Back at it Again: Hoofbeats by the Beach 2024 Recap

Long time no see, eh? It's definitely been a minute. But, hey, it's not like I could stay away from the hobby too long... So, I went to a show on Saturday! Sea to Bay has been my go-to show for awhile, and when I saw they were doing an offshoot minis-only show that fit my schedule, I had to hop on it. 

The day started bright and early, leaving the house before sunrise (04:46, to be exact). I managed to snap this picture of what actually turned out to be a really pretty sunrise, which I got to watch unfold as I approached [show hall at random Methodist church I've never heard of]. 

#nofilter, as the kids say

At the show, I didn't actually show many models and, unfortunately, had to head out early, but I figured I'd go through some of what I did get to put on the table: 

First up were ARs/customs, and a few of my etchies made appearances, like this gal: 

And this guy might or might not have been pulled out because I didn't otherwise have anyone in Other/Mixed 

Mostly a test piece of mine

As you can kind of see in the above background, there were some serious paint jobs (and some drastics) making appearances last Saturday!

Unfinished, so very much a "why not, we ball" entry 

And, actually, she NAN'd in her previous show!

I think I might have a bit of an affinity for that pattern (maybe because it's easier LOL). 

Even brought out a few pieces I've acquired over the years from other artists, like this cutie: 

No placings from that division, but the competition was tough. That said, Original Finish - where I focused most of my attention, anyways - is my sweet spot. 

Moving on to OF, we first had Light Breed Foals - seven entries, two of which mine: 

I think one of the funniest parts of this show was how few of my models had

names going into it.  Case in point, the bay filly - her name? Spur of Zee Moment. 

Then Stock Breed Foals, where I had two of the nine entries (noticing a pattern?): 

Of course, I've (almost) always got documentation. Even when it's pretty unnecessary. That's really just a "me" thing, though, and totally not the norm.

A couple quick notes on my use of documentation in this class: 

1. You probably don't need it for models that follow the breed norms of common breeds, like the Appaloosa or Paint. 
2. If you're going to use it, make sure it matches the breed on your toe tag (cough cough, self - Paint Pony ≠ Paint Horse!)

Also, can we just take a second to think about how weird it is that we have to give models an age? I, personally, don't quite get that one, especially with foals. I'm not very familiar with equine development, so these foal ages were complete shots in the dark. 

I believe I only had one entry in the 15-model Arabian class: 

Let's just ignore the focus here... whoops - again 

Moving right along to Part Arab/NSH, where I had two models of the 13: 

Another model of mine got sixth, but the focus on the pic I got was suboptimal at best

Closing out with Other Light, a class of 15, in which I had two entries: 

(I also showed my mini All Glory, who got 3rd as a Morgan, but the camera
was, yet again, focused on the ribbon in front of the model... facepalm)

Pretty sure I showed him as a Barb, which was definitely a choice. Interestingly enough, I was tied between using him and a black Silky Sullivan but opted for him because my SS was toe tagless and I didn't have a pen - so I guess the decision was made for me. 

Also, for the Barb documentation, I've got to plug this awesome pocket-sized reference book. 

It's a great resource, and, in my opinion, you can probably get away with just plopping it on the show table as documentation (of course, it probably looks more professional to have dedicated documentation, but this works in a pinch, in my humble opinion - and I definitely use it)! 

Ultimately, I ended up heading out out earlier than I planned because I had to work that afternoon, but I wanted to make sure I at least got through light breeds. 

Quick side-note - mini performance is legit! I haven't tried it, but here are a few shots I got of some entries: 

The attention to detail is just nuts. And see the cool beach scene in the background? Yeah, here's a closeup, and it's even cooler than pictures do justice: 

There are even other models forlicking in the background behind this beautiful buckskin!

So, it goes without saying that the scene class was intense. Here's another super detailed entry: 

Also, bonus points for my rather ineffective angle choice here: 

Anyway, tangent over. All in all, here're my results from the half-day: 

So, as it turns out, I really missed showing and the hobby! I also realized that I didn't end up posting a Sea to Bay 2023 wrap-up (guess what? I tried my hand at performance!) - would y'all be interested in that? 

See 'ya on the flip! 

Okay, So Maybe I'm Procrastinating

I'm not really one for sports, so I got up to the halftime show yesterday and pretty much called it quits and moved into more important things, like painting plastic (duh) Senioritis is probably ready for pastels now, but I don't want to go through the trouble of putting on my respirator to work with pastels, sealing, and doing that whole number all over again. I probably did that at least 20 times on LabRat, after all. All that said, this is what I signed up for, and I'm not trying to complain. That aside, here's last night's progress: 

I've started another project (but it's a small one, so that's fine, right? 😅) 

 

Aaaaand I decided to try and pull out an older test piece I've been fiddling around with. Only now did I remember I forgot to thin my oils! No wonder they weren't working like I thought I remembered... Maybe later (if the oils ever dry), I'll show you guys my next coat! 

Plus, I'm nearly ready to start filling in those ugly lines on WC! 

Also, and I don't seem to have a video of it, but I finally decided to start adding color to Sir/Madam Unnamed Medallion! It's faint, but I'm trusting the process. 

Now that that 20-page paper is in, I should (hopefully) be able to spend a bit more time working on Senioritis! Anyways, how's your NaMoPaiMo project going, if you're doing one this year? 

Totally not Procrastinating

This is me taking a break from writing a 20-page paper I have due tonight. Sounds like a blast, right?  I bring that up because I didn't post a Day Whateveritwas update yesterday. Oh well :/ Anyways, I still painted yesterday, which is what matters! 

It was a very shading-focused session, painting the darker points on my currently chestnut NaMoPaiMo model and experimenting with subtle, very dark shading on my medallion. Also, I continued blocking work on yet another side project: a cow! Once I'm done with the cow, I'll explain why I've branched out from Equinelandia to Bovinelandia! 

Here's my progress on Senioritis, who, admittedly, isn't looking incredible right now, but I'm trusting the process. 

Three coats of chestnut, onto shading darker points

Admittedly, I'm a bit skeptical to actually shade the medallion, since I really don't want to mess up. That's the thing, though. That's what experimentation is all about, so, I think a lot of the progress to be made with Unnamed Medallion is mental. 

 

When I signed up, I said I was going to work in pastels and acrylics, so I'll get to pastels... eventually. It seems kind of like I'm focusing on everything but the task at hand! 

 Aaaaand here's the beginning of the ugly stage of who will be known for now as "WC" 

As always, pieces of constructive criticism/tips are always appreciated! 

My First Medallion

Wayyyyy back in 2020, in a NaMoPaiMo prize I got a few medallions. I haven't touched them... until now! I've finally decided to give it a shot, starting with a Kylee Parks TJS "Ruffle" medallion. I've made the executive decision to start with black (which I know restricts my decisions). I'm considering experimenting with trying to lighten it with pastels. We'll see! 

Here's my day two of Currently Unnamed Ruffle: 

'Till morrow! 

Senioritis, Day 1

Hey! Long time no see, eh? I'm really excited to (finally) start working on this body I've had laying around for 4(??) years! The reason I'm going with a stablemate and not something bigger is because, as you might or might not expect, the typical high school workload is intense, even for a second semester senior. That's why I'm probably going to call him "Senioritis," because I'm already into college (whoo!). Y'all probably remember the feeling in your senior year. Anyways, I'm taking a fairly relaxed approach to this guy, since I just want to have fun with this. 

Not necessarily poised for the camera, but I wanted to document my first coat! 

Interestingly enough, I haven't really completed any models since my latest (and first) NaMoPaiMo (2020), which I pin mostly on the tedium involved in pastelling. That's why I've decided to take a smarter approach and start with acrylics. All that aside, I can't wait to start on my second NaMoPaiMo model (my first was LabRat). And, if I like him enough at the end, I might bring him to my dorm as a fun tchotchke :) 

Also, how's your NaMoPaiMo going, if you're taking part? I'd love to hear! See you guys in a bit! 

The Endeavors of a Working Student

Hey, I acknowledge that it's been awhile since I've published on here, and I'll try to get more on that now that I'm done with my college application process (yeehawwwwww :))! 

Anyways, here's a fun summer throwback (Friday) for your day! Have you ever wanted to be a working student? I know I'd always been curious what it would be like. Over the summer, I got the pleasure of checking it out. Anyway, here're the highlights of my month of working studentery (is that a word? No, but let's go with it): 

I rode lots of different horses... 

Jumper show at Woodedge

Mastered the art of tack cleaning... 

Before (yes, that's mold you see)

After

Learned to pull manes 

(This is, of course, a WIP pic and not the final product)

Made lots of these piles 

Caption this as you may, hypothetical reader

And I leased a Dutch Harness Horse! How cool is that? 

The view atop my trusty steed, Legacy 

What about you? I'd love to hear about your summer equine experiences! 

(Edit: a few days ago, I learned of the passing of my first trainer, Jill. I have no words to describe the impact she's had on me (man, I should polish that one up if I'm going to actually say something at her memorial), and I miss her deeply. I hope you're finally back in the saddle, like you always said you'd be, Jill. I miss you.) 

Amateur Hour

So I know I’ve been churning out some non-hobby content, but I figure I might as well, in the spirit of my blog, post some hobby-related content! 

Every so often, I'll try my hand at some photography, and, I must say, I think I've improved. Of course, I can't hold a candle to this hobby's finest, but I can try! 

Starting here, with my first picture I can find, taken from my backyard: 

So many scale issues, but I tried!

Some of my first attempts at this have not stood the test of time, but they were taken at BreyerFest 2019. Very few survived, but I got a handful, including this random picture: 

Lil Ricky Rocker casually walking by

With the same mini, I took a handful of pictures, documenting my family's trip to Italy just before BreyerFest. Clearly, realism was not my #1 priority, but I wanted to make a few, at least, look possibly realistic: 

Here she is on the Rialto bridge.

Or, maybe the Vatican is more your speed.

haha, whoops!

Of course, she needed a good cleaning after that

And don't mind me, fulfilling the "dumb American" stereotype

More recently, I've tried to actually step up my game, mainly at the beach, because blades of grass make for scaling difficulties. Here's a sampling of some pictures I got later that summer: 

Whoops...

Quite frankly, photography isn't always what I want to do, so I tend not to take too many photos, hence the gap between then and these next pics from last November: 

I'm not quite sure how to crop it to make it look best, but I'm actually pretty pleased here.

Arggggg... the focus!

Regardless, I think I got really lucky with the awesome lighting.

Here's an unrelated one from the same day, because why not?
Subject: The regal Barrington Robert III

What about y'all, have you tried some photography? I'd love to see it! 

To All The Trainers I've Had Before

(Yup, I'm hopping on the trend :)) 

 To All The Trainers I've Had Before, 

     Thank you. Each one of you have taught me so, so much, for which I am deeply grateful. From my very first lessons on sweet homebreds in lady's backyard to learning how to sit the trot on fancy warmbloods under a professional, you've truly given me it all. You've dealt with me in my frustrations and watched me at some of my proudest moments: 

Jill Campbell, 

     It's kind of a funny story, actually, how I started riding. You see, it spurred from my mom urging me to play some sort of sport. I'd tried it all: softball, soccer, lacrosse, you name it. I had always wanted to ride a horse, and I guess my parents finally caved. Anyway, after asking around, we found you! It was a brisk November afternoon in 2015 that I took my first lesson. Immediately, I knew this is what I wanted to do. (Albeit, I had the same feeling about basketball after my first practice and went on to dread it, but this was different, luckily.) 

This sweet mare, Secret, might be the most forgiving pony I've ridden. She put up with all my beginner antics.

     Now, if I'm being blunt, I don't know how responsible it was to let a twelve-year-old (accompanied by adults) to handle your horses in your absence, but having that "raw" horse-owner experience was one of the most enjoyable things I've done. 

However, mind y'all, this lady knew her way around a horse, so it's not like my mom and I were flying solo.

See? Look how happy I was.
Also, what's in my hand? Tennis balls? Seeds?

I'm not going to lie, sixth grade was a pretty hard time for me, and having this to look forward to after school was a highly-welcomed reprieve.

     Plus, letting me use a few of your horses for my seventh grade science fair project was super kind. Before anyone here freaks out (again), its premise was whether horses could remember sequences or not- that's it. 

     And you probably gave me the best 12th birthday I could've wanted. 

Y'all might get a kick out of this: she said to get gloves with grips, so my mom went to the local garden center and got a pair of (pretty large) gardening gloves (which you can see here)!

What did I say about fun socks? You'll never find me without them.

Jean Myra, 

     Once I was ready to kick things into a slightly higher gear, I transitioned to you, a trainer whose barn was, quite seriously, in the same neighborhood. You, arguably, might have been one of my most transformative trainers. After all, you introduced me to the world of jumping! 

     You even roped in my mom! Those lessons were... interesting. 

Look at us, we're practically jockeys (yeah, jockeys... or whatever they're called!)

     Because you didn't teach in the winters (since there wasn't an indoor ring to use), we had to look for somewhere that did, which is where the American Academy of Equestrian Sciences comes into play... 

Alfredo, 

     Although you were a man of few words, I learned so much. From the sitting trot to feeling secure in the canter, you helped me establish a dressage foundation. 

I remember being frustrated here because I couldn't figure out how to do what he was asking, but once it finally clicked, it was well worth it. 

     I don't have much else to say, since I wasn't with you for long, but thank you. 

Sammi, 

     In all due respect to my other trainers, I think you've been my favorite. By which I mean I think I've felt the closest to you, and I miss your instruction. You seemed to have the "magic touch" in communicating clearly what to do. For example, I don't know how you figured this out, but apparently by focusing on something other than my riding while riding, my overall performance improved. 

I wish I had better-quality pictures of your teaching, but this is the best I can find :(

     I wish I could tell you how much I appreciate your time, and I wish my goodbye was a bit more than a "bye, I'll see you later" after my last lesson. 

Marina, 

     I must say, when I first met you, I was starstruck. I mean, it's you... in the flesh. I remember before you started teaching me, sometimes I would see you in your office, occasionally watching me, and I knew I had to look extra good.  I'd be repeating to myself, "Marina's watching. Marina's watching. Marina's watching," making sure you thought I looked nice. 

     Fast forward a few months when you became my trainer, and, I think, out of any trainer. This isn't to disparage everyone else, of course. It's just to say that you're a great teacher. 

I honestly don't even have much commentary here, I think this picture speaks for itself.

Kat, 

     Although hunters isn't quite my thing, it was my pleasure to have you as my trainer. Admittedly, I don't have much to say, since I only rode with you for a bit less than a year, but from what I experienced, some of the hunter elements of riding I still incorporate into my day-to-day rides. I wish I had some pictures to show, but I only have videos from my Instagram. 

Cameron, 

     Once again one of my most transformative trainers, I must say, because it was you that introduced me to competing. We had attended a local starter trial (where, as a nice segue later, my next trainer competed too, apparently) and the USPC Virginia Eventing Rally (double-segue, it was hosted at the barn where I currently ride), and I had a blast. 

Not to mention you have the cutest Fjords

     I really wish Difficult Run Pony Club was still around, but I understand that our membership was too low. Anyway, it was with you that I finally had the chance to get a pony club rating. 

Picture after my D-1 rating!

And my D-3!

And teamwork makes the dream work, right?

     Understandably, professional life comes first, and I wish you the best in your work. Actually, I have a thank-you gift that I'd forgotten to give you, so, if you still want it (and you're reading this), let me know, I guess? 

Hillary, 

     I think you really "got" my riding experience and what I needed (even if I didn't want it, because, of course, hard work is, well, hard). I don't have many photos from our lessons, but here's one from the first lesson at Angelica: 

Just look at Bama, isn't he the cutest?

     I apologize for leaving somewhat abruptly. In part, it was because my parents weren't a fan of how safe the barn was (they thought it might be a fire hazard, so you can probably understand why they would rather me elsewhere). I must say, I could have gone to your barn out in The Plains (I believe?), and maybe that wouldn't have been too bad an idea, except for the fact that it would likely require getting my own horse, and between not living close enough and going off to college in a year, it just wasn't in the cards. 

     Anywho, you helped me regain my confidence jumping, which was pretty imperative if I was to, you know, actually event. 

     

Megan, 

     Over the few summer months I spent under your instruction, I might have had some of the much fun yet in the saddle. Secretly, I think I've developed an affinity for jumpers. 

Not too shabby, eh?

     Not that this matters, but it was petty cool that you used to ride EZ to Spot! 

     I hope you're still at Split Elm this summer, because I know I will! 

And as for Rachel, well, she's still my trainer, so I don't think that fits the spirit of this entry, but if you're looking for a Rachel little appreciation, here's a bit from my last post. 

What's the bottom line? Everyone has their own teaching style, and everyone has something super useful and unique to contribute. 

And y'all? What're your best trainer memories?