Mounted Archery Spring Championships 

Feb 16- 22, 2015

Mounted Archery Championships by San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographer Genie Image

What an exciting event I shot this weekend!  I shot for 4 days in New Braunfels at the 2015 Mounted Archery Spring Championships.  This event was hosted by the A Company Mounted Archery/Trey Schlichting.  

The first day was the introductory level and riders could walk or trot with a ground leader (or not).  It was a great way for new folks to take part in the event and win some prizes.  I took the opportunity to ask questions about the courses and scoring processes.  Over the next few days, riders from all over the world (Australia, England, Scotland, Sweden, USA) would make 6 runs per course.  The horses reside at the A Company Mounted Archery facility and riders were sharing the pool of horses available.  It worked well!

The rest of the weekend ran smoothly and the weather held (by the skin of our teeth).  It was a very welcoming environment.  Trey would buzz around chatting with onlookers and explain the process of mounted archery.  

The riders were nervously excited about their rides and exuded that same excitement for their fellow competitors.  Loud cheers went on all day long when those arrows hit their marks.  Each of the riders supported the event by rotating to different positions after their ride; help pick up arrows, report times, call in scores, help fellow riders at the start and end of their runs.  You definitely did not just ride and then go put up your feet!

I would head to another one of these events in a heartbeat.  Positive people, bows and arrows, and thundering hooves  . . . . perfection!

www.horsearcher.com 
www.thenhaa.com

Jeanne Harford

www.genieimages.com

San Antonio Photographer

San Antonio Equine Photographer

San Antonio Event Photographer

Texas Horse Show Photographer

Texas Event Photographer

S.A.L.E.- Cutting

Feb 9- 15, 2015

S.A.L.E. Cutting by San Antonio Texas Equine Event Photographers Genie Images

Thanks to Marilyn Hazen of the Horse Gazette, I was lucky enough to secure a Media Pass for the 2015 San Antonio Livestock Exposition!

The Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting starts off the 19 day extravaganza.  Lot's of cattle, horses, and cowboys/cowgirls filled 3 areas of the arena.  I hung out at the pens to get a feel of the event and the folks that were involved.  Lot's of smiling faces, relaxed atmosphere, and superior working horses.

Cutters at this event appeared to be 100% American Quarter Horse.  These horses knew their jobs and their riders did not hesitate to grab horn to keep up with these fast and agile atheletes. I loved the "ears up" attitude these horses had for their job.  They really enjoyed heading into the cattle, sorting one from the herd, and then doing his/her best to keep that solo cow from heading back to his herd. 

Looking thru the lens . . . I spied someone I knew, Denise Blanchard (not her last name now because she is married).  I looked a little harder and sure enough, her mother Joan Blanchard was in the stands prepared to watch her daughter perform later in the day.  Seeing the Blanchards brought back such great childhood memories of my early days with the great horse trainer, Walter Chapman and Chappy Ranch.  The Blanchards were long standing clients and friends of Chappy's; they were all family.

As my smile got larger, Denise and Joan waved me over and we caught up on current equine events.  Denise had to go on her way to support her husband in the show pen.  Joan and I continued to chat and found out she was still operating the Chappy Ranch and told me all about it.  Later, she invited me out to do a photo shoot of the place and of course I said yes.  I only hope I can capture the ranch, both as I remember it and as it is now!

Jeanne Harford

www.genieimages.com

San Antonio Photographer

San Antonio Equine Photographer

San Antonio Event Photographer

Texas Horse Show Photographer

Texas Event Photographer

Pippity Poppity Parties

Feb 2-8, 2015

Alex Voyles by San Antonio Texas Event Photographers Genie Images

It has been an exciting week for Genie Images.  I had a wonderful shoot in the Art Institute studio.  I am taking a Large Format photography class and we are using a wonderful Mamiya camera with a digital back.  This is a very expensive camera . . . so much so . . . students are not allowed to take the camera out of the school! So, every week we must book studio time and find new subjects.

I have known Alex Voyles for too many years to count.  She started riding with me in 2nd grade and continuted riding with me until I left for Italy in 2008.  She is a vivacious young lady and soooo fun to be around.  She texted me to tell me about the new business she has started and of course, I offered to shoot them!

Studio time was hectic but the fantastic group of Pippity Poppity Parties made it fun!  If you know any children wanting a very special party . . . please contact these folks!

Jeanne Harford

www.genieimages.com

San Antonio Photographer

San Antonio Equine Photographer

San Antonio Event Photographer

Texas Horse Show Photographer

Texas Event Photographer