Photos and commentary provided by Dick Reed, Toskhara Arabians, Texas
There is little to commend this event from a photographic point of view. They turned down the house lights and used spots and red flood lights. It is difficult to get good photos.
This is the first time for the horses to make an impression on the bidders. A big trot and charismatic performance will up the value on Sunday. One such horse was ELLISSARA (Laheeb X Ekscella by Monogramm), she put on a great show.
The other mare who really distinguished herself in the night preview was KWESTURA. Certainly the Poles knew that she would be the high selling lot but how much had to do with how she presented herself at the two previews. The night preview is the more difficult as it has strange lighting and is inside. She showed everyone that she was a Champion who could stand up in the most difficult of conditions.
I was looking forward to getting to the outside ring where the horses can really show and the light is great for photography. The last two years have been hampered by rain and I was praying for sunshine.
My prayers were answered as the day was sunny and bright as the first filly took to the field.
For those of you that have never seen an outdoor horse show, it is wonderful to watch. The horses feel less confined and have much more room to move and present themselves. The horses are not intimidated so they can produce their best movement. It helps to have a naturally charismatic horse that likes to show off.
Section A Yearling Fillies
PASTERNA (Ekstern X Pasywa by Warchlarz) bred by Lech Blaszczyk came out and posted a score of 91 and ended in 2nd place. The judges were prepared to give the first horse in a high score. I heard very little criticism directed at the judges.
