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Equine Photography: Elisabeth Panepinto

Elisabeth Panepinto is a young photographer from Belgium. Her work is extraordinary in the way she is able to so effectively capture the dazzling beauty of the equine form. Both her black and white and her color photographs are stunning. I love the unique ways in which she orients and crops her compositions. She is definitely a talent to be looking out for in the coming years. I would love to own a huge coffee table book featuring her work.

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Elisabeth Panepinto Photography

Elisabeth Panepinto Photography

Elisabeth Panepinto Photography

Elisabeth Panepinto Photography

Elisabeth Panepinto Photography

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Find more of Elisabeth Panepinto’s photography here:
Website:
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Five Girls and a Horse’s Stunning Equestrian Chic Horse Show Booth

The Devon Horse Show’s Fall Classic took place a few months ago, but I was so impressed by the photos of Five Girls and a Horse’s booth at the show that I still wanted to share them. Five Girls and a Horse is a collective shop featuring gorgeous handmade and vintage goods. Lauren Radvansky, the founder of , is a part of the Five Girls and a Horse team and was kind enough to send me a collection of photos of their lovely booth display!

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These photos are great inspiration for fellow equestrian crafters and businesses that vend at horse shows. The atmosphere Five Girls and a Horse created in their booth was elegant yet friendly and inviting. It looks more like a professionally designed room than a temporary booth display!

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EquinebyLauren

I particularly love the way Lauren chose to display her bookends, coat hooks, and jewelry hangers. The industrial minimalist look of the shelving units do not overwhelm the bookends and compliment their contrasting natural aesthetic. The plain white wall she used to hang her clothing and bridle racks on really makes them stand out! The white wall was also a huge part of what transformed the shed into a finished looking store.

EquinebyLauren

Members of Five Girls and a Horse in front of their booth.


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EquinebyLauren
EquinebyLauren
EquinebyLauren
Doesn’t it just look so inviting at night?

I hope that you enjoyed these photos and that they were able to inspire you if you are vending at a future show! Thank you Lauren for sharing these great images with us!

Find EQUINE by Lauren here:
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Equine Photography: Francesca Morrison

Francesca Morrison is an up-and-coming photographer based in Glasgow, Scotland. She is currently studying photography at Reid Kerr college and has photographed popular equine events including the Hickstead Derby and RIHS. Her gorgeous photographs included in this post just give a preview of her talent! Check out her website () or her Facebook Page () to view more of her stunning images.

Francesca Morrison Photography

Francesca Morrison is passionate about equine photography. All riders understand that there is something very special about the relationship between horse and rider. Francesca aims to capture the essence of this relationship. Whether a client seeks the exhilaration of horse and rider striving together in competition or more formal equine portraiture, Francesca will always aim to reveal the heart and soul of the unique bond at the centre of equestrian relationships. —

Francesca Morrison Photography

Francesca Morrison Photography
Francesca Morrison Photography
Francesca Morrison Photography
Francesca Morrison Photography

Again, more of Francesca Morrison’s gorgeous work can be found here:
Website:
Facebook:

Dream Horse Studios’ Kickstarter Campaign

Kickstarter seems to be the place small businesses are turning to these days to help fund their startup costs. It is encouraging to see that lately more and more equestrian businesses and projects are taking the plunge and trying out this popular crowd funding source. “Back on Track”, the documentary about retired racehorses, was successfully funded a few weeks ago, my new magazine, Equestrian Culture, has one week left of it’s campaign, and a new campaign was just started by just over a week ago.

Dream Horse Studios Pirouette Snaffle Bridle

Pirouette Snaffle Bridle in Chestnut

Dream Horse Studios’ founder Lauren Dukes designs, creates and sells gorgeous tack and accessories including bridles, boots, halters and more. When Lauren first revealed Dream Horse Studios on Facebook, she was blown away by the incredibly positive response her designs received. I think that people were thrilled to finally find tack that is affordable, high quality, thoughtfully designed and fun!

Dream Horse Studios Carnivale Jumping Boots

“Carnivale” Jumping Boots, Fleece Lined – available in 12 colors!

Through Kickstarter, Dream Horse Studios is hoping to raise $10,000. If the campaign is successful, Lauren plans to use the funds to continue to build Dream Horse Studios’ collection. There are minimum order quantities that must be met when placing orders for leather and components. In order to build her inventory and turn new design prototypes into realities, Lauren needs to raise enough money to meet these minimums.

Dream Horse Studios Carnivale Brushing Boots

“Carnivale” Patent Brushing Boots – available in 12 colors!


Dream Horse Studios is owned and operated by Lauren Dukes, an adult amateur dressage rider whose hard-to-fit gelding and grad school budget inspired her to begin making her own tack. She founded Dream Horse Studios with three basic concepts in mind: quality, functionality, and affordability. The company operates under the belief that people shouldn’t have to pay a fortune for nice tack, especially when that money can be put to better use for riding lessons, vet bills, and other horse-related expenses. —Dream Horse Studios, October 11, 2013 Press Release

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“Cambridge” Jumping Boots

All of these gorgeous items are available through Dream Horse Studios’ Kickstarter campaign as backer rewards! Find more information regarding rewards, Dream Horse Studios’ goals and mission and a great video on their campaign page:

More Information:
Dream Horse Studios’Website:
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Equine Artist: Élise Genest

I only recently discovered Canadian artist, , impressive collection of equine artwork through Facebook. I don’t know how I hadn’t heard of or seen it before! Élise’s paintings exhibit a mastery of the equine form. I love how she uses varied line weights and textures to such a great effect!

Élise Genest Equine Art

Her paintings seamlessly combine several types of painting and drawing media to create active and balanced compositions. Élise’s use of lettering and hand written quotes are unique. I have seen it done in portraits of people and I always liked the complexity it added to the paintings—it works equally well in Élise’s equine portraits.

Élise Genest Equine Art

My inner artist has always loved iberian horses. Even before I had ever encountered them, I was drawing horses with great sweeping curves and high-stepping paces, mane to the wind. I was quick to realize that these magical horses represented everything I loved about the equine, that is, their energy, power, strength, and, too, a calm temperament concealed in a theatrical personality. They are the embodiment of works of art, magnificent from every point of view! They instill creative energy in me even when I feel I feel I’ve captured only the tiniest suggestion of their tremendous beauty. —

Élise Genest Equine Art
Élise Genest Equine Art
Élise Genest Equine Art
Élise Genest Equine Art
Élise Genest Equine Art
Élise Genest Equine Art
Élise Genest Equine Art

Follow Élise Genest’s work:
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Horze Giveaway #2: College Women’s Jacket & Matching Wavy All Purpose Saddle Pad!

Horze Giveaway

Here is the second giveaway in a series of three giveaways being offered to Cavalcade readers by Horze! Our last giveaway was for your horse, but this giveaway includes goodies for both horse and rider. The winner of this giveaway will be looking chic in her new and her horse will be looking sleek in his/her matching !

What you could win:

For You:

Horze’s College Women’s Jacket in Charcoal/Dark Grey. This hooded jacket comes in sizes XS-XL. Winner gets to choose her preferred size.

For Your Horse:

Horze Wavy All Purpose Saddle Pad in Paloma/Grey. This full sized saddle pad features a unique wavy quilted design and reinforced nylon girth and billet straps.

With impeccable stitching, cotton twill and high wither release this is also visually stunning with piping around the binding defining the distinctive shape for a stylish touch. – Horze

How to Enter:

All you have to do to enter for a chance to win this beautiful set is take a look at and leave a comment here telling me what your favorite product from the collection is. If you previously entered the first Horze giveaway here on Cavalcade, let me know what your second favorite item is!

Giveaway Details:

This giveaway is for one Horze College Women’s Jacket and one Horze Wavy All Purpose Saddle Pad in Paloma. Winner will be able to choose his/her preferred jacket size (available in sizes XS, S, M, & XL). Entries will close Monday, October 14th at 11:59pm ET and a winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, October 15th. The winner will be announced here on the blog and on Cavalcade’s Facebook page. Open to US and Canadian residents only.

Good luck!

Learn more about Horze on their and their . Thank you Horze for providing such wonderful giveaway items!

The Story Behind Equestrian Culture Magazine

“Equestrian Culture discovers the best style, art and small businesses representing the equestrian lifestyle.”

Equestrian Culture’s creative director Leah Anderson and I built this tagline during a series of conversations and brainstorming sessions for our . If we had to tell someone about Equestrian Culture in the length of one tweet, what would we say? How would we sum up something that so deeply reflects our interests and our identities in 140 characters or less?

Equestrian Culture Fall 2013

While we are both very happy with the tagline we created, it doesn’t tell Equestrian Culture’s readers who we are. What qualifies us to write and curate an equestrian magazine? Why should equestrians and horse lovers subscribe to Equestrian Culture? What makes Equestrian Culture and it’s team unique?

Our Mission:

Many equestrian lifestyle publications exclusively showcase a dream lifestyle. Equestrian Culture celebrates the craftsmanship that goes into couture and luxury pieces, but we also dig deeper to discover start up businesses with beautiful, unique product offerings. Equestrian Culture’s “Small Business Spotlight” elevates the everyday. We find what is just starting to bloom—something incredible that is beginning to rise out of hard work, talent and intense dedication—and we give it a platform. We bring spreads upon spreads of amazingly gorgeous equine artwork and photography to the masses. The horse’s innate beauty and power is, after all, what has always drawn us to them.

Equestrian Culture Magazine Photography

Spread from our Fall Issue’s Featured Photographer article about Bianca McCarthy

We share equestrian influenced style that is not only fashionable but is also something that we would wear and ride in. Alongside photographs of the season’s latest collections that illuminate the pages of Equestrian Culture are the stories behind those brands–directly from the founders.

Equestrian Culture Magazine The Horse Behind the Brand

Spread from our Fall Issue’s “The Horse Behind the Brand” article featuring an interview with Sara Griot of O’Shaughnessey

The DIY project included in each issue of Equestrian Culture further adds to our distinctiveness. I haven’t seen many other equestrian lifestyle magazines that include these beautiful craft ideas. Not only do we believe in helping the businesses featured in Equestrian Culture, but we also think that it is so important to give back to our readers. Creating and sharing these unique equine themed gift ideas with our readers is one more way that we strive to give back.

Equestrian Culture Fall Issue DIY Project

Spread from our Fall Issue’s DIY project

What Equestrian Culture means to me:

My Roots:

Every school has “the horse girl”. If you are reading this, you were most likely one of them. I certainly was. My bike was a horse. The swings on my swing set were horses. When driving in the car with my parents, I would pretend that the shadows we drove over on the road were jumps. The living room was the perfect place to practice my “dressage moves” and I believe that I cantered more than I ran. I grew up playing with and collecting Breyers and attending 4-H meetings.

Gemini & I

Gemini and I when I was 7 and Gemini was 13.

I was very lucky. My parents purchased my first horse when I was only five years old. Gemini was an 11 year old 15.3hh Quarter Horse/Arabian cross gelding. He was my childhood. Together, we learned and grew a lot over the course of the 17 long years that he was a part of my life. He was my 4-H project horse, we took dressage and jumping lessons, went on countless trail rides, travelled to overnight horse camps together and even competed in our first two-phase when Gemini was 20 years old!

Gemini & I

Left: Gemini and I dressed up for a costume class at a 4-H fun show. Right: Some of my childhood horse drawings.

Our horses lived at home. I spent a lot of time just watching Gemini and my parents’ Quarter Horse Jessie as they dozed in the pasture. All of those careful observations lead to MANY horse drawings. I drew horses constantly. I still do actually.

My Interests and Passions Transformed into Articles:

All of those horse drawings eventually turned me into an accomplished artist. The year I graduated from high school I founded my first business, Designs by Dannie, where I sold my equine artwork and apparel. In college I double majored in Studio Art and Art Education and minored in Art History. My art background and education is the reason why Equestrian Culture features artwork and photography so much more heavily than other equestrian publications.

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Spread from our Fall Issue’s Artist Interview with Claire Bentley Smith

I love to discover, collect and write about art. While in college, I really enjoyed writing art history research papers. One of those research papers won a travel grant that paid for my first trip to London and Paris.

Missing the opportunity to study and write about art and culture after graduating from college, I created Cavalcade. Editing and curating the content here on the blog has resulted in so many wonderful relationships with small business owners from all over the world. These entrepreneurs have inspired me. Behind each of their businesses are rich stories about how they built their own path in life.

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Spread from our Fall Issue’s “Small Business Spotlight” featuring Seven Barks

These relationships guided my decision to include two business centric articles in each issue of Equestrian Culture. “The Horse Behind the Brand” digs deep into the childhood connection many of these founders of equestrian businesses—both big and small—have with horses. There is always a special horse that influenced the formation of their independent and entrepreneurial identity. The “Small Business Spotlight” interview—another regular feature—particularly resonates with me as a fellow small business owner. I understand how hard it can be to get your business’s name out there. I love that Equestrian Culture has the ability to help these start-ups!

Gemini & I

Gemini and I at a state 4-H Horse Show

Horses are interwoven into many facets of my life. They are my hobby, my muse and the reason for my occupation. The content that fills the pages of each issue of Equestrian Culture is a direct reflection of my identity. Equestrian Culture is a project that I feel very passionately about.

What Equestrian Culture means to Leah Anderson, our Creative Director:

Who I am:

I was born with horses in my blood and a pencil in my hand! As a child I was constantly drawing horses and going through the Dover catalog highlighting every product that I would need for the barn I was going to have when I grew up. During recess, my horse friends and I would ‘gallop’ around the playground, leaping over anything and everything that could be ‘jumped’. I spent my summers riding bareback on a bay Arabian named Gazadi, and my school days drawing horses in the margins of my notebooks.

Leah & Gazadi

Left: Leah with one of her horse drawings. Right: Leah & Gazadi

Things didn’t change much as I got older. My mom saved up money and when I was 13 I got my first horse. I still have the ad that I ripped out of the Little Nickel Classifieds. That mare became my best friend, my everything—carrying me to pony club ratings and on countless adventures. I went to college & received a BFA in Graphic Design. For my senior project I wrote, photographed & designed a book about rescue horses titled “Forgotten”. From that point forward, I knew that combining my love of horses & my passion for design was my ultimate career path.

Leah riding

Leah riding.

In 2011 I followed my heart after the love of my life, and packed up everything (including my horse) and moved across the country to a rural part of Georgia. With no design studio that could possibly hire me within 100 miles, I decided to found my own design business: Dapplebay, Inc. Shortly after that, I launched Dapplebay Clothing Co. in an effort to meet potential clients and expand my network. I can happily say I have achieved my goal to combine my two passions into a successful, fulfilling career.

Leah & Lady

Leah & Lady

How I got involved with Equestrian Culture:

I have known Danielle through her blog, where she has featured my Dapplebay t-shirts. When she approached me for some help finalizing the Equestrian Culture logo, I was floored. A beautiful magazine, about horses, art and small business, curated with incredible taste? Equestrian Culture had my name written all over it—I had to be a part of this magazine. While I love designing logos, websites and t-shirts, my true calling has always been publication design. Something about choosing typefaces, the careful balance of making & breaking the grid, and painstakingly adjusting & readjusting the rag of a paragraph…I could design a magazine for the rest of my life! I hope that the successful funding of this Kickstarter campaign allows me that opportunity.

Leah jenna EC

Left: Leah wearing a Dapplebay shirt. Right: Leah & her OTTB Pie

What Equestrian Culture means to me:

Equestrian Culture means the life lived loving horses. To love a horse is no small passion, and those of us that have shared this notion are inextricably linked. Equestrian Culture Magazine was created to share and celebrate this bond through art, storytelling & community. There is a horse that inspired all of us…that horse is the reason Equestrian Culture Magazine was founded.

What I will bring to Equestrian Culture:

Visually, EC is not just a publication filled with beautiful photographs, art, and wonderful stories- it is carefully designed in a way that sets it apart from other equine publications. My experience & passion for excellent design is evident on every page: the thoughtful layout, use of white space, and careful typography are unique to Equestrian Culture Magazine. In regard to the content of the magazine, EC is curated with an educated eye. Design is a big part of who I am, and design thinking goes into every decision & purchase that I make. I have been greatly influenced by great brands throughout my life with horses, and those memories have shaped my preferences and horse keeping practices over time. Equestrian Culture Magazine tells the stories of these brands we love & discovers the highest quality, best valued, most beautiful products for YOUR life with horses.

Thank you all so much for supporting our new endeavor!

You can visit Equestrian Culture’s Kickstarter campaign here:
If you haven’t read our Fall Issue yet, you can find it here:

Historic Photos: People and Their Horses

It has been several months since I last featured a collection of historic photographs. I have always loved to really study these early equine images from over a century ago; analyzing the tack, riding habits, horses’ confirmation, and even how their hooves were trimmed/shod (my dad is a farrier, I can’t help it!). It is always a treat to find “new” old photos! All of the photos featured below date from between 1867 and 1886. Enjoy!

Belle Starr Fort Smith Arkansas 1886

“Belle Starr and her Horse, Fort Smith, Arkansas”, Roeder Bros., 1886


Monsieur Adam Salomon by Louis Jean Delton
“Monsieur Adam Salomon dans use victoria grand-duc”, Louis-Jean Delton, 1867


Marian Hooper Adams on horseback at Beverly Farms
Marian Hooper Adams on Horseback at Beverly Farms”, unidentified photographer, 1869


Brooks Adams with horse and dog
“Brooks Adams with Horse and Dog”, Marian Hooper Adams, 1883


Toulouse Rue d Astorg Charlotte de Gomiécourt à cheval 1869 51Fi94 Fonds Trutat
“Toulouse. Rue d’Astorg. Charlotte de Gomiécourt à cheval”, Eugène Trutat, 1869

Equestrian Culture Magazine’s Kickstarter Campaign is Live!

Let’s take Equestrian Culture to print!

Many of you who follow Cavalcade’s social media pages have already heard a little bit about Equestrian Culture’s (our sister magazine) plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign and have seen some of the awesome rewards that will be offered during the campaign. Well, that day has come! Equestrian Culture’s campaign is live on Kickstarter right now!

Kickstarter

Why is Equestrian Culture on Kickstarter?

Since publishing our first issue in June, Equestrian Culture’s readership has grown incredibly quickly. We want the magazine to continue to grow and evolve and feel that now is the time to transition Equestrian Culture from an online magazine to a print and online publication. We are running the Kickstarter campaign with the goal of raising enough funds to cover the cost of printing our next issue.

Learn more about Equestrian Culture:

A vital part of any Kickstarter campaign is the video. Watch our video to learn more about the types of articles featured in Equestrian Culture, the team behind the magazine and the awesome rewards that are available to both businesses and individuals who make donations to the campaign:

How You Can Help:

We have been planning this campaign for months, and it would mean the world to us if you’d spread the word by simply clicking the Facebook and Twitter buttons on the page in this link: ! Just doing that will make a HUGE difference.

Thank you all so much!

Equestrian Culture:
Kickstarter Campaign: Equestrian Culture Magazine: Take us to Print!
Website: equestrianculture.com
Facebook Page:
Twitter:

GIVEAWAY: Horze Avalanche Rain Fleece

Horze Giveaway

How awesome is this giveaway?! The perfect way to end the week right? has very generously allowed me to host a series of giveaways here on Cavalcade. Today’s giveaway is the first in the series.

What you could win:

Horze’s popular “” in gorgeous Saxony Blue. This beautiful deep aqua blue will flatter any coat color, plus this blanket has great reviews on Horze’s website.

Horze’s “Avalanche Rain Fleece” is a high-necked rain rug made of 600D RipStop polyester and is lined with 100% polyester fleece. The blanket features shoulder darts to help ensure a perfect fit and the high-neck design relieves pressure on the shoulders (and further keeps the rain out according to reviews). The blanket is secured with a two snap hook “double front closure”, elastic ended x-surcingles and detachable elastic leg straps.

Reviews for this blanket say that due to the nice thick fleece lining in this blanket, it can double as a light to medium weight winter blanket in addition to working as a waterproof rain sheet!

Available in sizes: 66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81 & 87. The giveaway winner will get to choose the size he or she would prefer.

How to Enter:

All you have to do to enter for a chance to win this beautiful “Avalanche Rain Fleece” is take a look at and leave a comment here telling me what your favorite product from the collection is.

Giveaway Details:

This giveaway is for one Horze Avalanche Rain Fleece in Saxony Blue. Winner will be able to choose his/her preferred size (available in sizes 66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, & 87). Entries will close Friday, September 20th at 11:59pm ET and a winner will be chosen at random on Saturday, September 21st. The winner will be announced here on the blog and on Cavalcade’s Facebook page. Open to US and Canadian residents only.

Good luck!

Learn more about Horze on their and their . Thank you Horze for providing such a wonderful giveaway item!