Susan M. Carter Photography

Loads of Labs!

2011-12-18T20:14:00.001-05:00

Fauquier SPCA is loaded with Labrador Retrievers so if you've been thinking of getting one of these great dogs, head on down to the shelter.

Clara

Shugg

Jack

Bradley

Ace - OK, Ace probably has a little something else mixed in

Annabelle - And Annabelle probably has a lot mixed in, but darn she is cute!

Holiday Season at Fauquier SPCA

2011-12-06T14:05:00.009-05:00

When I was a freshman in college I decided that my parents must miss me and needed company, so I went to the local shelter and got them a puppy for Christmas. What can I say? At 17 I still thought I was the center of the universe. Surprising someone with a pet during the holidays is a monumentally stupid thing to do but in our case, it worked out well and the dog became a happy member of the family. I don't recommend following my teenage example but if the timing is right for you to add a pet to your household, giving one of the lovely pets at Fauquier SPCA a real home is the best gift ever. Here are a few more cats and kittens that are waiting for their holiday dreams to come true.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful;
My own home would be delightful;
And if you will love me so
Let it snow, let it snow...

Oh, bring me a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring me a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring me a figgy pudding and a lap to sit on...

OK, I've eaten a few extra pudding helpings but that just means there is more of me to love.

Santa baby, slip a kittie under the tree, Like me.
I've been an awful good girl,
Santa baby, take me down the chimney tonight.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

If you take me home, you'll never need to worry about no stirring mice!

Do you see what I see?
A cat, a cat, take him home tonight;
He has a tail as big as a kite;

Ev'rybody knows warm kitties and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny cats with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

Enjoy your holidays!

Fauquier SPCA - Cats

2011-11-20T14:01:00.004-05:00

Besides all the nice dogs available at Fauquier SPCA, they have a whole clowder of cats. Did you know a group of cats is called a 'clowder'? My browser doesn't even recognize the term and thinks it's a misspelling. In any case, there are cats of every description at the SPCA. Some are waiting to hunt mice in your barn while others are waiting to curl up in your lap and purr. If you've decided that you don't need one of their dogs, then surely you need a cat. I photographed approximately 24 cats and only got half way through the list. I'm just going to post a handful of photos to whet your appetite but if none of these appeal to you, be sure to visit the shelter to see lots more.

Fauquier SPCA

2011-11-13T20:49:00.004-05:00

Last week I took portraits of the dogs available for adoption at the Fauquier SPCA and I'll go back soon to photograph the cats. My hope is that nice portraits on the website, in newspaper ads and in flyers will help these animals find good homes. According to the ASPCA, "Five out of ten dogs in shelters and seven out of ten cats in shelters are destroyed simply because there is no one to adopt them." A very sad statistic, indeed. What was surprising to me is that half of all animals in the shelters are there because their owners brought them in; I had always assumed that most were strays or seized by Animal Control. If you have any room in your house, space in your heart or a few dollars to donate, please contact the shelter about these great pets.

A good looking beagle mix -

This Rottie was a new arrival and seemed very well behaved -

This Australian Cattle Dog was the test dog for the lighting setup. He was an absolute champ!

There was something about this shepherd mix that I found incredibly appealing. If you want an good looking, athletic dog, this is the one for you.

I'm a sighthound fan and like my dogs tall and lean but how can you resist a character like this?

The workers in the shelter perform a job that I could not do because I would be much too emotionally involved. I admire these folks tremendously.

2012 Calendars

2011-10-19T19:52:00.003-04:00

Horses of the Piedmont calendars are available again this year. They are 8 x 11.5 and feature horses living in Virginia's Piedmont region. They sell for $18 and can be purchased at the Arts Center in Orange or directly from me. Please contact me to order. Here are a few of the images.

January:

April:

August:

November:

I don't create these calendars every year so who knows when there will be another. Maybe they'll become collectors' items - better hurry and get yours now! :-)

Lure Coursing

2011-08-21T15:58:00.002-04:00

I hadn't watched lure coursing since one of my beloved Salukis got ill and died last year, so when I went to Great Meadow yesterday with my friend, Dana Thompson, to photograph the sighthounds, I wasn't sure if I'd get sniffly seeing other Salukis romp through the fields. I didn't, but perhaps that was because no one brought any Salukis.

If you've never heard of lure coursing, you are not alone - it is a sport for sighthounds, a subset of dogs registered in the AKC Hound Group, plus a handful of non-AKC breeds. Sighthounds hunt by sight, meaning that they chase whatever moves, and are less common in the U.S. than scent hounds who hunt with their noses. Dogs such as Beagles and Basset Hounds are scent hounds; the best known sighthound is probably the Greyhound. Unless you went to Southern Illinois University, you may well have no idea what I was talking about, prattling on about Salukis.

While coursing, hounds are segregated by breed and run in groups of three, each wearing a different color blanket so the judge can distinguish them at a distance. They chase plastic bags tied to a line that shoots around a course of 700+ yards. The bags are referred to as 'bunnies', an expression which harkens back to the original format of these contests. Normally the lure operator keeps the bunnies just in front of the hounds, too far in front and they may give up, too close and they catch them. Here a pair of Rhodesian Ridgebacks catch their quarry.

And this Whippet was not giving up her prize until the bag finally tore free.

Before the competition begins the operators have an experienced dog run the course to make sure the equipment is set up and operating smoothly. Yesterday they used an Afghan Hound and without a coursing blanket, his coat danced and rippled around him as he ran. When I lived in Africa I had Afghan Hounds and the locals referred to them as, "les chiens qui porte les pyjamas" or "the dogs that wear pajamas" to describe the way the hair swung from their legs when moving. If you have the time and money for lots of grooming, an Afghan Hound at the end of your leash will draw every eye.

I shoot horse racing, a lot of horse racing, and on the dirt a Thoroughbred can hit upwards of 40mph. Of the sighthounds, only Greyhounds can achieve those speeds and not many Greyhounds lure course, most seem to move from the oval track to the living room couch. So these dogs were going to be slower than racehorses and I was feeling cocky. Things were fine for the Afghans, likewise the Ridgebacks, but then came the Whippets. The first group set a blistering pace and Dana and I were left sputtering with no shots. Some streaked behind us, some nearly on top of us and a handful too far inside the line. These buggers were fast, small and agile.

In equine photography there are preferred phases of the stride - nobody wants to see their horse tipped forward looking like it's about to fall on its nose. So again I figured if I can capture a 40 mph racehorse with its legs in a pretty position, I can do the same for a 35 mph dog, right? Um, well, maybe, some of the time. I didn't think about the fact that their legs are much shorter and moving a whole lot faster to hit that speed. None of the shots above are what a lure coursing aficionado would consider the perfect moment. They look for one of two positions with all four feet off the ground. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to capture that with any consistency? I tip my hat to professional coursing photographers who can do this dog after dog.

One of the things I like best about lure coursing is that it is completely for the dog's enjoyment. No dog will perform a sit-stay or jump through a hoop for their own entertainment; they do it because they love to please their human. Lure coursing isn't trained and dogs either run or they don't. The first time the huntmaster yelled 'tally ho' and I let go of my Saluki, she chased the bunny. At the end of the day, a tired hound is a happy hound.

Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs

2011-07-18T18:14:00.007-04:00

I should have known better than to try and arrive at Colonial Downs 30 minutes before the first race of the Virginia Derby meet. People were crashing into each other on I64 and it took me 40 minutes from the highway exit to the parking lot, a distance of about 5 miles. I missed the first two races. Upon arrival they didn't have anyone directing traffic, signs indicating that the preferred parking lots were full, or even attendants to tell people that there were no more handicapped spots. But they did have golf carts running from the far reaches of the parking lot to take the less mobile racing fans up to the entrance and fortunately the weather was lovely for the rest of us.

Apprentice jockey Sarah Rook just started her professional jockey career this year. She is currently third in the Colonial Downs standings for the season, including a win on the 30-1 longshot, Softly Lit, in the Tippett Stakes on Saturday. She won the Tippett by a head on the rail, so all you can see in my photo is Softly Lit's head and nothing of Sarah at all. Here she is in an earlier race on Live the Dash.

Major Magic won the Chenery Stakes for 2 year olds. Major Magic has two starts, one on the dirt at Charles Town, where he broke his maiden, and now a turf stakes race.

The Chenery Stakes race is named for Penny Chenery, breeder and owner of Riva Ridge and Secretariat. Ms. Chenery attended the races and presented the trophy. I think she looks fabulous.

Excited was the winner of the $150,000 Virginia Oaks (gr III) stakes race for 3 year old fillies. Here she is approaching the finish line with John Velazquez, just ahead of Summer Savory and Kent Desormeaux.

The $600,000 Virginia Derby (gr II) is a 1 1/4 mile turf race for three year olds. Some very impressive horses have won it in the past including Paddy O'Prado last year. This year nearly every entry had at least one stakes win, many of those graded stakes wins. This is a photo early in the race of Benergy, Newsdad and Crimson China, none of whom won but I liked the photo.

Banned was the favorite going to post but he was edged out by Air Support and Alex Solis.

And here is Air Support looking very handsome in the paddock before the race.

North American Point-to-Point Association Championships

2011-05-26T15:06:00.003-04:00

On Sunday I went to the North American Point-to-Point Association Championships for the first time. I frequently photograph the junior field master chase races at various point-to-point meets but never this one and it was lots of fun. It was held at Great Meadow and used many of the same obstacles used during the Gold Cup field master chase and Steeplethon races. One lady, looking a bit stunned, noted that they don't see those types of obstacles in kids' races in Pennsylvania.

Snickersville provided the outriders and just before the first race, the hounds paraded on course as it began to pour. They gamely came through the water obstacle, although I suppose at that point they couldn't have gotten much wetter.

Perhaps my favorite event of the day was the lead line races, which were much more exciting than sedate lead line classes at hunter shows. The rules stated that if the pony cantered, the leader had to circle and stop for a few seconds before trotting on. This was the first division for five year olds and under; in their little racing silks they were simply too cute for words.

They held a Foxhunter Steeplethon, a cross between the regular foxhunter races we commonly see at point-to-point meets and the Steeplethon run at Gold Cup and a few other National Steeplechase Association meets. It was 2 3/4 miles long and wound all over the race course, going through the water obstacle twice. The first time through the water, Global Genius dumped Natalie Wales in the drink but ran and jumped with the rest for the remaining 2 miles. He didn't stop until the very end when he saw the truck and trailer that was there for emergencies and decided he'd rather get a ride home.

Three fences from home, Tate Shaw and Ice Is Nice were running and jumping well in the lead but after the stone wall they turned left instead of straight and went off course. Seems to me this pair did something similar at Piedmont...

At that point there were only two horses left in the race and at the last jump Bart Poole and Jeb's Crowner parted ways. I told Bart as he got to his feet that in the old days he could have gotten back on and finished the race but he said no, thanks.

Meanwhile, Orlik ran out with Alex Bazdar at the last jump while Jeb's Crowner was coming to grief. Alex circled around, took the last jump and headed to the finish but she was disqualified by the stewards.

It was the first race I've seen where no one finished.

The last race of the day was a flat race for NAPPA alumni. Rosie Napravnik, who rode Pants on Fire in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago, competed on Classic Storm, a horse trained by her steeplechase trainer sister, Jazz. No wonder Rosie rides on the flat because she's a little bit of a thing. Unfortunately, although Classic Storm is very handsome, he doesn't run as fast as Pants on Fire. :)

A great time was had by all and I encourage you to check out NAPPA's schedule for future events.

Virginia Gold Cup Jockeys

2011-05-18T20:10:00.007-04:00

Instead of the usual jumping and running photos, I thought I'd post some of the jockeys who rode in the Virginia Gold Cup Races. For more Gold Cup photos, please visit Susan M. Carter Photography

Willie Dowling in a state of dishabille.

Gus Dahl is practicing his male model look.

Jeff Murphy's shades are definitely cool but I'm not so sure about the underwear.

I think this is Emily MacMahon but since she's not a regular on the Virginia racing circuit, I'm not 100% positive. If I'm wrong, someone please correct me.

Paddy Young and Lake Placid were both smiling.

And here are all (or almost all) of the jockeys before the first race.

Charles Town Classic

2011-04-19T21:15:00.005-04:00

Charles Town Races held its biggest meet of the year on April 16th with six stakes races on the card. It had been raining off and on for the past two weeks and Saturday evening we had torrential downpours with tornado warnings. I thought I left plenty of time to get there but I had to take multiple detours because of washed out roads and missed the first race. Both the first and second races were delayed because of lightning, with the second going off 50 minutes behind schedule. But they shortened the time between races and were back on schedule by the big race, the 10th. Please contact me if you are interested in photos from the night.

The track was labeled "sloppy" and they weren't kidding. Luckifee and Travis L. Dunkelberger won the second race while it was still thundering. I'm glad I wasn't the tallest object out on that flat oval, wearing metal shoes no less.

Travis L. Dunkelberger was on a hot streak. He won three races, including the Webb Snyder Stakes on Immortal Eyes and they set a track record. The race was 4 1/2 furlongs - I didn't even know that Thoroughbreds ran that short a distance, it was practically a Quarter Horse race!

A Maryland bred mare, Sweet Goodbye, won the $250,000 TVG Sugar Maple Stakes race with J.D. Acosta up.

The main race of the night was the $1m Charles Town Classic. This is the third year that it has been run and this year it was designated a Grade 3 stakes race. This was especially historic because in the 78 years since its founding there has never been a graded stakes race at Charles Town. The only sad note was that being a graded stakes race changed the entry criteria and Researcher, the horse that won the first two years and set a track record, was unable to get in. I thought he should have gotten an automatic slot as the reigning champion. But it was still a very exciting race and was the first non-Breeders’ Cup race since 2006 to have a field of 10 or more horses that had all won graded stakes races.

The winner was Duke of Mischief. Here he is going down to the start with jockey Joe Bravo. I wish I knew the pony rider's name.

I mostly watch steeplechase and turf races and the handful of times I've been to Charles Town have mostly seen low level claiming races. Black type stakes winners running on dirt, even if sloppy, showed the sport at a whole other level. I was actually standing on the track and these horses were blazing past me. Duke of Mischief was flying as he crossed the finish line more than two lengths ahead of Game On Dude. Joe Bravo had a big smile as he went by.

Joe was rightfully very pleased with the performance!

Orange County Hunt Point to Point

2011-04-07T20:49:00.003-04:00

Back to lovely Locust Hill for the Orange County Hunt point to point races. For more steeplechase photos please visit Susan M. Carter Photography.

Locally bred Forest Bell made an impressive start to his jumping career, winning the maiden hurdle with Jeff Murphy. Forest Bell has won his last three starts in the Virginia bred flat race series and this was his first race over fences.

Lonesome Nun high kicked her way down to the start with Keri Brion for the novice rider flat race. Lonesome Nun and Keri came in second.

From 2002 to 2008, Sur La Tete was a multiple stakes winning steeplechase horse who retired at the age of ten to be a foxhunter. Apparently he didn't like standing at checks or cantering demurely behind the master and three years later he and Chris Read are racing together again.

Surprisingly, Sur La Tete was beaten by his stablemate, Humdinger. Humdinger was claimed away from Kinross Farm but has returned to Neil Morris for training. Although there are many steeplechase claiming races, horses are rarely claimed. Sort of like "Gentlemen don't read each other's mail" [Harry L. Stimson], I guess gentlemen don't claim each other's horses. Humdinger and Matt McCarron edged past Sur La Tete to win by a neck.

Jockeys frequently show the horses the fence before the race starts. For a moment, both jockey Paddy Young and I thought More Fascination was going to jump it from a stand still.

More Fascination must really have been ready to jump because he went on to win the open timber race, beating G'Day G'Day among others, seen here.

Piedmont Hunt Point-to-Point

2011-03-30T20:14:00.005-04:00

For additional racing photos, please visit the steeplechase gallery at Susan M. Carter Photography.

Piedmont Hunt Point-to-Point is held across the street from the Upperville Horse Show grounds, the oldest continuous horse show in the U.S. It is a spectacularly beautiful area with picturesque stone wall jumps that feature prominently in the races. Here Westbound Road and George Hundt, Jr. clear one of the walls with the mountains in the background. The pair won the owner rider timber race.

Early in the week, the weatherman was calling for all sorts of unpleasant weather, including possible snow. Fortunately the snow held off and race day, although cold, had lovely blue skies with a smattering of clouds. This is the open flat race.

Timber races usually have smaller fields than hurdles but Piedmont's maiden timber race was as big as any race on the point-to-point circuit with eleven starters. Here they go over the fifth jump.

The feature race of the day was the Rokeby Challenge Bowl, a three and a half mile race over timber. Incomplete and Charles Fenwick, III won the race for the third time, retiring the trophy.

Last summer Genghis suffered from atrial fibrillation and his owner, Sara Collette, thought that he might not be able to continue racing. Genghis is full brother to the famous Salmo and I considered giving him a retirement home. In the end, I acquired a half brother to two time Charles Town Classic winner, Researcher, and Genghis went back to racing. Here he is with Diana Gillam in the Lady Rider Timber race.

Warrenton Point to Point

2011-03-24T20:59:00.004-04:00

Warrenton Hunt Point to Point races were held last Saturday on the grounds of the Airlie Conference Center, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The grounds are lovely and the many ponds and wetlands host the largest captive free-swimming swan collection in the northeastern Unites States. For more photos of the races (but none of the swans) please visit the Warrenton races gallery at Susan M. Carter Photography.

Jockey Carl Rafter and trainer Julie Gomena teamed up for two hurdle wins, one in the maiden hurdle and one in the Airlie Steeplechase Open Hurdle. Here is Carl and Greg Ryan's Devil's Preacher in the open hurdle race. It still looks weird to see anyone other than Greg in these silks.

Jacob Roberts and Pres On won the restricted maiden hurdle. They navigated cleanly and quickly around the course while other horses refused jumps and lost jockeys.

Natalie Wales and Pizarro crossed the finish line first in the Owner Rider Timber race but here at the last jump she interfered with Justpourit (IRE) and George Hundt, jr and was disqualified into second place.

According to the program, Todd McKenna should have been wearing blue and white silks in the amateur/novice hurdle race. I guess he left them at home. It looks like he grabbed a suit coat off someone and stuck it over his racing vest. Wish I had his form over fences, though...

Virginia Steeplechase Association president Don Yovanovich served as starter. The novice riders for the flat race had a hard time getting organized but eventually Don got them pointed in the right direction.

No one wanted to start in the novice timber race. The flag is down but neither Gus Brown nor Paddy Young were in any hurry to go.

Blue Ridge Point to Point

2011-03-13T18:32:00.006-04:00

The Virginia point to point season now begins with Blue Ridge in March instead of Casanova in February. A lot of rain during the week leading up to the races made the footing very nice. I had expected it to be soggy so I can only imagine how hard it would have been without the drenching rains. You can find more photos from the races on Susan M. Carter Photography.

So Amazing (Ire), ridden by Ross Geraghty, beat two hurdle stakes winners to win the open hurdle race.

Sam Cockburn and Meshwaar were the Virginia Steeplechase Association Amateur/Novice Hurdle champions in 2010 and they started the season off right with another win.

The Novice Timber race featured three horses making their first start over timber. Thynnus, ridden by Chris Read, was the youngest with the least racing experience but still won. He was jumping like a deer, although he is named for a fish - a tuna to be precise!

BK's Double Jade, by contrast, has years of experience over hurdles and hasn't yet figured out that he needs a different style over solid jumps. His young jockey, Gus Dahl, did a good job.

Mary Motion and Orpington have been cleaning up in the Junior Fieldmaster Chase for the past couple of years but now she has moved up to the regular races. This was her first race over jumps and she won the Foxhunter Timber race. You go, girl!

I almost didn't recognize Pat Cooney (left) without a big red apple on his chest. He pointed out that I couldn't have gotten any good photos because I had none of him since he wasn't riding. So now I have at least one good photo from the meet.

Legend the yellow lab is ready to enter the races with the big boys. He doesn't know he is small. :-)

January Photo a Day Challenge

2011-02-05T12:49:00.004-05:00

I have joined with nearly 40 other photographers around the world in challenging myself to take a photograph every day in 2011. I don't know whether I'll make it through the entire year but I did complete January. I am posting a selection of shots from January here:

This was a still life from January 1st

Fooling around with the camera on Jan 2nd to create an equine abstract.

Horse shoes on Jan 11, after a visit from the farrier.

Working on sunlight 'stars' on Jan 13

A slice of lime on Jan 22nd

"I have one last nerve and you are standing on it." My dogs on Jan 27

Sunset behind a barn on Jan 30

The group has a humorous approach for those days when you are laying in bed and realize that you've forgotten to take a photo; you lean over and take a shot of your slippers.

Virginia Steeplechase Association Calendar

2011-01-09T18:01:00.004-05:00

Each year the Virginia Steeplechase Association prints a nice little black and white calendar for its members listing the racing dates for that year and including photographs from the previous year. You can join VSA, get a calendar and support steeplechase racing in Virginia. You can see more photos of Virginia steeplechase and point-to-point meets at Susan M. Carter photography. Here are some of the photos from the 2011 calendar.

Miss January is Mary Motion and her partner Orpington. Mary and Orpington won every junior field masters chase they entered during a three year period.

Mr. March is Radio Flyer with Gus Brown aboard winning the Rokeby Bowl.

Messrs May are Church Ghost and Jake Dunning, Marino Feliz and William Santaro, and Harry's Crown and Sam Cockburn.

Mr. and Ms. June are One Sea (Roddy Mackenzie) and Farah T. Salute (Willie Dowling).

Mr. September is I'm Telling with Jacob Roberts winning the Samuel H. Rogers Memorial at Morven Park.

Mr. October is He's a Conniver with Jody Petty winning the International Gold Cup.

Mr. December is Endless Mountain and Ben Garner winning the open timber race at Old Dominion.

Winter Fox Hunting

2010-12-28T09:02:00.004-05:00

We have had unusually cold weather for December here in Virginia and conditions have not been great for foxhunting. Some meets have still been held, however, and here are a few shots from Bull Run Hunt and Old Dominion Hounds. For more foxhunting photos please visit Susan M. Carter Photography.

It snowed about 10 days before Christmas and most clubs canceled but Bull Run Hunt did not. As they said on the hunt monitor, they were going, "rain, sleet, snow or shine."

Bull Run takes out more hounds than some of the other clubs.

They also take a sensible approach and dress informally in bad weather.

The meet left from their kennels and not all the hounds were happy to be left behind.

Old Dominion went out a few days later after some of the snow had melted but it was still very cold and the ground was slippery.

The hounds flushed a fox within the first five minutes but quickly lost the scent in the windy conditions.

It's not just hounds that don't want to be left out of the fun - this horse jumped out of his pasture and ran after the hunt. The miscreant was captured and returned home.

The ground proved too slippery and when one of the horses fell, they gave up and called it a day.

Virginia Point to Point Champions 2010

2010-12-01T20:31:00.009-05:00

I photograph lots of Virginia's point-to-point meets (and we have many) and want to congratulate the Virginia Point-to-Point Assocation champions for 2010.

Timber horse of the year was Endless Mountain, seen here with Ben Garner.

Hurdle horse of the year was Fantastic Foe, here winning at Old Dominion with Liam McVicar

The owner rider series was won by Crypto Cousin and Pat Cooney. He didn't win this race at Piedmont but was making sure he didn't touch these stone walls!

The amateur/novice rider hurdle series was won by Meshwaar with Sam Cockburn.

Natalie Wales won the lady rider timber series.

The foxhunter timber series was won by Shesacraftydame and Bryan McDonald.

Jeff Murphy was the leading rider over fences,

Sam Cockburn was the leading novice rider over fences,

and Ben Garner was the leading novice rider on the flat

I was going to use these pictures that I took of Jeff and Ben but decided they might prefer something different. :)

The Virginia Bred flat series was won in commanding style by Over the Lea

I'll see everyone at Casanova in February for the start of the 2011 point-to-point season, assuming we're not snowed under again!

Steeplechase Champions 2010

2010-12-01T19:05:00.005-05:00

Congratulations to all the 2010 National Steeplechase Association champions. I've had the privilege to photograph a fair number of the winners but not nearly as many as I would have expected considering that Virginia hosts far more sanctioned steeplechase meets than any other state, fourteen in 2010. But here are some photos of those that I was lucky enough to shoot.

Slip Away won the National Steeplechase championship this year, earning $191,500. Sadly he only raced once in Virginia this year at one of only two sanctioned meets I did not photograph. Here he is last year winning the Noel Laing hurdle stakes race at Montpelier.

Bubble Economy was the champion timber horse, shown here winning the Virginia Gold Cup with Paddy Young.

Ptarmigan was the filly and mare's champion, seen here winning at Foxfield with Jeff Murphy.

The leading jockey in terms of both number of races and money won, was Paddy Young. Here he is at Morven Park.

And riding Love Colony.

Darren Nagle was the amateur jockey champion with ten wins. Here he is on Dubai Sunday at Colonial Downs.

And also on Coupe de Ville.

Roddy Mackenzie was the leading apprentice jockey for the year. Winning at Colonial Downs.

And riding at Morven Park

Irv Naylor was this year's leading owner. Here he accepts the cup for Decoy Daddy's win in the Noel Laing Memorial Stakes race this year at Montpelier.

The winning trainer was Jonathan Sheppard, who is in the Racing Hall of Fame and this year reached his 1,000th career victory over fences. Here he is at Colonial Downs following Barnstorming's win.

Again, congratulations!

Test Slideshow

2010-11-21T19:26:00.001-05:00

Montpelier Hunt Races

2010-11-09T21:24:00.006-05:00

Montpelier in Orange, Va was the life long home of James Madison, the fourth president of the U.S. and principal author of the U.S. Constitution. Madison was raised in Montpelier and lived there after his marriage to Dolley. Today, Montpelier hosts the annual Montpelier Hunt races the first Saturday in November.

The grounds cover 2,650 acres but the races are held right in front of the mansion.

Many of the vendor and sponsor tents had elegant displays. The Steeplechase Times tent had a table set with foxhunting dishes and antique jockey silks on the walls.

Tailgating at the races runs the range from pickup truck spreads

to antique cars.

Horse racing fans come in all sizes.

The first race is a flat race on the dirt, uncommon for steeplechase meets in the U.S. It was won by Amazin Sun and Carl Rafter. This was Carl's first race back after an injury earlier in the fall at Thornton Hill.

Tizsilk and Paddy Young, on the left, won the Constitution Hurdle to stretch Paddy's lead over Danielle Hodsdon in the leading jockey race to two.

An outrider waits between races.

Decoy Daddy and Jeff Murphy, both born in Ireland, easily won the main race of the day, the Noel Laing Stakes race. This is the only steeplechase race in the U.S. run over natural brush.

Montpelier ends the steeplechase circuit in Virginia for the year and the horses are headed home for the winter.

Flint Hill Trail Ride

2010-10-27T20:14:00.004-04:00

I was unaware of the annual trail ride to benefit the Flint Hill Volunteer Fire Company until asked to take photos this year but it has been held for the past few years on more than 700 spectacular acres in the Virginia Piedmont region. The gracious land owners host the two day trail ride, permit overnight camping and provide food to the participants. Two trails were marked, one 14 miles and the other 7 miles; some riders finished one, ate lunch at the campsite and went back out to ride the other. Whether you normally show, foxhunt or trail ride, this is definitely an event to put on your calendar for next year.

The first part of the trail was through the woods, with stream crossings.

Then it wound up into the mountains before coming back down.

People rode alone

And with friends. But in all directions the scenery was stunning.

I was fascinated by the camp site where people strung up paddocks with a few sticks and twine. These enclosures wouldn't have contained my dogs, let alone my horses, yet these horses were content to stay put.

I doubt I'll be taking photos again next year because I fully intend to ride!

Morven Park Steeplechase Races

2010-10-11T21:27:00.002-04:00

On Saturday steeplechase racing in Virginia moved to Morven Park. The weather was lovely but there seemed to be fewer spectators than in the past, which is a shame because it's a nice course for viewing the races. For more photos of the horses please visit my steeplechase gallery.

The first two races were over hurdles with a lot of entries. In both cases the fields were tight over the last fence. Legendary Pacer (on the left) with Ross Geraghty chased down Green Velvet with Danielle Hodsdon (on the right) in the stretch to win the maiden hurdle race.

Canardly won the second hurdle race and was claimed for a new owner. Here he is in the paddock before the race with his groom.

Roddy Mackenzie won the first flat race on Jellyberry.

I'm Telling and Jacob Roberts won the timber race. This horse is lots of fun to watch because he usually jumps high over every fence and loves to run in front. This time, however, Atrium passed I'm Telling before the last jump where I'm Telling chipped in and hung a leg before making a huge leap to maintain his balance. Most of us were surprised as he pulled past Atrium in the stretch.

The final race was the Virginia bred flat race and it was even more unexpected. Coming out of the paddock, Love Colony and Paddy Young parted ways and Love Colony romped around the race course for quite some time. He was eventually caught near the starting point and Paddy ran 1/8 mile down the course to get back on. The two led for the entire seven furlong race and cruised easily over the finish line.

And finally it's thirst business being an outrider's mount.

Virginia Fall Races

2010-10-08T20:03:00.003-04:00

The Virginia Fall Races are two days of racing but I only attended on Saturday because Sunday coincided with Art at the Barn, a fund raiser for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Finding homes for retiring race horses is a cause I strongly believe in so I donate fine art and proceeds from sales to TRF at Art at the Barn. To see more photos from the races please visit my steeplechase gallery.

We finally had rain so the ground wasn't too hard and the races on Saturday had many more entries than recent Virginia steeplechase races.

In the first hurdle race Chess Board (GB) and Darren Nagle came in first with Twister Crossing and Jody Petty in second. Irv Naylor had recently purchased Chess Board and he also claimed Twister Crossing in this race.

He's a Conniver and Jody Petty won the National Sporting Library/Chronicle Cup timber race by 27 lengths! If he goes to the International Gold Cup, I'll see him there in a couple of weeks.

Dispute This and Paddy Young, closest to me, beat Last Nobel with Matt McCarron and Sir Dynamite with Brian Crowley in the Daniel C. Sands Cup.

Love Colony and Paddy Young seem unstoppable in the Virginia bred or sired flat race series. Over the Lea won twice in the spring and both are entered at Morven Park so it should be a good race.

Legendary Pacer and Jacob Roberts, on the inside, held off the rest of the field in one division of the amateur/apprentice flat race.

Foxfield Fall Races

2010-09-27T21:51:00.004-04:00

The extremely dry conditions and resulting hard ground took their toll on the steeplechase races at Foxfield in Charlottesville; entries were low to begin with and many scratched the day of the race. To make matters worse, it began to rain lightly on Sunday morning making the footing slippery. For more photos please visit Susan M. Carter photography.

The Foxfield fall races have a very different flavor from the spring races, the traffic is manageable and instead of hard partying UVA students, a high school symphony played alongside the paddock area.

Before the first hurdle race Flight Movie and Meshwaar seemed to be discussing tactics. Flight Movie must have been listening because this was his first start and he and Richard Boucher went on to win. Meshwaar and Liam McVicar came in third.

Jacob Roberts and Lear Heights won the training flat race by a large margin. This race only paid $500 but perhaps they can use it buy new silks, this set is getting a bit ragged under the arms. :-)

Love Colony and Paddy Young, on right, beat Tom's Dilemma and Muiris Hinchion (3rd), on left, in the Virginia Bred flat race.

Richard Boucher won his second race of the day, this time on Class Tie. This was a maiden hurdle race for fillies and mares.

Great Halo and Roddy Mackenzie ran at the back of the field for much of the final race. They pulled into contention over the last fence and passed the leaders in the stretch.

Steeplechase at Colonial Downs

2010-09-19T18:27:00.006-04:00

There was one final steeplechase meet at Colonial Downs for the year. The weather has been unbearably dry and footing at the local steeplechase race courses is iron hard but the turf at Colonial Downs was beautiful, soft and springy.

The first race was a training flat race. In the paddock Three Stepper had a melt down while being tacked up and at one point bolted forward with the saddle bumping on his chest. Since I was scrambling out of his way, I didn't get a photo until he was back under control and they were detaching the saddle.

Three Stepper was revved and led for most of the mile and a half but He's A Conniver and Jody Petty moved on the outside in the stretch, passing Swell Party and Three Stepper to win.

Rockon Rockoff was making his third start over hurdles at sanctioned meets and won the maiden hurdle race with Roddy Mackenzie.

Dubai Sunday looked very elegant in the paddock before the open hurdle race.

And continued that elegance on the race course with Darren Nagel as they went on to an upset victory.

It's a good thing I don't bet because I would have picked Eagle Beagle and Paddy Young - they came in third.

Race horses and jockeys get all the glory at the track but outriders and their ponies have an important job leading everyone to the start.

As do the starters. National Steeplechase Association Starter Barry Watson moves quickly out of the way as the race horses take off.

No more trips down I-95 to New Kent until next summer!

Old Dominion Hounds

2010-09-11T08:13:00.003-04:00

Old Dominion Hounds started cubbing over Labor Day weekend. I only stayed for a little while to take some photos of the start. For more photographs please visit the foxhunting gallery at Susan M. Carter Photography.

A foxhunter prepared a horse on the trailer.

The morning light was pretty but it has been so dry that trailers driving across the grass stirred up clouds of dust.

Horses and riders were beautifully turned out. This pair looked ready for a Dover catalog.

Huntsman Gerald Keal brought the hounds down from the kennels.

One of the hounds

The hounds around Gerald were eager to get started.

Hunt Night at Warrenton Horse Show

2010-09-09T08:15:00.008-04:00

I filled in on Sunday night to photograph Hunt Night at the Warrenton Horse Show. I have to confess I have lived in the Warrenton area for seventeen years and photograph lots of foxhunting but had never been to Hunt Night. Jordan Koepke told me this would be nothing like photographing a regular hunter show and she was certainly right. Many of these classes are for foxhunters, not show horses, and the entries have to be fairly hunted, which means they have spent a certain number of hours in the hunt field.

There was a pairs class that was very different from the pairs classes I used to ride in as a child. Those were under saddle classes where you rode side by side and were judged on your ability to keep your horses together and synchronized. Keeping horses together and synchronized is still the goal of the Hunt Night pairs class but it is held over a course of eight fences around 2'9. Most teams rode in tandem, some staying very close together or switching leaders during the round. However a few rode abreast and were very impressive indeed.

Daylight rapidly faded and classes continued under the lights. The ladies side saddle division is held on Hunt Night although these are not necessarily foxhunt horses. Penny Denegre and Garnet swept the division winning every class. I don't know if Garnet hunts but Penny certainly does and is joint master of Middleburg Hunt.

One of the most exciting classes is the Hunting Staff Class, open to past and present staff members of foxhunt clubs. The prize list states that it will be held over a "modified handy hunter course" but this is a far cry from any handy hunter class you will see at other hunter shows. The entrants had to trot a skinny, blow their horn or shout view halloo, drop a 'hot' wire, jump a fence with an approach so tight it had to be done from a walk and crack their whip at a halt and a gallop. While the Sun Shines gallops as Warrenton Huntsman Matt Van der Woude cracks his whip. The pair won the award for the best turned out.

There was a much more sedate Masters Class for past and present Masters of recognized foxhound packs. Joy Crompton of Farmington Hunt and Seamus won the class.

The last class of the night was the Hunt Teams class where three horses jump in tandem over the course until the last fence where they try to synchronize and jump together.

The show didn't end until 1am, at which point, I wasn't the only one who was very tired!

Photos of Hunt Night can be found on Daniell DeLapp Photography. Please take a look and enjoy them!

Dawn at Long Branch

2010-08-28T19:05:00.005-04:00

I got up early this morning to be out at Historic Long Branch by 6am. It was dark for most of the drive but I was expecting a sunrise similar to the lovely one I watched yesterday from my window at work. To my chagrin it was very foggy in Millwood and as time passed I worried that the sunrise was going to be completely overcast.

It stayed misty but fortunately cleared enough for the sun to break through.

Long Branch is an historic mansion built in 1805 and some eighty horses live on the grounds in a beautiful environment.

This morning, the horses were very stirred up and curious about activity in the neighborhood. The very fat bay on the left is mine.

It turned out that today was the first day of cubbing for Blue Ridge Hunt and they were hunting all around Long Branch.

The hounds picked up scent and I think they may have put a fox to ground. I left my car in the middle of the road to grab some shots as the hounds ran by.

The weather service is predicting temperatures in the 90s next week but if foxhunting has begun, I guess it's officially autumn!

Faces of Racing

2010-08-18T21:30:00.004-04:00

I took a quick trip out to the Middleburg Training Center while they were exercising race horses. Besides experimenting with remote cameras I photographed the faces of these lovely horses. To see more please visit Susan M. Carter Photography. Here are a few:

I love the markings on this horse.

This horse is only two years old and didn't like the camera that was sitting on a small tripod under the rail. He'll see lots of those at the Kentucky Derby next year. :)

This shot was actually taken back in the winter.

And this one was at Colonial Downs before a race.

Wild Horses of Corolla II

2010-07-30T08:44:00.018-04:00

The Equine Photographers Network publishes a special edition of their regular newsletter dedicated to Horses in Need Documentary Projects created by members. This is my contribution, an expanded version of my earlier blog entry on the wild horses in Corolla, NC.

Nearly every American school child knows about the mustangs in the western portion of the United States and the wild Chincoteague ponies of Virginia. Yet few have ever heard of the Banker Horse, a breed of mustang that lives on the barrier islands of North Carolina, even though the Banker Horses most likely have a more ancient heritage. The Banker Horses in Corolla have survived hundreds of years of hurricanes, droughts and floods but now their existence is threatened by human ignorance, greed and apathy. They need your help.

Although their exact origin is unknown, Banker Horses were likely brought to the New World by the Spanish in the 16th century and either swam ashore from shipwrecks or were abandoned when the Spaniards were forced to flee.

Accounts of Spanish explorations and colonization attempts in the early 1500's note that Spanish Barb and Arabian horses were imported and the modern Banker Horses display the distinguishing features of these breeds. Like Arabians, they have one fewer vertebra than most other horses and like many Spanish breeds, their facial profile tends to be straight or slightly convex. In addition the presence of the genetic marker "Q-ac" suggests that the horses share common ancestry with two other breeds of Spanish descent, the Pryor Mountain Mustang and the Paso Fino. Banker Horses have been officially accepted into the Colonial Spanish Mustang Registry.

Until recent years, the long, narrow barrier islands of North Carolina's Outer Banks remained isolated and undeveloped, with vegetation consisting mainly of coarse grasses and stunted trees. Although lush in spring and summer, during the winter vegetation is sparse and the horses must roam to find adequate forage. Now, however, the presence of humans has upset the balance and the horses are being pushed into confined areas. The rapid development in Corolla over the past thirty years resulted in many horses being killed or injured by automobiles along the highway, so in 1996 a barrier wall was built and the horses confined to the areas beyond the paved road. However, development has continued unabated and Currituck County allows building and unrestricted vehicle access on the beaches. The income from development is evidently more important than the destruction of the fragile shoreline ecosystem and dune erosion. Meanwhile, horses continue to be struck and just last summer a hit and run driver left a stallion with a leg so badly broken, only the skin was holding it together.

Multi-million dollar vacation rentals have been and continue to be built, some have 20+ bedrooms and all are on septic tanks. The sandy soil means that waste waters are not held for very long and may not have adequate time for the bacteria to break them down. Then there is the inevitable trash and pollution that results from thousands of seasonal tourists and the handful of year round residents.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has a large National Wildlife Refuge in the area that could provide additional protected habitat for the horses. However the following is a direct quote from their website: "The Fish and Wildlife Service considers the horses to be non-native, feral animals and not a natural component of the barrier island ecosystem. These animals compete with native wildlife species for food and fresh water. Their activities degrade and destroy habitat which negatively impacts native species. The Service actively manages critical habitat areas by erecting fences to keep the nuisance animals out and to prevent habitat damage." The horses may not be native but they are certainly well established and have co-existed with turtles and shore birds for 500 years.

The horses do not have any government organization looking out for their interests but in 1989 concerned citizens formed the Corolla Wild Horse Fund to protect and preserve the herd. In addition to monitoring herd welfare, responding to emergencies and educating the public, the tiny staff runs an adoption service for horses that must be removed from the herd. Horses may be available for adoption for a variety of reasons such as herd reduction or becoming too accustomed to humans. Local ordinances prohibit approaching or feeding them but people still do with the result that some become treat aggressive, just like their domestic cousins. For everyone's safety they are removed from the wild and made available for adoption. The horses at the adoption center are curious, gentle and sweet.

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund was recently successful in having the Colonial Spanish Mustang declared the official horse of North Carolina and is now working with U.S. Representative Walter Jones to pass H.R. 5482, the Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act. The bill is currently in subcommittee but has received little media coverage outside the local area. On 27 July, Executive Director Karen McCalpin testified before a House Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife hearing and additional information about the bill and testimony can be found on Representative Jones's website. There is an immediate need for citizens to write to the chairs of the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources and Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife in support of H.R. 5482.

The Corolla Wild Horse Fund also needs financial support to combat the economic power of developer and tourist industry dollars, fight the perception of a "nuisance" animal and educate visitors on safety. The Colonial Spanish Mustang is on the Critical list of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy - please help to preserve what is left of this wonderful piece of American history.

Zeke Ferguson Memorial Stakes 2010

2010-07-12T21:05:00.005-04:00

On Sunday Colonial Downs hosted the $50,000 Zeke Ferguson Memorial Stakes race (gr III), the final major hurdle race before Saratoga. They also hosted a fund raiser for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's James River facility in the Jockey Club, complete with book signing, auction and art show.

The two favorites, Spy in the Sky and Slip Away, scratched, leaving the betting wide open. Class Bopper hadn't started over jumps since November 2009 and apparently the time away agreed with him. He and jockey Richard Boucher were alert and ready at the start.

The starter told the jockeys they were "sloppy" during the line up and Class Bopper got an early jump on the competition.

They held the lead from start to finish, staying in front of Riddle and Arch Kingsley, Orison and Roddie Mackenzie, and Dr. Bloomer and Darren Nagle (2nd).

The other steeplechase race was a maiden claiming race. Four year old Barnstorming took Danielle Hodsdon to an eight length win over Power Game and Roderick Mackenzie. Barnstorming was making his first start over fences after a rather uninspired flat career consisting of three starts and one third place. It looks like he's found his niche.

He's a cutie.

In between the two jump races was a flat race. The power as the horses break from the gate is impressive.

As part of the TRF fundraiser Kate Chenery Tweedy, daughter of Secretariat's owner, Penny Chenery, talked about a book that she has co-authored, "Secretariat's Meadow."

Elysian Hills Horse Trials 7-3-10

2010-07-08T19:30:00.003-04:00

Elysian Hills ran the third in this year's horse trial series on July 3rd. The weather has been so dry that the stadium ring became very dusty and I switched to shooting on the cross country course. More photos from Elysian Hills are available on Susan M. Carter Photography.

A very lucky Demmi Hersh celebrated her 16th birthday by riding her birthday present, Swan's Nobility, in the Training division. If you look closely you can see the birthday bow on his bridle.

Leah Lang-Gluscic had a nice round on BamBam in the Open Novice division.

Kathleen Coyle and Tiptoe with Me were very focused during their round in Open Novice.

Andrea Courson and Bitsy Betty took the coop on cross country in good form.

Torrey Wilkinson and Talisman jumped the cedar logs.

Carey Horton and Desert Sand looked pretty in pink going cross country.

More at Colonial Downs

2010-06-28T17:42:00.004-04:00

Colonial Downs hosted two National Steeplechase Assoc races on Sunday, a maiden and an open hurdle race. It was unbelievably hot, according to weather.com it hit 100 degrees; according to my car, 104. I don't know how horses and jockeys made it around the course, especially the hurdlers who ran 2 1/4 miles and jumped ten fences. Instead of the usual jumping and galloping photos, I decided to post some close ups for a change of pace.

Danielle Hodsdon gets Mattituck Inlet ready for the first race.

Jacob Roberts and Cooper lining up for the start of the maiden hurdle race.

Darren Nagle and Coupe de Ville came in second.

Noses from left to right are Manassa Mauler with Ross Geraghty, Baylor Dude with B. Crowley and Mattituck Inlet with Danielle Hodsdon. Mattituck Inlet pulled away down the stretch to win.

Sword of Dubai and his groom both looked good in the paddock before the open hurdle. I liked the hair dos.

Jeff Murphy and Eamonn at the start. Eamonn and Jeff came in third in the open hurdle.

Indy Run and Roddy Mackenzie won the open hurdle.

Undercard Races at Colonial Downs 6-17

2010-06-21T19:38:00.005-04:00

I'm a little late posting shots from some of the undercard Thoroughbred races from the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes at Colonial Downs.

Shared Account and Edgar Prado won the All Along Stakes (gr III) for fillies and mares.

Lady Rizzi and Alan Garcia held off If Not for Lust and Vladimir Diaz (#7) to win the Buckland Stakes, another race for fillies and mares. I wonder if this race is named for Buckland Farms that owned Pleasant Colony...

Malcolm Franklin was very happy after winning the fourth race on Super Chunky. Who would name a race horse Super Chunky? But his dam was Chunky Cheeks - can you imagine being at a show and the announcer saying, "Next in the ring is Susan Carter on Chunky Cheeks"? Egad.

Richard Boucher, who rides a lot of steeplechasers, and Fugative Angle nosed out Purplish and Edgar Prado in the fifth race.

I was hoping to see Spy in the Sky, who has won some hurdle stakes races, in the sixth race but he was scratched. Day Flight and Eric Camacho beat Imponente Purse (BRZ) and Horacio Karamanos.

Rockin' Joe and Eric Camacho cool down after winning the 7th race.

Paddy O'Prado wins at Colonial Downs

2010-06-20T14:52:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes (grII) at Colonial Downs, a one and three sixteenth miles race for three year olds. The field was small but contained two Kentucky Derby starters, Paddy O'Prado and Dean's Kitten. These photos will not be in my regular galleries so if you are interested in them please contact Susan M. Carter. Photos from undercard races, including the All Along Stakes (grIII) will be posted soon.

Paddy O'Prado, his groom and Kent Desormeaux in the paddock before the race.

Breaking from the gate. I had to run the 3/16s of a mile from the starting gate to the finish line. I need to get in better shape.

Paddy O'Prado pulled away from Workin for Hops and Two Notch Road in the stretch.

He was all alone heading for home.

Crossing the finish line.

Paddy wasn't too sure he like the wet sponge on his head.

Kent goes to weigh out.

Colonial Downs Racing on June 13

2010-06-14T21:04:00.004-04:00

There were two National Steeplechase Association races in addition to seven flat races at Colonial Downs on June 13th. The hurdle races were the first and third on the card and while I normally would have stayed to photograph more races, it was so hot I left after the third. I will not be posting these in my regular galleries so if you are interested in photos from these races, please contact Susan M. Carter.

The winner of the first race was Farndale, an extremely handsome, dk brown/black four year old gelding. Farndale was ridden by Xavier Aizpuru. Next to him is Manassa Mauler, ridden by Ross Geraghty.

The starter gives instructions to get them lined up.

Here at the fifth jump were Farndale, Rockon Rockoff (Roddie Mackenzie) and Baylor Dude (Paddy Young). Rockon Rockoff and Baylor Dude didn't fare too well in the race.

The second race was one mile on the turf for mares and fillies.

The race was won by Rose Medallion and H. Karamanos.

The open hurdle race was won by Riddle. I'm not completely clear on this horse's story but he is a former hurdle stakes winner that has not raced since 2007.

Going down to the start with Danielle Hodsdon, he had quite a big trot.

Riddle took the lead early on with Great Gusto, sans jockey, following.

Closertoyourheart and Matt McCarron tried to catch them but fell at the last fence. I'm not sure if Matt got in the ambulance but he was up and walking when I headed back to the winners circle. Closertoyourheart seemed OK and walked back to the barn.

Polo at Morningside

2010-06-13T07:54:00.003-04:00

A new 130 acre equestrian training center, Morningside Training Farm, opened last weekend. Morningside provides training facilities for every equestrian discipline: a dressage ring, a ring with stadium jumps, a cross country course, steeplechase national fences, a 5/8 mile track, a regulation size polo field, a lake to swim horses, and an indoor arena.

I am not a fan of arena polo but I do like traditional grass polo and this field is incredible. The size of three football fields, it was carved out of a hillside and is perfectly flat. I am told that they used satellite imagery to level it to within 1/4 inch variance. Did I get that right? One quarter inch is awfully small. There is an irrigation system that moves across the field, taking four hours to complete its job.

With a field that size, I definitely need a longer lens as I could only photograph a small portion of the play but here are a few shots of two local teams, Heart In Hand/Merry Oak vs. Long Lane Farm, playing at Morningside yesterday. These teams are in the 2-4 Goal Grass League.

Belmont Party Art Show

2010-06-04T18:28:00.004-04:00

On June 5th I will be joining the "Belmont Party" at the barn at Foxcote in White Post, Virginia along with fellow Virginia Equine Artists Association members. This annual event supports the Blue Ridge Hospice and artists will donate a portion of all fine art sales to the hospice. This will be my first time participating but I'm told the location is gorgeous. Here are a few of the photographs that I will display:

To see more fine art photographs, please visit Susan M. Carter Photography fine art.

A Quick Visit to Charles Town Races

2010-05-30T17:04:00.002-04:00

I went to Charles Town Races last night with friends but we only stayed for a few races. This is the first time I've been there on a summer weekend night and it was very crowded, great for the industry but not so great for getting lots of photos as I had to elbow my way to the rail. Here are a few shots.

In the third race, it was a photo finish. Forbes (#8) moved up three and four wide and then in a long drive was first to the wire. Samba Sarava, in the middle, drew even in the stretch but just missed at the finish. Last Tribute was well positioned on the rail, gained a slim lead down the backstretch and led until the final strides.

Down Town Allen and I Got a Answer go down to the start in the Its Binn Too Long Stakes race for three year old fillies.

Down Town Allen with Mathew McGowan drew away around the turn and remained well clear to the finish.

In the fifth race, Big Merle and Joshua Navarro took the lead in the upper stretch and then drew off.

Strawberry Hill Photos in Steeplechase Times

2010-05-25T18:33:00.003-04:00

Several of my photographs from Strawberry Hill races held at Colonial Downs appeared in the May 28th issue of Steeplechase Times. For more photos of Strawberry Hill Races please visit the Strawberry Hill gallery at Susan M. Carter Photography.

On page 14, Triton Light (right) battles Isabel Harp in the maiden claimer.

And on page 15, Daylight Fire zooms to victory in the filly/mare maiden.

Strawberry Hill Races at Colonial Downs

2010-05-18T19:41:00.004-04:00

Strawberry Hill Races changed their customary date from April to mid-May to coincide with the Preakness. The races are held at Colonial Downs and for the first time wagering was available for simulcast races. The normal race start time was pushed back to alternate with the races at Pimlico. For more photos please visit the Strawberry Hill gallery at Susan M. Carter Photography.

The day was hot and humid. Spectators were imbibing large amounts of beer and other fluids while the horsemen kept the water hoses busy cooling down the horses.

Isabel Harp (left) scrambled over the last fence and finished second while Triton Light and Liam McVicar went on to win the University Challenge Capital Cup.

Daylight Fire and Jeff Murphy won the filly and mare maiden hurdle race. I'm not sure if I like this mare so much because she is Virginia bred at Spring Hill Farm, near my house, or because she wins so decisively. This was her second start over hurdles and she led start to finish, winning easily.

Liam won a second race, the Colonial Chase maiden hurdle, on Final Straw. They cleared the final jump nicely and Century Gold finished second.

Matt McCarron rode Virginia Minstrel to a win in the feature race, the Strawberry Hill Classic.

Everyone was getting worried that the last race wouldn't go off before the Preakness but it did and was a tight race right down to the wire. Whistling Deputy and Matt McCarron on the far side hung on to win.

Wild Horses of Corolla

2010-05-11T20:55:00.009-04:00

I traveled to Corolla, North Carolina to see the wild horses that live on the Outer Banks. The Banker Horses arrived on board Spanish ships during the 1500's and the relative isolation of the region has kept the Spanish Barb/Arabian bloodlines pure. Greeting cards and fine art prints of these magnificent horses will be available on Susan M. Carter Photography.

The Spanish Mustang Registry is satisfied that the Banker Horses, in particular the Corolla strain, are as lineally pure to the 16th century Spanish importations as can be found in North America today.

An alert herd stallion.

The interior sections of the island have richer grasses than I expected. Here an adolescent colt naps in the sunshine. He was already being pushed to the edge of his small band and will probably be forced out of the herd by the end of the year.

There is plenty of fresh water available just on the other side of the beach dunes.

The horses come down the beach to escape the flies during the hot times of day. The foal peeking around its dam is about one week old.

Sadly, development is destroying the natural habitat of these horses and they are not protected by federal law. Inevitably septic tank run off, chemicals from building supplies and plain old trash is poisoning the environment.

To my great astonishment, vehicles are allowed to drive all over the beaches and in fact houses are built where the only access is across the sand dunes. Dune erosion is a problem all along the east coast and I can only imagine the damage caused by driving on the dunes.

This setting and these animals are too magnificent to lose to greed and ignorance. The Corolla Wild Horse Fund was founded to raise awareness about this piece of American history. A bill has been introduced into Congress to protect the horses and you can help by writing to your Representative.

Foxfield Photos in Steeplechase Times

2010-05-07T18:07:00.002-04:00

Several of my photographs from Foxfield Spring races appeared in the May 7th issue of Steeplechase Times. For more photos of Foxfield Races please visit the Foxfield gallery at Susan M. Carter Photography.

On page 24, the first photo: Ballet Boy shows the way in his maiden hurdle score at Foxfield – part of a double by Tom Voss and Paddy Young.
The second photo: News Flash (center) flies the last in the maiden timber.

On page 26, Ptarmigan touches down with a lead in the filly/mare allowance at Foxfield.

Virginia Gold Cup

2010-05-02T20:01:00.019-04:00

The 85th running of the Virginia Gold Cup was held on May 1st. The weather was hot, the crowd was large and hat sales were brisk. In addition to steeplechase racing, there were terrier races, tailgate competitions, a hat contest and a cake contest. For more photos of the Gold Cup, please visit the Virginia Gold Cup gallery at Susan M. Carter Photography.

The main event of the day was the $75,000 four mile Virginia Gold Cup, run over a course of twenty-two timber fences, up to four feet high. Bubble Economy with Paddy Young and Patriots Path with Darren Nagle look over the first fence before the start. Bubble Economy won the Gold Cup in 2008 and Patriots Path was the 2009 Timber Horse of the Year.

Bubble Economy went on to win, flying over the fences.

Fort Henry, Jody Petty and I were captured on the JumboTron. Shortly afterward they decided they'd rather not have me in the middle of the screen and changed the camera angle.

Another exciting race at the Gold Cup is the Steeplethon. Although officially a timber race, it's run over a course consisting of everything from banks, ditches, stone walls, timber, hurdles and a water obstacle. Here Swimming River and Bernie Dalton came over one of the banks and went on to second place.

In addition to winning the Gold Cup, Paddy Young also won the Steeplethon on The Whacker (IRE).

With thirteen horses in the EMO Hurdle Race, it was chaotic over the fences. Star for Tina and Xavier Aizpuru went on to win.

Bob Madigan, a familiar voice on the Washington DC airwaves, was broadcasting live from the races and got a little help from a friend.

I have to admit, I'd never heard of Ace of Cakes but then I can just about get the ingredients in my bread machine in the correct order. Chef Duff created a Gold Cup cake and judged a cake competition. It was pretty hard to believe that this was a cake.

Foxfield and Middleburg

2010-04-30T21:50:00.008-04:00

Last weekend was very busy with two race meets, the National Steeplechase Association sanctioned Foxfield Spring Races in Charlottesville and Middleburg Hunt Point to Point in Middleburg. For more photographs from each of these races, please visit Susan M. Carter Photography.

Foxfield Spring Races are known for the enthusiastic University of Virginia students who come to see and be seen, as well as the horrendous traffic jams. This year the traffic was considerably improved and I only waited about 40 minutes to get in.

I am not familiar with the company but Robert Redd is a clothing manufacturer that seemed to be sponsoring quite a bit at the races. They sponsored the first race, a maiden hurdle, that was won by Ballet Boy (IRE), on right with Paddy Young, while Quiet Approval, on left with Carl Rafter, came in second.

There was only one timber race at Foxfield, the Grover Vandevender Memorial. This is the final jump on the three mile course, showing from left to right, G'Day G'Day (2nd) with Jeff Murphy, News Flash (1st) with Paddy Young and Sand Box Rules (4th) with Matt McCarron.

There was a field of six in the fillies and mares hurdle and four of the horses were gray. Here are three of them, from left to right: Ptarmigan with Jeff Murphy, The Manner Born with Tom Foley and Diva Maria with Matt McCarron.

The Middleburg Hunt Point to Point is held at Glenwood Park, a beautiful 112 acre equestrian facility that hosts racing, horse trials and Pony Club and 4H events. The maiden hurdle race was easily won by Daylight Fire, a Spring Hill Farm, Virginia-bred mare. Daylight Fire was ridden by Carl Rafter.

A pair of Magalen Bryant horses, Rippin and Runnin and Personal Two came in first and third in the restricted maiden hurdle. Personal Two ridden by Jeff Murphy is here on the left and Rippin And Runnin with Matt McCarron are on the right.

Whodoyoucallit and Sam Cockburn gallop around the turn going into the stretch to win the maiden flat race.

Some Recent Hunter Paces

2010-04-21T20:49:00.005-04:00

The spring hunter pace series in Virginia was shortened due to the harsh winter but still offered lots of great courses across beautiful countryside. For more photos, please visit Susan M. Carter Photography.

Each course had a variety of jumps. Old Dominion had timber fences.

Piedmont is well known for its beautiful stone walls.

This year, Rappahannock had some lovely stone walls, as well.

Orange County had lots of coops that jumped very well.

As always, hunter paces are a family affair for participants of all ages.

And everyone has a really good time.

Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point

2010-04-13T20:49:00.008-04:00

The Loudoun Hunt Point-to-Point races are held on the grounds of Oatlands, a farm established in the early 1800's by the great grandson of Robert "King" Carter, one of the wealthiest men in the colonies - no relation :). Today the mansion and grounds host a variety of activities, from weddings to dog shows to horse races. Many more photos from the races are available in the Loudoun Hunt point-to-point gallery at Susan M. Carter Photography.

A pair of Kinross Farm horses, Old Timer and With Bells On, jumped in unison into first and second place in the maiden hurdle.

Obviously I am not the only one hoping to find my photos in Steeplechase Times, even though we are on opposite sides of the camera lens.

Cool Fellow and Allen Shreve showed good form winning the owner/rider timber race.

Reports of Billy Santoro's retirement were clearly premature as he won the novice timber race on News Flash.

Spectators are good for the sport but some don't seem to understand that bringing toddlers right out onto the course within a few yards of steel shod, half ton race horses is not the smartest idea. Jeff Murphy and Inca Magic gallop safely past to win the four mile open timber William Corcoran Eustis cup.

Over the Lea won the VHPBA Virginia bred flat race for the third time in a row! Liam McVicar guided him to two of those wins.

Old Dominion Point-to-Point

2010-04-08T18:25:00.005-04:00

The Old Dominion Hounds point-to-point races were held at Ben Venue Farm on Saturday. Ben Venue provides one of the best race courses for spectators on the point-to-point circuit, with great views of the beautiful countryside from the hilltop. These are some photos from the day; many more are available on Susan M. Carter Photography.

Greg Ryan announced his retirement after riding Dynantonia in the open hurdle. Greg holds the record for them most wins as an amateur steeplechase jockey in the U.S.

Earlier in the day, Greg won the amateur/novice rider hurdle on Devil's Preacher.

Liam McVicar and Over the Lea won the Virginia bred flat race for the second time in as many weeks.

Muiris Hinchion and Triton Light won the maiden hurdle.

Ben Garner won the open timber, the second division of the novice rider flat and came in second in the first division of the novice rider flat.

Michael Harris rode Mariah's Promise in the novice rider flat.

Orange County Hunt Point-to-Point

2010-03-29T22:09:00.004-04:00

The Orange County point-to-point races are held at Locust Hill Farm, a beautiful 1,000 acre farm in Middleburg, Va. Rain was predicted but held off until the races were over, probably because I suffered through the day in rain pants, rubber boots and a ratty rain coat. If I had been dressed comfortably in jeans and sneakers, it would have poured. There are many more photos from the races available on Susan M. Carter Photography.

Greg Ryan started off the day, leading the junior and senior divisions of the Field Master Chase.

Ptarmigan and Ben Garner flew to a win in the first division of the novice rider flat race. Ben also won the second division.

The hurdle races had larger fields than previous meets this year. Lion's Double and Willie Dowling, on the left, won the maiden hurdle.

Paddy and Leslie Young returned north after taking their horses south for the winter. Here Paddy is riding Baylor Dude to third place in the restricted maiden hurdle.

Liam McVicar rode his first winner of the season, So Amazing (Ire) in the open hurdle race.

Erin Go Bragh (NZ) and Jeff Murphy chased Battle Op in the open timber but couldn't quite catch him at the finish.

Bull Run Point-to-Point

2010-03-26T19:42:00.005-04:00

With back to back races the fields were small and the photographers tired. The jockeys probably were too but they are younger and fitter than most of the photographers. Bull Run Hunt always hosts an entertaining day of family fun and this year was no exception. More photos are available on Susan M. Carter Photography.

Harry's Crown and Sam Cockburn come on the outside around Meet at Eleven (Ire) with Todd McKenna in the novice rider flat race. Harry's Crown went on to win.

Sam also won the amateur/novice rider hurdle race on Meshwaar.

The sky made a beautiful backdrop to Swimming River and Ben Garner before the open flat race.

Jeff Murphy and Liverpool Gloves won the maiden hurdle.

Jacob Roberts and Hey Doctor won the novice timber.

Sam Cockburn rode heavy draft horse, Granite, to second place in a field of light drafts. Quite a change from his usual mounts!

Piedmont Point-to-Point

2010-03-25T19:02:00.009-04:00

In the blink of an eye the weather went from cold, snow and rain to glorious sunshine at the Piedmont Fox Hounds point-to-point races. The temperature was around 70 but there was still a patch of snow in one gully to remind us of just how harsh the winter has been. This time I'm posting a variety of images from the day, not just winners. To see lots more, please visit Susan M. Carter Photography.

Salem race course in Upperville, Va is one of the prettiest courses on the point-to-point circuit with several picturesque stone walls. Here, Ordered To Listen with Chris Read (left) and Justpourit (Ire) with George Hundt, Jr jump up from the lower side of the wall in the maiden timber race.

After an absence of six years from the steeplechase scene, former champion jockey, Gus Brown, rode Radio Flyer (Ire) (left) to a win in the Rokeby Challenge Bowl. Endless Mountain and Ben Garner came in second.

Meanwhile, Crypto Cousin decided to see if he could fly and took Pat Cooney along for the ride.

In between races, Jeff Murphy modeled the latest in body protection; I think we'll see it on the catwalk soon.

I missed Ben Garner's best photo op when he locked his keys in the trunk (or in his case the boot) and spent much of the day trying to get them out. I'm told he eventually bludgeoned the car into submission and it gave them up.

The beautiful people come to the races to see and be seen. Ladies wear hats and tailgates are elaborate. Here is what the well dressed Saluki wears in public.

A Rainy Warrenton Point-to-Point

2010-03-14T12:01:00.008-04:00

The extremely snowy winter pushed back the start of Virginia's point-to-point racing season and heavy rains threatened to cancel the Warrenton point-to-point as well. The races were shortened to accommodate the reduced fitness levels of the horses but the deep turf made for slow going. More photos from the races can be seen and purchased on Susan M. Carter Photography.

Carl Rafter won a number of races including the restricted maiden hurdle with Better Than Even.

Carl had a walkover in the Airlie Steeplechase open hurdle with So Amazing (IRE) but elected to school the course.

Jamey Price rode in his first hurdle race and won the amateur/novice rider hurdle on Bold Turn.

Pat Cooney celebrated a brilliantly ridden walkover. :-)

Sarah O'Brien and Heart O Plenty won the first division of a split novice rider flat race.

Ben Garner and Endless Mountain won the second division of the flat race.

Jake Chalfin and Dixie Colony won the VHBPA Virginia bred or sired flat race.

Art Show at the Dog Show

2010-01-29T18:21:00.005-05:00

Four of my photographs were accepted into the 24th annual Art Show at the Dog Show, a national juried fine arts competition dedicated to canine art. For fine art photographs, please visit the Fine Art gallery at Susan M. Carter Photography.

Speaking

Gazehound

Collie in Snow

Greeting the Huntsman

2009 Steeplechase Champions

2010-01-16T09:15:00.007-05:00

Here are some of the 2009 steeplechase champion horses and jockeys that I was lucky enough to photograph. Congratulations to them all.

Leading horse and Eclipse winner - Mixed Up. Here ridden by Danielle Hodsdon. Danielle was also champion jockey in terms of money won.

Champion timber horse - Patriot's Path. Here ridden by Xavier Aizpuru.

Champion claimer - Eagle Beagle. Here ridden by Paddy Young.

Champion Trainer (races won) – Jack Fisher. Seen here with two time Eclipse winner Good Night Shirt.

Champion Jockey (races won) – Paddy Young

Leading Amateur/Apprentice Jockey – Jacob Roberts

Amateur Highweight Timber Jockey – Billy Santoro. At age 59, Billy has announced his retirement.

A Few More in the Snow

2009-12-27T20:52:00.004-05:00

We had a record setting snowstorm here in Virginia last weekend. This time getting out to shoot while it was snowing was not possible so these were taken a few days later.

A last beam of sunlight before darkness fell.

Photo Challenge

2009-12-11T17:19:00.004-05:00

The Equine Photographer's Network conducted a photo-a-day challenge for its members in November. Each day participants had to take an equine related photograph to match that day's theme and post it within 24 hours. It was incredibly difficult, not only to think of a subject for each theme but to also deal with weather, short deadlines and early nightfall at this time of year. There were a number of cold, dark evenings after coming home from work that I nearly threw in the towel. But I did make it to the end and I've created a slide show with all of my photos. It may take a while to download, so please be patient.

For fine art photography please visit the Fine Art gallery at Susan M. Carter Photography.

Snowy Day

2009-12-09T20:03:00.004-05:00

We haven't had a lot of snow for the past few years so when we do get some, I rush out to take photos. We got approximately five inches on Saturday but it is nearly all melted already.

My friend's horses enjoyed the snow.

As did her Collie puppy

And my own dogs too

Nighttime Racing

2009-11-28T12:12:00.003-05:00

I went up to Charles Town on November 27th to try photographing horse racing under the lights. Here are some of the shots.

Red Alert Diamond with Ishua M. Diaz Figueroa wins the West Virginia Bred Maiden race.

Jockey J. D. Acosta after winning the West Virginia Bred Claiming race for fillies and mares on Kassi's Love.

Boone's Babe and Xavier Perez win the Maiden Claming race for two year olds

High Five Gal and J.D. Acosta win the Maiden Claiming race for two year old fillies.

Smokin' Stogies goes down to the start.

Ponce (pink hood) and J. D. Acosta go on to win.

Old Dominion Hounds Junior Meet

2009-11-22T20:15:00.003-05:00

Old Dominion Hounds hosted a junior meet with the Old Dominion Region Pony Club on Saturday. There were lots of juniors and the field was very large. More photos are available on Susan M. Carter Photography.

Everyone helped get the ponies ready to hunt.

One lucky rider got to ride with the Master and lead the field.

The field stretched for a long way.

The hounds were enthusiastic

The whips had to hustle to keep up with the hounds

Some riders and ponies were very small.

Montpelier Hunt Races

2009-11-08T11:03:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was the 75th running of the Montpelier Hunt Races, held at the home of James and Dolley Madison. The estate was purchased by the DuPonts in the early 1900s and Marion DuPont Scott started the races. Photos are available on Susan M. Carter Photography.

The day started with a one mile flat race on the dirt track. Left to right: That Dream Cat, Lear Heights, Pan Adam, More To The Point (mostly hidden) and Moving Violation (1st) with Paddy Young.

Liverpool Gloves, Country Cousin (1st) with Carl Rafter, I'm Telling, Ballet Boy (2nd), Otappaz in the Constitution Hurdle.

Strategic Vission wasn't moving fast enough to suit Birthday Beau (3rd) and gets a bump in the rear.

Chess Board (GB) and William McCarthy jump the hedges in style to come in second in the Noel Laing Stakes.

While Pals Pride takes Darren Nagel on a more direct path.

The day ended in the growing dark with a training flat race, won by Love Colony and Jake Chalfin.

Jr Field Hunter Championships - Finals

2009-11-02T13:02:00.004-05:00

The finals of the 2009 Junior North American Field Hunter Championships were held on November 1st in The Plains, Va. More than 60 children qualified from hunt clubs up and down the east coast in three divisions: hilltoppers, first flight 12 and under and first flight 13 and over. More photos can be found on Susan M. Carter Photography.

The contestants rode in a mock hunt across some beautiful countryside.

M. Douglas Wise, MFH and Mrs. Robert "Iona" Pillion led the groups.

Cross country obstacles included logs, timber jumps, coops and stone walls. The contestants rode extremely well.

Among other challenges, the finalist testing required participants to drop a rail and lead their horses over it.

Braiding was discouraged but there were some cool clips.

Old People's Riding Club Rally

2009-10-31T10:37:00.004-04:00

Several northern Virginia chapters of the Old People's Riding Club held a rally on October 25th. You can see lots more photos on Susan M. Carter Photography
Local ribbons were awarded and points sent in for national awards.

There were pleasure classes

Jumping

Dressage

Pole bending in dressage saddles

Barrel racing also in dressage saddles

And more...

Casanova Hunt Opening Meet

2009-10-24T20:44:00.004-04:00

Today was the 100th anniversary of Casanova Hunt. The Blessing of the Hounds was held at the Casanova Green and the hunt conducted on Spring Hill Farm, the largest Thoroughbred breeding farm in Virginia.

This hound wanted a personal blessing from the huntsman during the opening ceremony.

There was some lovely foliage.

A whipper-in with the field behind him.

Horses and riders were beautifully turned out.

The weather was very warm and the hounds and horses needed a drink.

And so did the riders.

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

2009-10-22T21:55:00.004-04:00

I spent an early morning with the ex-race horses at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Montpelier facility. It was a beautiful, misty morning.

Life is good at the retirement center.

There are lots of lovely horses for adoption.

There is a training track at Montpelier where current race horses train. This one was finished for the day and headed back to his barn.

International Gold Cup

2009-10-18T12:22:00.003-04:00

The International Gold Cup races were held yesterday in a cold, steady, light rain. The turf was good, the horses liked the temperatures and the spectators huddled under umbrellas. The Irish jockeys probably felt at home. But the photographers were definitely looking a little squishy. This was the first time steeplechase racing was televised in the U.S. and the coverage alternated between Far Hills, N.J. and Virginia. Additional photos will be available on Susan M. Carter Photography

The feature race, the International Gold Cup, was star-studded. Bubble Economy and Seeyouattheevent are previous winners, Salmo has won the Virginia Gold Cup more than once and Erin Go Bragh (NZ) was coming off a recent stakes win.

Salmo is in the foreground, with Bubble Economy, Erin Go Bragh and Seeyouattheevent left to right behind him. Seeyouattheevent with Jeff Murphy went on to win.

The three mile Steeplethon is always a fun race. It includes timber fences, hedges, hurdle fences, a stone wall and a water crossing.

Big Bad Joe with James Slater looked good over the Aintree Bank.

The race was won by Major Malibu and Jeff Murphy

Sonic Charm and Diana Gillam won the Airbus Cup maiden hurdle. Sonic Charm is on the far right.

Love Colony and Jake Chalfin beat Secret Style with Jacob Roberts to win the Old Dominion Turf Championship for Virginia bred or sired horses.

Slaney Rock (IRE) and Michelle Penman won the International Fegentri World Cup of Nations Flat race.

Jr Field Hunter Championships - Blue Ridge Hunt

2009-10-12T18:56:00.005-04:00

The fourth qualifying round for the Junior Field Hunter Championship was hosted by Blue Ridge Hunt on October 10. Like Warrenton, it was rainy and dark but the participants had fun. Additional photos can be viewed on Susan M. Carter Photography.

The contestants were focused.

While the adults checked text messages.

Morven Park Races

2009-10-10T22:07:00.005-04:00

Today was the Morven Park Races, one of two NSA sanctioned meets in the final weekend before the inaugural Steeplechase Championships. Additional photos are posted on Susan M. Carter Photography.

Music To My Ears (2nd) with George Hundt, Jr and Gather No Moss (1st) with Will Haynes (left to right) in the Founders Cup timber race.

Fantastic Foe (1st) with Roddy MacKenzie and Early Note with Liam McVicar in the Loudoun Chase hurdle race

Eagle Beagle with Paddy Young won yet another hurdle race this year, the Leesburg Chase.

Always First (GB) (right) with Ross Geraghty beat Wheels Up at Noon (left) with Jeff Murphy in the Loudoun Country Run.

Major Price with Jacob Roberts led for the entire three and a quarter miles of the Samual H. Rogers Memorial timber race.

Class Band with Bernie Dalton won the Old Dominion Dash

Art at the Barn

2009-10-08T19:09:00.009-04:00

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation held an art show and auction benefit at their Montpelier facility. TRF provides homes for many Thoroughbreds at risk after their racing careers have ended. I was one of several local artists to exhibit work; we all donated an item for the live auction and a portion of any sales at the event. This was the third Art at the Barn and attendance had increased significantly over last year. I hope to see you there next year! For fine art photography please visit the Fine Art gallery at Susan M. Carter.

Lots of beautiful art work:

My display was on the far wall between the painting on the easel and the man in shorts:

Food:

Music:

And an auction:

Jr Field Hunter Championships - Old Dominion Hunt

2009-10-06T21:36:00.004-04:00

Early morning fog turned into a beautiful mist for the Junior Field Hunter Championship qualifier at Old Dominion Hounds.

The hounds were ready

And so were the ponies

There were nearly 100 riders

Lots of previously qualified riders

And the youngest entry was only three years old.

Virginia Fall Races

2009-10-04T20:36:00.006-04:00

More beautiful weather for the Virginia Fall Races held in Middleburg, Va. I only attended on Saturday because I participated in "Art at the Barn", an art show benefit for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, on Sunday. Photos from the Virginia Fall Races are available on Susan M. Carter Photography.

Erin Go Bragh (NZ) with Paddy Young wins the National Sporting Library Chronicle Cup Timber Stakes.

Major Malibu with Paddy Young wins the James P. McCormick Memorial Maiden Timber.

Chess Board (#3) with Paddy Young passes Fogcutter with Ross Geraghty (2nd) and It's My Choice (NZ) with Willie Dowling (3rd) to win the Bon Nouvel Optional Allowance/Claiming Hurdle.

Jeff Murphy checks on the competitors as I'm a Hokie cruises to win the James P. Mills Memorial Virginia Restricted Flat.

Sonic Charm with Carl Rafter (2nd) and I Know Its Not with William Dowling (1st) in the Daniel C. Sands Cup Maiden Claiming Hurdle.

Foxfield Fall Races - Hurdles

2009-09-30T19:44:00.003-04:00

Full event photos are posted on Susan M. Carter Photography

Eamonn won the first race, the Monticello Maiden Hurdle.
Johann Star with Will Haynes, What a Warrior (3rd) with Jacob Roberts and Eamonn with Jeff Murphy

Pals Pride, ridden by Bernard Dalton, managed to stay on his feet at the last jump and still win the Albemarle Hurdle.

Old Man Buck and Jacob Roberts come to grief at the last fence (no one hurt) while Devil's Preacher and Greg Ryan go on to win the Beaulieu Chase.

An enthusiastic Fleeting Thunder finishes by himself

Foxfield Fall Races - Flat

2009-09-28T22:01:00.004-04:00

Foxfield Fall Races in Charlottesville had beautiful weather and after several inches of rain, the turf was excellent. There were three flat races on the card. Photos can be found on Susan M. Carter Photography.

The Editor with Jeff Murphy, Steppenwolfer (1st) with Jody Petty and Chess Board (4th) with Paddy Young in the Chef's Plate training flat race.

Steppenwolfer, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby to Barbaro, makes his steeplechase meet debut.

River Magic (1st) with Roddy MacKenzie, Class Crash (4th) with Richard Boucher in the HBPA Old Dominion flat race for VA bred/sired

River Magic

Pan Adam with Michael Harris, Rainbows For Luck (1st) with Ben Garner, Ouagadougou (4th) with Muiris Hinchion and Won Wild Bird (2nd) with Will Haynes in the Barracks Training Flat race

Rainbows for Luck

Jr Field Hunter Championships - Warrenton Hunt

2009-09-26T19:10:00.002-04:00

One of the qualifying rounds for the 2009 North American Junior Field Hunter Championships was held today at Warrenton Hunt. There were 32 entries and a very large field. Heavy overcast and occasional sprinkles kept the temperatures cool and the foxes running, but made very difficult conditions for photography.

Another Morning at Long Branch

2009-09-24T20:08:00.004-04:00

I spent another sunrise at Historic Long Branch with the retirees.

Blue Ridge Fall Races

2009-09-20T14:24:00.006-04:00

The Blue Ridge Fall Races to benefit Blue Ridge Hospice were held on September 19 with beautiful weather for the spectators. Unfortunately the ground was so hard and dry that the official trying to measure soil moisture had trouble inserting the probe and puffs of dust rose from the turf. Most of the fields were quite small as a result. The final race ended in total confusion when the officials mistakenly thought the race ended after two circuits instead of three and stopped the runners before the finish. Pan Adam was in the lead at the time and was credited with the win but Endless Mountain was also awarded prize money.

The photos are available in the Blue Ridge Gallery

Maximize with Jacob Roberts won the Banbury Cross and Foxboro Farms Maiden Hurdle.

Rosemont Runner with Jacob Roberts won the Valley Equine Associates Open Hurdle

Our Diva with Paddy Young won the Omega Drywall Maiden Flat

Jimtown with Roddy MacKenzie held off Fleeting Thunder to win the Kayleigh Marie Plamondon Open Flat

Pan Adam with Michael Harris won the David D. Glanville Memorial Open Timber

Endless Mountain with Jeff Murphy also received first place prize money

Elysian Hills Horse Trials 9-12-09

2009-09-17T12:54:00.002-04:00

Elysian Hills held another horse trial on September 12. Skies were cloudy and the dry weather made for some dust, but there were many great stadium rounds. Here are a few:

Shannon Crocker and Turck by Lightning. I understand this incredible jumper is for sale.

Petrina Thomas and Porrazo.

Michaela Heckman on Marc Antony

Meredith Kernbach and Braveheart

Kathryn Gilman and Mighty Brown

And the cutest pair of the day, Sydney Quashie and Darlington. When you're that little 2' looks pretty big!

Open Hurdle at Colonial Downs

2009-09-16T21:06:00.003-04:00

Eagle Beagle with Paddy Young wins the open hurdle race at Colonial Downs on 13 September.

Eagle Beagle goes down to the start

The start of the race

One Sea (2nd) with Roderick Mackenzie and Fra Diavolo (ARG) (3rd) with Danielle Hodsdon

Sunshine Numbers (4th) with Jody Petty

Maiden Hurdle at Colonial Downs

2009-09-15T20:31:00.006-04:00

Torlundy, ridden by Paddy Young, won the maiden hurdle at Colonial Downs, the first sanctioned steeplechase meet of the fall season.

The start of the race on a beautiful day.

Class Disco (3rd) with Bernard Dalton and Beech Cay (2nd) with Jody Petty.

River Kwai (4th) with Roderick Mackenzie

I Know Its Not and William Dowling

Retirees at Historic Long Branch

2009-09-01T20:02:00.004-04:00

Since the early 18th century, the rolling hills of the Long Branch estate have been owned by a series of famous men: Lord Culpeper, Lord Fairfax, and Robert “King” Carter. A young George Washington helped to survey the property. The mansion and grounds are now open to the public and the 400 acre farm is home to approximately 85 horses. Here are some of the residents on a misty morning at sunrise.

Lure Coursing

2009-08-23T20:44:00.003-04:00

I was at the CHAMP lure coursing event at Great Meadows today and photographed a few of the lovely hounds.

Afghan Hound:

Greyhound:

Ibizan Hound:

Irish Wolfhound:

Whippet:

Recent Awards

2009-08-16T20:07:00.005-04:00

Recently several of my images have won awards in contests. For fine art photography, please visit the Fine Art gallery at Susan M. Carter Photography.

Moonlight Race won first place in the annual Vienna Arts Society Photography contest

Saphiro won second place in the BetterPhoto June contest. There were 2,900 entries in Saphiro's category.

Lusitano Power won second place in the BetterPhoto contest. There were 1,200 entries in its category.

Elysian Hills Horse Trials 7-25-09

2009-07-27T10:49:00.013-04:00

It was nice weather for the July 25 Elysian Hills Horse Trials. Most horses and riders completed the stadium round without difficulty. Here are some of the competitors:

Aeron Hynes on WhisperLily rode with only a halter!

Payton Major had a nice trip on Lumiere
Jessica Blum and Legacy show great form in Open Novice
Kathryn Gilman and Pippin handle the Beginner Novice course with ease

The Steeplechase Times

2009-07-19T10:46:00.001-04:00

My photo of Slip Away is on the cover of the 7/17 issue of Steeplechase Times. Other photos accompany stories inside.

Allowance Turf for NSA Horses at Colonial Downs

2009-07-17T10:15:00.003-04:00

Monsieur Henri came from last to win a $7,500 starter allowance turf race for horses that had started as an NSA meet at Colonial Downs on July 12. Monsieur Henri is owned by Bob Blanchard, trained by Janet Elliot and was ridden by Xavier Aizpuru.

$15,000 Maiden Hurdle at Colonial Downs

2009-07-15T09:48:00.005-04:00

Aero won the $15,000 maiden hurdle at Colonial Downs on July 12. Aero is owned by Eldon Farm, trained by trainer Doug Fout and was ridden by Paddy Young.

$50,000 Zeke Ferguson Memorial at Colonial Downs

2009-07-13T09:15:00.001-04:00

Slip Away wins the $50,000 Zeke Ferguson Memorial at Colonial Downs by five lengths. Slip Away is owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, trained by Tom Voss and ridden by Chip Miller. Slip Away has won his last six races and could have been claimed for $10,000 last September at Foxfield.

Last fence from home

The rest of the field