Wizard Ride 325: Last Year’s Man
Sunday, 1/1/12
My mom always said that how you spend your New Year’s Day will reflect on how you live in the upcoming year. Sooooooo, I went on a trail ride with Wizard and Kris and Sunny :^) Before our ride, I knew Wizard needed to blow off a little steam. There is a big weather change on the way in, and the warm air is being chased out by a cold front tomorrow (Monday). The air today was very mild and sunny- I think it got over 50 degrees.
When I went out to Wizard’s paddock to bring him in, he walked over to me, which I always think is really cute. Some days, he actually runs to me, and some days, it’s a meandering walk with a few stops. But giving up his turnout friends for me is a compliment indeed.
I could tell Wizard was “fresh” as soon as I had a halter on him. He was prancing around playfully as we walked down the driveway. I turned him loose in the outdoor arena and he went BANANAS, leaping and running, tail flagged. He took every opportunity to gallop, spin, and spook. He was still sparky when I took him out of the arena. I tacked him up and then I longed him in the round pen while Kris longed Sunny in the other end of the indoor arena. Someone was working on some equipment in the storage space behind the side wall of the indoor arena, and Wizard hopped around every time he heard clanging. He’s not a spooky horse, but he had an excess of energy today and showed me at every opportunity. He did some work in side reins, and that helped him settle a little. In the very beginning of longeing, it looked like he might have been a hair off again in the left front, but it seemed to go away- whew. On Wednesday night, he was looking funny on the same leg when I let him trot around the arena. His right hind also looked a little “hitchy”. On Saturday, it was gone. I have my eye on it.
I mounted up, and Kris and I headed out onto the trails. Wizard stood like a stone while I got in the saddle, and walked nicely in the arena, but as soon as we started to head down the drive way, he began hopping and prancing. I sat firmly and quietly, and he settled once we were in the woods. With every leaping squirrel and every fluttering leaf, Wizard twirled his head and thought about reacting. I focused on some shoulder in, and sitting as balanced as possible. He nervously chewed on the bit, but by the time we reached the third leg of the ride, he was settled and in his groove. There were dirt bikes in the woods, but none came within our sight or onto any of our trails.
Even when we were walking back up the driveway, Wizard was alert. Usually, he’s loose and relaxed on the last bit of the ride, but not today! He felt as fresh as he was when I pulled him out of the paddock. I brought him in the outdoor arena after our trail ride, and just trotted about 5 laps around the arena. He was so excited about his surroundings that he barely flattened his ears or kicked out. He listened and he felt really nice, but was definitely FIZZY. Hopefully, I’ll schedule a vet appointment this week so I can figure out if the fizz is a physical issue. He also has a farrier appointment for Monday- he’s overdue (8 weeks- ack! I try to keep him on a strict 5 or 6-week schedule).
Photographer Sarah Andrew: 2011- A Year in Photos
2010 in Photos
2009 in Photos
2008 in Photos
Happy New Year! I cannot thank everyone enough for all the support and friendship, through the highs and the lows.
First… the good:
– My work was published in four books and a variety of web/print publications, and featured as album art for two bands. The friends and colleagues I’ve met through the TDN and through my freelance work are tremendous people.
– Since January 2010, I’ve photographed over 2,500 homeless horses. On my many road trips in 2011, I visited 10 rescues in 7 states. I try to put a face on the “unwanted” horse population, wherever these “unwanted” horses may be, from local rescues and farms to the horses at Camelot Auction in Cranbury, NJ. Each week, I meet these horses and spend time interacting with them. The proprietors of the auction have been very gracious in letting me photograph their livestock, and our network on volunteers help to give these horses a unique opportunity. The horses continually surprise me. Over 2,500 animals beg to be captured by my camera.
– The impact and scope of the Camelot Effort has reached far beyond my wildest expectations for both the horse community and my personal views as a photographer. The public response to the auction photos has been overwhelmingly positive, and it became clear that they had value far beyond their initial “mug shot” for identifying horses’ faces and conformation. Although my time and budget were already stretched painfully thin, I embarked on a huge fundraising project with my friend Gina Keesling from HoofPrints and together, we created a calendar of our favorite auction photos. Gina volunteered weeks of countless hours designing and producing these calendars. The final product was not a simple 12-month, 12-photo calendar, but was instead a masterpiece of inspirational quotes and over 100 photos. Although the auction photos could have easily created a gloomy tone, we worked hard to keep the theme positive and uplifting. In the end, I think we were successful. We are doing a THIRD print run, and you can order a calendar here (click here).
100% of the profit is being donated to One Horse At A Time. OHAAT is an appropriate charity, since they are not a rescue that houses horses, but rather an organization that helps horses in need across the country. What I particularly like about OHAAT is their gelding grant program- how wonderful would it be for photos of our own Camelot horses to help control the unwanted horse population? To date, the calendar has raised over $33,000 for One Horse At A Time.
Penny Austin, co-founder of One Horse at a Time, said it best:
“Those of us who have these calendars know how special they are. Not only are they a work of art, they are an incredible teaching tool, but most of all, they are a resounding testament to the power of each one of us doing just one thing – and how each of our “just one thing” combined with everyone else’s has the power to MOVE MOUNTAINS. Don’t ever forget that. Don’t ever think that you can’t offer but a little. Your little is mighty. Always.”
Check out some of the great reviews of and discussions about the calendar:
Teresa Genaro’s Raceday 360 column here.
Fran Jurga’s Horse Tip Daily Radio Show here.
My own blog account of the project, along with dozens of amazing positive comments here.
A nice mention in the EQUINE Ink blog here.
Horse and Man’s “Booty with Benefits” gift ideas here.
And now… on to the photos!
A chilly New Jersey January 2011 greeted the horses at Camelot…
On what had to be the coldest day of the year, I took a drive to Long Island and visited Project Sage Horse Rescue. Not only was I delighted to see a barn full of happy, healthy horses, but I was touched to see the enthusiasm of the young volunteers at the rescue. The impact that these organizations have on the community and youth organizations is profound.
Brittany Rostron, founder of Project Sage Horse Rescue (and Sal!)
Fred, a beloved resident of Helping Hearts Equine Rescue braves the NJ cold with his friend Hayley for a photo op.
Blonde, Brunette, Redhead
Wintertime Wizard
The Mane: a study in texture at Camelot
A photo that was used for a successful fundraiser for Beech Brook Farm Rescue
Tristan, a Belgian purchased at New Holland Auction, and his friend Tyler, at Horse Rescue United in NJ. He has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, but surgery on his eye has greatly improved his comfort and he’s currently living the good life at the farm.
Two heads are better than one at Camelot
Lean on Me
Romeo’s eye at auction (he is in the care of Hoofing Around Rescue)
Bedded down
Wizard steals a kiss while I’m trying to put my hair in a ponytail
Watching over you
Sleeping beauties
Slade loves the Asbury Park Press
And Slade has his eyes on the prize
Lily caught spring fever during a February warm spell
Trolley at Horse Rescue United after a successful surgery on the hole in her head
Duke at the Standardbred Retirement Foundation. Duke, 21, also known as Neet Control. He is blind and lives with his paddock friend Taxi at the SRF.
Standardbred Retirement Foundation. HEY! What are you doing to OUR hay rack???
Wizard, under the arena lights on a cold February night
Camelot Auction
Readymade Breakup at Maxwell’s. Hoboken, NJ
Julio Mendoza of Mendoza Dressage, LLC on Friesian gelding Meindert- dancing alongside Lindsey Winkler. Theatre Equus- Horse World Expo – MD & PA 2011.
Lily and the Peep
Stay Thirsty and Ramon Dominguez win the Grade III Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct
Jonathan Andrew at Maxwell’s in Hoboken. Mike Ferraro and the Young Republicans record release party.
When Irish Eyes are Smiling
Gatsby, a Camelot Auction graduate
Mimi, another Camelot grad
(Mimi at auction)
Juan the Hinny
Come hither
Rosa and a friend at Camelot
Rancocas Farm gate on the property of Helis Stock Farm in NJ
Zoey at Helping Hearts Equine Rescue (after photo)
Zoey (before photo, ©HHER)
Burke’s fabulous feathers
Wood You Believe? Toby’s Corner takes the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct
Wizard at night
A conversation at Camelot
This one reminds me of the scene in The Black Stallion when Alec leaves sugar cubes on the ledge for him to eat…
Love this mane…
Wizard, all shed out in the springtime
Rocking my retro Navajo saddle blanket
Welcome, Blue and White Brigid!
Pony dreams
“I thought I heard a peppermint…”
“Hey, buddy, you have a little piece of alfalfa in your teeth…”
Atlantic City Race Course
Happy Mother’s Day
Camelot Auction graduates Chip and Dale, in the care of Liberty Equine Rescue in NJ.
Things always look better in the morning
Wizard and me
Ashley Adams and Vaunted- through the Keyhole at Jersey Fresh. Vaunted is a Thoroughbred by Two Punch- he raced twice. Read more about Thoroughbreds who were racehorses and became eventers here: http://thetdnblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/from-finish-line-to-start-box.html
Learning how to share
Rosebud, official mascot of Central Virginia Horse Rescue
Esme
Maryam and Sienna
The end of May can mean only one thing…
Esme
John the Mule loves Laffy Taffy
Bogey at Central Virginia Horse Rescue (after photo)
Bogey (before photo)
Rosebud’s “bell tail”
Push In the Chips BFF, aka Chip, a Tennessee Walking Horse
Hi-Ho Final!
Wayward kitten
GKB Coal Magic, Morgan sporthorse stallion
Groucho Marx, a Camelot bunny who was adopted
Chance, available for adoption from Helping Hearts Equine Rescue
Simon is a man of few words…
One of the most striking examples of the hard work of volunteers and the strength of the equine spirit is Zodiac, a Thoroughbred currently living at Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Maryland. He was a victim of severe neglect, and over the past 18 months, I have been able to document his progress from standing in his sling to frolicking in his pasture. Zodiac is a farm favorite, and many volunteers have remarked that just saying hello to him in the morning can brighten a gloomy day. He is a horse with the heart of a lion, and he’s also a symbol of the spirit of rescue.
Zodiac at Days End Farm Horse Rescue (after photo)- read more here
Zodiac (before photo)
Belmont Stakes winner Ruler On Ice
Fly like a Wizard
Black on Black
Cathy and the wish lantern
Jonathan Andrew
Sophia, future mouser of America
Kris and Philly
Flying
Kat and Chip, her Tennesee Walking Horse
Wizard wants to be an eventer when he grows up (me too)
Curves
Abstract: fly spray
Draft board meeting
The fabulous flying Wizard
MOR at Kaboomfest- Marine Park, Red Bank, NJ
Bright eyes
Taste
Smell
See
Touch
Hear
Stiletto Slim, available for adoption at Scarlet Rose Farm Horse Rescue in CT
The everyday care of rescue horses is something so inspiring that it begs to be photographed. The selfless devotion that these people have for their equine friends is beautiful.
Percy at Scarlet Rose Farm Equine Rescue
Percy at auction
The Big Mare
Cosmo, Ponytales Rescue in PA
Little bubbly green cocktail at the Haskell
Chaps
Coil and Martin Garcia win the 2011 Haskell
Haflinger Hugs
The Dog Days of Summer
“Is that MY pedigree?” Whippendeal (Unbridled’s Song x Dream Supreme), Hip #111 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale
Rajiv Maragh and Tizway- Whitney winners
Curious
Creature comforts
Shackleford’s workout
Saratoga morning
A 5 o’clock shadow and swishy tail usually end up in the photo cull pile, but they are key elements in this one…
One, Two, Three
Sunny, adopted from Helping Hearts Equine Rescue- Wizard’s new neighbor
Real Men Wear Pink
Wizard, prepared for Hurricane Irene
Valentine
Will this hideous watermark prevent this Havre de Grace portrait from ending up on eBay? Probably not
Larry Jones, trainer of Havre de Grace
Silhouette
Hopping hay bales with the Wizard
Do you hear what I hear?
Gatsby’s calendar photo
Jonathan Andrew and MOR at Buddie’s Tavern in Sayreville, NJ
FOG
THE fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
-Carl Sandburg
Between the bars
“Hello, Mo!” Havre de Grace eyes Uncle Mo at Belmont Park
Portrait of a Mule
Friends
Combined Driving at the Horse Park of NJ
Galileo- Friesian stallion
“I’ll lean on you and you lean on me and we’ll be okay” -Dave Matthews Band
Mr November
“The sincere friends of this world are as ship lights in the stormiest of nights.” Giotto di Bondone
Wistful
Slade vom Marinik
I get by with a little help from my friends
Wizard’s whiskers
Wizard and me
Zodiac at Days End Farm Horse Rescue
Penny, Charm, and me with the calendar check
Playtime
Indian Delight: from Camelot Auction to Kentucky
Indian Delight at auction
Zorro, a Camelot graduate
Zorro (before)
Silver Gem at Horse Rescue United
Attentive
Sophia
Boys will be boys- Zehpyr and Mini Cooper at Helping Hearts Equine Rescue
Dragon Fire
My volunteer work started as a way to carry on the legacy of Alibar, my beloved first horse. It has shaped my philosophy as a student of the horse and a photographer. A “horse in need” can take many forms, from a horse standing in a feedlot, to a free pony on Craigslist, to an abandoned pet, to a critical case at a rescue. The face of equine photography is changing faster than you can imagine. I find myself photographing less frequently at the racetrack, where there is a line of a dozen photographers all trying to get the same shot; I find myself more often at a unique location, taking a unique picture, trying to make a change.
Next time you are feeling frustrated, I challenge you to take some time and give back to your community. Photographers: craft your own style. BE DIFFERENT. You may think that you only have a little skill and time to donate, but as you continue to give, you may find that you are able to give more and more. The horses will thank you.
In memory of Homeward Maryland, aka Mary
In memory of Royal, aka Dirty Dog
In memory of Rahy
In memory of Frisky Spider
In memory of Run Kiva Run
In memory of Bart
In memory of Devil May Care
In memory of Jade Hunter
In memory of Norman
In memory of Fleet Indian
In memory of Tulip
In memory of Kensei
In memory of K R’s Regent
In memory of Giant Moon
In memory of Dodger
In memory of Avalon
In memory of Jake
In memory of Angel
In memory of Flame
In memory of Lotto
In memory of MollyCakes, aka A Passing Motion
In memory of Roxie
In memory of Meg
In memory of Legacy
In memory of Stormello
In memory of Thelma
In memory of Sergeant
In memory of Cellar Dweller
In memory of Jake
In memory of Weston
In memory of Goldie
In memory of Payton
In memory of Spencer
In memory of Michael Baze
In memory of Jess Jackson
And most of all, in loving memory of my father, Peter Anderson. “Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.” ~Emily Dickinson
photo ©2005 Wells P. Wilson
Many times, I’ve been asked if I was ever tempted to buy a horse from Camelot Auction, especially after photographing over 2,000 of them. Well, there was this one time… sort of… Click here: http://thetdnblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/it-takes-village-one-mares-journey-back.html
Wizard Session 324: Close to the Edge
Monday, 12/26/11
I’ve been visiting Wizard and letting him play in the indoor arena, but he has not gotten much work under his belt lately. He got a pair of EquiFit T-Boots for Christmas (thanks, Mom!) and the M/L size seems to fit. I like the way the foam molds to his leg when it gets warm.
Wizard is overdue for shoes (7 weeks when he’s usually on a strict 6-week schedule), so I was worried about him pulling a shoe. I put bell boots and his T-Boots on him. Mr. Sensitive acted like the bell boots were absolute torture, and stamped them like flies until he got used to them. I let him roll and play around in the indoor arena, and then we went in the round pen. I’ve done very little round pen work, so it was fun to give it a try. Wizard trotted to the left very nicely, but spun a few times to the right. The round pen took away his options, though, and it was super-easy to get him back in the correct direction. I could tell that the round pen was a little stressful for him- he broke out in a light sweat just from a little trot work. I kept the session extremely short because it was mentally taxing for him- we maybe did 5 minutes in the round pen. I’m interested in doing a little more work with his downward transitions in the round pen- hopefully, they will keep it set up in the arena for a while so we can get the hang of it.
I cooled him out and put him to bed with some hay. The weather is getting cooler, but it’s still pretty nice- no awful ice… yet.
From the TDN Blog…Zodiac: King of Maryland
Remember Zodiac? Here’s an update on the mighty chestnut… http://thetdnblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/zodiac-king-of-maryland.html
Wizard Rides 321, 322, 323: I am Just a Cowboy
This Sunday (12/18), Wizard’s barn hosted a team sorting event, and the cows stayed in the arena overnight. I swung by the barn to visit Wizard and took him in the arena to see the cows… he likes them! He was putting his nose over the gate, ears forward, hoping to make friends. Maybe I’ll try riding him with them someday.
Thursday, 12/8/11
I turned Wizard loose in the arena to let him stretch his legs, and then longed him for a few minutes in the indoor arena. We had an okay ride until I asked for the canter, and then he got more into the ear-pinning behavior, swishing his tail and bouncing a lot with his hind end. He kicks out, but not exactly bucking. Mom took a few pictures- at least he looks dapper…
Sunday, 12/11/11
My friend stopped by the barn and dropped off some bute for Wizard. She watched us ride in the outdoor arena. He got a little nappy at the in-gate so we worked on that. We also practiced mounting and dismounting until he was not as snarly when I got in the saddle. He was even more upset under saddle than he was on Thursday. As an experiment, I’m giving him 2 grams of bute each day for a week to see how it affects him.
Saturday, 12/17/11
Wizard was on bute every day for almost a week when I rode him next. I turned him loose in the arena to see how he was moving. Usually, he has to warm up a little before he does his “pretty trot” and looks a little trappy while he warms up. But on bute, he looked loose and limber from the beginning. I longed him, just to give him every opportunity to warm up, and he longed perfectly normally, just a little tight at the canter. I got in the saddle and… ugh. Kicking out, ears pinned, tail swishing. I rode through it and tried not to “stop riding” when he reacted. It didn’t matter- he is simply uncomfortable. The bute does not help under saddle, Time to get back out of the saddle and call the vet out again for further evaluation.
Wizard Ride 320: Almost Good
Monday, 12/5/11
Wizard wore his Back on Track mesh sheet for about an hour and a half before our ride tonight. I turned him loose in the indoor arena to let him loosen up, and he free-longed like a pro, changing gaits on command and using almost the entire arena while never getting “stuck” in any corners.
During our grooming session, he was almost good. He snapped once, and I had a hold of the lead rope so I could correct him. After that, he was an angel. He was really good for saddling, too. Hopefully my quick thinking kept this from becoming a habit.
Under saddle, Wizard was almost good. He was traveling like a sewing machine, with a lot of knee action and not a lot of engagement through his back and hind end. But there was less kicking and ear pinning. We rode in the indoor arena, and I had a bunch of trot poles set up for a change of scenery. I rode very complicated patterns, using shoulder in, leg yield, trotting over poles and around other poles, and doing some transitions. We did just a little canter work as part of our patterns, and his left lead was actually decent. He kicked out at the canter to the right once, but was perfect the second time. My plan is to have the chiropractor look at him 30 days after his last adjustment, and see if she finds any new changes since he has been lightly ridden since her last visit. Also, the farrier is due on the 16th, and I’m hoping the continued changes help him.
Wizard Rides 318 & 319: Foggy Notion
Monday, 11/28/11
I rode Wizard under the lights at night after work. He was really great at the walk and trot, with very little ear pinning or tail swishing… until we cantered. Then, he got bouncy and irritated. This horse is a puzzle.
Sunday, 12/4/11
Foggy, foggy night! I turned Wizard loose in the outdoor arena and he ran and ran and ran and ran. Tail flagged, nostrils flared, he was having a ball. I tacked him up and he got very goosey as soon as I was in the saddle. Once we did some trot work, he stopped pinning his ears and was better. We stopped in the middle of the ride and I dismounted while I watched my friend’s horse, and then got back in the saddle and continued our ride. Interestingly, there was no ear pinning. I am so confused! He rode really well at the trot in that second half of the ride. Is this a habit that he is picking up? Am I somehow reacting when he does it? I try really hard not to react and to keep riding, but I wonder if I am giving off some subtle body language. We mostly did circles and changes of direction and he did better with that than he did with lots of straightaways. He went from being really chompy on the bit to taking contact and actually sitting on it a little. We stopped again for a few minutes, and then he got ear-pinny again. I need to figure this thing out.
When we were done, I started grooming him on the cross ties. He pinned his ears and snapped in my direction. He has been doing this lately, and I decided that it was unacceptable behavior and put a lead rope on him that had a chain over the nose. One single “hey” with one pull on the chain completely removed all ear pinning and snapping. I then put the saddle pad and saddle back on a few times, and he stood like a stone. Some horses really respond to the chain, even when it’s barely used, and Wizard is one of them. He’s probably also surprised when I reprimand him since I’m usually a mush :^) I am attentive to his discomfort, but there is a line between being unhappy and misbehaving. I hope to get the chiropractor back out to see him when a month is up, and I’m curious to see what she thinks. If she can find an issue, I’m all ears, but so far, every professional has said, “just ride him”.
Horses and Hope: My Year at the Auction- a 2012 calendar for the Cyber Monday blues…
This summer, I teamed up with the generous folks at HoofPrints to create a 2012 calendar, titled Horses and Hope: My Year at the Auction (click here to order).
The calendars are $14.95 plus shipping. 100% of the profit is being donated to One Horse at a Time, a 501(c)(3) organization. One of my favorite aspects of OHAAT is the gelding grants that they write. My hope is that a good part of the funds from the calendar can help with gelding grants and clinics.
The calendar contains over 100 photos of horses, and represents almost two years of volunteer work. Since the Camelot Auction volunteer effort began, over 2,800 horses have been given another opportunity at new homes through a massive social networking effort.
Every week, I photograph all of the horses who have been sold to the feedlot, and the photos in the calendar were many of my favorites. The purpose of the calendar is to inspire people to look at horses in need in a different light. Although the photos were all taken at Camelot Auction, my hope is that it encourages other people to think about their own local efforts to help horses. In addition to photography, the calendar contains some positive quotes and information about how to help in your local equine community. We worked very hard to give the calendar a “can-do” theme, instead of a gloomy one.
You can click here to order the calendar: http://www.hoofprints.com/organizers.html
Thank you so much for all of your orders so far. They make great gifts. People have begun receiving their calendars, and the response has been wonderfully positive. Here are just a few of the fantastic comments that we have already received:
This is the nicest calendar I have ever seen. It’s not just a calendar, but a wonderful testament to the love that so many people have for the horses and donkeys that have run through Camelot. So many hours and hard work have made it possible for so many wonderful souls to find love again. It was a great idea to give a little bio on each person that is so actively involved each week. I bought several for Christmas gifts! I can’t think of anything more meaningful
The “quality” of the calendar, itself, is superb. The pictures, descriptions and stories are heartwarming and would be appreciated by anyone with a love of horses, animals, or photography!!! I’ve received six so far and I STRONGLY suggest these calendars be put on your gift list!!! It’s three-fold: the gift recipient gets a fantastic calendar, the calendar educates people, and the calendar helps horses, too!!!
“Just got my Horses and Hope 2012 calendar today – it is even better than I had imagined. The photos were sublime and your quotations are the icing on the cake! Anyone who has been on the fence about buying one – BUY IT! It’s well worth the price and is the kind of calendar you hang on to after the year is over! Thanks to you and Ms. Andrew for your great work! PLEASE consider doing again for 2013!”
I ordered two, they are lovely. I’m at a stage where most of the gifts I give to friends are double duty, a gift and a donation to a rescue. My friends appreciate getting that kind of gift.
I think the best way to describe it is it is like a coffee table in calendar format. The quality of the calendar is great… good sturdy paper, very well printed. The layout and quotes are spot on. Then Sarah’s photos are breathtaking… Sarah’s lens captures the heart and soul of the horses. I remember looking at it and thinking…… I’d love to see the reaction of a pro slaughter person after looking at this calendar… they’d have to be a cruel and heartless person to not be moved by the calendar and I would think they would question their beliefs.
To those in favor of ending slaughter… this calender answers without a doubt “why?”
In addition the calendar helps to answer the question “how?” because proceeds go to horse rescue. The calendar is simply amazing… I’m not a person who buys calendars, but this was WELL worth the money!!!!! THANK YOU, SARAH!!!
Received my calendars and sat down to look it over…laughed and cried and loved every minute of it. Soulful…remarkable…Hopeful!
I ordered this calendar because I knew the money was going to a good cause. But I was bowled over by the quality. Everything about it is lovely — the photography, the text and the printing. I’m so glad I ordered extras for gifts.
They are breathtaking. I usually do not buy horse calendars: the horses are ugly and shot from goofy angles, in fields full of nasty weeds. This calendar is different: the photos carry a weight and depth you just don’t get in 99.9% of the photos taken and produced today.
They’ll ship quickly and are packed professionally so no dents and dings if they will be given as gifts.
I encourage everyone to consider these beautiful calendars.
I have ordered and received 4 so far and couldn’t wait until Christmas to give them away. I looked through all 4 of them and cried and smiled as I recognized so many faces. The quotes and stories are heartwarming and Sarah’s pictures are breathtaking, as always. For anyone who loves horses, or wants a great gift for the horse lover in their life, this is it. This calendar emanates love and hope- there is no comparison- all the calendars at the mall during the holidays cannot hold a candle to this one. A big thank you to Sarah and Hoofprints! Now to order myself and my mother-in-law one this week!
I read the calendar from cover to cover and was blown away! I am also a photographer and love photographing horses, but could never come close to Sarah’s work! Every horse and burro comes through as an individual, and the true value of each shines through. After I was done, I asked my husband if he would like to see it. He was very quiet for a long time, and I realized that he had also read to cover to cover. He really likes it, too! I wish I could afford to give one to every single person on my Christmas list this year (as you mentioned, shipping costs slow me down on that front some)… The quotes are also lovely and inspiring. More!!!!
A lifelong horse lover, I have had many horse calendars in my 47 years. This is the best one! Best pics! Love the stories (even though they bring tears) and quotes!
LOVE them! Not just the simple one photo per month type horse calendar.
Just got my calendar and it is beautiful. I find Sarah’s photography to be so inspiring, and the work done at Camelot helps so many.
I think it is absolutely beautiful. So much work went into the design, the quotes, I can’t wait to hang it up!
It not only brought tears to my eyes but it brought hope to my heart to those out there that are so dedicated and willing to help the helpless
My calendar is absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait for 2012 to start so I can proudly display it. My husband and I spent an evening just gazing at the beautiful photos and reading the fantastic stories….wonderful!!!
I got mine – and I gotta say couldn’t be happier! The photos are beautiful (like they could be anything else) and the sayings are also great. Wonderful investment!!
The calendars are extraordinary! Sarah’s photos are amazing, as always, and the quotes and sayings are perfect. I can’t wait to hang mine up in 2012!
I got mine, they look great, even more quality than I expected!
This calendar is both beautiful and inspirational. As soon as I got one for myself, I immediately ordered several more as Christmas gifts!
Love my horses & hope calendars..they’re so beautiful and well done. love all the little anectodes too….many brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for a job well done. Will be ordering more!
I ordered 3 and love them! This calendar is educational and heartwarming, every picture gives you a good feeling. Sarah K. Andrew along with HoofPrints have done a marvelous job! I can’t wait for the 2013 calendar!
Rock and Racehorses: The Blog 