Horses In Dust – The Final Roundup - Summer 2009 Issue of Horses in Art Magazine

Horses In Dust – The Final Roundup

by Lynette Smith

Time Well Spent – Photograph by Lynette Smith, one of our 1st place winners in the Horses in Art cover contest.
In a quest to find a horse photography adventure close to my area, I stumbled upon Rock Springs Guest Ranch. For the last thirty years photographers from around the world have headed to Bend, Oregon, every fall for the annual Wild Horse Drive, a tradition started by renowned photographer Wilma Roberts.

When the day arrived, I packed my car and headed south for the Photographer’s Horse Drive. The ranch was located nine miles northwest of Bend, Oregon. When I drove up to the ranch it reminded me of a photo out of the Old West with its classic cowboy-country setting, juniper trees lining the foothills, horses grazing, and ridge tops covered with snow.

The event was 4 days with 30 photographers from all over the world to capture amazing shots of the authentic range life, horses, cowboys and cowgirls and the beauty of the area. Courses were provided in the schedule for those wanting to learn more about specialized areas of photography and new technology.

Out of the Dust – Photograph by Lynette Smith, 10 x 8.
The organizers did a great job scouting out the locations, taking into consideration lighting and the background that would be in the photos as well. There were sessions with horses and riders for still shots, as well as panning shots as a wrangler and horse galloped past. As the horses would fly by us they would stir up a very fine powdery dust that combined with light filtering through openings in the trees would making for images that would truly be works of art. The settings provided beautiful surroundings and the dust added a unique element.

Each day was packed full with events from 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Each night you would be covered in dust and grinning ear to ear because of how much fun you had and the moments you captured on your camera. Everyone ended up with beautiful shots each day.

The time flew by! It seemed as though one moment you were driving in unpacking your car getting ready for the event and the next moment you were packing your car up, saying goodbyes and heading back home.

This was an amazing photography adventure. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of the “final roundup” and the memories will last a lifetime. I met some amazing photographers, wranglers, and horses.

On the Run – Photograph by Lynette Smith, 10 x 8.
I have select images available for sale, a 2009 Horses in Dust Calendar. My goal was to capture the beauty of these magnificent creatures, the wranglers and the feel of the West. I hope the respect and admiration I have for these amazing creatures and the relationship the wranglers have with their horses comes through in my work.

Leaving was bittersweet because this was the last year for the horse drive and the ranch. After decades of providing events, the owners of the ranch decided to sell the facility to an organization that will use Rock Springs Resort as a private corporate retreat. Rock Springs Guest Ranch was a magical and wonderful place that will be missed by many. To view more of Lynette Smith’s beautiful photographs visit www.lynettesmithphotography.com.

~ Back ~