nathalie with a horse Photography
I was 6 years old when it hit me. I was living in rainy Belgium, a quiet and shy little girl, when my mother surprised me with a trip to the pony club. At the end of the half-hour lesson, I had to be pried off the shetland pony, kicking and screaming, persuaded I could not live another minute without my new four legged friend.
First competition with Piccolo
Quite innocently, my mother had planted the very costly seed of a life-long obsession with horses. Over the years, this translated into the purchase of several ponies and participation to shows every week-end, rain or shine (and in Belgium, the chances of solar apparition are minimal at best.) In retrospect, I think my mother wished that on that very fatal day, she had taken me to the zoo instead: she may have had to deal with a giraffe in the backyard but I surmise it would have been an easier task than horse love management.
Lona died at a very young age, a victim of colics
Not to be forgotten in life turning points , my father gave me a small Cosina camera for my 8th birthday and set me up for my other life-long love, photography. To this day, I still have drawers full of negatives featuring every pony and horse I ever approached as I was growing up.
With Dinky Toy, retired from active life since my move to the States
At about 12 year-old, I realized that humans could be acceptable photography subjects too. Not on their own of course, but somewhat decent when coupled with their horses.
My friend Lucy and Merry Mischief, July 1981
After graduating from high school, I briefly considered a equestrian career, but after enduring three months of freezing temperatures training in England (I think my folks picked the winter season with calculated purpose,) I was literally begging my parents to let me go to university. 20 years passed that I spent pleasing a slew of different employers when I finally decided I deserved a little professional happiness too. This is how I came back to my first two loves...
© 2008 nathalie with a horse Photography