Showing posts with label horse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horse. Show all posts

Monday, October 1, 2012

Dressage at Devon 2012



What a wonderful week for Dressage at Devon.
The raindrops stayed away most days and the colors of autumn were everywhere!





My photographs from Watermark Farm looked lovely in the Caracol Jewelry booth. 


Bill and Anne Rawle, from Watermark Farm, presenting David Marcus with a trophy in honor of their late daughter, Emily. 


So much fun watching the DVCTA Quad Squad perform a Think Pink ride. 


Guy McLean and his amazing horses. 


And I saw my first Knabstrupper, CCS Boromir! 





Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Back to the beginning...



When I was a kid I was totally nuts over horses (still am, it never stops). 
At 13, my mom drove me down the road to Watermark Farm and asked the owners,
 Bill and Anne Rawle, if I could work for them. 
She said I would do anything they wanted if I could just ride and learn about horses. 
Lucky for me, they said yes. 


And so began my real education about all things equine at this magical farm 
where they could make horses dance. 
I mucked stalls, cleaned tack, helped stack hay in the barn on scorching summer days. I learned about breeding, handling stallions and young horses, painted faded jumps and swept cobwebs from the rafters of their beautiful old bank barn. 


In return I was gifted with a first class education in riding and horsemanship.
I attended Pony Club, rode in horse shows, went on trail rides and watched the birth of newborn foals. 

It was, and still is, a place that holds a lot of magic for me.



I was fortunate to be able to reconnect with the Rawles on Facebook, and, after almost 20 years, arranged a visit to Watermark Farm last week. 


So, if you find yourself looking for a young horse that excels in dressage or jumping, or are looking for a warmblood stallion that will give you a talented foal, please check out Watermark Farm




And be sure to tell the feline, ringside trainer, Oreo, that I said hello!


More photos from Watermark Farm on Flickr.


Friday, August 17, 2012

Scenes from a Racetrack


Some photos from Delaware Park on Wednesday. The horse above reminded me a bit of Secretariat.
They have a really beautiful paddock area there. 











Friday, January 27, 2012

Photography

Lately it seems that all I can think about is taking photos. When I'm not thinking about taking them, I'm thinking about editing them. I have thousands on my computer so this pretty much takes up all my free time. I am consumed with thoughts of photography. I lay in bed and night unable to sleep because I'm thinking about what I can photograph and how; where I can go and when. Driving in the car I see all sorts of things I want to stop and shoot but it would take hours to get anywhere if I did this. It's starting to worry my husband. Things aren't getting done that need to get done. Unfortunately it's not something that pays the bills (yet... I'm hopeful).


So earlier this month I was on the moon when I received word that I won a first and a third in The Horse of Delaware Valley's annual photocon. If you live in the PA, MD, DE and love horses you are probably quite familiar with this publication, it's been around for years. When I was a child I would cut out all the free horse and pony ads in the back and tape them to the fridge. I poured over that paper and cut out every pretty picture. I started entering their contest nearly 20 years ago. A few times I was a finalist and in 2008 I came in third in the action division. I never won a first... until this year. I think I'll use my winning to buy a ticket to Nevada to see my grandmother this summer (and maybe find some wild horses to photograph when I'm out there).


My photo of Pumpkin Pie chasing a squirrel was in the latest issue, chosen as a finalist .


My third place photo pf a hose jumping a Halloween/autumn themed obstacle at Fair Hill Three-Day.


 This photo I took at Devon in 2008 received a third place award in the action category. 
I still can't believe how intense that sunset was!


Another finalist photo from waaay back in 2000. The bay horse was my thoroughbred, Pewter's Bill. 


So I don't know where this is all going. I have no training, I just do what feels right. 
I have an okay camera but definitely not professional equipment. 
Perhaps its given me a little bit of encouragement to keep on clicking!
 To see more photos, visit my Flickr page or watch this You Tube video I put together today.






Friday, December 30, 2011

Gypsy Soul


I've been asked before why I call my business Gypsy Mare Studios. Many reasons come to mind. 
The palomino mare my mother owned when I was born was named Gypsy. My mom had bought her as a baby and broke her to saddle. When I was an infant she would take me for trail rides. I blame that mare for my horse addiction. Another reason is that I associate the word gypsy with something magical and romantic; a lust for life, a passion for the open road. I always strive to put a little magic in everything I make. Through photography I enjoy showing people that magic in the world around them that they may not have taken the time to stop and notice. 
Lastly, I tell them, that I dream of owning a Gypsy Vanner someday.


It was my great fortune yesterday to meet a horse most magical, D' Artagnon, the beautiful Gypsy Vanner. 
I spent two hours photographing this beautiful, intelligent boy. Truth be told I could have spent days. 
Thank you so much to his owner, Carol, for sharing him with me so now I can share him with you!

















I want to rock your gypsy soul

Just like way back in the days of old

And together we will flow into the mystic


~Van Morrison