Tag: Breed of the Month

From inspiring stories of underdog horse-and-rider duos finding success in the dressage arena, to informative horse and rider health features, articles highlighting unique and...

I initially didn’t have a particular breed in mind.  I just wanted something young to bring along myself, with gaits for dressage, and large enough to fit my 5’3 frame.  I posted some inquiries on Facebook and received a message from Lesley Feakins at Trevelyan Farm, a New Forest Pony breeder, who had a 4-year-old for sale.  Wishbone was a 14 hand bay gelding, who was cute as a button and had a great hind leg.  I decided to take a leap of faith and bought him sight unseen. 

The strong & hardy New Forest Pony! We are celebrating them as our December Breed of the Month on #YourDressage! Dressage riders who choose New...

The strong & hardy New Forest Pony! We are celebrating them as our December Breed of the Month on YourDressage! We asked our social...

The stunning Lipizzan! We are celebrating them as our September Breed of the Month on YourDressage! Dressage riders who choose Lipizzans as their mounts are...

The stunning Lipizzan! We are celebrating them as our September Breed of the Month on YourDressage! Dressage riders who choose Lipizzans as their mounts are eligible...

As the Lead Photographer for the Tempel Lipizzans, I am familiar with this view. May at Tempel Farms has always been time for our annual marketing shoot. I have loved this magical place since the first day I set foot here in June of 2013. I used to live a mere 20 minutes away and spent many hours and days here. This is where I first heard the word, “dressage”. This is where I learned how to properly photograph moving horses. Over the ensuing years, I have traveled with them, photographed the clinics they hosted, and was welcomed into the Tempel Farms fold.

There are certain memories from my childhood that stand out. From my earliest moments in life, I remember being totally obsessed with horses. By the time I came along, my parents had started to build a farm in South Carolina with some acreage, raised cows, and procured a couple of pasture puff horses that were mostly feral. I rode every chance I could. My mind was constantly daydreaming of a certain racing Arabian black stallion (thanks Walter Farley) and numerous dancing grey Lipizzaners in formation from Miracle of the White Stallions!

The stunning Lipizzan! We are celebrating them as our September Breed of the Month on YourDressage! Dressage riders who choose Lipizzans as their mounts are eligible...

As we built our partnership, we accumulated a number of accomplishments, but I would have to say our greatest accomplishment was obtaining all six USDF Rider Medals and USDF Freestyle Bars together - all before I turned 21. We are one of only a small number of US riders to accomplish this feat in general, let alone an even smaller group to do so at such a young age and all on one horse.