Photos on the fly – that’s how it is to take photos in the horse show world.

The coveted regional championship buckle from Montana Silversmiths. (Journal photo)

I often have no idea of the lighting or weather conditions I’ll face when I show up in a place to shoot. And dim, dusty arenas don’t offer up pretty pictures easily.

But at the 2009 Region 7 Experience in Reno, a black vest, a folding chair, a willing amateur exhibitor and the light spilling in from the arena entrance all combined to create a great make-up photography studio.

I was visiting with amateur exhibitor Lisa Mays of Reno. A Mary Kay consultant, Lisa had a vendor booth next to the AQHA booth. Lisa offers free makeovers to her showing friends, helping them to match their makeup to their show outfits.

What a great article idea! I said. Tips from an amateur to amateurs on upping the professional impression you make in the arena, without a lot of fuss or expense. Lisa was game to try to get some photos for a story.

Amateur exhibitor Sandy Ivelich of Clio, California, volunteered to be Lisa’s model. She said her friends have been trying to get her to “glamorize” her makeup for her classes, to no avail. She said they’d be pleased.

Bright and early on Friday, before the showmanship, we set up our makeup photography studio in the back doorway of the Reno Livestock Events Center, and Lisa did Sandy’s makeup for her novice amateur showmanship class. We went over application tips and took photos that showed the importance of matching the color tones of your makeup to the color tones of your outfit.

“If you’re spending $100 to $1,000 on a nice show jacket, why wouldn’t you spend less than that on your makeup to complement the outfit?” Lisa said. She added: “If you had to have just one item to coordinate your show outfit, lipstick is it.”

Sandy looked great in her class. But she forgot her last crossover at the end of her pattern, that is, until AQHA Judge Nancy Sue Ryan smiled, raised one eyebrow and nodded her chin to the other side of the horse. Sandy didn’t place, but she felt confident and had fun.

And the pictures turned out great, especially for our makeshift studio. Keep an eye out for the tips in an upcoming issue of the Journal, in the rail and pattern section.

Check out the Region Seven photos in the slideshow below. You can purchase images at AQHA’s photo store: aqha.com/photostore.

Oh, and I found a great little pub/café not far from the Reno Livestock Events Center in the area of town around the University of Nevada campus. It’s called Morandi’s, and if you’ve tried all the casino buffets and are into small pubs with brick-fired pizza and micro-brew beers, this is the place for you.

I found it because I wasn’t paying attention and took the wrong exit off Interstate 80 for the Events Center. But it’s so easy to get to from the show grounds. It will sound like a lot of turns, but it’s really just a three-minute zig-zag.

Go straight out the main entrance of the Events Center heading west on Sadlier Way until you run into Valley, and go left. Take an immediate right on Highland and go west again until you hit Evans, and go left again. You can’t miss it around the curve on the left.

It’s in an historic old brick train depot and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Trust me; try it next time you’re in Reno. Marissa at the bar makes a mean café Americano perfect for a morning pre-show fix.

For unofficial show results go to: aqha.com/association/experience/results.html
and select the Region Seven Experience in the drop-down box.

Christine Hamilton
Editor
American Quarter Horse Journal

The American Quarter Horse Journal is your one-stop source for everything about the Quarter Horse. Don’t miss a single issue, subscribe now.

Journal slide show – click on the photos for captions: