Two Passions Collide

Polo Artist Lorraine Beaver

LORRAINE BEAVER HAS ALWAYS loved to create. Though she has no formal training, Beaver has been sketching and painting since middle school. “I draw and paint what I feel,” she says. Trying to capture every detail, she draws from the heart, allowing her two passions to collide: art and horses. As to what draws her to horses as a subject matter, Beaver explains, “I love horses, and they are what inspire me the most. I really did not study any art or specific artists during school, so this is natural for me.”

“I want to capture the power and athletic ability of the horse and rider. I don’t think a non-horse person really understands how talented the horse and the rider really are…” she explains of the piece, “I have ridden for my whole life, and completely appreciate the teamwork, skill, balance and beauty of horse and rider, which is incredible!” While she has never officially sought a career in art, she has over the years sold several pieces to friends and family. But now that she is retried and has more time, she says, she would love to focus more on her art.

Growing up in Raeford, North Carolina, Beaver developed a passion for horses from an early age and owned her first horse at six years old. She even harbored a dream of becoming the first female jockey, but someone beat her to that title. As an adult, horses became a family affair, with her daughter following in her footsteps. “My daughter shares my love for horses and we showed and rode together during her childhood.” Beaver explained.

Reading Walter Farley’s The Black Stallion as a child fostered a life-long love for Arabian horses, though at the time she had never even seen one in person. Finally she was able to reach her dream when she found her “heart horse” Savidinn, who everyone called Savvy. “My husband always joked that we were like one body when riding. Savvy knew what I wanted before I asked him. A one of a kind horse…I miss him every day,” she said of their 20 year relationship. Her love of Arabians has continued though, and after 12 years of searching and owning several other horses Beaver has finally found her second “heart horse” CP Wind dancer who everyone calls Kadin (which means “companion” in Arabic).

Beaver first became involved with the Harvest Cup around 2001, ridding in the Parade of Breeds as part of the Arabian show class in costume.

You can contact Lorraine Beaver regarding her work by email at Lorraine. beaver@hotmail.com.