The Horsemen

About this artwork

Arizona based horse trainer, Charlie Hill sits for a portrait following a horsemanship lesson in San Tan Valley, Arizona. I happened to be at the barn when he was giving lessons to a fellow boarder at the facility. I've know Charlie for many years and he'd worked with my horses in the past both as a farrier and as a trainer. Injuries have taken their toll on his body and he walked to the round pen using his walker, and entered the enclosure with a stick for balance in one hand and a stick with a flag on the end in the other. In these lessons, Charlie was working in the round pen with a young horse, getting it accustomed to yielding, changing direction on a circle, and facing the him and to become comfortable with touch from the lariat, flags, and the human. During the session, although it began to rain, he continued working with the horse, raindrops and arena dust dotting his jacket and hat. Throughout the session, he was working on creating a connection with the horse. At times, during the session his gaze and body language was clear and intent enough that and the horse knew, to move out just with a look. I was drawn to the steely look in his eyes during this session. Following the lesson, he sat down to rest on the seat of his walker under a covered area. We began to chat and he put his arms up on the brakes of the walker. I asked him to hold it right there - and took his portrait. The twinkle in his eye and the hint of a smile under that famous mustache had me captivated. I love the texture of his skin, his weathered hands, the wrinkles in his skin and clothing, and dust and drops scattered across the fabric. It all is a visual symphony.