Maestoso Batosta, better known to his people as Toast or Toastie, was one of nine horses I photographed at the fine art Barn Day Megan Dischler organized at her barn, Dressage Solutions, in Eagle, Wisconsin. Toast is owned by Megan, and like Maestoso Gradita and Conversano VI Garcia, he is a Lipizzan stallion with deep roots at the Tempel Lipizzans.
A Lipizzan Stallion Raised at Tempel Farms
Batosta spent his early years in training at Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, Illinois, home of the Tempel Lipizzans. For 65 years, Tempel bred, raised, and trained Lipizzans in the classical tradition, and its stallions were known for their quadrille and airs above the ground performances. Back in 2011, as a five year old, Batosta was in training there under Tempel’s director of training, Linda Leffingwell.
Now in his late teens, he carries all of that classical education with him. Like every Lipizzan, he was born dark and turned grey as he matured, and today his pale coat and soft, dark muzzle make him a striking subject on a black background.
Classic Lipizzan Form, Without Tack
We photographed Toast without tack, which lets the classic Lipizzan build speak for itself: the strong, crested neck, the compact, powerful body, and his very kind, expressive eye. Against the black background, every curve and line stands out. Like all of the stallions in Megan’s barn, he was beautifully behaved from start to finish. Barn Days take place right in the barn aisle, so each horse can step into the studio from familiar surroundings. Have a few friends at your barn who would love portraits too? Find out how Barn Day mini sessions work.
More from This Barn Day
Toast shared the studio with eight other horses that day. Meet Maestoso Gradita, a fellow Tempel Lipizzan stallion, Orion and Bana, Paula’s Percheron cross and Tempel Lipizzan stallion Conversano VI Garcia, Rafacito, Rafa, Indy, Queenie, and Jed.
Photographing three horses with Tempel history in a single day was something special. Toast, thank you for being such a classic Lipizzan gentleman in front of the camera.
Not ready to gather a group for a Barn Day? A private equine fine art session gives you the same black background portraits for just your horse.