Just Writing Through: Photos with Smiling Mis

(Sorry in advance for the large watermarks -- I can't release the clean images yet!)

Off-Track Thoroughbred Smiling Mis

After several crazy weeks, well, my crazy schedule persists. This week, though, I was both excited and challenged by a fun equestrian shoot opportunity:

I had the pleasure of shooting Smiling Mis – an eight-year-old Off-Track Thoroughbred. The sun was shining – something you can rarely count on here in the Midwest – even when sun is *in* the forecast!

Smiling Mis, her owner and my good friend Krista and me ~ enjoying some barn time. *photo credit goes to my oldest daughter

This was a last-minute session, actually – thrown in at a moment’s notice. With the weather cooperating and the timing having worked out, Smiling Mis didn’t disappoint.

The mare shoot began with Smiling Mis (a great granddaughter of one of the most celebrated and accomplished Thoroughbreds – Northern Dancer – and great-great-great granddaughter of Canadian icon Native Dancer) at liberty – bucking and galloping in a pasture – much to her heart’s content. Behind the lens I watched and snapped away as she appeared to almost effortlessly fling her athletic body in the air demonstrating her strength, power and stamina. As I stood on a fencepost and Smiling Mis rapidly galloped and kicked her way toward me, I could feel my own heart pounding. But to see her lean muscles, to watch the heat coming off her coat and to witness that fire in her eyes and her intense breaths pouring out of those wide nostrils... well, it was proof of the enormous amount of energy she had expended in those moments. Her composure and athleticism cleverly belied the difficulty of the exercise.

Smiling Mis showing off in the pasture!

There were kicks and bucks and snorts and heart-stopping moments, but there were FABULOUS action shots here!

We moved over to the outdoor riding arena after Smiling Mis was tacked up – a pretty leather bridle, show reins, English saddle and a floral saddle pad to boot. This was very exciting to my little girls who took note immediately!

Suddenly that fiery personality and feisty athleticism that seemed to be more at home in an eventing category became calm and loyal. A steady walk around the outside of the arena ending with a nice poised portrait session with ears up seemed almost too easy. Trotting and cantering, too – everything taken in stride, with a determined sense of perfection.

My daughters threw hay in Smiling Mis’ direction to perk up those ears, but she rarely needed coaxing. Smiling Mis – a horse who has likely seen it all as a racehorse (having to burst out of a gate into a gallop, being trailered around, and performing while maintaining composure in the midst of loud noises, crowds and other nuisances) – was a joy to work with.

So much so that when Smiling Mis’ owner offered to let me climb into the saddle, I hoisted myself up and sat down.

This beautiful bay Thoroughbred with a pretty white star and midnight mane won my heart, and I couldn’t have been happier with the images I walked away with!