My wife and her paint pony Maddie, whom she raised from birth.

[George McGovern]

[Polly Hennessey]

1. I love paint pony's. They are so unique.

[George McGovern]

5. Yes they are Polly. So is my wife. Thanks!

[Ocelot II]

2. Where's the photo?

[George McGovern]

6. Ocelot II, please try again.

[Ocelot II]

8. Thanks, I see it now. For some reason the post was blank, no content.

Very nice photo, beautiful horse!

[ShazzieB]

12. Sometimes there's a slight delay in loading.

Not usually, which is why an unexpected delay can make it seem like there's something wrong with the post.

I've trained myself to wait a little while before posting to say that I can't see an image, because you just never know.

[George McGovern]

28. Thank You ShazzieB.

[blm]

3. What a wonderful shot.

[George McGovern]

7. Thank You blm!

[Diamond_Dog]

9. I cannot see the photo, George.

[George McGovern]

10. D_D - Please try again.

[Diamond_Dog]

17. Ohh! (gasp)

How beautiful! I love that you are so proud of her.

Horse people …. Sigh. So devoted to their animals. I know one myself. Well done all around. 🙂

[George McGovern]

27. Wow -- thank you Diamond_Dog!

[brer cat]

11. Great shot!

[George McGovern]

13. Thank You brer cat!

[ShazzieB]

14. What a pretty little horse!

They make a lovely team, and I love the way you captured them in motion here.

[George McGovern]

15. Thank You ShazzieB!

[MLAA]

16. They both look marvelous!

When is Shadow ever going to take a pic of you? 😉

[George McGovern]

20. Thank You MLAA! Maybe when I could afford a remote control shutter setup and get her to sit with me.

[LoisB]

18. Beautiful: Wife, pony, and photograph. You are very blessed.

Thank you for sharing.

[George McGovern]

21. Thank You so much LoisB. You are welcome.

[usonian]

19. Just wonderful!

Not to take anything away from the photo, I am amazed that the rear legs look like one from your angle, and please comment on the horse shoes. I have never seen anything like them.

But once again, a great moment and subjects done proud.

[George McGovern]

24. Thanks Usonian! The shooting angle came from me sitting on a milk crate and my camera's fps

to catch Maddie's legs "together." Her boots help alleviate the soreness from her feet. She has tender feet which is helped by the boots' cushioning.

With regard to the milk crate — Besides standing, I used to shoot sometimes while kneeling, framing vertically. Can't get up off the ground any longer, so sitting's a good compromise. The picture was taken in my wife's arena, amongst a slew of other obstacles in addition to the jump setup. However, I had but the one milk crate and much less choice of shooting angles. Fortunately, it worked.

[usonian]

30. Many thanks.

Agree on the low angle shots.

"Gettin up is hard to do"

[CaliforniaPeggy]

22. Wonderful photo, my dear George, of both your wife and the paint pony!

The symmetry and grace are remarkable.

[George McGovern]

25. Oh thank you so much Peggy!

[Skittles]

23. oh my

they are both beautiful

[George McGovern]

26. Thank you Skittles!

[gademocrat7]

29. Awesome photo, George

Thank you for sharing it. Made me smile.

[George McGovern]

33. You're welcome gademocrat7. Glad for your smile. Thank You!

[Deuxcents]

31. Now I can see the photo..your wife and Maddie look Olympics ready!

[George McGovern]

34. Great. Thanks for sticking with it Deuxcents. Thank you for your kind comment.

[GiqueCee]

32. Pretty little mare...

... she's less than 14 hands then? She looks like she has a strong quarter horse bloodline.

My first horse was a 14.2 hands jughead brown pinto mustang with a watch eye and a brand on his butt, H Bar E. His name was Patch, and even after 60-odd years, I still miss him.

[George McGovern]

35. Maddie is 15.1 and does have a strong quarter horse bloodline. She is 19 yrs old.

Once a horse is part of your heart they don't let go even unto death. I hope you have fond memories of your Patch. Thank You GiqueCee.

[GiqueCee]

37. Oh, I took the pony reference literally...

... she is a beautiful girl. I wish you all the best. I have neighbors with horses, and I always have carrots for them, and exchange nostril blows to bond with them. I'm a bit too old for riding anymore, but I love to be near them when I can, and I delight in coming home smelling like horse!

[George McGovern]

39. Yeah, I might've written "pony" instead . . . Thank You GiqueCee. Maddie is riding better than ever. We

board horses here too and I love their nostril blows. We are quite familiar with "smelling like horse." It's great that you keep a supply of carrots on hand.

[Mousetoescamper]

36. Splendid photo!

[George McGovern]

38. Thank You Mousetoescamper!