Capturing Beauty: Equine Portraits of John Gun the Appaloosa | Williams Lake BC

Last spring I had the pleasure of doing equine portraits of gorgeous John Gun. John Gun, known around the barn as Woody is an 7 year old, large bay, Appaloosa Stallion. Yes, you read that right – Woody is a spotless Appaloosa. Woody lives with his mom at Willow Creek Equine Services in Williams Lake, BC.

Sarah’s dad was a horse logger when she grew up, so the first horse that she ever rode was a Percheron named Henry and he was a big old dude that was a super mellow guy. Horses have always been a part of her life. She always been around them and it was just natural that she would create Willow Creek Equine Services. When Sarah isn’t busy crushing her own goals, she is busy helping children crush their own goals at her riding facility teaching them how to ride along with solid horsemanship.

One day, a friend of Sarah’s messaged her about Woody and she actually thought she was joking. “I thought it was a joke. There was no way that she would be allowing him to be a part of my life.” She had never dreamed in her wild wildest dreams of having a horse of his caliber in her barn. Joel, Sarah’s other half told her to take the opportunity and not look back.

Sarah’s favourite memory of Woody is the day he arrived at the barn. Woody had been delayed on the road three days before he finally arrived. He was literally Sarah’s little girl dreams coming true stepping off the trailer in all his glorious-ness without a hair out of place even after his hauling ordeal. “I balled my eyes out I knew instantly he was the sweetest boy ever and I was so very lucky to have him home.” Sarah still looks out in the field or pen or wherever he is and cannot believe he’s actually a part of her equine family.

The one thing that Sarah never wants to forget about her boy is how sweet and loving he is. “He is the sweetest stallion I’ve ever known”. And he is addicted to Martin’s Treats in apple flavour. After the time I have spent with Woody creating his equine portraits, I have to agree. He is a gentle giant!

When Sarah isn’t training her own students, she herself, works on her own skills with Shelly Hayes and Wendy Johnson. “They are huge inspiration for me and I absolutely love the opportunities that I get to go work with them in Salmon Arm.”

Woody & Sarah are just getting started on the show ring and he is has already been a favourite in the halter classes!!

Want to see more stunning horses at Willow Creek Equestrian Services, check out these past blog posts!

Pokey

Have you considered create art with your own horse? Let’s chat!