It Takes a Herd

August 15, 2020

The idea for the theme for the Equine Art Extravaganza back in February 2020 when we started our planning was “Horse Play’, but soon thereafter, it was clear that not only our event and theme, but our whole relationship with each other and the focus and scope of our lives needed to completely change. We realized we could not go forward with the EAE in the same way as in the past, so naturally we reinvented ourselves to fit the times – ‘No’ was not an option! Thus the revised theme of ‘It Takes a Herd’ and the change to a simpler format for the art contest. We shifted from painting on 6 horses to just 2, and from a painter’s to a photographer’s contest.

Public Choice Contest

To honor the shared sense of community that is fundamental to human/horse bond, the world’s demonstrated ability to come together as a village to address the pandemic, and to honor the village that supported Jeffrey Beausoleil in his quest to become a member of the Canadian Paralympic Equestrian Team, we invited the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals to be the designated Friends of Dunrovin recipient organization for funds raised through the 2020 Equine Art Extravaganza.
The below 6 photographers joined us on that beautiful August day, and these were the results:

Presenting the 2020 Photographers

The public voted for their favorite photo gallery by making a $5 donation to the Friends of Dunrovin in the name of the photographer that created the group of 5 images they wanted to support. Each $5 donation constitutes a vote. The total of all donations raised via voting was shared with the photographers who receive the first and second most votes. There was also a prize for Critics Choice – as determined by our panel of 3 judges ~ John Ashley, Ellen Cameron, and SuzAnne Miller.

The First Place Winner was…

BEV HENNAGER

Blue Ribbon Winner - Public Choice Contest

I am an amateur photographer, but I have been honored to have many of my images chosen as banners for Daily Horse Shots as well as inclusion in Equine Photographers Network. For as long as I can remember I have had a passion for horses. My first attempts at art were scribbles of horses. When I was older I rode bareback to have a closer connection with their rhythm and power. Over the years, my daughter and I rescued many horses, currently having 11, so there is no shortage of models. I studied painting when I was younger and often use creative elements to make my photographs more painterly. I am not satisfied until I feel I have conveyed something of their spirit and their soul.

MICHAEL VIVEIROS

Red Ribbon Winner - Public Choice Contest

I am a full time adventurer, I specialize in portraying the serenity of life through film.

I am grateful every morning I wake up and get to experience something new. Having a camera with me in these moments allows me to share them with everyone else on the Earth. It is a joy and a privilege to learn about the myriad cultures and ecosystems across the globe and how it is a true blessing that life is unified in its diversity. There is simply so much beauty spread throughout the world. I find happiness with the philosophy that a camera lens allows me to focus the eye of the beholder onto a subject that deserves attention and praise.

MICHAEL LAPOINTE

Critic's Choice Award

Going into the event, I was knocking around some ideas in the way of texture, of tight detailed shots, of cataloging the overlooked and taken for granted. In the spirit of competition I wanted to offer a collection of images that set me apart from my fellow photographers. I spent much of the day observing, engaging others in conversation, and reevaluating my initial inspiration for the shoot. It was easy enough to edit through my photos and arrive at a gallery of twenty or so images that I would be proud to send. Cutting that down to five was excruciating. In the end, I decided on a balance of shots, each conceptually different, that would honor the spirit of the event, my initial desire for textured detail shots, my affinity for the expression of human emotion, and the beauty of this Montana setting. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a wild event and look forward to seeing what my fellow photographers chose to capture and share.

JES KUMM

Best Donkey Diva Photo

Respect, generosity, and patience (exhibited even by the most spirited of beings) was what I experienced during this photo shoot and what I hoped to capture in these five photos that I chose under the theme of “It Takes a Herd” for the 2020 Equine Art Extravaganza at Dunrovin Ranch. I was not the only photographer who commented on what a privilege it was to meet all of the incredible beings that make the ranch the force of nature that it is. Everybody on the ranch, including a sassy Jack Russell terrier, two fun-loving donkeys, a stoic osprey, and many others, contributed to the festivity and made it something truly special. It was obvious that this was a herd that loved its community.

I hope I am able to share some of the delight that I felt on that day as you look through this portfolio. The first photo I chose was a close-up of the handsome Whiskey who was eager to have a romp in the field with his buddies and show off the vibrant canvas that he had become. This photo represents the pre-game excitement jitters that one feels before joining the herd, when you’re all dressed up and ready to go! The second photo I chose was of Jasper as he glided through a misty sunbeam. When I look at this photo, I think of those still, silent pauses that are made easier by memories of moments/traditions that were shared with others (maybe as a painting on our hide). The third photo I chose was of a conflict in the herd. Whiskey had thrown an inappropriate hoof and the herd came to an abrupt halt to settle the dispute. It didn’t take but a moment and they reached a resolution and were running together again. These three photos encapsulate how important it is to feel like you belong, are able to contribute, appreciate those around you, and are able to maintain that connection even in times of contention.

The next two photos I chose because they remind me of characteristics that are common in a strong herd. The fourth photo is of the smallest horse of the Dunrovin herd named Flynn. His stature does not hold him back from holding that tail high, showing off his beautiful stride, and taking the lead. The last photo of my series is of the inseparable bond between the beautiful Lady Lonza and her sweet boy, Ozzie’s Golden Echo. These two photos remind me of how important it is to both recognize and appreciate our own strengths as it is equally important to recognize and appreciate the strengths of those who hold us together.

I hope that you feel a little of the magic that happened during the Extravaganza as you look through these images. My goal is to give you a glimpse of the diverse and unique personalities that make up the dynamic that is the Dunrovin herd. Maybe you might be reminded as I was that day, of how important every member of our community is. How they change us and how we change them. It truly takes a herd.

RANDY HEATON

I can spend a day in the field and take a thousand photographs and maybe have two or three that I really like, and today I was to choose five. I found this to be a very difficult task. Too much light, too many shadows, blurred, not sharp. Too many people, not enough horses, wrong horse, wrong position. Then a few began to stand out, great lighting, just the right blur, horses that began to look like models.

I talked with my daughter about the ones I was thinking of submitting and she immediately focused on the blurred galloping horse. She told me, "dad, this is exactly what it feels like to be on a galloping horse." It felt right to submit it.

The black and white, I love this horse. The artist put a field of "Ghost Horses" on it's side and they flashed beautifully against this very muscular horse with every move, lope, or gallop. The lighting and drying leaves gives it an early autumn look.

The remaining three were the most difficult to decide on, the Champagne Palomino presented itself in a classic high lope with friends, dust flying and great lighting. The remaining painted horse is a great model, she has a beautiful full tail and flashes it with ease and what appears to be a great deal of pride. When I saw this shot I knew it was a winner, the map of Montana so talentedly and lovingly painted on the sides and braids in the mane. This girl would stand out in any crowd.

The remaining photo is a salute to the mantra of the event, "It takes a Herd". Horses are a very social animal with a strong herd mentality. These ones are together separately but as a single unit moving at a fast trot skillfully navigating past trees, downed limbs and photographers. In these trying times, like those horses we will need to work together navigating past obstacles until they are cleared and we can safely be together.

SEAN WEST

Plans change and mine certainly did for my approach to shooting and selecting these images. While it was a beautiful sunny day on the ranch, that can mean trouble for a photographer. Shooting in harsh sunlight can make it difficult too illicit emotion in our photos. In the end, I wanted to demonstrate how “it takes a herd” to make a day like this happen by showing the connection and interaction of just a few of those individuals. Every photo includes a human element, including the photo that doesn’t actually show the person.

In the mother/son photo, I was the original human element but chose this photo because that person could be any one of us. I hoped to be able to bring the viewer into the photo and shot it from the lower angle as if it were from the view point of a child.

From the person that originally had the idea for this annual event, to the coordinator, the handlers, the artists, the makers of the paint and brushes, the amazing people at The Shriners, the beautiful horses and all the generous viewers and voters, it truly does take a herd.