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
Rock and Racehorses: Sarah K. Andrew 