I was born loving horses. I have the typical non horse start. Growing up a suburb of Chicago there weren't too many options to get near horses. I would read anything and everything horse related, did all of my school projects on horses, much to the shagrin of my teachers, drew and drew horses and pretended to be an Olympic cross country jumper in my back yard with my dad's saw horses and my mom's flower beds. Every birthday wish was for what I called a “Quarter Horse mare that is tan with black legs, black main and tail, a stripe down her back and with no white markings.” before I understood that this horse is a dun.
I found a stable that worked with people with disabilities and volunteered there in exchange for ride time. I met some amazing people and incredible horses. In high school I found another stable with Arabians. Here I learned the finer points of manure management, feeding, showing, training, Arabian maintenance and how to deal with the incredibly wealthy.
I enrolled in every art class available all throughout school. I was always neck and neck at art shows with a friend of mine for first place. In 1992 I won a scholarship to The Chicago Art Institute.
When I was a kid I would read the classified ads from the Chigago Tribune in the “Livestock” section to see if there were any horses I would go look at just incase I ever had the money. I meat many dream horses there however that was where I met them and they remained a dream. In 1995 I landed an awesome job with an awesome boss. He just so happened to have a subscription to the Chicago trib so I started reading the ads again. I had a large chunk of cash saved up in my bank account and had a most strange idea that perhaps I might just be able to get a horse. Two weeks of reading the ads and no buckskins. Then one fateful morning there she was, the buckskin! The ad read “Beautiful buckskin QH mare 6 y/o registered IBHA”. I had a conversation with my boss and he agreed to cover the difference between my bank account and the purchase price until I could pay him back. He then ordered me to go to Indiana and chase that dream. I called for directions and left that Saturday morning.
I arrived at a wonderful barn on a warm sunny August morning. The barn owner said that the horse’s owner was getting a divorce and cold no longer afford to keep her. She assured me that the mare had no vices and was quite an easy keeper. She then went out back to gather her from the field and I wated in the arena for them to return. My first glimps was of what I thought to be a white horse coming in from the very sunny dry lot. It was so bright outside and the arena was so dry and dusty it was hard to get a good look at this horse. I turned and walked slowly down the isle until I heard hoof steps on concrete. When I heard the crossties snap to the halter I slowly turned around to look at this horse.
She was stunning. Perfect ears lined with chocolate brown, soft light brown eyes, jet black main with frosted high lights, chocolate legs with zebra striping, the stripe down her back ending in a frosted tail and a soft muzzle and not a single white hair. As she looked at me I started to get tunnel vision and could only see her face, she softly nickered and I realized that I was about to pass out. I regained my composer as quickly as I could. The barn owner had gone to the tack room to get some fly spray and tack for a test ride. I don’t believe it is safe to just jump on any horse and ride off (this was probably form experiences at the Arabian stable) but I was still not feeling quite rite so I let the barn owner do the riding. She moved wonderfully. The only problems I saw with her were the typical foundation QH slight toed out and cow hocked-ness commonly found in the old line QH’s.
I asked if it would be alright to keep boarding her at this barn so that I would be around people who knew the mare. The barn owner seemed pleased that I asked this and quickly agreed. She then told me that there were a few other people coming to look at her and I should get back with her with my decision as soon as possible. Of course I knew the second I turned around in the isle way that I would get this mare but I was trying to keep cool about the whole idea and give myself a chance to think about it. That was my attempt at responsibility. I went home and called her the next morning to make arrangements to exchange a check and barn keys.
Years later I met Classy’s former owner and discovered that she and the barn owner discussed the various potential buyers for Classy and that they chose me out of the several people who came out to see her.
This mare changed my life forever and forever I will be grateful to have her in my life. She is my friend, my teacher, my student, my inspiration, my muse, my companion and my equine soul mate.
About a year after I met Classy I went to horseshoeing school became a shower/blacksmith, then on to riding instructor and trainer.
I now currently live with my husband, daughter and board Classy, Pansy, my daughter’s mini and lease Classy’s daughter Lasso to a friend.
There is a lot of work involved in creating an award winning model horse. Hours of model prep, designing the model, repositioning, haring or sculpting the main and tail and finish work as are all part of the process. This work can take weeks, months and sometimes over a year depending on the mediums you choose.
This can be a costly endeavor as well. An airbrush is a must have. A quality air compressor is needed as well as the airbrush itself. A motor tool, (for example Dremel brand) is quite helpful and speeds up the process. Sheets of sandpaper, fillers, paint,
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Every so often one encounters a very special animal that will never leave one's heart. These beings can be memorialized as artwork for that perfect place in your home. By using a series of well taken photos
Grab a cup of coffee, espresso, hot chocolate or tea on these chilly nights and visit with the community. Feel free to engage in the Model horse banter or the Live horse chats. You will find tips and tricks of all sorts so please join and add your own findings.