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Dwayne Erickson photographed at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo infield late December, 2012. Photograph by: Gavin Young, courtesy Calgary Herald.
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Radio Ambush?

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES March 30, 2012

Contrary to popular opinion, horse meat hasn't always been taboo in North America. It was sold as an alternative meat during World War II and as late as 1954 at this venue – Range Horse Meat Co. at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Oregon. (source: www.good.is)

Have you heard of the United Horsemen organization?

The group has drawn both positive and negative media attention since their inception a couple of years ago. Most recently they postponed their second annual International Summit of the Horse, originally scheduled for this weekend forward to January, 2013. Instead, they stated in a press release, they are going to focus on a two-prong and ambitious program towards their mandate, which is “working for a better future for the horse industry.” The new initiative is set to co-incide with the reopening of USDA regulated horse processing facilities in the United States.

You can read all about that on their website.

Just today, on the National Public Radio talk show, Sound Off With Sasha, four guests were invited on the show to talk about the issue of horse slaughter.

The guests included philanthropist/business woman Madeleine Pickens, dedicated to provide sanctuary for wild mustangs, President of the Humane Society of the United States, Wayne Pacelle, author R. T. Fitch,  co-founder and President of the Wild Horse Freedom Federation, and representative Sue Wallis, Wyoming State Legislator, former vice-president of United Horsemen, and a proponent and advocate for horse slaughter plants in the United States.

The resulting interview is quite insightful, particularly as a marker of the general public’s beliefs and perception of horse slaughter and wild horses (read: caller’s in).

Of note, Canadian processing plants are mentioned in the interview several times.

But, quite apart from that, United Horsemen now maintains that Wallis was the victim of a “set-up organized specifically to harass and vilify her personally, and the horse industry in general.” Wallis was apparently not aware of the other three guests on the show – all high-profile and staunch advocates against horse slaughter, believing she was being interviewed about the horse industry and the need for humane and regulated processing in the U.S.

Wallis left the interview prematurely and later stated, “There is no point in carrying on any sort of dialog with rabid radicals who have ulterior motives.”

Was Sue Wallis ambushed in a media setup by animal rights bullies? Here’s the link to the interview. Listen in and sound off on what you think.

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Meet the Photographer

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES March 21, 2012

Guest blogger, Deanna Beckley shares her experience organizing Western Horse Review’s annual fashion shoot.

Over the years we have had some amazing photographers take on the task of photographing the magazine’s fashion shoot, and have their beautiful work cover the pages of Western Horse Review.

This year is no different. We are so excited to have award winning photographer Krista Kay behind the lens for this year’s shoot.

Kirsta is pretty photogenic herself. Photo courtesy of Caitlyn Chapman Photography.

This isn’t the first time we have worked with Krista, in fact our March cover was taken by Krista.

Krista Kay’s photos have graced many covers and magazines over the years. She includes such icons as actress, Bo Derek and multimillionaire diamond magnate Charles Fipke in her photographic repertoire. Krista’s knowledge and experience come from over 15 years working in the fashion industry where she was shaped and moulded for her future behind the camera, making her the perfect candidate for the WHR fashion project. Her keen eye and acute sense of creating “mood” in a picture are Krista’s greatest attributes.

Her passion for farm and ranch weddings, special occasion portraiture and people with their beloved equines are the driving inspiration to her limitless creativity.

Krista’s home base is the beautiful Westwold Valley nestled between Kamloops and Vernon in the heart of the Thompson Okanagan and where this year’s shoot will take place. Krista has also graciously opened up her home to us, allowing us to use it as a base for the models to get ready, outfit changes and hair and makeup.

On her days away from the camera, Krista and her husband Jarret train and ride roping horses. She loves gardening, landscaping and spending time with her dog Addy.

I can’t wait to meet Krista and collaborate on this year’s fashion project.

You can view Krista’s website here www.kristakayphotography.com or “Like” her on Facebook at Krista Kay Photography for a chance to win free giveaways!

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Fashion Shoot 2012

SCREEN DOORS AND SADDLES March 18, 2012

Guest blogger, Deanna Beckley shares her experience organizing Western Horse Review’s annual fashion shoot.

Since I started at the magazine I have assembled and been in charge of two fashion shoots. With 2012′s edition being my third, I am determined to make it the best one yet! With some experience under my belt I feel that each year’s fashion project gets better.

The first year I was assigned the project I had no experience organizing and coordinating such a large project, but I was so excited to have an opportunity to let my creativity and fashion sense shine.

That year we decided to use our very own Western Horse Review staff to model in the shoot.

To make it even better we used Three Bars Ranch (where I now call home) in Cranbrook, BC as our venue of choice for the backdrop to for our photos. It offered so many options for scenes – from an old red barn to cabins, a tack shed and even a beautiful lodge.

Being this was my in-laws ranch, I had them participate in the shoot (wink), the guys were less than thrilled.

Jesse Beckley

 

Tyler Beckley

 

Jeff Beckley

Our photographer was Brian Clarkson, owner of Cranbrook Photo and long-time friend of the Beckley family.

In 2010 I put together my second fashion shoot, this time at  John Scott’s ranch where many great movies have been filmed. I even got John Scott to pose for the camera. I have to say he is very photogenic.

I recruited some great models, one of which was my lovely Mom (insert heart here). She not only helped us out by giving us some great pictures, but she helped me with organizing everything and taking care of the clothes and other models. Moms are so great.

It was actually a bit of a family affair. My Dad was the “wrangler” for the day. He trailered over a couple of their horses to include in the photos.

Our photographer was fellow reiner, Travis Rogers of Wainright, AB. His work is amazing and what was even better – he knew horses and how they should be photographed. Check out TJ Photography and flip through his albums.

The fashion shoot just about didn’t happen that year when a freak snow storm whipped through Alberta two days before the scheduled shoot, leaving roads and highways closed – including the highway from Wainright to Calgary. It was touch and go as to whether we would have a photographer or not for our shoot. I did not have a back-up plan, I was scheduled to leave three days later to Texas for the National Reining Breeders Classic. But, good ol’ Travis and his crew pulled through. I might mention this was in the middle of April!

Travis did an amazing job and was great at directing our inexperienced models. Another successful fashion shoot!

Erin Hussey

Cutting Competitor, Sandy Hansma

You can go here for some more shots of the 2010 Fashion Shoot. 

This year will make my third fashion shoot I have organized, and although I have more experience under my belt, I am faced with new challenges. In addition to trying to organize such a large project, I work full time at the College of the Rockies, have an embroidery business (which seems to be inconveniently VERY busy right now) and of course all my other writing assignments. At the moment I am just trying to keep my head above water (I’m currently writing this at 11:30 pm).

That said, I am determined to make this the best fashion shoot yet!

This year’s shoot will take place in the Westwold Valley of British Columbia – a place that holds so much potential for amazing photos. The north side of the valley is abundant in sage brush and tiny cactus, while the cooler southern side holds moisture in its mossy forests and pine laden trails.



Stay tuned for some exciting things that we are planning with this year’s shoot and  learn just what it takes to put together a successful fashion shoot.

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