Blog Archives
for it is no ordinary creature
We stopped off in Levelland the other Sunday to watch a barrel racing event. I don’t know what technical things to watch for (other than knocking down the barrels is not what the riders are supposed to do) but that doesn’t stop me from appreciating the athleticism of the horses and the riders.
But what I do know – because I attended the grand opening of this particular venue – is that a dirt consultant will devise bespoke dirt recipes for your livestock-based event. If I’d know that sooner, perhaps by career would have followed at different trajectory. Who know? (I mean, I sort of know that I would never have become a dirt consultant under any circumstances, but still, it might technically have been an option.)
Levelland, Texas
photographed 5.31.2026
rocking/horse
Barrel race practice = photo opportunities = practice with panning = lots of failures = some technically weak photos that still are compelling. (This one reminds me of a kid’s rocking horse.)
Levelland, Texas
photographed 5.31.2026
bidders at the horse sale
Have you been trying to imagine what my most unusual hobby is? Did you think that it might be attending horse sales?
I know: it surprises me as well. This is the third one I’ve been to and I enjoy them a lot. Not only is there the opportunity to photograph people, but it’s a whole cultural experience. I don’t know one thing about what’s going on, the lingo is incomprehensible, the prices (sometimes) seem outrageous, and so on.
One of the best parts of going is listening to auctioneers’ patter. Here’s some things I heard at this sale:
- This booger is straight in the mouth and square on all four corners.
- He don’t flop his tail.
- He’s got tons of hoof and bone.
- He’s never bred a mare: he’s in riding condition.
- If you took him home and cut him, his butt would get bigger in a week and a half.
To be clear, these things were said in relation to horses. I don’t know if that makes it better or not, but I felt like I ought to clarify.
Levelland, Texas
photographed 11.23.2024
rodeo practice
My New England visitors and I missed the rodeo, which started just two nights after we were in town.
However, we were like moths drawn to the flame of arena lights across the road and went over to see what was going on. A very nice woman, who was holding a clipboard (the universal sign that a person is Definitely In Charge), let us hang around and watch the riders practicing the grand entry.
And like a lot of things that just fall into place, it was a highlight of our trip.
Post, Texas
photographed 8.6.2024
$69,000
Photography has led me to do some really random things. Like go to horse auctions, if you want an example.
This was the second one I’ve attended and I’m entertained enough that I’ll probably go to some more of them. The photography’s fun, but honestly the best part is listening to the auctioneers’ patter. That’s how I’ve heard things like, “He’s had all the outside stuff done on him.” and “Castration is not out of the question.” (This was not referring to the same horse, obviously.) And I heard, “…if you don’t know where your butt is compared to your feet…” which sort of reminds me of my own personal gracefulness.
Anyway, this horse sold for $69,000, in case you were wondering what the going rate is for nine year old geldings.
Clovis Horse Sale
Levelland, Texas
photographed 5.18.2024
One Day | One Image 