There's usually a draft horse show on the last day of the Arapahoe County Fair, but this year, the Sunday equine competition was limited to a 4-H Showmanship Contest.
Honestly, I don't find showmanship to be terribly interesting, especially not at this level. I probably wouldn't have bothered to watch it all, but (butt?)... Appaloosas!
Longtime readers might recognize this horse. She was featured in an Almost Wordless Wednesday post in 2012.
A few months later, Jamie Baker (now Castleman) used those photos to paint a sensational Dante.
Even though my good camera is still in the shop, I couldn't resist taking more reference pictures of both her...
and her less flashy stablemate.
Because, you know, someday I will paint an Appaloosa!
I think I've seen the Dante referred to in this post - I love Jamie's work! She always crams the tiniest of details into every piece she completes :)
ReplyDeleteI love this mare's color and markings and would love to be able to paint my stripped Valentine to look like her.
ReplyDeleteSuper cute!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!
ReplyDeleteShowmanship is not exciting at all. But at least you found nice things to watch.
ReplyDeleteBtw, I have donuts and dolls and tack for you :-)
Beautiful spots. I really like the snowcap one.
ReplyDeleteDang thr draft horse show woulda been pretty coo
ReplyDeleteBut the spots on that appy
Please do paint
Appaloosas are one of my favorite types of horses
ReplyDeleteI AM SO WITH YOU!!!!! ~megan mankevich
DeleteWow! Two wonderful - but very different - colours! :-)
ReplyDeleteShe makes me want to try (and probably fail) at painting again! ~ Abby B
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way... but I think the only way you can paint something like that is with high priced airbrushing paint jobs....or my single haired paint brush!! HAHA.im serious ~megan mankevich
DeleteLove the appys they are so gorgeous<3
ReplyDeleteI have several Appies I want to paint, keep the lovely photos coming!
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the coloration on that horse!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing some great photos (as usual!)
I love that blanket appy! She reminds me of Victrix. Stunning. I wish I could paint something like that!
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one that saw the title of the post and thought they were appaloosa/arab crosses? LOL This may have been a blonde moment on my part! *snickers* 0:-)
ReplyDeleteIt's for Arapahoe-Appaloosas, but I knew some (most?)people would read it as Arab-Appaloosas. Sometimes I'm not as clever as I think I am. :/
Deletethat is OK.... we all think the same thang! ~megan mankevich
Delete"Arapaloosa" is such an incredible pun. I saw it and thought 'I like Arabo-loosa better, but... OH!'
ReplyDeleteIsn't it sad that I recognised the pattern from the model before I remembered seeing the real horse? XD
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh a bit, because like you, I don't find showmanship that interesting to watch. However, I usually get the most lovely reference photos of horses from that class at the local shows. :-)
ReplyDeleteSusanP
oh I remember my first show. it was showmanship, and tou know what, I was not even scared because you know why, I was doing what I love! ~megan mankevich
DeleteWow, the close-ups of the Appy blanket are wonderful! Tho I'm pretty sure I won't be painting an Appy some day =)
ReplyDeleteOh the spots are beautiful! I have a soft spot for appys. Looks like the new camera is doing its job!
ReplyDeleteI had to chuckle at your "name"...
DeleteI wish I could own an appy... as a model and in real life!!! ha! ~megan mankevich
DeleteShowmanship is only enjoyable when the horses have unusual markings because then it turns into inspiration haha
ReplyDeleteI find I'm rather picky with appies....I mostly like the leopard variety and am lucky enough to have two in my collection!
ReplyDeleteI only skimmed the comments (so many these days!) but I think I might be the odd one out on this post. I LOVE watching showmanship. But that might be because I am looking for new doll ideas, checking up on a live show entry (horse/doll/judge placement) to make sure I am not losing my mind, etc. But I watch figure skating for the costumes too :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with Anne, I think watching showmanship might be fun (especially since I've never seen a showmanship class in person).
ReplyDeleteLove that mare! And I'm not generally for appys either. And I guess I'm in the minority for liking showmanship too, maybe because I do it at shows and it's one of my best classes and I often find myself quietly critiqueing people I see out doing patterns
ReplyDeleteThose are some beautiful appys!
ReplyDeleteNot the biggest Appy fan, but I LOVE this one. I would snatch up this horse in a heartbeat!
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmmm I need to paint that on something..ideas???? I plan to have major custom for sale at least once a month starting in october...got some ponies and a carrick to finish first!
ReplyDeleteWow! Not a huge Appaloosa fan but this one is just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI have a redone valor in the works with this paint job planned, and he will be for sale!
ReplyDeleteWow! If I saw this guy and didn't have my best camera with me, I'd be snapping photos with anything I had. Your photos are really awesome, even without your good camera!
ReplyDelete