paintings in the series click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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Where is your passion focused?
Posted February 26, 2009
Horse owners are some of the most passionate people on the planet. It goes without saying, we are passionate about our horses.
Do you have other passions as well? Where will they lead you?
The stallion in this painting is Hereje, from Herradura Andalusians. His owner, Terri Meader's passion for the breed is inspiring! Take a look at her beautiful website and see where her passion has led. Herradura Andalusians
History buffs will find the story of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel's life facinating. He lived in the time of the French Revolution and personally witnessed Napolean enroute to the Battle of Jena. Here's his quote about the event:
"I saw the Emperor – this world-soul – riding out of the city on reconnaissance. It is indeed a wonderful sensation to see such an individual, who, concentrated here at a single point, astride a horse, reaches out over the world and masters it [...] this extraordinary man, whom it is impossible not to admire."
To download the "To Do List" featuring the quote and painting shown above -- for the week of March 1-7, click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
Nikee Swoosh
Posted February 24, 2009
Here's the inspiring story Lynn wrote about her Haflinger gelding, Nikee Swoosh:
"Nikee has more heart, soul and spirit than any other horse. He is an exceptional example of his breed. I worked on the farm that bred him and handled him since birth. He had a spark that I I couldn't ignore, nor could anyone else.
"At the GLHA Futurity he caught so many eyes that he made the cover of the magazine.
"I purchased Nikee. I left him a stallion and continued to work with him. He became deathly ill. He had contracted EPM. I was told many times that Nikee would not live. He was so sick he couldn't stand and had to be hand fed. He still had a glint in his eye and I could see him fighting. He proved the vets wrong and made a great comeback, completing his therapy and getting stronger.
"He hit a growth spurt and grew so fast his bones could not keep up, causing Wobblers Syndrome. Again, I was told I should just put him down. Again, Nikee said otherwise. When odds are against him, he comes out fighting. Today, he shows no symptoms of either disease.
"Nikee is beautiful and runs and plays with other horses and is able to free jump 2 feet! This is huge since EPM affects coordination.
"Nikee is also a protector. When his caretaker slipped on some ice and fell in Nikee's turn-out last winter, Nikee stood near him and shooed the other horses away. Then he lay down beside him as if to watch over him for an hour until they were found and help came.
"When everyone said he would not live, Nikee not only proved them wrong, but did so with such unbelievable will that he brought tears of joy to myself and others on a daily basis."
Nikee is part of my Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. To see more paintings in the series click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
2 Comments -- Click here to add your comment
You captured the Haflinger spirit well.
They are a delightful Breed. We have one as a Tenant for a while.
Watch his curiosity in this video http://twurl.nl/u1vaom - Chuck
Wow! you've been kick'in on the MI horses! I'm so glad this boy's owner did not give up on him. What a wonderful story! See you at the Expo!!--Charlee
On Black Ice
Posted February 22, 2009
With his bold black and white markings, On Black Ice (Bart) is striking. His owner Cate wrote, "When I first met Bart three years ago he took my breath away. He was by far the most stunning horse I had ever seen. I wasn't in the market for a new horse, but once I saw him I couldn't take my eyes off of him."
Bart was on stall rest with very limited exercise (walking) permitted when I visited. You could tell he would have liked nothing better than to take off racing around his pasture, but he was recovering from an injury from, ironically, slipping on a patch of ice. So Bart posed for photos in his pasture, with Cate hovering nearby to stop him if he moved too fast. Then she offered to lead him over to the sheep pasture for so I could check them out. We visited with the nearby sheep, but off in the distance we saw even more sheep up under a shade tree. Cate suggested walking up the hill to see them - a perfect spot for photos! So that's how my first beautiful sheep of Michigan painting, with Bart included of course, came to be.
On Black Ice is part of my Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. To see more paintings in the series click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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Ares
Posted February 20, 2009
Watching Ares, a beautiful Friesian gelding, as he glided to and from, weaving in and out of the small trees and bushes in his pasture, I couldn't help but think -- this is horse looks like he just stepped out of a fairy tale! His wavy jet black tail trailed behind him like the long train of a princess' gown. And he had a regal, pure Baroque look that made me wonder if a Knight in shining armour and a fair maiden might suddenly appear to claim him. Sarah, is owner, certainly would qualify for the role of fair maiden!
This painting hopefully captures some of his dreamy, fairy tale beauty.
Ares is part of my Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. To see more paintings in the series click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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Dream the Impossible Dream....
Posted February 19, 2009
Do you ever dream the impossible dream? Although you might think this week's quote is from Frank Sinatra, it is actually from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. What did he have to say (through the Queen) about impossible dreams? Check it out on the top of the newest To Do List.
Believe an impossible dream today!
To download the "To Do List" form for the week of February 22-28, click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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October
Posted February 16, 2009
October is multi-talented Mustang/Morab gelding. He was nominated for the Beautiful Horses of Michigan project by Marlie, she and her brother Trevor are as athletic as October -- taking him on long distance rides (such as the annual one that cuts across the state of Michigan), competing in polocrosse, eventing and more. I'm sure they mentioned a competition involving shooting! When I met up with them, the whole family was on the road, traveling home from a competition. This is one busy horse loving family!
Did I mention we met at a campsite? The family had arrived around dark the night before and, in the dark, put up a huge portable pasture just so October could roam around at liberty when I came with my camera. When I arrived at 7 am the next morning the sun was just coming up at the State Park. It was just a bit misty and the early morning light was streaming through the trees. How exciting!
Here are some of October's accomplishments that Marlie listed, "Toby has traveled all over with us. He has been to Indiana for a 25 mile distance ride, Illinois for dressage rally and Lexington, Kentucky (yes--the Kentucky Horse Park) for the United States Pony Clubs Dressage Championships and Festival this past year. He is currently being ridden by two Pony clubers (at the C2 and H levels), and has competed at first level dressage, novice level eventing, and working hunter (3' fences). On top of all that he loves cross country. He has over 100 miles in the Great Lakes Distance Riding Association mileage program and is a regular lesson mount....This year, the gallant bay gelding will be following up last year's debut in Polocrosse. Watching him play with my brother is amazing --- October follows the ball and meaningfully checks the other mounts!"
It was fun to meet this energetic family and their wonder horse, October!
October is part of my Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. To see more paintings in the series click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
1 Comment -- Click here to add your comment
Oh he is such a beautiful horse and glad the owners really take very good care of him.
We sure hate to see people do cruelty to animals as they don't hurt people.
Thelma
Happy Valentine's Day
Posted February 14, 2009
Yes, that's DJ - my camera-loving, fashionista Quarter Horse modeling his newest accessories. ..just in time to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day!
posted by Karen Brenner
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Thank you for the cute picture of DJ with the valentine sunglass.
HAPPY VALENTINE TO YOU,TOO.
Have a good day, - Thelma
Easterlilly
Posted February 13, 2009
Gray dapples are fun to paint, so when Linda wrote to me about Easterlilly, her description of her Arabian mare immediately caught my attention: "She is a very unique color combination and has a beautiful dark gray dappled body with a silver, gray and black long mane and tail." As promised, Easterlily was delightfully dappled!
I also liked reading about Linda's quest for horse ownership. "I had my first horse when I was 12 and then we had to move. I couldn't take her with me and it broke my heart. I had to wait to get my second horse until I was 49. When I met Lilly I fell in lover with her the second I saw her....She has taught me a lot of patience and she keeps me grounded. I would not give her up for anything."
My painting is of Lilly in field of green.
Easterlilly is part of my Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. To see more paintings in the series click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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Are You Always in a Rush? Read this Quote . . .
Posted February 12, 2009
This week's quote, "Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save. " is from Will Rogers. Often times the world seems like a hectic place. It's hard to slow down. This week, try to take time to smell the horses.
To download the "To Do List" form for the week of February 15-21, click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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Nugget
Posted February 11, 2009
This dark golden palomino, Quarter Horse x Arabian gelding has been a treasure for his owner Kristi. Nugget turned 27 last year. He'd been purchased for Kristi by her parents years ago -- when he was 4 and Kristi was 8. They've spent many years together.
Kristi writes, "In his younger years he turned heads everywhere as he had a glow like that of a golden penny and was very successful in local shows. He was my world and provided me with many adventures. My family later moved to Missouri and we took him with us. Then later we moved to Ohio and he was sent to live with relatives. It took me 9 years before I was in a position to get him back. He will live out his days with me. He has the most beautiful soul."
Nugget is part of my Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. To see more paintings in the series click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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Zippin Irish Cream
Posted February 5, 2009
With her golden tan coat speckled with white spots Zippin Irish Cream reminded me of a young fawn. It was more than her unique coloring, though. She seemed to have such a calm and friendly disposition, and like an inquisitive, innocent young deer, she was curious and carefree.
Julia's Beautiful Horses of Michigan nomination entry described Zippin Irish Cream: "She is a striking buckskin with white markings across her hip (not a blanket), one white ankle, one white coronet and a star and snip. Her unique appearance is such that when we walk through the show grounds, whether open show or appaloosa circuit, people stop and notice."
I sure noticed! I'd never seen a buckskin appaloosa. How pretty! DZ Weedo is Zippin Irish Cream's sire, and when Julia showed me the Breyer Model Horse fashioned after him, I was amazed at the similarity.
In this painting I wanted to show not only Zippin Irish Cream's special, unique appaloosa markings, but also her wonderful peaceful spirit.
Zippin Irish Cream is part of my Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. To see more paintings in the series click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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Horse Tails Missing in Colorado
Posted February 5, 2009
I love reading horse news, so when I found this story about missing horse tails out of Colorado, I read every detail on the 9news.com website.
I have lived through the tragedy of missing horse tails. A few years ago, the tails of our three bay quarter horses were chopped off. The feeling that someone came on our property and cut off those tails was unsettling. Even more unsettling was that they came back and trimmed them shorter a few evenings later. My husband spent a night out in the barn trying to catch them. But no luck -- even though one horse's tail was shorter the next morning. (He admitted having fallen asleep.)
Then a friend suggested that the one horse in our little herd of four, who still was sporting a gorgeous tail, was perhaps chewing off the other horses' tails. We mixed baby lotion and hot pepper powder and applied it to what was left of the three cropped tails. Sure enough, the "trimming" stopped.
If you look at the 9news story's Associated Images, you'll see a picture with three horses tails in the shot. I don't want to point any fingers, but the tail to the very far left looks awfully nice!
Of course, a year later at the Equine Affaire, I saw a booth filled with with pottery made from clay and black horse tails....... Hmmmm......
posted by Karen Brenner
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A Valentine's Day Quote for Next Week . . .
Posted February 5, 2009
This week's quote, "As distance shows a horse's strength, so time reveals a person's heart" is a Chinese proverb with a special Valentine's Day message. Love is a long term commitment. What has time revealed about your relationships with those you love? As Valentine's Day approaches, use the to do list to plan something special for your love!
To download the "To Do List" form for the week of February 8 - 14, click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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Emma Black Beauty
Posted February 4, 2009
Don, who is 70+, used three pages of a "Senior Companion Program" note pad when he wrote to nominate his filly, Emma Black Beauty, for the Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. Black Beauty is a three year old Arab mix (part Friesian, Don recalled, after much thought).
Here's what he carefully and neatly wrote, "Being a owner of a horse, rarely do I see a male owner, always surrounded by females, mostly young girls. Watching, listening to the girls, they don't seem to say how beautiful heir horses are, only comparing the prices, saddles and outfit. As for me, I think all horses are beautiful. My filly's name is 'Black Beauty.' Only at 3 years old - she is tall, long slender legs, big eyes, black shining hair, gentle, has a star in her forehead. Beautiful yes, a winner, yes. I don't intend to ride because of my age - I could but I have to be careful. Just walk with her, talk. Brush and show her off to the many seniors that I take care as a senior companion. They always ask about Black Beauty."
It was so fun to get to meet Don, who had spent many hears with Arabian horses. He boards Black Beauty at a farm with lots of great horses, who are her companions. I got to photograph them as well. Maybe they will appear in future paintings!
Emma Black Beauty is part of my Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. To see more paintings in the series click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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The painting of Beauty is just awesome. You captured her personality perfectly. I just love it.
- Cathy
Raighney
Posted February 2, 2009
Raighney is an Arabian filly, just two years old, and a buckskin! She was so friendly and curious and so cute! It was fun to get to meet her!
Jamie, Raighney's owner, fell in love with her at first sight. She was tagging along with her sister, who was shopping for a new horse, when Jamie spotted Raighney, who just a little foal at the time. She immediately asked if Raighney was for sale. "No." was the response. But a few days later, to Jamie's delight, the owner called and the rest is history.
Jamie writes, "Raighney means small but strong in Irish. And it fits her to a T."
Raighney is part of my Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. To see more paintings in the series click here.
posted by Karen Brenner
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hi I'm Courtney I'm ten years old I would like to know where I can buy your paintings in BC Canada? I'm a big fan of you. Please and Thank You
Karen: Hi Courtney, It's great to hear that you are a fan of my artwork! Thank you for asking about where you can purchase my paintings. You can order them online. Information is on the Pricing page. Prices are listed under the paintings that are available. You might also be interested in the gift items - mugs, shirts, cards, etc. - that are availabe to purchase through Cafe Press with images of many of my different paintings. You can start shopping on the Shop page.
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