This has to be one of my most favorite sessions EVER! A gorgeous girl and her stunning horse on a beach? YES PLEASE!

I first saw Molly & Blaze at the Holiday Classic Open Horse Show in December 2016. I saw this golden Pinto with a long, flowy cream mane that reached down past his shoulders loping in the warm up arena. I remember thinking, “dang! I just *have* to photograph that horse one day!”. So I was absolutely thrilled when Molly reached out to do a session.

While planning our session we wanted an absolutely remarkable location with water. I had always wanted to take pictures of horses on the beach but I knew it was quite a drive for Molly from Crystal Creek Farm. When I suggested it, Molly was on board. I knew from there we would be good friends!

When we arrived at Topsail Beach Molly had just wrapped up a beach ride with Blaze. I was so impressed with how laid back and carefree he was.

We started with pictures of Blaze first.  I wanted to get some of his golden color next to the blues of the water. It turned out so dreamy!

Molly and I talked about her beginnings with Blaze. She had him since he was a baby and have been a team ever since.

They rock the Ranch Division in open shows, and do very well in other classes such as trail.

If you see them at a show you can almost always guarantee they will place first.  But that isn’t without lots of hard work.

Molly wore this costume at the 2017 Pinto World Show in the costume contest and they won Reserve Champion! Isn’t that awesome?!

Molly and Blaze are such a great team. You can tell he is so in love with her!

Molly has since become one of my good friends. Since I have met her she has been so encouraging of me and Athena.

She is so sweet and humble about everything. She lets her horse do the talking for her!

Since this shoot, Molly and Blaze went to the Pinto World Show and placed several top 5 and 10 finishes in the Ranch division. I couldn’t have been more proud!

Molly and Blaze have almost gone undefeated in the Ranch events at horse shows all around North Carolina.

We now try to hit up the same shows, usually stalling next to each other. We watch each other, support each other, and celebrate wins together.

I absolutely adore this team!

The bond they share is so incredible. It is so rare to see a pair so totally in sync!

Molly now serves on the Pinto Horse Association of the Carolina’s board as the Secretary.

She continues to try to grow and support the Pinto Association as much as she can, definitely becoming an equine leader here in North Carolina.

After we got done with her and Blaze, we stopped for some pictures with her boyfriend Dylan.

Aren’t they the CUTEST?!

Dylan is so super supportive of Molly and the horses. He even helped so much on the shoot!

I know I said it once, but I do absolutely adore this team. It is wonderful being around likeminded equestrians who support each other and have that common connection of the love of horses. I can’t wait to see what they will continue to accomplish!

 

Want your own beach session like this? I am available for beach sessions October-March at various spots in North and South Carolina. Contact me today so we can start planning your dream beach shoot with your favorite horse!