Lost Padres of Santa Margarita

This was the first opportunity I've had to attend this ride at its current location, held for the last couple of years at the historic 14,000 acre Santa Margarita Ranch, in San Luis Obispo county. Hosted by the Nicholson family, it had started out in beautiful and historic Lockwood Valley, but the ride lost its base camp right before the 2005 event. The "Lost" from the original "Los" Padres apellation came when it temporarily moved to the location of the Eastern Mojave Scenic Ride, a January event. That particular LP was my horse's first 50 miler, a very warm affair where he endured a lot better than I did; we pulled ribbons for a section so we were at the back of the pack, heat got to me in the afternoon!

This year I didn't ride, just shot photos for the participants, in meadows, first where the backgrounds were park-like, and secondly in midday light. I have a "thing" for historic California ranchos, couldn't sign up fast enough to shoot last fall's Tejon Ranch series--the owner/operators of both of these have been such good stewards of the land, it's easy to imagine it's one hundred years ago, while waiting for riders to trot by. Old growth forests, rolling golden hills, ponds, lakes and amazing wildlife. I saw lots of deer, wild turkeys, every kind of bird--with glorious birdsong as musical score for the landscape. Thanks to John P and Patty for arranging our access to this private paradise.

Offered as a two day event, 50 miles per day or one could do "club miles" without being part of the official competition. This weekend was a scorcher throughout California, and riders carefully managed themselves and their horses to complete with their horse "fit to continue" as per the AERC ideal. Ride management made sure there was lots of water on trail. Photos are from the first day; I shot on the second morning, and somehow dropped the compact flash card while shooting head shots in ridecamp, with four dozen images of the 38 or so that had entered. Oh, well--that's never happened in 186,000 images as a pro. I imagine the cattle are prodding it with their noses, so much for "leave no trace"! I took head shots in camp, card was in my pocket, and I was squatting frequently to get the best angle. Thanks to Dave and Annie for putting on such a premier event and for feeding me too--multi-day rides are the best and with this fuel situation, definitely the most bang for the buck.

Grand Old Men Too

So sorry to open e-mail today and learn of the loss of *Shandor, Shagya Arabian stallion, owned and loved by Adele Furby and her husband Charlie. I was privileged to meet him last fall at his home in Montana, and was very impressed at his demeanor, correctness and offspring. He was 25 in this photo.

At the Malibu endurance ride this weekend the memorial plaque for Hugh Hewitt DVM was unveiled. It will be placed on private land adjoining the trail through the Santa Monica Mountains that has been used for endurance rides for 34 years. There was an open mike and many of us stepped up to share our memories of Hughie, a horse veterinarian with a heart of gold. The plaque was funded by private donations from Hughie's friends and admirers. I took the photo on the plaque in 2003.

Happy Birthday, Dear Twix

Twix is quite possibly the most photographed horse ever, thanks to digital film and rechargeable batteries. She was born here, nearly into my arms, thanks to her mother, Ember, alerting me of the baby's imminent birth by clanging on her gate with a hoof. Our eyes met as she was halfway out of her mother, she nickered at me and that was that. She'd imprinted ME, instead of the reverse. She might have been for sale, Ember's first baby, but after that, no way.

Ember (Rem-member Me) is by the world-famous Arabian stallion Remington Steele*++ out of a pretty "domestic blend" mare. Twix's daddy is the fabulous Lipizzan stallion Pluto Carrma III--it's his image that graces my website's banner. You can see a ridiculous amount of photo postcards and then there's her full brother Hawkeye's gallery. To subscribe to the photo postcards, which are very occasional now, drop me an e-mail.

Twix took after her Lipizzan side, behaviorally and in appearance. Her brother is more of a 50-50 blend.

[pictured] Twix gives us a birthday grin. And a Cristy Cumberworth shot of us last winter, just playing. And Twix on her birth day, those bullseyes of grey around her eyes indicated she was going to grey out fast.

Grand Old Men

Today we say goodbye at 33 to the grand Arabian stallion, WN Winter Park, of Cerridwyn Arabians, one of the last *Naborr sons standing. He was both the US and Canadian National Driving Champion and Ruth has been using him in her sporthorse program. I had the privilege of photographing him in 2006. I recently heard that BonnFyre Farm's fabulous *Naborr son AZH Naborr was lost last June at 33. Both of these guys were potent into their old age.

[pictured] AZH Naborr also near dusk, photographed in late 2003, with the ole point and shoot. Winter Park at dusk, where his cataract was rather obvious.

And true to the peripatetic nature of my thoughts, here's a great place to learn about death, my friend and fellow photographer, Candace Craw-Goldman's In Respose blog.