Equestrian Senior Portraits: Bella

JDP senior Bella’s life is lived between horse farms. She spends the bulk of her days riding her horse Hugo while also working to care for other people’s horses and farms. She is an accomplished equestrian who knows how to handle all kinds of horses. Horses seem to know she means business and she’s not afraid to make them tow the line. Rooted in this take charge approach is a deep and tender love for everything to do with horses.

Bella shared at her pre consult that she had a white horse named Hugo and the visions began to swirl in my head. Then she mentioned she had taught him to rear and my brain was officially in overdrive! I’ve had a vision for this scenario for a long time and it looked like it was finally going to happen! Bella brings tenacity and courage to her equestrian pursuits. She is ranked 13th as a jumper in our region and she takes her own practice schedule very seriously. She started riding horses when she was just 2 years old and has never stopped!

Bella’s grandparents live right beside her and have always been a constant source of support during the challenges of life. They are a home away from home for Bella, especially after Bella’s dad passed away when she was just 7. They’ve helped to provide a soft place to land at the end of day and are a cheering section for her life. Her mom and brother John are very close as well. John sneaked in to give Bella a hug during her portrait time then disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared! I don’t think her mom Liz could have been filled with any more joy at this point watching this tenderness between her children!

Bella’s Grandma has loved watching Bella grow up as an avid equestrian. They share a passion for all things related to horses. Bella’s Grandma had horses at her farm in the past and is always eager to watch Bella ride. The Banbury Cross barn seen here was built, by hand, by Bella’s grandparents and great grandparents many years ago! It was named Banbury Cross for the children’s nursery rhyme:

Ride a cockhorse to Banbury Cross,
To see a fine lady upon a white horse;
Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,
She shall have music wherever she goes.

This Athena statue is on Bella’s grandma’s farm and has been in their family for quite some time. Bella’s grandma remembers her childhood spent studying this form and working to imitate it as children do to pass the long days of summer. Her love of horses is reflected at every turn as we toured the farm! Bella’s Grandma was instrumental in Bella being able to secure Hugo in 2020 from Ireland. Hugo has a passport and has been quite the world traveler before he landed in Carroll County! And now the nursery rhyme is complete!

Knowing we’d be at Grandma’s farm for part of her session and the role she’s played in Bella’s life, I encouraged Grandma to be a part of the portrait time. She was reluctant, as women are often. But, what a treasure for these 3 generations of farm loving women! Bella will be so glad Grandma came around as the years march on. The legacy we leave is the sum of our life!

Bella’s other sidekick through life is her incredibly sweet dog Hunter. Oh my word, I fell in love with this sweet boy! He’s just 1.5 years old and has none of the expected puppy crazy! He came to sit on my lap while I was on the ground creating portraits! He’s also fond of giving kisses!

Bella takes her commitments in life very seriously-be they in the competition ring, the classroom, or service to the 4-H. She is the National Honor Society President at South Carroll High. She is also a 4-H ambassador and a Farm Bureau ambassador. She was awarded a National 4-H trip to Georgia for the 4-H Congress! In addition, she was awarded for her senior project record and service to 4-H State Council. She’ll be attending University of Maryland this fall to study Pre-Professional Animal Science with an Ag Business minor.

Bella was also just awarded a very generous scholarship via the Taylor Barnes Memorial Agricultural Scholarship. She also received the “Silent Service” award and “Outstanding Senior in Agriculture.” She also received extra cords for her NHS service.

These kind of quiet moments, like above, speak volumes to me! Just a horse girl saying goodnight to her boy. She’ll likely go to bed dreaming of riding again the next day! Hunter waiting patiently for his girl to be done with her farm chores and take him home.

Archery is a big part of Bella’s life as well. She and her mom have a running point competition going between them! At the end of June Bella will be attending a national archery competition in Nebraska. She is currently ranked 2nd place in women MAA (Maryland Archery Association). She’s also the only woman on a team of 4 in 4-H for archery this year in all of Maryland.

Hunter was such an absolute delight while creating portraits with his girl! He’s a mix of Black Mouth Cur and American Foxhound. Bell and her mom were visiting family friends last year and returned with one puppy who had already followed them out the door on the first visit!

Below, this cinematic style capture of Bella makes me think she’s in the midst of a great battle!

Hugo was so gracious to oblige us to step on my backdrop to bring this vision to life as well! Thanks to Ashley and her sons who work at the farm as well, for all their help to bring this vision to reality!

Bella, watching your mom and grandma beam with pride over the young woman full of strength, conviction, steadfastness and courage you have grown into was a treasure! The tears flowed, more than once, and they are evidence of how deep their love runs for you! May you take that full knowledge into all you do and continue to soar to great heights! Your mom was anticipating this day for you for many years and I’m sure you will continue to make her proud through every step of your journey!

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Equestrian Senior Portraits: Bella

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