The Horse Show season is upon us now, and there are lots of wonderful small shows at the various stables in the area. What could be better than a morning spent among horses and surrounded by beautiful rolling fields and forested hills. It is always fun to see the kids with their ponies and the special bond they have. The show ring photos that become painting references are fun to take, but my favorite photos to paint are the serendipitous ones - the horse who leans over and gives her young rider a nuzzle, or the rider who spontaneously throws her arms around her pony for a big hug. In any situation where animals are involved, it's the love and affection between human and animal that draws me and makes me want to get out my watercolors or colored pencils.
