As Connor paced up and down the wash rack with Sasha, trying to calm her nerves.   I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t a little apprehensive about this session. Though sweet at heart, Sasha can he a huge diva when she wants to be.  She loves to play “catch me if you can” and it’s not uncommon to see poor a red-faced Connor coming in from the pasture, dragging a sweaty Sasha behind him after 30 minutes of her “games”.  I once spotted Sasha giving Connor the run around from our porch and went out to help.  We had to play a little bit of reverse psychology with a handful of grain and some other horses, but we soon caught her pretty easily.  I remember thinking right then that I hoped he had the maturity and patience to persevere with her; as somewhere, under that big muscular body was a sweet soul just wanting a chance .  He did not disappoint, It’s been a pleasure to watch young Connor’s relationship with Sasha blossom over the past year since he got her, all the while eager to learn from others and help out around the barn whenever he can.  Sasha is a fantastic trail horse and , though I’m sure roping is pretty high on the list, Connor is uncertain as to what else they might like to try their hand at.   These two are going from strength to strength and I have no doubt that they will be partners for years to come.

Anyway, back to the wash rack – After having attempted to cow kick Weston (my poor husband) who was dutifully “painting her toenails”.   I felt sure that the session would be a tough one.  On top of Sasha’s nerves came her strong, large frame.  In hand, she stood a decent chance of overpowering  her 15 year old owner, if she wanted to.  It’s not that Connor can’t handler her; it’s just that Sasha, a percheron-paint cross, is a BIG girl!   With both Weston and Connor’s grandfather, Bruce, on hand to assist; we began the session in the barn, where she would feel more comfortable and Connor would have more control and help close by if he needed it. 

Both Sasha and Connor, though still a tad nervous were exemplary.  Wow, OK…let’s move on to the pasture.

Bruce is a prominent figure is Connor’s life and has spent many hours with him, guiding him in his choice of horse to purchase and subsequently enjoying and amazing bond with his grandson over their common passion, horses.  As we navigated our way around the back pasture, I caught a few glimpses of Bruce, proudly studying his grandson enjoying himself with his #1 girl.  They had spent months shopping for horses, after Connor’s dream horse was sold out from under his nose, a huge disappointment. Then, along came Sasha at Southern Cross Guest Ranch.

We switched between thoughtful quiet moments with Connor seated on logs and against trees to mounted shots of the pair loping across the pasture and observing their imaginary heard of cattle.  Contrary to what he probably expected from a portrait session, Connor looked like he was having a blast and Sasha had dissolved all of my prior concerns about her behaving herself.  In fact, it’s was probably one of the fastest flowing sessions I have done, both horse and rider were killing it!  Once we were sure that we had enough variety to satisfy both Connor’s more serious taste and that of his Grandmother, who obviously wants shots of her Grandson smiling, we headed over to the other pasture.

Connor has specifically requested to end the session with some silhouettes, definitely something that I will be offering more of at the end of my sessions going forward!   

I can safely say that the hardest part about this session was narrowing down all of the gorgeous images for their slideshow!  Connor got some amazing portraits for his wall and his grandparents now have a nice album winging it’s way over from Europe in the next couple of weeks!