Year 2009 Galleries

Blue Creek Takes Top Honors : What a day!  Near 90 degree temps. Strange how Spring was skipped!?
The honorable Mike Smith from Middlebourne, WV presided this fine event.
The show didn't go without incident.  A horse (Thunder) and rider (Ami) were injured when the horse exiting the ring ran into the iron gate throwing itself into a light pole, ejecting Ami over the top and through the fence rail.   Thunder received a deep gash in it's shoulder, requiring 1,500 stitches.  Ami went to seek medical attention to an apparent injury to her neck.  Later a girl, #2; her horse reared up and fell back through the rail near the announcers stand.  Both the girl and horse recovered with no seeming injuries.  All in all, a good turnout for Blue Creeks first show of the season.  
I averaged 100 photos per hour for 12 hours.  That's right, 1,200 pics!  Narrowed it down to 355!  Thanks for the show! And your support.

Blue Creek Takes Top Honors

What a day! Near 90 degree temps. Strange how Spring was skipped!? T ...

Updated: Apr 28, 2009 10:18am PST

West Fork's First in May : It was day four of a six day rain forecast and the show ring took on quite an amount of rain the day before.  So this "Derby Day" was on the muddy side.  Still, a good turn out for the West Fork Riding Club.  Besides a new announcer's stand, the club has an all new riding ring and a new (soon-to-be-installed) porta-john!  The cook shack is also getting some renovation.  I wish they had fried chicken!  UPDATE: Mon(5-4) Serious rain takes over the Chloe area.  The show, though muddy, is now under water!  Thankfully we got it in under the (rain) wire!  All done at 181!

West Fork's First in May

It was day four of a six day rain forecast and the show ring took on q ...

Updated: May 05, 2009 6:47pm PST

DANVILLE, WV...weather permitting!?! : This must be the wettest first weeks of May in a long time!  I just left Spencer in a pouring rain; the damage being done at the BlueGrass Riding Club. The rain persisted until I arrived in Charleston.  To the South, on Hwy 119, blue skies!?  Oh, there was standing water at the Lick Creek showgrounds in Danville but no rain!  The show-ring was softly soaked.  Boris, the announcer and ringmaster drove a truck around the ring several times to try and pack it down.  A successful show, considering the wet conditions. Done at 142!

DANVILLE, WV...weather permitting!?!

This must be the wettest first weeks of May in a long time! I just le ...

Updated: May 12, 2009 6:08pm PST

Spencers' Tour de Lake : One of the few 'all-terrain' courses for mountain bike racers in the State of West Virginia. Usually runs in mid-May.  Located near Spencer on Hwy 36 it attracts many skilled and pro racers.  Camping is available for those who show a day early.  The beauty of West Virginia meets the trails! Credits for the music group "Locomotif" and Mike and Dianne Barr serving sandwiches from Church Street Deli.  It was a cold, cloudy start to an otherwise fine, windy day.  I got back at 6:30pm to start downloading some pics....so let's see who we got! All pics are in at 215!

Spencers' Tour de Lake

One of the few 'all-terrain' courses for mountain bike racers in the S ...

Updated: May 20, 2009 5:37pm PST

Jumping To Elizabeth : When the weekend comes, rain is in the forecast.  Two shows are impossible to do for one photographer, so I wanted to shoot the jumpers in Marietta, OH then run down to Elizabeth, WV  to get in their show.  OH starts Sunday at 8am, WV starts at 12 noon.  Elizabeth show dates; June 28, July 26, Aug 23 & Sept.27.  If you care to show on Sunday and like the comfort of shaded showgrounds, I'll see you in Elizabeth!  Thanks for your support!  All 300 pics are in!

Jumping To Elizabeth

When the weekend comes, rain is in the forecast. Two shows are imposs ...

Updated: May 27, 2009 6:17pm PST

Davis Creek Pony Club at Winfield : Dressage comes to Winfield via the Davis Creek Pony Club May 31st 9am. Rain is never too messy because of the covered arena.  But is a challenge to photograph. All pics are in at 325!  Some beautiful horses!  Thank you for allowing me to photograph your fine club!

Davis Creek Pony Club at Winfield

Dressage comes to Winfield via the Davis Creek Pony Club May 31st 9am. ...

Updated: Jun 10, 2009 6:15pm PST

She Is Elizabeth : The dry days have been sweet!  What beautiful West Virginia weather we enjoy.  Threatening clouds went elsewhere to leave the show high and dry.  I'd really like to see the public out supporting the shows.  Good, clean, inexpensive, outdoor entertainment!  Courtney won my ring; though it will be years before she can wear it.  Maybe she can wear it as a necklace!  Mother knows best I guess.  See you July 26th in Elizabeth, Wirt county.  Please tell your friends.  All pics are in at 225! Purchase the ones you love! Thanks.

She Is Elizabeth

The dry days have been sweet! What beautiful West Virginia weather we ...

Updated: Jul 14, 2009 8:43pm PST

DODGE Championship Rodeo at 4T Arena : Some mighty fine participants in this years DODGE Championship Rodeo in West Virginia. From mutton busting, barrel racing, steer wrestling, calf roping and bull riding.  Larry and his comrades put on some fine entertainment in-between events.  I'm guessing, some 2,000 people came out to enjoy the final day (Sunday) and the fireworks grand finale! Done at 104!

DODGE Championship Rodeo at 4T Arena

Some mighty fine participants in this years DODGE Championship Rodeo i ...

Updated: Jul 15, 2009 7:14pm PST

West Virginia State Championship-Danville Friday : A fine summer day greets the participants and spectators in Danville, WV.  A beautiful show took place and the rain and lightning on Saturday may have finished it early.  The rain abated and the show continued.  It will take some time as I edit through the pics but I will post daily. Please stand by as my paid orders have to come first.  Thank you everyone, it was a spectacular turn out. The etched granite and cut-out option for your pictures has to be ordered and paid for separately. The granite is $50 without a frame and $25 more for a frame.  Cut-outs are $30 for 8x10 and $40 for an 11x14.  Please contact me when you see the pics you paid for come up.  FRIDAY is finished...now to Saturday!

West Virginia State Championship-Danville Friday

A fine summer day greets the participants and spectators in Danville, ...

Updated: Aug 02, 2009 8:44am PST

Cabell County Horse Show Winfield : About have her finished, finally.  Thanks for your patience and enjoy the pics!

Cabell County Horse Show Winfield

About have her finished, finally. Thanks for your patience and enjoy ...

Updated: Aug 09, 2009 1:38pm PST

Danville Saturday : To continue the show. Rain really threw off the focus on many pics, so this may go faster than I thought! Please contact me at my email or phone listed on my homepage to confirm all paid orders.  Lisa Manns, Martha Tackett, Mark Ritchie, Amanda Holdren.  All pics are in.

Danville Saturday

To continue the show. Rain really threw off the focus on many pics, so ...

Updated: Jul 26, 2009 7:37am PST

Wild Spirits 4-H Club : Doddridge County Fair, 1st Annual Horse show. Located near West Union, WV.  Wild Spirits says it all!  A fine 4-H club of young and old alike.  One hot, dusty August day.  At over 90 degrees, fine for lovers of summer.  It was nice meeting you and I hope to have all the pics up within the week. Please keep checking back.  For tonight I have one pic that shows the Wild Spirits in this club. Judged by the honorable graduate of Salem University (WV) Miss Cortney Shipley, now residing in Butler, PA.
OK folks, the pics are all in!

Wild Spirits 4-H Club

Doddridge County Fair, 1st Annual Horse show. Located near West Union, ...

Updated: Aug 21, 2009 8:25pm PST

On-The-Way-to-Holly-Gray : Finally, I get back to Braxton County and in fine weather no-less!  Holly Gray gathers some fine talent and beautiful horses. It's time the ring has attention.  More pics to follow each day. Tell your friends of the Fast Pace class, some great shots! All pics are in at 304. Enjoy! Hey 304, that's our area code!

On-The-Way-to-Holly-Gray

Finally, I get back to Braxton County and in fine weather no-less! Ho ...

Updated: Nov 16, 2009 4:08pm PST

September at the West Fork : The last show of the summer, with one left in the Fall (Oct.3rd) A warm nice day gave way to a dusty show.  Many said they'll take the dust vs. all the mud from previous shows. Though dust is an enemy to any camera, you can use it to create some great photos, which I hope I have captured some for you here.  It was good to see my friends at the West Fork and to meet some new ones. A nice Labor Day weekend turnout!  ALL PICS IN AT 339; Thank you and good night!

September at the West Fork

The last show of the summer, with one left in the Fall (Oct.3rd) A war ...

Updated: Sep 11, 2009 7:05pm PST

Fall Into The Blugrass : Hometown show off Tuckers Run, Where Spencer folks show their support. Expect "perfect" weather for the show! Well, almost perfect. Those forecasters were a smidge off, partly-cloudy became mostly-cloudy.  But no rain!  Ed Clay was there with his impressive 5D Canon camera. He put together a website you may want to visit:  http://www.freewebs.com/bluegrassridingclub 
Contact the club for info on their awards banquet in November! A big thank you to Gina L. Morrison, the honorable judge.  ALL PICS IN AT 254!

Fall Into The Blugrass

Hometown show off Tuckers Run, Where Spencer folks show their support. ...

Updated: Sep 18, 2009 5:26pm PST

Jackson-County-Cottageville-WV : September 19 at 3pm Eastern Time.  Set your calendar! Hope to shoot you there!
You couldn't ask for a better day for a show. If you missed it, please have your horse kick you! Gorgeous weather. Warm, sunny, slight breeze. It all added up to a great show. All pics will be up tonight (Sunday/20th). Orders will be edited when purchased. Thank you!

Jackson-County-Cottageville-WV

September 19 at 3pm Eastern Time. Set your calendar! Hope to shoot yo ...

Updated: Sep 27, 2009 5:29am PST

Return to Blue Creek : How has the Club faired this year? I return to photograph the evidence. The rain came, as I did and canceled the beloved Blue Creek's Boots and Saddle Club show.

Return to Blue Creek

How has the Club faired this year? I return to photograph the evidence ...

Updated: Sep 27, 2009 5:05am PST

Elizabeth III : The third time is the charm. What keeps bringing me back to Elizabeth?
Great show maybe? Not this time as rain has postponed the show until Oct.11th. I'll be in Kentucky at that time so I'll miss that show. If you have pictures you paid for (or not) call or email me with an address I can send those. Thanks.

Elizabeth III

The third time is the charm. What keeps bringing me back to Elizabeth? ...

Updated: Sep 27, 2009 8:46am PST

WEST FORK RIDING CLUB : It's the final show of the season for those riders at the West Fork. May we have a grander season in 2010! SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHOWS!!  No horse required. No rain but remnants of Friday evening rain muddied the field. A cool breeze told everyone that Fall is in the air. Judging the event was Mr. Scotty Cook. His daughter Lindsey was trophy/ribbon girl.

WEST FORK RIDING CLUB

It's the final show of the season for those riders at the West Fork. M ...

Updated: Nov 14, 2009 8:57pm PST

October in JC : Jackson County Final 2009. Again, rain made for a deep muddy mess for the Jackson County Riding Club. Judge Jennifer Jernee presided. I do hope everyone in the competition classes finished without getting hurt and made it home safely.  Look forward to the Awards Banquet on November 14th at 6pm at the Ripley Middle School. See you there!

October in JC

Jackson County Final 2009. Again, rain made for a deep muddy mess for ...

Updated: Nov 26, 2009 9:04am PST

Remake Elizabeth : Her beauty can't be beat and everyone has fun in Elizabeth with the L&L Riding Club. We all know how wet and muddy this season has been. The ring here after a day of drying out wasn't too bad.  Two brave young ladies even entertained the crowd with a jumping class and no injuries! A beautiful but cool day.  See you Elizabeth, catch ya next year!

Remake Elizabeth

Her beauty can't be beat and everyone has fun in Elizabeth with the L& ...

Updated: Oct 12, 2009 3:17am PST

Horse Capital-Lexington, KY : Hello friends! For those who haven't been, I wanted you to see the beautiful horse farms that are in the area of Lexington - Kentucky.  Through my good friend Mr. Larry Taber, he drove me around to photograph the area. Sorry I wasn't aware of any "shows" but the scenery is spectacular!  Maybe one day I'll get back to shoot the goings-on of a farm and how they prepare the horses.

Horse Capital-Lexington, KY

Hello friends! For those who haven't been, I wanted you to see the bea ...

Updated: Oct 18, 2009 1:47pm PST