Western Pleasure Photography in Ocala, Florida

Kimbrell, Heidi, & Charlotte

One of the things I love the most about photographing horses is traveling to different barns, meeting new horses, and meeting new people. Since I am a hunter/jumper myself, it was nice to do western pleasure photography in Ocala, Florida for a change. I have many friends who compete in the western pleasure world, so it is nice to see them and their horses outside of the show ring. I think one of the things we often take for granted with horses is the quiet time spent with them just bonding. My favorite thing about horse and rider portraits is that it gives the rider a chance to relax and just be with their horse. As riders we constantly worry over how our horse looks, how we look, that sometimes we just need a few hours to spend time with our horses—no strings attached.

I have known Kimbrell for years, we met early in college and even worked together for some time. I have watched Kimbrell go from riding Saddlebred Horses, to competing with the University of Florida Western Team, to now competing in the western pleasure circuit. We met up for her session at her trainer’s barn, Classic Show Horses, in Ocala, FL. Classic Show Horses is full of gorgeous western pleasure Appaloosa’s, I was drooling over Charlotte’s markings! Charlotte and Heidi were the perfect pair. Not only are they both extremely photogenic, they are also well behaved and seemed to enjoy modeling for the camera! Kimbrell has recently graduated from the University of Florida College of Law and has hopes of practicing equine law in her future. It makes sense that she would choose to commemorate her graduation with western pleasure photography!