Photography Friday – The Big E Saddleseat Show
I have a confession to make. I think Saddlebreds are gorgeous. I don’t want to own one. I don’t want to ride one. I don’t want to get into an argument about how the trainers may or may not be “abusive”. I just think they’re really pretty.
I also think these photos, taken at the Big E fair in Springfield, MA are also kinda pretty. The lighting is a bit challenging in that arena, but I managed to get a few that I was happy with.
21 thoughts on “Photography Friday – The Big E Saddleseat Show”
In my dressage lessons, lately, I’ve been channeling my inner saddle-seat rider in order to maintain my correct position. When the mare drops connection, I fall in front of the vertical! It’s quite a challenge! “Riding saddleseat” helps. 😉
Saddlebreds are an awful lot of fun to ride!!
I’m not a huge fan of Saddlebreds because I’m into the more masculine, larger build horses-Paints, Quarters, Apps, blah blah blah- but these pictures are beautiful!! Due to living in Tennessee and VERY close to the heart of TWH shows, I’ve seen far too many cases of soring and etc, just to produce a high step, so I’m not a fan of *that* unless it’s a natural thing, which is possible. BUT either way, gorgeous pictures, IMO all horses are beautiful, even if I’m not a ginormous fan of the breed! I can most definitely be in awe of the grace of them! Great job on the pics as usual!
On another note, there is a young saddlebred colt at my barn and I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want to ride him once he’s broke..talk about a dreamy gait! Le sigh!!
Kalin, I’m right there with you regarding the “all horses are lovely” school of thought!
I’ll throw a leg over anything, just for the experience. 🙂
As always, lovely pictures.
Since its all about the photos ill just say good job and not go on a tear about how abusive I think sorting is etc.
Were you show photographer? If you were, A+ job — the lighting at the Big E is miserable at best (challenging was a nice way to put it!) and these came out well. What were you shooting with, just out of curiosity? I quit bringing my camera with my to Eastern States (either for shows or for the Equine Affaire) because I don’t have a fast enough lens yet!
I wasn’t, just stopped in to watch a few classes while my husband patiently had a beer 🙂 I was shooting with a Canon Digital Rebel XT and a Sigma f2.8 70-200mm. The settings were 1/250, f2.8, with 1600 ISO. Love that flickr saves that stuff!
1600 ISO?! I’d expect some grain! Gorgeous!
They do if you blow them up and look closely. I wouldn’t print out bigger than 8 x 10. My body now (60D) is amazing for grain. I usually shoot around 2000 ISO for our indoor (because it’s the worst lighting ever) and it is still okay!
I have a major soft spot for Saddlebreds myself – much more versatile breed then they get credit for! Great photos =)
Those tails! How on earth do you maintain them?!
They cut their nerves to make them flip up and then keep them in tail sets and tail bags 24/7… true story. I’m sure they use fake tails and stuff too- I use to use a fake tail in my quarter horse days lol! But they are crazy long and make for a pretty pic!
They are gorgeous!:D
I love the skadaddlebreds too! 🙂
Great pictures!! I am not a saddle seat fan but these are lovely!
My best friend grew up riding saddlebreds, winning several national titles etc. She was really talented. I did hate though that they never got turned out and were basically made to be crazy and used about 8,000 contraptions and cut nerves in their tails to get them to curl up like that. I hated that. That being said… she let me ride her 5 gaited saddle bred once and racking was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done lol. Some great photos though!
Great photos! Look at the bendy legs on the driving pony in pic #7!!
That can’t be good for his joints!
I actually don’t like the look of saddlebreds, the proportions are too skewed for me… or maybe because I also never liked the Breyer model. But I do love the clothing and derby hats of the riders – though, that breaks the helmet rule I have.
My moms good friend rides saddle seat and has a few saddlebreds. Not my fav but she loves it. It’s a totally different world in saddlebred land. I feel like I’m in the heart of it. Lots of race horses and lots of saddle horses!
Great pics, even if I don’t condone the discipline 🙂