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HorsePlay – A Celebration of Life
Posted on November 14, 2009
For several years now I have known that one day I would photograph Lea playing with her horses. The thought would come and go, there was no dwelling as to when and where. I just knew it would come to pass when the timing was most significant. About two weeks ago I knew it was time, so I contacted her. Last Sunday I arrived at the farm she is care taking and for the rest of the day it seemed a magical spell was hovering.
There are many people who own horses, but sadly there is a scarcity of true partnership between human and horse. As you will see unfold in the following pictures, partnership and a deep, unconditional love permeates from Lea and her horses, Spartacus and Xena. Please notice the sweet contentment in Lea’s face in all these images. None of these are posed or rehearsed. There were few words spoken between us. We were both in the midst of what is most passionate to our souls, and so there was no need for words. I hope you enjoy this beautiful dance as much as I did.
And Lea, for you I gift you with a look through the window I spent hours peering through on that day. It was an honor to witness the beauty and the pain. I shall hold this day forever in my heart. I was deeply touched.
Spartacus
Xena
Lea
People can talk to one another about all these things and remain distanced and lonesome. In partnership with a horse, one is seldom lacking for thought, emotion and inspiration. One is always attended by a great companion. – Charles de Kunniffy
Horses afford us the luxury of enchantment. They fuel the imagination of children and nurture the youthful souls of adults. -Melissa Sovey-Nelson
I am not only free to be myself with a horse, I am encouraged to find my brilliance. -Melissa Sovey-Nelson
Our youth is raw, wild, both fearless and fearful, and fiercely independent while secretly in need of contact. Horses are ageless and non-judgmental companions who teach me responsibility yet help me find my wings. When it is difficult to express my feelings, I’m still okay when I am with horses, all I have to do is just be. I love them and they know it. -Melissa Sovey-Nelson
We are spirit, the horse and I . . . vital and animated, essence and substance, specter and apparition, boldness, enthusiasm and ardor. -Melissa Sovey-Nelson
We are sprites, the horse and I – mythological figures empowered with magical gifts and the stuff of childhood tales. Often diaphanous or forced to be in the shadows, we appear with deliberate intent when messages need to be delivered. -Melissa Sovey-Nelson
Forever choreographing in daydreams whenever music stirred me, my visions have changed to the percussion of hooves and of rolling muscles lifting and pushing in cadenced performances together. We are dance partners even when we are apart. -Melissa Sovey-Nelson
We all hunger for the enigmatic, the veiled unexplainable which is beyond human understanding. Some of us satisfy this appetite with the archetypal majesty and power of the horse. -Melissa Sovey-Nelson
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wonderful, wonderful portraits of Lea and Spartacus and their relationship!
Darlene, of coarse I see that you had several fantastic and beautiful models, and that smile of Lea’s could light up all of New England, but you truly have the magical eye at capturing that beauty and freeze-framing it. I can see your love for both the horses and Lea coming through the lens. Thank you for sharing that beauty!
You have caught the very elusive magic of connection that happens between horses and their humans. Your work is beautiful.
Thank you for sharing it!
I really like the way Darlene melds into the environment into which she has entered; it was easy to relax and be myself with the horses, which is where the most fun can be had by all, hence HorsePlay! Spartacus and Xena are truly amazing and I am blessed to share my life with them!
Love going 3 ways – in fact 6 ways from Sunday – in these pictures. Horses given a home, a woman with a mission (and having fun doing it) and a sensitive interpreter reaching through her lens – thanks for sharing
all are lovely images but 3 struck me with the emotion that was so subtle and so very evident. The first one was when Lea is slipping the headstall over the head of Spartacus. She is being careful of her friend, her kindness is evident. The next one is where Spartacus is between the camera and Lea, they are moving together….the soft eye of the horse shows a partnership and trust. The last one is when she’s walking away, down a road or lane with both horses…..friends.