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Denise Brown Wins Ariat Grand Prize

Posted by on June 12, 2013

June 11, 2013

 
 
                                    Local Artist Denise Brown Wins Ariat Prize
 
 
PORTSMOUTH, NH–Local artist and graphic designer Denise Brown of Rye, NH recently won the Grand Prize from Ariat, a world-renowned producer of footwear and apparel for top competitive equestrians. The prize consisted of a head-to-toe Ariat outfit and an all-expenses paid trip to spend the day with Olympic Gold Medalist Beezie Madden and her husband, trainer John Madden, at their horse farm in Casenova, NY.
            Beezie Madden is a world-famous competitive rider on the international jumping scene who has been winning championships since 1985. A few highlights: She has won individual bronze at the 2008 Olympics, team gold at the same, gold at the 2004 Olympics, gold at the 2003 Pan American Games, silver at the 2006 World Championships, and has 14 Nations Cup wins to date. Her farm is home to no less than eight top mounts, many of them famous champions.
            Brown, a long-time horse lover, is also an advocate for wild horses, and the author of the book “Wind, Wild Horse Rescue.” Through her advocacy work, she connected with Ariat International, which donates to wild horse rescue efforts, and helps promote the plight of wild horses worldwide.
            On her trip, Brown was able to talk with Beezie and her husband and gain insights into the training of top level horses and riders. She also had unprecedented photographic access, being allowed inside the jump ring as Beezie worked her horses over a wide range of challenging obstacles. For a recognized horse portrait artist, this opportunity was a dream come true. “I must have taken hundreds of photos,” says Brown. “I could not believe I was seeing a legend like Beezie work, and to see so many beautiful and famous horses up close was incredible.”
              Consistent training is key in a sport where the rider/horse bond is as crucial as strength and agility, and Brown was impressed by the hard work Madden put in. “It was amazing to see how focused Beezie was,” she says. “She and whatever horse she was working were totally in ‘the zone.’ Beezie is extremely dedicated; she worked all day without stopping, just changing horses. That is what it takes to be a gold medalist.”
            Brown expects her trip to yield plenty of inspiration for future portraits and maybe a story. In the meantime, she hopes that her experience will help draw attention to the beauty and importance of horses, and the steps needed to support the welfare of their wild relations.
            “If sharing my experience helps save even one horse, I will consider it worthwhile,” she says. “I’m grateful for the opportunity that Ariat provided, and their support of wild horses.”
            To learn more about Brown’s trip and her work on behalf of wild horses, visit www.windwildhorse.com; to view her equine art, visit www.raccoonstudios.com.

 

 

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