Today’s shot for my Launelight project:

Trawlers Rest

I followed the local hunt yesterday with the intention of getting a specific shot that I had in mind for a current project. I wanted to capture a shot like below but with horses instead of the hounds…

Never mind, I’m very pleased with the hounds shot and I will just have to wait for another day for the horses.

The world press photo yearbook is the photography version of the “Beano” annual as far as I’m concerned. For anyone with an interest in the power of photography and the story telling ability of a single image, it’s the bible to get every year.

Each year, thousands and thousands of press photographers put up their very best work to be judged by a consistently strong panel. The quality of the work is just staggering every time and last year was no exception. I normally have very little time for competitions but this one is probably the most respected in the world and with very good reason.  Oftentimes the images are taken in the middle of a war skirmish with no time to think and in the direct line of fire of some crazy fundamentalists!

Some of the images in this book might frighten the pants off your nephew if you leave them lying around but if you have an interest in photography, don’t miss it next time you are in a bookshop.

www.worldpressphoto.org

The equine family just keeps on growing!

Sticking with the heavy breeds and only top quality stock, we picked up Mr Darcy recently. Bred locally, he is a full Irish Cob May foal. Knowing his lineage, he should make a fantastic example of the breed (complete with his four white socks) and he is filling out nicely at the moment. So if anyone is interested in a quality 2 yr old gelding, give us a ring in 18 months!

He is sharing grass with our gelding at the moment who is a real gent and showing him the ropes…

Meanwhile Storm (our July filly foal) is really thriving. She looks great with her winter coat…

Sharing nibbles with her mother…

This gives an idea of relative size - not bad for 3 months…

Storm is cross between an Irish Sporthorse (heavy) mare and a Clydesdale stallion. We will probably bring her on and sell her as a 2 yr old. She should make a great all-rounder so again, if you are looking for quality heavy breed bloodstock in the South, give Michelle a call!

Apologies to anyone trying to get hold of me while I was away. It was very difficult to get a reliable carrier to receive calls over there but I’m back now…

Our brood mare Princess Ruby foaled this morning. The poor girl could not have picked a worse night to birth but it was well worth it by the looks of things! Heavy breeds and draught horses are back so Ruby was crossed with a Clydesdale Stallion and this little filly foal has all the traits of that breed.

Here she is at 10 hours old:

and a shot with mum: