Mack By Bar

The photo shoots sometimes became a party. There were clients who had me come to their places every year or so. They would get the word out and their horse or cattle friends would bring show strings or special stallions to one place and photos would be taken from early light to dark. It worked good as the plane tickets and  travel cost could be divided many ways making it easy for all. There might be 20 horses tied to trailers or waiting in stalls. Sometimes we waited on good sun light. It was always exciting as we all worked together to get the perfect poses, light and angles for this once in a lifetime special shoot. It was a big story telling time. Often  competitors worked together to help each other get great photos. 

I was shooting at Dennis and Eilene Thorsell's place near Medina, Ohio in 1971. I would fly to Cleveland and work days up the hill behind Denny's barns. He had every top horse in the area set for appointments to photograph. Beetle Luck, Cowboy Squaw 1, Mack By Bar, and a couple dozen more from that part of Ohio. Denny knew everyone who could spell "horse." Eilene brought refreshments out to the crew. It was a fun time. Good things were happening.

The photo shoots not only included famous horses, but people. It was the social event of the hour. At the Thorsell shoot were The Horsetrader editor, Jerry Goldberg, Bill Lumm, Sonny Thompson, Bill Coffman, etc.

 Bill Blust of Maineville, Ohio brought Mack By Bar for a photo session. Mack was a tall true red roan, an AQHA Champion with Sugar Bars plus King Ranch breeding. The first glance of Mack was stunning. Bill had hauled him all over the Midwest capturing dozens of Grands. He wasn't good enough to beat Impressive, but the rest of the stallions had to work beating Mack in his prime. Mack was good enough to take impressive shots from rear, front, side and head shots. 

Mack had an attitude. He wanted to do everything but what he was told to do. He would move, not put his ears up, and everything you did not want, except just flat lay down with Bill under him. Bill had sweat dripping off his nose from wrestling Mack. Bill had amazing patience. Every foot movement was a battle. The good thing, a great photo only takes a second, and we worked him to the end. Eventually Mack would make a mistake and pose perfect--not because he was  trying to help.