Being a photographer we often times get really well known for a specific type of images, for me that is my Whimsical Horse & Rider Portraits of girls in the middle of a field wearing a beautiful dress with their favorite pony. When Great Southwest Equestrian Center contacted me about creating some unique images to showcase the beauty of the facility and the exhibitors who truly love the facility I was so incredibly excited. I look back at my life and each and every time I am at Great Southwest Equestrian center I have to pinch myself a little, growing up coming to shows and showing at GSWEC, it has always had a special place in my heart, and now I get to truly be a part of this magnificent facility.

While at the Fall shows at GSWEC I photographed a series of equestrians with their horses at the show, and it was so much fun getting to wonder around the show grounds and look for unique places that showcase this amazing facility. For Samantha’s session I decided to go out to the gorgeous Mega Ring and get some images showcasing the rings and the most iconic jumps from the River Oaks Donuts Jump to the Hillcorp Energy Jump.

You might be wondering why Samantha’s horse is sporting such a unique ear bonnet, well his name is Atomic so it only make sense that he would have such a perfect ear bonnet. Samantha and Atomic ride at Little Bay Farm in Houston,TX. Samantha has been leasing him for the past two years, and they have moved from the Low Children’s Jumpers to the High Children’s Jumpers. Atomic is Samantha’s once in a lifetime horse. “He knows exactly what I want when I ask him for something in the show ring but he also has the biggest heart of any horse I have ever met. I spend 6 days a week with him so we are very close and he is so funny and personable when he’s in the barn.”

The pair has had lots of success over the last two years, but Samantha’s hi-light is qualifying for EAP Nationals because he was amazing for her the entire clinic and won the Zone 7 and 8 jumper team championship, and placed 3rd individually in the high child/adult division. Although he is just a lease horse, he is truly Samantha’s heart horse and she owes all of her success to him.

Samantha shared why she loves GSWEC, “I love the GSWEC! I remember when I first moved here from Nebraska I pulled into the parking lot and had a “we’re not in Kansas anymore” type moment. It’s just such a beautiful facility with amazing staff and such talented competitors! Hands down my favorite show facility in Texas!”