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Thursday, January 26, 2017

Trials of Owning an Equine Supermodel

Not infrequently, I get asked by people how it is I have so many gorgeous pictures of Courage all the time. 

As tempting as it is to just bust out, "because I'm a bloody amazing photographer, bitches!" the truth is that Courage is a natural model. He's really, really, really ridiculously good looking and it's all the freaking time. That poses some natural challenges for me, his human accompaniment. Here is a list of some of them.


1) I'm not a super model. 

Unlike Courage, I have lumps and bad hair days and sometimes, my outfit just isn't cutting it. 
one of us is killing it
I mean, I love my hoodie and I'm fine with spending more time dressing C than myself every day of the week, but it does make for some unflattering contrasts. 


2) Everywhere we go, he gets recognized. 

I mean. It's fine. I know I'm his primary admirer and I'm the one who makes him famous, but basically every time the horse goes out in public, I hear "ooooooh look that's Courage". 
he always makes a splash
Do you know how many times I have been recognized in public? One. 


3) He requires an extensive wardrobe. 

You ordinary, average horse just wears whatever and nobody notices. 
yes more than one fully custom bridle
Courage is just so eye-catching and distinctive that I have a public duty to keep him in a steady lineup of finery. 


4) He needs more out of photographers. 

With Courage, I don't need some out-of-focus ass shot from that awkward moment in trot where it looks like the horse has two legs as sad proof of his existence. 

No. I need a PHOTOGRAPHER, someone who has high standards, excellent taste, and an eye for magic. Oh, and they have to like us enough that I can afford them, since all-out, pro-level photo shoots are just not in the budget every week.


5) It never stops. 

I can get all dolled up and look cute for a couple hours (hey, be nice), but then I revert to normal, you know? I think Carhartts are a good fashion statement. 
hullo fabulous
Whether Courage has pro lighting and accompaniment or he's just standing in his stall waiting for me to get my act together, he looks amazing. Like. Knock it off already. 
just posing like nbd
I don't have tips to make your horse a supermodel--I'm pretty sure it's just a genetic thing that makes Courage the way he is. I can say that if your horse doesn't spend his free time practicing showing off his best angles, thank your lucky stars. It's harder to get a good picture, but easier to look like you belong together.

27 comments:

  1. You never disappoint 😂 I wish Cinna would take some lessons from Courage! Ruby too for that matter....

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  2. That purple outfit in the last photo is amazing!

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  3. I am right there with you on every point you made. I look like a hobo next to my posing supermodel horse. He has gotten recognized several times by people I don't even know (I guess having a winning racehorse has its perks?). I also own a ridiculous amount of tack to keep him looking extra fabulous. And finding a truly excellent photographer worthy of my horse was a chore.
    Owning a posing, 1200lb, supermodel diva, is harder than people would think haha

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    1. He has yet to be recognized by racing connections, but there was an old picture of him on pedigree query, so there could be someone out there who would know him.

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  4. My horse's clothing budget is about 10x mine. Probably more if I'm truly honest

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  5. LOL. It's the BLAZE (that's my answer and I'm sticking to it)

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  6. Ha Courage knows how to work a camera that's for sure!! Charlie definitely has the gentlemanly statesman look down too haha, or at least his own moose-nosed version of it ;)

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  7. I couldn't help but let my mind wander to Naomi
    Campbell...supermodel + shenanigans...Courage...supermodel + shenanigans....lol...

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    Replies
    1. I don't know what you're talking about but I'm going to find out. ;-)

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    2. LOL...unmatched beauty, with a touch of tantrums and flailing ;)

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  8. One of my horses is THE WORST model. I take 500 pictures of him every day (okay, not that many) and very rarely do I get one that I just love. He gets in nice model moods but very seldom. My grulla yearling, however? Model worthy. Drool worthy. *Takes 1000000 photos a day* I love modeling ponies.
    www.baysoverbaes.wordpress.com

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    1. If I actually do tale 500000 headshots in the same 24 hour period, I sometimes get some stank face, but that goes away pretty fast. He likes being famous, ok? ;-)

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  9. Ozzy does the supermodel thing as well. I feel your "pain" :-P

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  10. I relate so hard to this. Rio is also, really really REALLY ridiculously good looking. I've been stopped by other horse people at A rated horse shows asking to take his photo. Even now with only half a face from epm, he still outshines his dirty mom.

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    1. It must be genetic. I know people like this too. I just try not to be photographed with them, haha.

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  11. I can't relate :( My mare takes awful photos. She looks like a dumpy, pot bellied pony in every single shot. When people meet her in real life they are always amazed that she really truly is a beautiful, athletic mare. Of course, my horrible photography skills don't help any.

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    1. There is a lot to be said for the photographer, but alas, some horses just don't have the gift.

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  12. Miss mare and her dainty little Trakehner face are (in my COMPLETELY unbiased opinion) stellar in pictures, but... going on 8 years with me means that she has *perfected* the "oh, mom brought out the camera, time to look completely disinterested" face. Don't let C-rage catch on. (also burgundy is totally his color, dayum)

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  13. If you ever want this photographer to come visit... you just let me know ;)

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