Counterplay

In 1954, I think that was the right year, I attended my first Quarter Horse sale at 3 D Stock Farm in Arlington, Texas. W. T, or E. Paul Waggoner had purchased 2400 acres in Arlington where the old Arlington Downs Race Track had been before Texas outlawed betting/gambling on race horses in 1937. W. T. had made his first big money with Texas Longhorn cattle driving herds from Texas to Kansas. This was his start as a land and oil tycoon. 

The auction was a "barn burner" with horses bringing $3000 to $5000. It was big at that time. Pine Johnson was the trainer and manager of 3 D, a friend of my dad, Frank. Although a snot-nose kid, I eavesdropped as the hardened horsemen made comments about good and bad anatomy. This was the kind of information I was working to learn, even though I didn't even own a Browny Hawkeye camera at the time. These were the details that helped identify angles and light to take photos of many of the great stallions of the sixties and seventies.

I was called about doing some work in Michigan and flew into Flint, MI. Michigan was starting to be a center in the upper Midwest for great horses. Counterplay (not an Otoe, but he ran faster) was a AAA AQHA champion by Sugar Bars out of a Leo mare. He was owned by Steven Schovolley who owned a beautiful ranch near Montrose, MI. He also owned Double Thistle at the same time. Counterplay was a rich dark chestnut much the same color as his sire. AQHA calls him a sorrel as they have not learned the difference in a sorrel and a chestnut. Steven commissioned paintings of Counterplay and Double Thistle.

This was one of the research anatomy photos used for reference to capture detail the painting. I carried two large cases of cameras and lens. These were the days before digital and good sharp zoom lens. One lens was perfect for rear shots, but horrible for front views. This shows the perfect low light which pops out every muscle and vein in the hip clear down to the feet. This is perfect light and the exact right distortion factor.

Steve was a friend of Grafton Moore and Grafton had sons my age. I stayed with Grafton while working for Steve. Grafton was a kind and very successful business man. His family was faithful in church. He laughed a lot and was enjoyable to be around.