Weekend with a Friend

This past weekend I have the Privilege to spend a few days with Morgen Kilbourn.  In case you live under a rock and are unaware of this really talented lady, Morgen is a Sculptor of equine art.  During Breyerfest this past year, Robin Hudson and I decided to try to persuade Morgen to sculpt a saddlebred of some sort.  Luckily for Us, Morgen Entered the American Academy of Equine Art's Juried Art show and won so Morgen had a reason to come to KY and visit.

Morgen and I have always gotten along via email and she was nice enough to trade a Hazel resin for a couple of bridles with braidwork..  Then last year, 2011, Morgen allowed me to hang out with her when I was at Breyerfest by myself.  This was poignant to me because of the Loss of my dad.  Morgen also lost a parent last year so she knew what I was going through.  We were a bit kismet...  MOrgen will always have a special place in my heart.

Anyway, Morgen drove in last thursday and we spent last Friday and Saturday together.  I want to emphasize how rare this is for me.  I am sickly, moody, introverted critter most of the time.  People rarely are invited to my house, let alone invited to stay a couple of days.  MOrgen was the Perfect house guest and I hope that the night poor RJ's in intercom was muted and resulted in screaming and crying won't scar her for life.!

We spent last friday at Premier Stables and then Willowbank Saddlebred Farm.  In the evening we went to the Art Reception for the AAEA in Georgetown where Morgen won a Prize for best sculpture.

Then saturday I treated her to a non-Breyerfest tour of the Ky Horse park. (We also went to an Irish Draught show but there were only about 6 -8 horses and it wasn't much of a show that day)

I think I wore her out as well as myself.  There was a sickly night on my part due to some weird food at the art reception but luckily Anthony Saved the Day and Morgen was nice enough to not be upset  when I had to RUN to the bathroom and then pass out in bed. (caviar apparently doesn't agree with me)

I sent Morgen home with about 20 Gig of saddlebred photos and hopefully some fond memories.  I know that I will hope that Morgen visits a lot more because I had a wonderful time.

Above are a few photos from our adventures. I'm still getting to know my camera so some things didn't turn out as colorful as I would have wanted.. going to have to read the manual I guess..

On the tack front, I have repaired an older bridle owned by Robin Smith that she's shown with for a long time.  I think it's literally lasted almost ten years without breaking and the buckle that only broke due to wear and use.   I've replaced it with some thicker, tougher but still elegant leather so hopefully it will never break again.  I've also just started on another bridle that will be like that one except in black leather instead.

This weekend is the Arabian Celebration at the Ky Fair and Expo center.. and I'm sure I don't have to tell you that I can't WAIT to see that!

Real fast.....

Bridle for the Utterly Horses Hullabaloo

Bridle for the Utterly Horses Hullabaloo

Halter for Mary B.

Halter for Mary B.

Halter for Mary b

I swear I've been busy.  Got the Donation for the Utterly Horses Hullabaloo (in ENGLAND!) done and shipped.  And Just last night I finished up the First of my order backlog - a Western Show Halter for a Victrix on my Valor. (the halter is very adjustable).

I am like thisclose to finishing up the breastcollar for the Chelsea Nichols Saddle.  I had to readjust it a bit after I found that it was just too short..

Next Up is a slew of Arabian Show Halters.

Also, I'm working on a blog article about showing your Model horse Saddlebred in Saddle Seat (it is two words).  Hopefully this will clear up any misconceptions or maybe add to them.. I dunno. that post will take me a while to complete though.

My NAN Photos from 2012 have all been uploaded to my photo website:  http://www.abounaderphoto.com and I'm working towards uploading my 2010 NAN photos as well.

This year at breyerfest I spent a lot of time with different people so I didn't get to get out and photograph a whole lot of things. (and it was desperately hot).

I also went to the 2012 Shelbyville Horse Show Last weekend and shot a few photos there.

More soon when I get a chance to breathe!

Roy Rogers Museum Auctions, and other exhibits

There suddenly is a lot of interest in the model horse community about the Roy Rogers Museum pieces that are being sold at auctions around the country.

I'd like to share what I know, since I've known since last year that the museum was unfortunately closing in December 2009. I really wanted to make the trip to Branson, MO to see it before it closed but I was unable to do so.

The first Auction of the Roy Rogers pieces from the Museum were this past January out West. (I say "out west" because I can't remember the specific place where the auction was held). This auction was conducted by "High Noon" Auction company. They are the country's foremost experts on western collectibles, art and memorabilia. They have been in business for a few decades and I've bought just about every catalog they've sold.

I watch the High Noon January Auction online every year. The pieces sold are of course, of intense interest to me and I'm fascinated by what the parade saddles and antique saddles sell for.

This year, they had some of Roy and Dale's children (Now adults of course) speak at the beginning of the auction. They were in tears as they told the history of the Museum, recalled wonderful times with their parents, and how sorry they were that they were forced to sell off the pieces from the museum. It was a really beautiful moment :-)

The second Auction, will be next weekend (june 24, and 25th), and is being handled by Denver Old West auction company in conjunction with High Noon. (not sure if the High Noon folks own Denver Old west or what - I didn't discover the Denver Old west auctions until last year after I got a card in the mail about it) The website and more information is here; www.denveroldwest.com

Then, the third auction (and I have no idea if it'll be the last or not) is going to be Conducted by Christies in NY in july. This is the auction that one of the model horse folks found and has been posting about. This will get you to an auction lot and from there you can peruse the rest of the pieces and buy a catalog. (which I'll be doing here soon)

I'm hoping that some of the Western Museums around the country will buy many pieces from the auction and have their own dedicated section to Roy and Dale. There are thousands of people that love them and who grew up watching their show and I would think that would be a great addition to any museum.

My closest Museum is the Indianapolis Eitlejorg Museum, Headed by None other than James Nottage himself. Sadly (and stupidly!) I've never been to the museum but I do plan to take a weekend sometime and go up and spend two days going through it. (I'm bringin mah camera and my sketchbook!)

So while I'm blathering on and on and on, I want to blather a bit about "A gift from the Desert" exhibit showing at the Kentucky Horse park this summer and part of this fall. I was fortunate enough to see it last weekend during the Egyptian Event Arabian horse show. IT was amazing. I had goosbumps throughout the whole time I was looking at the pieces. I've never seen anything so wonderful about the arabian horse in my life!! If you're a fan of arabian horses, or history, you need to see this exhibit! Best part is that it's included in Admission to the Kentucky Horse park!

Lastly, there is an Andre Pater retrospective at the University Of Kentucky in Lexington. Andre Pater is one of my favorite contemporary artists and he started his career painting arabian horses and now only does sporting art. (and lives in KY!) To see his work up close and "live" is a very exciting prospect to me and I can't wait to find the time to go!!

Does anyone know if I can buy some "time" in a jar at walmart? Cause I could sure use some! ;-)