FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
SIDELINES JULY 2013 21
when it comes to being a great teacher but a very demanding
taskmaster. When asked about this he said, “I get the best out of
them! However, I’ve mellowed a lot over the years. When I frst
started teaching, I thought that my students would go on to be
professional artists and that I should be tough in preparing them.
Now I realize that most of them want to study art as an avocation.
In the past, I felt I had to prepare them for careers in art; this isn’t
the case any more than every kid who rides wants to become a
professional rider. After many years, I developed different ways of
teaching without having to be so strict and the students still beneft
from all my knowledge. As you know, to become an excellent
teacher or trainer takes both time and experience.”
Michael is known for not only capturing the character of a
particular horse in his paintings, but also for the ability to paint
the likeness of the rider. Where some artists can render the horse
and others people, Michael can do both.In addition to sporting art,
Michael enjoys painting refective images of the urban landscape.
As he is on sabbatical this fall, he plans a trip to New York City
to gather material. His work has been exhibited in galleries and
museums across the country; currently most of his sporting art is
by private commission.
Predominantly painting in watercolors, his fuid and colorful
style refects works by Alfred Munnings and John Singer Sargent.
Being a fan of the Thoroughbred Showhunter, Michael especially
enjoys riding his all-time favorite horse Storyteller, because of the
innate sensitivity of the breed where all one has to do is think a
command. Given all of his current responsibilities, Father Tang
hopes to fnd more time to ride in the future and after a long hiatus
to once again make an appearance in the show ring.
About the writer: Holly Hugo-Vidal is Sidelines’ California correspondent and
writes the “West Side Story” column. Holly is located in Rancho Santa Fe, California
where she specializes in hunters and equitation as well as adults. She is an “R”
USEF judge, clinician and an author. Her most recent book is “Build Confdence
Over Fences.”
Photos courtesy of Michael Tang
Michael’s favorite hunter Storyteller is now 24 and Michael hacks
him once a week.