Texas diaries
Day 4

Up bright and early to the sound of birdsong.  I get dressed quickly and head out into another lovely morning. The air is cool and moist - it must have rained overnight.   I go for a wander and find Leonel is moving the herd of goats.

He informs me that the goats are brought in at nights to protect them from coyotes. They’re guarded by a very large but friendly-looking dog; possibly an Anatolian Shepherd Dog. I must ask Joyce about him.

I am told that this chap takes his job very seriously and under no circumstances should I go into the pen unaccompanied whilst he is on duty. I take one more look at the dog and realise what he means. He certainly looks capable of the task. 

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On my way back, I pay a visit to Joyce’s house to discuss the plans for the day. As ever, I am met with a smile and a good cup of tea. Plans agreed, I return to our residence and find Colin busy with his camera kit. He too feels like a walk, so we both grab the cameras and head out again. The sun is well up now and the farm is springing into action. 

After the walk, we get down to a quick breakfast and decide to pop in to Brenham to have a look around and perhaps do some food shopping.  Brenham is a well- tended, small rural town.

Not much traffic around, but whatever there is on the road is either a big truck or an SUV.  We both agree how lucky the locals are not to be paying UK gas prices!

In general, the architecture is very simple and pleasant.  

After a quick walk round we head for a local supermarket, where a pile of pumpkins greets us at the entrance, some of which are enormous.      

How do they cook a giant Pumpkin?  “Perhaps they’re for Halloween”, replies Colin thoughtfully.  Shopping over, we head back to MCC farm. I am most impressed by the speed with which Colin has learnt the roads. He seems to know instinctively where everything is, whereas I’m still struggling to find my way around the farm.

We dump the shopping in the refrigerator and head to the main barn to see what is happening.  Raci and her family have arrived and are already busy testing the selected Caspian for the riding shot.

The horse appears to be rather spirited, so Leonel takes on the task of exercising him for a few minutes to help settle him down. This is a great success.    

Raci and her mum, dad and sister are discussing the wardrobe.  Colin and I join in and help make some choices. 

Before long we’re ready to go to the field with the cattle to set up the riding shot, but before leaving we discuss what Raci is to wear - a black hat or a white one?  Perhaps no hat?  We opt for a white Stetson, as a black one may cast too much shadow on her face in the bright sunlight.  

We’re offered one of the most beautiful saddles we’ve ever seen. The detail in the leatherwork is astonishing.  

Encouraged by all these goodies, we load up the caspians and head for the hills.

Once on location, Raci begins her rehearsals.  Colin and I have already chosen the camera position, so all we have to do is to show Raci where to ride back and forth from. She is very quick on the uptake and before long she’s cantering up and down as Colin clicks away.

The Caspian appears to sense that he’s being watched, so he too puts on a good show.

We stop occasionally to adjust Raci’s track and rearrange her hair and hat.  This girl and her horse seem to know nothing about being tired or too hot and are clearly enjoying themselves.
Little they and us know that they would  be featured in the March edition of the Cowgirl Magazine.

After an hour or so, we stop to check the results. The grooms spring to action and water the horse, while Raci takes a break in the shade.  Colin and I are delighted with what we have, but would still like to try a couple of alternatives. "No problem!" is the response from everyone.  So we continue - left to right, right to left. By now the sun is getting rather too hot, so we decide to call it a day. 

Before leaving the location, Raci asked for a few photos to be taken with the Caspian, then we all head back to the house.

I set about cooking lunch while Colin attends to the equipment.  After every shoot he methodically downloads all the memory cards and makes a double back-up on two hard disks that we always bring with us.
Over lunch, we discuss the morning session and what to do next.  Arrangements have been made for a different Caspian to be prepared for the afternoon, so that we can shoot at the barn with Raci.
With Joyce’s help, we have chosen two Caspians, both stallions.  One is an attractive, light-coloured youngster and the other a more mature bay. We agree to start with the bay and see how thing go. 

Later that afternoon, everyone is gathered around the stables and all kinds of activities are taking place. The grooms are, as ever, busy preparing the Caspians.  

Raci askes if she could walk her hors up to the barn. Permission is granter by her mum and Joyce on condition that Marcos accompanies her.

The next set-up is a sunset shot, so colours have to be chosen in sympathy with that.  Raci is intended to be holding a saddle, while walking towards the horse that is awaiting her. All of this is to be in front of the big old barn up the hill and next to the vintage truck and tractor that were set up yesterday.
The white Stetson wins the day again.  The Caspian is ready, so we all pile in to the trusty golf carts and set off.  Raci's parents have arrived in a giant pick-up truck. Colin and I never tire of gazing at such enormous vehicles.

We arrive at the location that has been so carefully prepared.  First thing to do is to walk the Caspian to the right place, tether him and do a few test shots to see how things look.  This takes a while, as the Caspian needs to get used to the flashlights.  He takes it all very calmly of course and with much dignity.  Raci is then introduced to the scene as more tests shots are taken. As usual, I stand just off camera directing the action, while Leonel stands on the other side of the shot, murmuring comforting words just in case the flashlights startle the horse.  We need to get the horse’s attention and have his ears pricked up for the right shots. 

Raci's mum showing off her lassoing skills.

The wind is getting up and shifting the clouds. This results in lighting change which are of no help to Colin. He seems to be balancing a brightly-lit scene with a dull overcast one. Not easy.

At this point we are joined by Leonel's family. Everyone has walked up the hill to see what is going on.

The sun is now almost setting and everything seems to be in the right place, but the light is not right. Not wanting to take any risks with the horse and Raci, who is standing close to him, we decide to call it a day and try again tomorrow, delighted that we have done all the testing and everything is in the right place. Raci also seems please at the prospect of an afternoon off school, playing with horses. I like her attitude!   It’s been a long day for everyone, so we decide to retire for the evening and set off again early tomorrow.


Day five coming soon....