Happy Holidays!

LinkedIn

Hello Everyone!

Just a quick note here to let you know that we're now on Linked In.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/blackwillowmorgans

Have a great weekend!

Thanksgiving...That Time of Year

When the end of November rolls around, it just makes you feel warm and cozy. It truly is that time of year when we reflect on the last year, reveling in the good and learning from the bad, and giving thanks for both.
We have so much to be thankful for this year. Four beautiful healthy foals, four beautiful broodmares happy to rejoin their herd after a summer of close mothering, the remembering of our wonderful border collie Tess who passed away in August, new friends acquired, new places we've gone, and the view of next year is wonderful.
Thanks so much Everyone, for helping us make a great year.
Let's give thanks. Drop a line to let us know what you're thankful for this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Italian Glamour Features Black Willow Morgans

Jeff Wilson, owner and trainer at Black Willow Morgans Training and Breeding Facility in Delhi, N.Y., received a call in May from Italian Glamour Magazine inquiring about his horses. They were planning to do a shoot somewhere in the region and they were looking for some horses to be a part. They were a little reluctant as to what kind of horses they would work with because they had very specific needs.

“They said they needed good-tempered but energetic horses, as they would be doing some intense shooting. The question really was about our ability to control even the smallest actions of the horses.” Jeff said. “The backdrop for the shoot needed to feature meadows, trees and be accessible for all the people and equipment. I invited them to come and see our location for themselves. They were so taken, not only with the horses but the whole property, and they decided to do the photo shoot at the farm as well.”

An eleven person crew, including world-renowned photographer Christian Anwander, arrived at the end of May and shot with Jeff for three days.

“The Italian Glamour shoot lasted two days,” said Jeff, “with each member of the team bringing their own expertise to the set. The beautiful seventeen year old New Zealand model trusted us around the horses and seemed to be very comfortable. Delivering 'the horse factor' in a unique way to this predominantly Austrian group was my challenge.”

“A large herd of horses running behind the model created a lot of energy and captivated everyone, as did a month old foal lying in the model’s lap. The most complicated undertaking was to complete a standing pose on a bareback horse with the model’s arms stretched out - and a large white sail in the air for lighting – and, oh … ask the horse not to flinch!” Jeff said with a laugh. “Sitting atop one of our Morgan studs bridleless completed the truly amazing results to this shoot.”

“Christian loved what I could do with the horses so much that he asked if he could stay a third day to specifically shoot our horses,” said Jeff. “Our friendship evolved into a wonderful opportunity for us to get some quality shots.”

Jeff Wilson, who served as the coordinator and director of the horses working with the model, said he was delighted to work with such a skillful and professional crew, including Art Director Tina Preschitz, and Fashion Editor Sabine Schreder. “You know, you are working right next to each other for three days, it's no wonder that by the end, you part ways as friends. They all have an open invitation to come back and visit anytime. ”

Some of the photos from Italian Glamour are on his website, www.blackwillowmorgans.com

Italian Glamour's October issue featured the pictures taken at Black Willow Morgans Training and Breeding Facility.

Concerning Our Horsemanship Training Courses

Hello Everyone!

Some of you have been wondering when our next course will be, and it is planned for next spring. If anything changes, you guys will be the first to know!

Thanks so much!

Black Willow Morgans Staff

We Love Comments!

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to give a quick shout and say that we love your comments!
So don't be bashful...leave us a blurb on our blog.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Summer Horsemanship Training Courses

By Jeff Wilson

Our Summer Horsemanship Training Courses were filled with the most enjoyable people and horses, and we had a great time.

The first day is always the icebreaker; everyone is getting to know each other and getting into the training groove with their horses. But everyone was extremely motivated, and by the second day it seemed as if everyone had found their way through the learning process and was at ease with one another. That afternoon we found ourselves in the middle of our “on the trail” part of the clinic - in the woods eating lunch. Though the sandwiches had unfortunately gotten smooshed, it was still a great time spent together.

The third day was the crescendo; multiple teams of two were doing teamwork exercises and competitions, all designed to utilize what had been learned. It was an amazing and truly unique experience for our riders, and I believe all of their expectations of what the clinic would accomplish were met.

I had a great connection with everyone. The riders, regardless of their differing horse experiences and riding backgrounds, left empowered with a better understanding of how to speak horse, and most importantly, how to be more “one” with their horse.

I will be doing another course in October, and I can't wait to see more people benefiting by what I love to do.

Until then, keep riding and stop by sometime!