Baroque horse magazine ~ issue 5 sampler

Baroque

Issue 5

The Royal Stud

ALTER Friesian Stallion

d set.

.Piaffe

BHM Follows

dv

vealed Re

De

tails Inside

Gonçalo Carvalho &

RUBI Alter Real to the OLYMPICS!

Starting again?

Why many go for

BAROQUE!

Price $7.95 AUD

Painting by Kim Bishop of ‘Decreto’

Sake 449 Sport

b a r o q u e h o r s e 1.

Wadelee Graphics

Hotse

of Black Swan

Hotse

Imported Sport Permit Stallion

by Jasper 366 Hotse has exceptional expressive and fluid movement also he has a wonderful temperament Hotse is available for fresh & chilled semen. He will be standing at stud in Victoria for 2012- 2013 Service Fee Non Friesian

168 cm dob 20/4/2002

John Thompson with Hotse

Ravens Lodge Breeding for Performance & Pleasure Friesians & Friesian cross stock for sale & mares in foal for sale

$1450

Friesian mares

$1750

Asje: Due for

Hotse foal Nov 2012 Sponsored by 2. b a r o q u e h o r s e

ph 1300 857 727

0428 037 009 www.ravenslodge.com.au 0414 693 708 www.blackswanfriesians.com.au

Open to expressions of interest to book your own Hotse foal

Part Andalusian Filly

Australis Romanzo stands at Yalkin Stud, Monarto South Australia. If you don't have a suitable mare, or don’t want to interrupt your riding schedule, just choose one of Yalkin Stud’s quality mares to breed your next horse from this unique boy. Breed your own Pure Andalusian, Australian Andalusian or Part Andalusian for a set monthly fee.

Youngstock sometimes available. For more information www.yalkin.com.au Email: tiffany.ayres@bigpond.com Phone:0407 609 908 Yalkin Stud PO Box 367 Monarto 5254 South Australia

This is the horse who does not stand on the laurels of his breeds’ reputation and pedigree -

He is out & doing it.

PHOTO JENNY BARNES

Pura Raza Espanola Pure Spanish Andalusian 15.2hh Registered with Australian & Spanish Studbooks

PHOTO IN MOTION PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO IN MOTION PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO JENNY BARNES

PHOTO IN MOTION PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO IN MOTION PHOTOGRAPHY

Pura Raza Espanola Pure Spanish Andalusian 15.2hh Registered with Australian & Spanish Studbooks

Australis Romanzo stands at Yalkin Stud, Monarto South Australia. If you don't have a suitable mare, or don’t want to interrupt your riding schedule, just choose one of Yalkin Stud’s quality mares to breed your next horse from this unique boy. Breed your own Pure Andalusian, Australian Andalusian or Part Andalusian for a set monthly fee.

Youngstock sometimes available. For more information www.yalkin.com.au Email: tiffany.ayres@bigpond.com Phone:0407 609 908 Yalkin Stud PO Box 367 Monarto 5254 South Australia

He is out & doing it.

This is the horse who does not stand on the laurels of his breeds’ reputation and pedigree Part Andalusian Filly Romanzo X Welsh Cob

b a r o q u e h o r s e 3.

lusitanos for sale

Coudelaria Quinta Oliveira

Ph: +351938920119 geral@coudelariaquintaoliveira.com.pt

4. b a r o q u e h o r s e

www.coudelariaquintaoliveira.com.pt

From the Editor ..

Welcome to Issue 5 of Baroque Horse Magazine

Baroque

Issue 5

The Royal Stud

ALTER Friesian Stallion

I’d also like to thank Sarah Warne, our very hard working journalist and sponsored rider for her support and never wavering dedication to BHM. Sarah has been an integral part of the team from get go, and has worked hard to bring it to you, the reader, the vision of BHM. Thank you Sarah.

A special thanks to all the contributors and photographers who help make this magazine what it is today. Riz, Caroline, Manolo, Jessica, Laura Z, Sue, Anna, Antonio, Pedro just to name a few. Thank you!

Issue 5 is now our first print issue!

Availableforsubscriptionpurchaseallround theworldandinnewsstandsinAustraliaonly!

The concept of BHM was founded here in Australia and quickly expanded into to a global magazine enabling all baroque horse lovers world-wide the opportunity to be apart of a truly unique publication for all.

We’re proud to say that we have contributors all over the world. With regular contributors Riz Ilyas in the USA, Sarah Warne in Portugal, Jessica Morton in Italy, Manolo Mendez in Australia and new contributors from Russia, UK, Netherlands and many more on the upcoming issues of BHM. Making us truly a global magazine!

We’d love to hear from you and what you think of the magazine, what you’d like to see more of, or even any important topics that you would like to see covered.

Join us in our journey and ... go for BAROQUE!

DanielleSkerman

.Piaffe

BHM Follows

vealed d set.

I’d like to thank Patty Taylor for all the work she has done behind the scenes.

Organising the administrative side, handling all the advertising and general enquiries. It has been a large task and I appreciate all your hard work. Thank you.

Re

dv

Time has finally come and we have printed our first issue of BHM. It’s a pretty exciting time for us here.

Lots of hard work from the great team behind BHM. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked tirelessly to get this first print issue to the stands.

De

tails Inside

Gonçalo Carvalho &

RUBI Alter Real to the OLYMPICS!

Starting again?

Price $7.95 AUD

Why many go for

BAROQUE!

Painting by Kim Bishop of ’Decreto’

Sake 449 Sport

On the cover: Painting

By Kim Irwin of “Decreto”

Editor In Chief: Danielle Skerman Advertising: Patty Taylor Design: Danielle Skerman Photograpers: Pedro Yglesias de Oliveira Cally Matherly, Antonio Mendonca Alexia Khruscheva, Laura Zugzda Lesley Skipper, Tibor Berecz Gábor Monos, István Merle Karen Hodges.Heidi Payne Direct Shots Contributors: Sarah Warne, Danielle Skerman Caroline Larrouilh, Manolo Mendez Jessica Morton, Riz Ilyas Sue Whitmore, Laura Zugzda Anna Melton Distributor: Network Services Pty Ltd Printer: DAI Rubicon Pty Ltd ©Baraque Horse Magazine AU. 2011 All Rigths Reserved. No part of this publication, editorial or advertisement, may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The content of the advertisements within this publication is the responsibility of the advertiser. Although due care is taken in the preparation and publication for all advertising material, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or for any consequential effects. Opinions and statements made by others in submitted text may not be the same as those held by either the publisher or the editor.

b a r o q u e h o r s e 5.

Contributors Manolo Mendez Master horseman with over forty years of experience spanning classical dressage, doma vaquera and jumping. Manolo Mendez was the first Head Rider, and one of six founding members of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Sarah Warne Young dressage rider and Equestrian journalist, Sarah Warne, grew up in Australia. She now lives and trains in Portual under Mr João Pedro Rodrigues, and is loving everyday she spends training her 6 year old Lusitano Batailo!

Riz Ilyas A proponent for ethical horse training and showing.

He is a strong and very vocal critic of those who are abusive to horses. Most of his free time is spent with what he refers to as his “Merry Band of Misfits” as most are rescues.

He gives credits to a wonderful group of people who have been kind enough to mentor him in the different aspects of horsemanship.

contents

09 Gonçalo Carvalho Conchinhas & Rubi Alter Real

18

Photographer Profile Alexia Khruscheva

49 Dressage Markers

92 Team BHM

84 The Forest Boyz

96 Riz’s Rant

86 Photoshop

78 The Lipizzaner

Tutorial

Jessica Morton A New Zealander who has been living near Florence, Italy for the past 6 years.

She owns two horses with her husband, a Lipizzaner cross and a Sardinian Anglo Arab.

6. b a r o q u e h o r s e

36

BHM talks to Sylvia Loch

26 42

Sake 449

JUST 4 FUN 60

Manolo Mendez, Thoughts on Working In-Hand

Working Equitation with Roberta Inama

12

63

Reader’s Gallery

68 52 57

Equine Artist Kim Irwin

The Royal Alter Stud

Kids Educational with Sprinkles

70

Horses for Sale

72

Starting Again, why go for Baroque!

b a r o q u e h o r s e 7.

8. b a r o q u e h o r s e

Representing the Lusitano in London 2012 Olympics with

Gonçalo Carvalho Conchinhas &

Rubi Alter Real

Written By: Sarah Warne Photos: Pedro Yglesias de Oliveira & ‘supplied’

G

alloping towards the 2012 Olympics, Gonçalo Carvalho Conchinhas is set to make history with his Lusitano in London, having just scored an outstanding 78% for his Grand Prix Kur in Spain.

“When I found out we had qualified, I felt great pride and also a great certainty that all the sacrifices we had made over the last nine years were absolutely worth it,” says 29-year-old Conchinhas.

Arriving on the international dressage scene just three years ago, Conchinhas has already proven his success and come a long way in bringing his Alter Real Lusitano, Rubi, all the way to the TOP! “This is without a doubt the highlight of my career – not only bringing Rubi into the top 100 dressage pairs in the world, but then managing to stay in 30th place in the FEI World Ranking with a Lusitano! With our recent scores topping 73% in the GP and 78% in the Kur, I feel great responsibility and pressure because I know that it will not be every day that I will achieve these scores!

Not to mention the score of 83% in the FEI six-year-old class with a new Lusitano.”

Also taking Coudelaria João Pedro Rodrigues’ youngster, Bariloche, into the international young horse class, Conchinhas proved that Rubi is not the only Lusitano destined for greatness, with young ones of the breed proving their potential for dressage competition! b a r o q u e h o r s e 9.

rt o p S 9 ake 44

BHM Talks to Jeanne Toonen Owner of the Amazing Friesian Stallion Sake 449 Sport

S

BHM: How did you get into friesians? was it a family tradition?

JT: When I met my husband 35 years ago, he was stallion owner. He had riding horse stallions, thoroughbred Haflingers and Arabs. After we were married I arrived here in the village had two friends who had Friesian horses.

They had their mares to cover up and down to Friesland. There were more and more Friesian horses around here, and this is when we decided to buy a Friesian stallion. This is how we got into owning Friesians.

BHM:What is it that you love about the friesians that keeps you breeding?

JT: After owning Friesians for some time, we are now absolutely in love

12. b a r o q u e h o r s e

Photos: Cally Matherly & ‘Supplied’

with them. We love the character of the Friesian horse – so calm and cool!

Friesian horses really love children and people. They think with you; they are very intelligent.

BHM: how long have you had Sake for and how did you come about to own him?

JT: Sake 449 Sport was our last purchase. We bought him because we wanted different blood in our breeding and wanted to diversify our lines. Sake fitted well into our breeding program.

BHM: Can you tell us a little about Sake’s personality please? What is he like?

JT: Sake is a stallion who always wants to work and does so with much

pleasure. He has a strong personality and is astonishingly sweet! When I say he has a strong personality, I mean that old soul when he knows he must do something and does the job. For example, in the morning he must cover, because obviously as stallion owners he has to earn a living for us. He knows that he should do this nicely. When we are at a show he knows that he has a job to do and that he must concentrate and forget all the mares around him.

Last year there was a “hengs sighted” mare with him in the dressage court, and that mare was in season and was very showy to Sake; but Sake knew, “I’m working and must not be looking at you”. So he ran his test neatly and remained quiet. When he finished his test he received huge applause from everyone who was there, and everyone said what a super stallion! This is where

Sake 449 Sport

b a r o q u e h o r s e 13.

M

ember of Russian Union Photographers, member of Association Equestrian Photographers of Russia.

Participant and winner of Russian and international photography competitions, photo exhibitions: EquiFoto(Moscow, 2008-2009), 2010 Equine Ideal Online Photography Contest »(USA, 2010), The Best of Russia 2010 (Moscow, 2011), First open national award «Best photographer» (Moscow, 2009) etc.

The author of photopublications in Russian and Europenian equestrian magazines (The Gift of Freedom, Golden Mustang, My Horse, RusTrakehner, Alfa-Centaurus, Horse Bazaar, Gippomaniya, Live View, Equus, Cheval

Junior, Mundo Equestre, I Nostri Amici Cavalli, etc).

Servicing Russia and Europe with an individual approach to each client.

“Horses have lived in my heart since my childhood. These beautiful and precious animals can only but delight. During shooting, working and communicating with horses each time I learn something new about them. When I give these animals my love and kindness, in return I get from them inexplicable energy that helps me move forward and make regular creative victories. Equestrian photography brings joy, happiness and unforgettable moments in life - it’s the best job in the world!

In each work I put my soul which reflects my feelings, emotions and thoughts. To work with animals is magical and is like being apart of another world... I love this world! All my photos are filled with stories and I’m very happy to show this to you.” +7 906 22 99 001 Skype: loshadenok Russia, Saint-Petersburg http://www.photolex.ru a

Alexia Khruscheva Equestrian Photographer 18. b a r o q u e h o r s e

Alexia Khruscheva Equestrian Photographer

b a r o q u e h o r s e 19.

Manolo Mendez

Manolo Mendez

Some Thoughts on Working In-Hand

Some Thoughts on Working In-Hand

By Manolo Mendez, Specialist of In-hand and Classical Equitation with Caroline Larrouilh

I

n-hand work is an integral part of my training, one that I use it with every horse, from green to Grand Prix, as it prepares and eases them into the demands of ridden work. I use in-hand first to build a correct foundation and then to help each horse progress along in his daily training, confirming the basics, working on balance and rhythm and introducing or refining movements.

I find that it is a challenging but greatly rewarding way to gain insights into our horses’ minds and bodies and create a better working relationship with them.

Traditionally, in-hand work is used to teach Haute Ecole and piaffe and passage but I use it from the first moment a horse begins its training with me. I work in-hand with the young horse to teach him how to use his body properly so he can develop into a confident, strong, supple, and balanced horse. I help the horse build confidence and trust in himself and in me, and at the same time teach him balance and rhythm.

Good in-hand work requires great care on our part to exercise a sensitivity that we may not be able to display in our riding. It requires fitness and a mix of awareness, feel and timing.

Awareness, because we need the ability to move swiftly and with accuracy, to mirror with our body what we are trying to create in the horse. We must know how and where to position ourselves to help the horse bend, halt, move forward, etc. We must be able to adjust

26. b a r o q u e h o r s e

our position quickly and smoothly as we watch the horse move and react to our requests.

Feel, for how to shape the horse at his stage of training based on his conformation and history, asking neither too much nor too little, knowing what is good for each individual horse, what healthy postures, rhythm and angles look like.

Timing, because the handler must know when to influence the horse’s movement and posture to be effective, and as importantly when not to ask based not only on where the horse’s legs and body are positioned with each stride, but also where he is mentally.

Awareness, feel and timing are also about being able to gage if the horse has absorbed the lesson and is ready for another request, or if he needs more time, a break, or a different exercise altogether.

We need to use our feel and awareness to discern if a horse is being disobedient or if he is not

understanding us. I find in most cases horses really try to figure things out. If they do not, it is often because they are afraid, do not understand, or are being asked something that they are not physically or mentally ready for.

We should not punish the horse for these reasons; instead we need to ask ourselves whether something we are doing is creating the incorrect response we are seeing and how else to help the horse.

We should not respond abruptly or brutally as we learn this work and are challenged with putting all the elements together. The cavesson handled incorrectly can be very severe and as importantly, in-hand work is about teaching and building the horse’s confidence and good will toward working with us. Forcing the horse destroys his desire to work and his trust and confidence in himself and in us.

Hard hands, bad timing, pushing too hard or punishing the horse without cause in-hand (also under saddle!) can destroy his rhythm and pull him off balance creating

Manolo Mendez was the first Head Rider, and one of six founding members of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Based in Jerez, Spain, the school is one of the four classical schools which also include the Cadre Noir in Saumur, the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art in Lisbon. A master horseman with over forty years of experience spanning classical dressage, doma vaquera and jumping, Manolo is dedicated to a soft, sympathetic and thorough training method which prepares horses physically and psychologically for each stage of training from training to Grand Prix and Haute Ecole. For more information and more articles visit: www.manolomendezdressage.com

“ In-hand work is an integral part of my training, one that I use it with every horse, from green to Grand Prix, as it prepares and eases them into the demands of ridden work. “

b a r o q u e h o r s e 27.

BHM talks to..

Part 1 of Interview with Sylvia Loch

Classical Trainer,

Writer & Lecturer

Sylvia Loch

www.classicalriding.co.uk

Photos by Lesley Skipper

“ Two were quite unrideable, but BHM:

How did you begin riding and what

gradually with patience and a great

influences led to your love of horses?

deal of luck (looking back now!) I SL.

None of my immediate family rode, but

my father was incredibly supportive of my desire to ride as an eight year old. Lessons were arranged because I was so passionate. My first pony came

managed to get them all really wanting to work... this was rather the story of my

to me before I got much older, and it was not that

life from then on... “

we went looking. Tommy was a very fiery Welsh grey gelding and came to me as part of a bad debt owed to my father. Being soft-hearted, he had lent someone some money whose only way to repay

BHM: Have you ever competed in dressage? What do you think of the modern competition?

him was by way of three ponies! Two were quite unrideable, but gradually with patience and a great deal of luck (looking back now!), I managed to get them all really wanting to work. And this was rather the story of my life from then on… horses just came to us.

Decades later, I discovered that my grandfather had been a mounted sharpshooter in the Boer War and almost got the Victoria Cross for rescuing a fellow soldier under intense fire. Quite extraordinarily, only two days before I set off to Calgary to run a dressage clinic for the Canadians in 2010, I discovered that he had sailed from Scotland, aged 15, to Canada and had been trained in Calgary! So there I was, going out to teach at the very place where my grandfather, William Cameron, started his equestrian career!

SL:

Yes, I competed quite a lot in dressage in the UK between 1980

and 1995 before we left the south east of England to move back to my roots in Scotland. By then I was working on my fourth book on equitation and had very little time. I have had great success at national breed shows for the Lusitano horse and Spanish horse at the highest level of dressage (where we were usually judged by international judges). By contrast, I found competing under British dressage rules with younger horses at a lower level a discouraging experience. Although we had some success, the comments were always the same – “not enough contact”, “horse needs to be more up into the bridle”, and so on, when my horses showed signs of self-carriage. After talking to numerous judges, many of whom knew less than most of the people that rode before them (all that has changed now and judges have to ride above the level they assess), I discovered a worrying lack of knowledge about the biomechanics of the horse. Few had any idea about lightness of the forehand or indeed the engagement of the hind. It was all about powerful gaits often at the expense of balance. It was around this time I started the Classical Riding Club as a way of educating people on what should be important. We even

36. b a r o q u e h o r s e

“I competed quite a lot in dressage in the UK between l980 and l995 ...By contrast (to higher level dressage), I found competing under rules with younger horses at a lower level a discouraging experience.�

Sylvia is an accredited Instructor of the Portuguese Equestrian Federation, Founder of the Lusitano Breed Society of Great Britain and of The Classical Riding Club. b a r o q u e h o r s e 37.

Working Equitation. www.gotteroranch.com

Roberta Inama T

here is a dusky aura to the Ligurian countryside in the early morning. The rolling hills are softer at this time of the day, and it is now that the region demonstrates best its celebrated romantic ambience. It is late in January when I decide to drive out from Florence to the flood ravaged Ligurian region to meet two influential

Macina, Roberta’s star mare and winner of the Betaiga trophy in 2009 is a sweet mare that demonstrates how talented she is in a liberty demonstration of Spanish walk with Roberta - it is real privilege for me to watch this equine/ human partnership well known amongst working equitation and Murgese enthusiasts Murgese horse trainers and discover what their black horses can offer modern recreational and competitive riders.

42. b a r o q u e h o r s e

Written by Jessica Morton Photos: supplied Chiusola is a tiny village located in the Apennine mountains. Standing guard over a densely forested topography, the lure of the Ligurian Apennines is that the villages up here feel authentic, without any of the obvious tourist trappings that plague the nearby Cinque Terre. The old streets and stone houses have remained almost exactly the same as they were a thousand years ago – the streets are calm and one can smell the soft scent of Marsiglia soap lingering in the air.

Michelangelo Boer grew up in this small mountain village. An accomplished horseman, he developed a fascination with the Murgese horse in the late 1980s after reading an article that praised the breed’s hardiness and aptitude for trekking. At the time, Michelangelo was looking for a low maintenance trail horse that could handle living outside during the cold winters and working during the summer as a trail horse at his riding centre. Up here, the thickforested surroundings are home to wolves, wild boar, eagles and deer. The terrain is challenging; steep and craggy.

To handle this unforgiving landscape and the extreme weather, the horses need to be tough. A visit to Puglia convinced him that the Murgese was what he was looking for – a strong and hardy horse that was also versatile.

Michelangelo met Roberta Inama, a local dressage rider from nearby La Spezia. With their combined equestrian knowledge and experience, they worked together to breed and produce exceptional Murgese horses for a variety

Winner of the Betaiga trophy

2009

on her Murgese mare

’Macina of disciplines, from long distance trekking through to dressage and eventually working equitation.

Roberta and her brilliant mare Macina have promoted the breed internationally through working equitation. At the 2006 World Championship in Lisbon, the little blond Inama and her powerful black horse achieved a team medal (bronze),

Lunch with Italian Working Equitation rider/trainer team Roberta Inama and Michelangelo Boer

Roberta

Inama

Roberta and Macina competing in working equitation

The Murgese stallion lines can produce an outstanding variation of type, suitable for a wide selection of equestrian pursuits. Roberta and Michelangelo are quick to point out that why they consider this an attribute of the breed. “Murgese horses were bred by nobility. There were horses for different purposes – and even today at the annual sales you can find a very diverse range of horses for sale”. b a r o q u e h o r s e 43.

The Royal Stud ALTER Founded in 1748 by King João V, the Alter Real Lusitano Stud is known not only for its royal heritage but its ability to excel in the highest schooling of classical dressage.

“A

t the time of the Stud’s creation, the art of classical equitation was becoming a real fashion in Europe and the King was keen to lift the status of his Royal Riding Academy. He set out to bring together the bloodlines of his many royal studs throughout Portugal and unite them in one grand stud farm, one that would produce Lusitanos fit to perform in his royal School. Having selected the best from the various studs, he brought them to the small southern village of Alter where they have been breeding top Lusitanos to this day,” says long time Alter Real rider and

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Written By: Sarah Warne Photos: Pedro Yglesias de Oliveira

photographer Pedro Yglesias de Oliveira.

And so the world renowned Lusitano Stud was born. While most Alter followers say the Stud is named after its location and royal heritage, others point out an alternative reason for the almost 300-year-old title.

“Some people claim that Alter Real is actually an abbreviation of the words ‘Alteza Real’, which in Portuguese is the way one would address their king, translated in English to ‘Your Royal Highness’,” says de Oliveira.

Regardless of its true meaning, the Alter Real Stud served its royal master in the Academy until the turn of the century when the Alter horses were welcomed into the traditional school of a new age.

Created to preserve the heritage, practice and teaching of traditional equestrian art, the Portuguese School was the natural sequence of this Academy, and to this day displays the beauty of classical riding on the King’s chosen horse, the Alter Real.

The ‘Escola Portuguesa d Arte Equestre’ (EPAE) is a team of 14 elite riders who have been carefully selected to present the art of equestrian weekly to a delighted audience. The School prides itself on the careful selection of the Lusitano horse, using only Lusitanos from the royal Stud.

Today the magnificent Bay Alter Lusitanos are bred purposefully for their starring role in the School, and their unique talent for collection and trainability is

outstanding! These horses are uniquely built with strength and willingness that allows them to perform the “airs above the ground” with a perfection and skill that is unmatched. The Alter Real Lusitano is a horse of great beauty and talent, but also a horse of undeniable strength!

Known for its deadly cold winters and scorching summers, the region of Alter has proven the strength of the Iberian blood as the horses grow tough and determined in these harsh conditions.

And the endurance of the Alter Real even outweighed that of the Arabian horse, a breed typically known for its durability.

The King once had the idea to mix in some Arabian blood and introduced eight Arab mares onto the property. Despite the mares being granted special sheltered boxes, they could not stand up to the

EPAE Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre.

challenging climate and, unfortunately, his plan to mix the breeds was far from successful.

I love to photograph the Portuguese Classical School because it combines all of the things I love into one – horses, top equitation, photography and art,” says de Oliveira.

Today, de Oliveira is recognised as the official photographer for the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, but interestingly was also one of the original six riders involved in the creation of the Portuguese School and says the Alter horses make up so much of what the School is today.

Having published two of his most popular books on the School and its history, de Oliveira is just one of many Alter Real admirers who hope to capture the heritage of one of the purest Lusitano lines in the world.

“These horses are noble and beautiful, but above all they have real character… it´s the Alter horse’s personality that makes his rider fall in love with him.

“I want to share the Alter history and also share the beauty of these animals and the art they can produce with elite training.” b a r o q u e h o r s e 53.

www.portraitsbykim.co.uk 56. b a r o q u e h o r s e

Equine Artist KIM Irwin BHM showcases exquisite equine artist Kim Irwin, whose stunning art work features on the cover.

I

have always drawn since I was a little girl and especially loved drawing horses as I grew up riding them.

Animals have always been my main subjects, but it was people portraiture that got me into commissions in the first place.

As a single mother at that time, I found that the freedom of expression very liberating.

However, the art market was a very difficult area to break into, without creating a new art movement or having the backing of the likes of Charles Saatchi.

I had copied a photo of my son, when he was at nursery and a friend saw it, and wanted one done for herself. And so I went on from there.

Painting and drawing everything from houses, cars, boats, to budgies.

Food needed to be put on the table!

Circumstances led to me getting a ‘proper job’ plus I had my lovely mum to care for as well. I simply did not have time for portraits and after 14 years of painting portraits I had to call it a day.

In 1995, I wrote to Gabrielle Bourselles for her permission to paint, (my first oil painting) of an Arab stallion photograph. She wrote a lovely letter in reply and thankfully allowed me to paint it, which I did. Horse commissions followed and I have to admit that they have now become my favourite subjects. Other commissions still continued, and the joy that they bring people has been so rewarding in itself.

In 1997 I decided to go to university and study art, in depth. I studied fine art & illustration at Portsmouth University. I loved the study and the emersion into different styles of art.

b a r o q u e h o r s e 57.

Starting Again!

Written By: Sarah Warne Photos: supplied

Adult riders who return to the saddle this time, just for themselves!

The Baroque horse is known for his strength, both in mind and body, and is gaining a reputation as the ‘go to’ horse when riders begin their riding career... for the second time.

W

hether it be time out to raise children, long term injury or financial and/or family drama, many once top competition riders find that “life happens” and they, for some reason or another, have to hang up the saddle for a certain period of time.

After this stage of life has passed, the dormant riding bug resurfaces; and when they return and attempt to sweep the cobwebs from the tack room floors, they find new, unwanted cobwebs in other places.

72. b a r o q u e h o r s e

Their once sturdy position is now filled with the rust of time, and that attitude of “I am untouchable” has been replaced with a knowing feeling that “it would really hurt if I fell off!”.

After spending time with my new friend and riding buddy Kicki, I was inspired by her training knowledge and ideals, and we could have spent hours discussing our similar philosophies in the correct training for classical dressage.

But, more importantly, I realised after hearing Kicki’s story just how many

adult riders I know making the similar life decision to return to the saddle and finally take the time to put their riding career above all else.

“My mother was an avid rider. Because of that she didn’t want me to ride, knowing it is quite a dangerous sport. But one day, she didn’t have anyone to look after me when she went riding so she had to bring me. One of the teenagers at the club put me on a pony, and that was the start of it. Totally caught the ‘horse-bug’ in that single moment,” says the now mother of three, Kicki Linnell.

“After finishing school, I decided to go against my parents’ wishes and went to Sweden to fulfil my dream of having a stud farm and becoming a riding instructor. So I went ahead with nothing but my dreams... no money. By the time I was 25 I had a farm, two children, a fantastic breeding stallion (who doubled as my dressage horse) and all kinds of horses in training.

Initially focussing on warmbloods and thoroughbreds, with just the odd pony, Kicki’s farm began to focus more on the little guys and on having little ones of her own.

“I had three daughters, all good riders, who enjoyed riding our wonderful ponies – Welsh ponies from all the four sections and breeding stallions that were all used as the dressage ponies for the girls.

“So for a period of over 15 years I was a ‘pony-mum’, pulling the trailer across the country almost every weekend to attend the different shows.”

Unfortunately for Kicki, an accident in her teens left recurring pain and she still struggles to overcome her back and neck issues.

“I recovered from [the accident], but with the wear and tear over 20 years of hauling bales of straw and hay, wheelbarrowing, carrying water buckets, and ‘wrestling’ youngsters with an

Following the dream, Kicki Purchased a Lusitano occasional fall, the strain was finally too much for the entire spine and mostly the neck. So gradually, my ability to move was impaired until the point where I could not move at all. I found myself in hospital, almost paraplegic with excruciating nerve pain. All nerves were trapped and I had to have major surgery done to ‘remodel’ the whole neck.

“But after my surgery it became impossible to ride so much, and so I started training to become a dressage judge as well as a judge for breeding shows. I had a horse at the time which I sold, thinking I would never be able to ride again. Glad to be wrong!”

Throughout her years raising children, although she never totally gave up horses and riding, Kicki says she could never find the time or resources to really

put her riding and training first, and that she feels like now is her chance to do just that!

“Because the girls grew to become such good riders, I rode less and less, plus I couldn’t afford the luxury of keeping a horse just for myself. So I became coach, sponsor, groom, driver… while they did the riding. Great times!

“The physical problems I still have (nerve damage in the neck) made it impossible to run a farm. And since I couldn’t do any work, I became totally dependent on other people, particularly my girls, to take care of everything.”

Kicki decided she needed a change and needed to leave all that behind. So, with her partner, she moved to Portugal.

Having made the move and followed the dream, Kicki purchased a Lusitano from the breed’s country of origin and began her new SELF-FOCUSSED training regime with classical master Mr João Pedro Rodrigues.

“Since starting my training I have rediscovered the joy of riding; riding only for my own pleasure. I do not have to achieve anything or prove anything, just riding day to day and enjoying every moment.

“But I do want to compete – I’m that kind of personality, so I have to have goals.

But this time I set them up myself.”

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The Lipizzaner The Breed of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna The Lipizzan, or Lipizzaner, is the breed of horse associated with the much envied Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, where the finest representatives demonstrate the haute école or “high school” movements of classical dressage. These movements include the highly controlled, stylised jumps and other elements known as the “airs above the ground”.

Place: OTP world cup, Budapest, Papp László Aréna, 2011 Horse: Pluto XXXIV Photographer: Tibor Berecz

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baroque horse www.lipizzaneraustralia.org

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In the Company of

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Meike, Menno and Saphire are young Friesian stallions that live together in a bachelor herd in the forests of the Northern California coast. They live outside 24/7 on approximately 20 acres, and have a 3-sided shelter they share when the weather is cold and harsh.

Living in a bachelor herd is a great life for a stallion. They share deep intimacy and companionship, they’ve developed all their own games, and the forest is a great playground to develop muscle and agility.

www.ForestBoyz.com

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Tutorial by Danielle Skerman Multi Award Winning Professional Photographer

Photographic Tutorial

Image kindly provided by Angelika of Little Hampton Farm, Photo by Heidi Payne.

THIS

Looking at Photoshop ... and how to turn..

TO

Above: Origional Image.

I

n this first Photoshop tutorial we’re going to look at 2 different levels of editing. The first level shall be a clean up to a smart professional level, just jazzing it up a bit really so it’s crisp and looks good. The next level we get creative!

Once we start having some creative fun we’ll look at how to change the background of a photo. In this tutorial we’ll show how to realistically cut your subject out of a background and we’ll also reveal some tricks to enhancing an image!

So.. Lets get started!

I’ll be doing this tutorial using Adobe Photoshop (PS) CS5, however you should be able to do what I’m going to show in the older versions PS and in Elements (to a degree).

Please also remember that there is many ways you can achieve edits, I’m showing just some ways that I do it.

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Above: Photo cleaned up.

Step 1...

Step 1. The first thing I do is to create a duplicate layer of the background (main/ original) image. (FYI - I ALWAYS keep a layer of the original image. Just in case I go too far in editing and need to bring back some of the original image.)

The easiest way to do this is to drag the layer to the graphic next to the trash bin. It looks a bit like a page with the corner turned up.

A new layer shall appear, this is where you start your editing from.

To THIS!

Above: Getting Creative !

Step 2...

Step 2. The very fist bit of editing I do on every photo is to work the levels and the colour. In the image on the left, you’ll see the black mountains, this is your light and dark range.

Dark is left, light is right in this image. This is the default sides of the light and dark ranges.

Light

A good golden rule is to bring both slides in a little (as shown in diagram). If you have a dramatic increase like in the dark area, it is said to bring your pointer to this mark. Just doing this shall make your image pop more.

Dark

Open your colour balance (apple/control B) and move the sliders until you are happy with the colour. Click OK.

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Introductry Service fee $880 LFG

Pure Iberian Stallion P/SP 003 Chapelhouse CENTAURO. Dk bay/brown black Curretnly standing at 16.1hh DOB: 19.01.07 Sire: Irreal (imp Portugal & competed at Grand Prix Dressage) Dam: La Querencia Pamperita.

Contact: Danielle Ph 0404843636 danielle@directshots.com.au

facebook.com/ChapelhouseCentauro

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