Aster is one of those mares who keeps you on your toes. Cecelia and Aster joined me at Rein Dance Farm in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, on a beautiful early summer day for their horse + rider bond session, and we had so much fun together.
A bond session is about more than a pretty portrait of a horse. It is about the relationship between horse and rider, and the small, everyday moments that make that relationship what it is. Cecelia and Aster gave me plenty of those.
Meet Aster
Aster is about seven, and her breeding is a bit of a mystery. She is sweet and easily distracted, and she is a lot smarter than she lets on. It is obvious how much Cecelia adores her, and spending time with the two of them, it is easy to see why.
Cecelia and Aster show jump together. Jumping asks a lot of both horse and rider: focus, timing, and a great deal of trust. One of their favourite memories is the day everything came together and they jumped their first successful course, a milestone that says a lot about the connection they have built.
Away from the jumps, they simply enjoy spending time together. That easy, relaxed side of their partnership was exactly what I wanted to capture.
Summer at Rein Dance Farm
The farm was green and full of summer, with tall trees and white fencing that made a beautiful backdrop. Every corner of the property seemed to offer something new to work with, from the shaded paths to the open field.
We started with Cecelia in a white dress, which looked lovely against Aster’s rich bay coat. A white dress and a bay horse is a classic pairing for a reason. It feels timeless, and it lets the horse be the centre of attention. We also included a few photos of Cecelia riding Aster through the field, which are some of my favourites from the day.
Then Cecelia changed into a black top and jeans for a more relaxed look. Some of the sweetest moments came from this part of the session, with Aster grazing beside her in the grass, Cecelia leaning in close, and a quiet nose kiss between the two of them. Changing outfits partway through a session is a simple way to get two very different feels from one day, and it worked beautifully here.
Looking through these photos, what stands out most is how comfortable they are together. They show a young rider and her mare who clearly trust each other, and that is exactly what a bond session is meant to celebrate.
Thank you, Cecelia and Amy, for such a lovely day at the barn. Thank you also to Mary Skarsten for having us at the beautiful Rein Dance Farm. It was the perfect setting for these two.
Want to celebrate your own partnership? Learn more about horse + rider bond sessions in Wisconsin.