Mascherone and Bumba

Two special horses in our stable. The super reliable and at times a little lazy chestnut ‘Mascherone’, and ‘Bumba’ our ‘Il trip over my feet one day, and suprise you the next instant with my quick gallop’ bay. Both purebred Quarter Horses, Bumba was purchased locally, and Mascherone was bred and raised at CT Quarter horses.

We use both horses for lessons and trail rides at CDT, and Mascherone is especially suitable for riders looking for confidence. He really looks after his rider, whether it be in the ring or outside in the open.

 

Maremmani Horses

Last year we made a photo excursion down to the south of Tuscany, to photograph some very special horses. The Maremmani. The group of riders we photographed were passionate Tuscan riders, who kept alive the Butteri style of riding, and the love of the hardy and strong minded Tuscan cowhorse, the Maremmano (and one adorable rare Tolfetano mare).

Below are some of the photos. It was an amazing day, with really wonderful people, and the horses were something out of this world.

If you ever have the chance to ride one of these horses (there are many trekking centers in the south of Tuscany) and try the fantastic traditional tack, you should jump at the chance.

 

Recent Press in France and Italy

Cheval magazine (France) this month, in a special feature on western riding (if only they had seen how Brownie behaved just after this photo was taken…)

Here is a double page feature on the riding at Castellare di Tonda in Cavallo Magazine Ed. September(Antonella Montalti) Italy

Cavallo magazine page 1

Cavallo Magazine P2

Here is a multi page feature published in the American Paint Horse publication ‘Chrome Magazine’ last year.

Chrome Magazine feature

Our horses have also featured in various calendars for both 2015 and 2016!! The nicest thing about our supermodel ponies, is that they are real horses. Turned out in all seasons, living in herds, and working during the season.

Christiane Slawik Workshop Autumn 2014

Last month we had our Autumn Christiane Slawik photo/riding workshop. It was again a really fun week, with a great mix of people from all over the world. The uniting factors being a love of horses and photography.  The weather started out fabulously, but we did have one terror storm midweek, causing us to change the liberty shoot in our top arena to a ‘wild west in Tuscany’ session out in the 25 hectare turnout field, using our semi wild retired horses and breeding stock.

Again we visited the Murgese farm in La Spezia to photograph these magnificent black horses in liberty. It was a highlight of the course, and the horses seemed to remember the drill from last year, and put on a fabulous show. A special feature of this course, is the excursion up to photograph Murgese horses (the only Italian baroque breed, and very rare in northern Italy.. even rarer outside of Italy). Our friends at Gottero ranch have an amazing selection of some of the best Murgese horses in the country, and an amazing location where we can photograph them.

Marco and Hidlago made a great team in the riding/sunset shoot.

 

The morning view from the stables after the storm the night before.

 

 

 

 

On our lake shoot we expected a day of rain, instead the weather suprised us all. It was spectacular, sunny and warm – and our bbq in front of the stables was a great success. Here we all are post photo shoot enjoying the Castellare wine while Alessio and Jawad prepare the bbq.

Liberty shots in the fondo chiuso with Franco and Marco. Our horses had a great time chasing around their buddies in the name of photography.

Shakir showing off in the dust bowl shoot.

Sunset shots above the vineyards with Antonio and Hidalgo.

In the end, great people, great riding, and a whole lot of lovely photos at the end to remember it by.

If your keen to join us next year, we will be holding the course the same week (Septemeber 2015).

Get in touch if you are interested in joing us!