"In the Spotlight!" - Featuring Emma Hanes!

Hey equestrian world! My name is Emma Hanes and if you didn't notice, I'm "In the Spotlight!" My riding career began at a very early age (I'm 15 years old now), from talking to walking to running to riding, with very little break time. I started riding at Bayberry Riding Center; there I learned the basics, pushing the heels down and always looking up. Finally I was allowed to show, starting with local shows where I cleaned up in the pre short stirrup, then the short stirrup and then the pony classes. Next thing I knew I had entered into the wonderful world of eventing. However after almost eight years there, I changed barns and moved to EKG. Now that I'm there I show almost every weekend and am at the barn everyday, I have five wonderful show horses, a beautiful 4-year old paint mare, "Lillyth", a stocky chesnut gelding, "Rocky", a FAST little jumper pony, "Max" (shown with Emma, above right taken today, March 1st!), a little girl's pony whom I love, "Tweed", and my newest project, a baby named "Daisy". All these horses make my world spin round and do something to make me laugh everyday. However, riding isn't all about horses, I've made some amazing friends through riding, my entire interschool team is hilarious, loud, and extremely talented. Not to mention my trainer, Erin Grampp, who has changed the way I look at horses. My parents have supported me through every fall, (these photos of Emma were the first I took of her April 1, 2007, and I've put these up because even after a refusal and fall, Emma picked herself up with a big smile and went along her merry way!)every knocked rail and every blue ribbon. Horses opened up a whole new world to me and I don't know what I would be like without them.

(A special note from me...I told Emma today that just one of the reasons I love to photograph her is because I can see just how much she genuinely loves every pony and horse she rides, and I believe this is what makes her such a talented and beautiful rider...it is my pleasure to have Emma "In The Spotlight", and I look forward to capturing her equestrian career in photos for a long time to come...Hugs to you Emma, from me and Aladdin...and one day this show season it is my hope that I'll bring him along to a show, and we'll see what YOU can do with him!)

FASL Event Featuring the Wil Gravatt Band - March 1, 2008

Coming Soon...Photos from the Black Tie & Boots Gala sponsored by the Fredericksburg Area Service League (FASL). A great event benefiting children in and around Fredericksburg. Monies raised go to Camps for Kids, programs that help children through the loss of parents, siblings and other loved ones, scholarships and other endeavors...one that is close to my heart...therapeutic programs such as ones sponsored by Hazelwild Farm and the A. Elizabeth Morrison Equestrian Center. A portion of the proceeds from sale of photographs from the gala will be donated to the FASL to help continue this worthwhile organization.

Let's Play "Name the Horse!"

I'm working on the BHSA Awards Page and am trying to figure out who's who. I know this is Beth from Hazelwild, but am not sure who the horse is so I can see if he/she placed.

Please e-mail me at susanetalbot@cox.net if you can "name the horse!" More photos of horses and riders to follow. Please keep checking so I can get this monumental task finished.

Hugs,
Aladdin and me

Beautiful Ponies for Sale to Good Home Only!

From my friend, Tara Lane with Virginia Horse Imports:

"All That Sass" Gorgeous four coming five yr. old small, strawberry roan Welsh mare. Wonderful disposition, 10+ mover, very bold to the fences with a beautiful jump. Will model. Solid lead changes. Great granddaughter of Farnley Sea Urchin with Dandardel lines on both sides. Needs prep before showing. Contact Virginia Horse Imports now for price and DVD or to set an appointment. Located in Fredericksburg, VA.

Tara is also offering:

"LeCheval Sherry Gail" -

Very fancy 4 1/2 yr. old steel grey Welsh mare.
Super mover and great form over fences. Bombproof personality. Will model. Placed 7th out of 17 entries at Upperville 2007 in VPBA flat after only being broken under saddle for 45 days. Now started over fences. Le Cheval and Farnley breeding out of Farnley Jolly Miller and Le Cheval China Doll. For more information, please contact Tara at tttp://www.vahorseimports.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=14&Itemid=24 , write to Sales@VAHorseImports.com.

A Note from Molly in Germany!

"Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!! I love Tayloe all curled up in her fleece blanket! Glad to see Harley looking so cute! I have atached a photo of me in one of the stalls here in Germany with a friend of mine named Kings Ransome. He is going to be 5 years old in May, so he is a baby, but very sweet. I ride him often and like him very much. He has three amazing gaits and is learning more every day. I wish I could say my dressage is coming along well, but I am still struggling. I have finally gotten myself used to sitting upright and having that long leg, and my sitting trot is quite good on "Kingsize" aka "Kings Ransome", but my canter transitions need some smoothing out and my use of my three aides, (legs, seat, and bit), don't seem to come as naturally as they should. I hope it clicks one of these days! I am now riding about 4 days a week, with lessons 2-3 days and a free fun ride once a week. I really want to ride well someday!

Send me a photo of Aladdin when you get a chance. I would love to see him! Are you showing at all? How is your riding going? Are you still jumping? I am hoping when I come home we can ride together with Beth.

Much love. Thanks for thinking of me. "

EKG February 24, 2008 Show Photos are up!

Well, 47 of them anyway! I've got more to post, but the show was indoors and as most of you know, indoor shooting is virtually impossible (unless you'd like to be blurry and orange) without flash, and I'm not spooking anyone! I should have the remainder of the candids and schooling outdoors shots up within a couple of days. Please visit http://www.talbotphotoart.com/EKG022408.html

Great to see all of you, and to put some names to riders I've been shooting since last year (Chelsea...did you see anything?)! As always, if you see me at a show, come say "Hello!"

As a P.S. to Emma (shown here with Lillith (sp?)!)...Don't forget please!!! I need your bio for "In the Spotlight!" Hugs!

We've Got Friends Overseas...This is a Shout Out to a Special Friend!

There is nothing more supportive than to let our friends, and special people we don't even know, that we're thinking of them, and appreciate all they are doing for us.

One of my special friends is Molly Judge, a nurse stationed in Germany, whom I know is enduring hardships along with all the people she is caring for in their times of needs.

Molly left behind two of her special friends..."Harley" (pictured above with Molly during her 2007 show season), and Skye. I want Molly to know that both are fine, are keeping in shape, and are being loved and cared for as much as Molly would if she was here!

.So, for Molly, I've posted a photo I shot yesterday of her best friend at the Hunter Show at EKG. He's not going over a fence but it's apparent that he's enjoying himself, shown here with Tayloe Clements.


We love you Molly, and can't wait for you to come home in May!