Horsey Background

Riding forward is all she’s known since she was 10 years old, when a strawberry roan Welsh Mountain Pony named Ginger was “hers” for two riding camp summers at Glen Durham Stables in upstate New York.

“It was a traditional Pony Club program where we learned everything,” says Harrison. “They took us to local shows in Ulster and Greene counties.”

At the Vershire Riding Camp in Vermont, she picked up the basics of eventing before a summer on Long Island at the Thomas School of Horsemanship.

“I came off during an in-and-out combination where my horse jumped the first fence, then put the brakes on, and his bridle and I ended up on the far side of the second,” she recalls. “He was named Romeo but was no love of mine!”

Photography and Horses

By her 40s, her greatest love—her son—led her back to horses after years spent adulting to earn an MFA in Photography from Cranbrook Academy of Art. She built a work portfolio in retail and administration.

“After offering riding lessons to my 5-year-old, who liked them well enough, I realized it was me who wanted to ride,” she reflects. After three years of weekly group lessons, Harrison bought her first horse, Tony. “I had him for 14 years. He was my first horse and my last.”

The Belgian/Quarter Horse gelding was reminiscent of the “amazing” drafts she saw competing in Michigan while studying for her MFA.

“I’d never been able to draw or paint, but I had a camera in my hand since I was a child,” Harrison recalls. “My first ‘real’ equine photos were at that venue. But my immersion into horse ownership inspired me to turn my camera on the world I was part of.

“I shot unlike what most photographers were doing. I got closer to the bodies, cropping and orienting my subjects to focus on light, texture, contrast, and massing. I wasn’t ‘taking pretty pictures of pretty horses.’”

She found others who understood what she was trying to do, pre-Facebook, on a forum called the Equine Art Guild.

“There were thousands of us,” she remembers. “We held online group shows, entered juried shows, networked and supported one another. I was asked first to jury and then direct an online equine art competition called Ex Arte Equinus.”

That led to meeting more horse-focused artists, and by 2009, she was part of a Red Hook, N.Y., art collective.

“We rented a space with a storefront gallery and smaller rooms in the back that we offered as studio spaces.”

Diagnosis & Gallery Beginnings

She was renting one of those spaces for her own work when she got the diagnosis: stage 3 ovarian cancer.

“Between surgery and chemo, I was unable to get out and photograph, and was spooked about going back in the darkroom to do my own printing,” says Harrison. “When I was done with treatment and in remission, the studio space came up for renewal. I had to decide, was I going to give it up?”

The answer came from the artist friends she gathered with each year during Saratoga Race Course’s Thoroughbred racing meet, held during the summer in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Among them was Canadian artist Linda Shantz.

“Linda had gallery representation in Saratoga, so she would drop off work when we met up, and I would pick it up for her at the end of the season and hold on to it for the bulk of the year until she needed to trade something out,” says Harrison.

“I asked if I could show her art in my studio and try to sell it. I’d been selling my own, so I knew how to market it. Linda agreed and I sold one [of her pieces] almost immediately. That was the genesis of Equis Art Gallery. If I couldn’t create enough of my work to sell, I could try to sell work by others.”

She asked her Equine Art Guild/Saratoga friends if they would send her their artwork to sell.

“And they did! I still represent many of them today, including Linda.”

Giving Back Joy

Harrison’s last cancer treatment was in August of 2013, putting her in remission for the last 11 years. She opened Equis Art Gallery in January of 2014, and it now has an international collector base and represents over 30 artists from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the Ukraine.

“Inviting [Ukrainian artist] Kateryna Beilikova was in discussion when war came,” she says. “I’m honored to have her work and amazed that she continues to create and get it out of the country to me, via Poland usually. I am lucky to know her and her work.

“Equis Gallery was my gift to myself. After surviving cancer, I asked myself what could give me joy and let me give back to those I care about. Two communities took care of me when things were at their worst, my equine artists and my Red Hook, so if I can bring support to them, I am thrilled.”

Equis Art Gallery has been called the only gallery of its kind.

“[Operating] an art gallery is not an easy business, and every sale means a lot, but one of my favorite stories is of a couple one summer who bought several pieces,” she recalls. “I was so excited I looked them up, and she turned out to be the curator of a famous museum gallery in New York City. Knowing that she found art in Equis worth owning meant a lot.”

This cancer warrior believes in giving a leg up to artists who don’t always find representation and introducing them to collectors who may appreciate their work and want to own it; collectors who want their art like they want their horses—right up close.

This article about Juliet R. Harrison appeared in the June 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 25, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated Editor In Chief Holly Caccamise talk with equine illustrator and author Jean Abernethy, best known for her creation of Fergus the Horse.

To end the episode, they chat with Kristine Dvonch, executive director of Horses’ Haven in Howell, Mich., about Atticus, this month’s ASPCA Right Horse adoptable horse. Along with his buddies Sadie and Holly, Atticus will be traveling from Michigan to Equine Affaire Massachusetts this week to join Adoption Affaire – a barn full of ASPCA Right Horse partners with dozens of horses available for adoption.

Click to listen on mobile.

Barn Banter Episode 25 Sponsor: Adequan

Big thanks to our sponsor, Adequan! For over 30 years, Adequan® i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) has been trusted by veterinarians, trainers and horse owners. Ask your veterinarian if Adequan® is right for your horse. Visit Adequan.com to learn more. Adequan®. Start with it. Stay with it®.

Jean Abernethy, Equine Illustrator and Author

Jean Abernethy has been making cartoons and illustrations for equestrian publications for 40 years. After graduating high school, Jean’s passion for horses drew her into an Equine Studies program at a local college. Following her studies there, she was accepted into the Ontario College of Art in Toronto where she earned her art degree, specializing in illustration. Her artwork has been published in the American Paint Horse Journal, the American Quarter Horse Journal, Horse Illustrated, Young Rider, Chrome, and many more. She is best known for her cartoon character Fergus the Horse, who has earned over 300,000 followers on Facebook and 30,000 on Instagram. Jean has written and illustrated five Fergus books and illustrated several books for other authors.

In 2018, Jean’s book Fergus and the Greener Grass won a Spur Award from Western Writers of America in the category “Storyteller/Illustrated Children’s Book.” The following year, Fergus and the Night Before Christmas received “Finalist” status in the same category. In 2019 and 2020, American Horse Publications awarded Jean’s artwork first place for “Editorial Illustration,” published in Horse Illustrated and Quarter Horse Journal. Jean Lives near Waterloo, Ontario.

◆ Fergus the Horse Website
◆ Fergus the Horse on Facebook
◆ Fergus the Horse on Instagram

Adoptable Horses of the Month: Atticus, Holly and Sadie

Atticus, Holly and Sadie are three buddies from Horses’ Haven in Michigan who are headed to Equine Affaire Massachusetts as part of Adoption Affaire, where they hope to find their forever homes.

Atticus

If you like your Quarter Horse with that classic muscular stature, Atticus is your guy. He is extremely smart, good-looking and playful, so much so that he may play with you like a pasture mate. That said, in his time with Horses’ Haven, he has used his smarts to make great improvements on learning how to live in this human world. He had OCD surgery back in April 2023 and recovered very well. He has early navicular and can have off days. He is currently under veterinary evaluation to determine if he is a good candidate for riding and may be serviceably sound for flat work only in the future. Atticus stands well for the farrier, is good for the vet, loads and trailers well, is good on the cross-ties and enjoys doing anything with people.

At this time, Atticus is being offered as a companion horse only due to inconsistent soundness.

Learn more about Atticus here.

Sadie

Sadie is an eye-catching girl that Horses’ Haven has slowly been getting to know. She came into their care after being sent through an auction and then rescued by an individual. This individual exhausted their resources trying to help Sadie and her soundness issues. With time, HH’s team of vets and excellent farrier work, Sadie has proved to be pasture sound and now even serviceably sound for light riding. She does require shoes and has done best on a daily dose of Equioxx.

The organization’s trainers are just getting to know her under saddle, but she seems to have had good and basic training. On the ground, Sadie is a good girl and enjoys being groomed and loved on. However, she does bond to her pasture mates and can be a handful if separated.

Learn more about Sadie here.

Holly

Holly is a lovely mare ready to find her new home. She has been an excellent equine citizen while Horses’ Haven has gotten to know her. She enjoys being groomed and has been a pleasure to ride. Under saddle, she has been more whoa than go and might be a great candidate for some leisurely arena work or even some trail riding. She has been an uncomplicated ride so far and appears to have had basic training. An experienced rider or advanced beginner working with a trainer should be able to enjoy all this girl has to offer.

Holly is up to date on all of her dental and vet care. She is a good girl for farrier work and is currently barefoot. She can’t wait to start the next chapter of her life getting to know a new family!

Learn more about Holly here.

In addition to Barn Banter episode 25, you can check out all previous episodes of Horse Illustrated’s podcasts here.

The post Barn Banter – Episode 25: Sponsored by Adequan appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

EQUUS Film Festival welcomes Keron Psillas Oliveira as the official 2019 EQUUS Film & Arts Fest Artist. The festival is December 5-8, 2019, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., in the Wrigley Media Group Theaters. The pop-up gallery will be located in the International Museum of the Horse, where all of the festival’s artists and authors can be found.

Equus Film Festival 2019 Artist Keron Psillas Oliveira is a photographer, writer, instructor and mentor, with an extensive background in the print and publishing industry. She spent nearly two decades in the printing and publishing industry where she was raised in Shepherdstown, W.V. In 2006, Oliveira became a professional photographer.

Oliveira teaches week-long photography courses, equine photo workshops and maintains a robust mentoring program for students in the U.S. and abroad. She is the former director of the Art Wolfe Digital Photography Center. Oliveira is a longtime assistant to and continues to teach with photographic legends Sam Abell and Arthur Meyerson. She co-leads photography tours in Europe and other locations with Charlie Waite, Meyerson, Strabo Tours and other professionals. She leads private tours in groups of two to six in Great Britain, Europe, Eastern Europe and South America.

Her published works include the highly acclaimed Forty Years Later, Meditation for Two, The Alchemy of Lightness, and Dressage for the New Age, with longtime collaborator Dominique Barbier. She self-published Four Days in Havana and Loss and Beauty, creating solace in a land of infinite sorrow.

Loss and Beauty won the prestigious Best of Show award for Photobook 2015. It was recognized by Karen Davis and Paula Tognarelli of Davis Orton Gallery and The Griffin Museum of Photography, respectively, as an exemplary photo essay and a finely crafted book. This highly acclaimed exhibition continues to tour the United States and will soon travel to Europe.

Oliveira released Cavalo Lusitano: The Spirit Within in November of 2018 from Veritas Editions. It has already garnered important awards, including being a Rfoto Folio Selection for 2019. This hand-crafted fine art museum book and portfolio include work gleaned from 12 years of photographing the Lusitano horses in Portugal, Brazil and the United States.

Special Events at the EQUUS Film Festival

This year’s EQUUS Film & Arts Fest will host over 15 international equine authors and 11 international equine artists in the pop-up gallery located in the International Museum of the Horse. Literary works and beautiful artwork will be on display and for sale. Visitors will be able to meet their favorite artist, filmmakers and authors, as well as have them sign their works, creating a total personalized experience for the guest.

World-renown equine artist and author John Hockensmith will host a reception for EQUUS filmmakers, artists, authors and guests at his gallery, Hockensmith’s Fine Art Editions Gallery, 146 East Main Street in Georgetown, Ky., on Friday evening.

About the Event

The EQUUS Film Festival is the leading showcase for domestic and international equestrian content, including feature films, shorts, documentaries, music videos, commercials, training, educational materials, art and literature. Content is now available on Horse Network on demand to all devices.

EQUUS Film & Arts Festival is the first event of its kind to offer a home to equine storytellers from around the world through feature films, documentaries, videos, commercials and short films, as well as cultural elements of fine equestrian art and literature. Founded in 2013 by Lisa Diersen, president/director and an avid, lifelong equestrian. Diana De Rosa, an international equine photographer and journalist, joined in 2015 as co-organizer of the NYC event. De Rosa has traveled the world and recorded equestrian history for more than 35 years.

Visit www.equusfilmfestival.net and like us on Facebook and Twitter.

The post EQUUS Film and Arts Festival Announces the 2019 Official Artist Keron Psillas Oliveira appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

After her relocation, a mysterious illness threatened to keep Kasia out of the saddle permanently. However, a promising romance and painting her beloved equines buoyed her health.

From Ponies to Poland

During her first pony ride as a tot, Kasia threw a tantrum when it was time to dismount. She remained in the saddle the whole afternoon. A few years later, Kasia’s father wanted her to spend summers in his home country of Poland.

“He persuaded me, saying I would get to ride every day,” says Kasia. “I fell in love with Poland—the people, the landscape, the horses, and all the foals! After that, I just kept going back every summer.” Returning to California during the school year, Kasia continued taking riding lessons and drawing horses.

Kasia’s home away from home, Hadrian Riding Center in Poland, had foals every summer.

“One year I saw a colt and thought he was the cutest foal I had ever seen,” she says. “There was something special. I just felt like he was ‘the one.’”

Four years after Kasia fell for the colt—his sire was a Holsteiner and his dam Malopołski (a combination of Arabian and Thoroughbred lines)—she became reacquainted with him as a young, full-of-himself stallion. He was named Sławny, which in Polish means “famous.”

“I stood by his stall for hours staring at him in awe,” says Kasia. She vowed to own him in the distant future, once he was retired.

Dream Horse, Dream Match

However, Kasia heard Sławny was for sale a mere two years later. She decided to sell both horses she owned at the time, and made a down payment on her dream horse without ever riding him.

Her parents helped her with the payment plan, and the following summer Kasia left for Poland. Her intent was to train Sławny and attend a few horse shows before bringing him home to California.

“After two rides on him and one horse show, I decided to stay in Poland,” says Kasia. “I got the horse I fell in love with, and I wanted to continue training with the man who bred him.”

Teaching private English language lessons helped Kasia support herself and save for her horse-related goals. Meanwhile, when she wasn’t working or at the gym doing CrossFit or Zumba, Kasia was with Sławny.

At the barn she met Kamil, a mounted police officer. Despite a language barrier—Kasia was not fluent in Polish and Kamil did not speak English—a romance blossomed.

A Mysterious Illness

Four months into her relationship with Kamil, Kasia contracted the flu. Just as she started feeling better, her joints swelled. She felt like her skin was ripping and even her clothes hurt. She had high blood pressure, extreme fatigue, migraines that affected her vision, and pain like needles in her limbs.

“[I had] memory loss and I felt like I was digesting glass,” says Kasia.

As she bounced around to three different hospitals because no one knew the cause of her symptoms, Kamil appointed himself Kasia’s unofficial caregiver.

“He was with me before and after work, and when his boss wouldn’t let him take days off, he ‘got sick,’” Kasia recalls. “I said, ‘What if I never get better? And I’ll always be sick? You don’t have to be here.’” Kamil told Kasia he would build her a barn and wheel her out in a pink wheelchair. Her job would be to give her horses carrots and kisses.

When doctors told Kasia that she wouldn’t be able to ride, she felt guilty keeping Sławny. She felt he deserved a rider who could give him love and attention.

“Kamil kept me happy and positive,” she says. “He kept me from believing the million people who told me I was crazy. Most importantly, he kept me from selling Sławny!”

After steroid treatments, Kasia seemed to improve, but a month later the swelling returned. She went to approximately 20 doctors near Warsaw seeking help. Most prescribed antipsychotics, telling her it was all in her head.

“The last doctor I saw before my flight back to the U.S. to get more opinions about my illness diagnosed me with fibromyalgia,” Kasia recalls. Doctors at the University of Southern California Medical Center diagnosed Kasia with lupus and confirmed the earlier fibromyalgia diagnosis.

Embracing Imperfection

While Kasia still struggled to walk, she started painting from her bed. Prior to that, her preferred medium was pencil, which could be easily erased when she made a mistake.

“When I accidentally dripped paint on the canvas or happened to smear something with my arm, I decided that painting was just an exercise for me to express my feelings and accept myself and my mistakes. I started repeating, ‘my art is a series of mistakes’ in my head as I worked on any piece of artwork.”

The diagnoses propelled Kasia to fast track her life goals. Doctors recommended moving her body as much as she could, pushing past the pain.

“Eventually when I got strong enough, I went to yoga, and then the gym,” she says. “And finally, I decided that I was well on my way to being able to start a completely green horse!”

Owning a draft horse was one of Kasia’s goals, and after browsing the internet, she imported a Shire filly from England. When it dawned on Kasia how long the wait would be before she could ride her baby horse, she found another Shire, this time a mare she could work immediately. After adding Lilly (the filly) and Roxy to her herd, along came Lulu, an Akhal-Teke.

Horse motivation and appropriate medical treatment have dramatically changed Kasia’s condition. Today she only takes three pills per day and a fourth on Thursdays, compared to 20 per day when first diagnosed.

Instead of being pushed in a wheelchair, she rides her horses bareback at home. She has returned to jumping, and recently competed Sławny in dressage and jumping.

And the backyard barn that Kamil, now her husband, had promised her is a reality. Kasia’s equestrian story and art are one-of-a-kind: both are bold, bursting with color and optimism.

Follow Kasia’s art at Facebook.com/kasia.bukowska.art, and her lupus warrior and fibro fighting page at Facebook.com/equestriankasiabukowska. Her Etsy shop is located at Etsy.com/shop/kasiabukowskaart.

This article originally appeared in the March 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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