Horse Show!

Horse show season has started again. This past weekend was our first show of the season, Horse Shows in the Park at Canterbury Showplace in Newberry, FL. It was a weekend full of working out the kinks, getting back into the routine and still having fun despite the weather (which rained on Saturday and was gray and really windy on Sunday). We have a new addition to our show team, Sunny and her pony Rosie, who show in the short stirrup division. I always have fun taking photos at the horse show, but I had a BLAST taking photos of Sunny. This is a little girl who LOVES her pony!! She is the true story of the fairy tale little girl with a little white pony. I love her smile and how she hugs her pony after every class. It was so great to hang out with Sunny and her family this weekend, along with my other friends and horse show family. Aja and I made our first foray into the hunter world, competing in a Medal class. I was proud of how we both did for our first time, but I also know now what we need to work on for the future. Don't worry -- we're not abandoning the jumpers, just trying some new things and expanding our horizons. Besides, I wouldn't abandon Bailey out there alone! She and Danny did great this weekend as well. Ella brought two of her greenies in training to the show as well. Both were super stars and did well in their classes. Here are a few of my favorites from the show, the rest can be found on my gallery site.

Despite the noise in this one, I love this shot of Jack -- looks like a painting to me.

Sunny and her pony, Rosie.

Bailey and Danny in the 2'6 jumpers.

Jack in his first horse show!

Super Hottie!

Resolutions

I didn't set a New Year's Resolution this year. I have in years past but they always seemed to be dropped by the wayside by the end of February, if they make it that long. I did, however, think about the things that I want to do this year -- things to change, things to achieve, things to try. For example, I'd like to do more black and white work with my portraits. I love color and the emotions it can create, but there is nothing as elegant as a well done black and white portrait.  I also want to promote my self better this year. Self promotion is something that I find difficult because it feels so... well, self promoting. I have some ideas for getting my name out there a little more -- I'll fill you all in when I get more of the details!

I have also been thinking about the opportunties I have this year -- which are many and varied, both within and outside of my photography. My best friends have invited me to photograph their wedding, which would have been exciting enough before they added the part where the wedding is to be held in Spain! Not only am I blessed to be involved in the marriage of two of my best friends, but that they would trust me to document this incredible occasion for them is just downright humbling. I'm so excited for May and the fun it's going to bring!  The horse show season always brings opportunities as well. Here in Florida, we're lucky to have a year long season. I'm looking forward to getting out there and shooting all of my friends and fellow competitors at the Horse Shows in the Park series at Canterbury, as well as some of the other nearby shows. Hopefully, I'll get down to HITS at least one weekend to watch the Grand Prix, too.

Finally, I would just like to thank everyone who has shown me such amazing support over the past year as I have developed Sarah Reed Photography. You have all been a blessing and I truly appreciate you!

And because no entry is complete with out a photo: 

This is Sarah, an adorable lab pup owned by my wonderful friend Kathy. She was quite tired after playing with Annie and Bella for a few hours while the rest of us visited!

The many faces of Emma...

I'm an aunt.... and that's a glorious thing! I feel so loved when Emma runs up and says "Aunt Sarah, come do this, or that"  or "Guess what, Aunt Sarah??"  Emma gives the best hugs and we have had such fun playing with her Christmas toys.  Jon and Sarah asked me to take some photos of Emma for them, which I was thrilled to do. So I set up Dad's equipment and Emma and I played. We made funny faces and serious faces and smiley faces. We danced and posed and looked sad.... We had a great time!  She makes a lovely ballerina:

A pretty smile with teeth!

One of our sillier moments :)

Constant motion! But one of my favorite shots.

A little quietness.

And her beautiful eyes and smile.

The rest of the photos are on my website, feel free to take a look!