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Monday, December 28 2020 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Mindy Colton: Sculpting a Passion for Horses

By Shya Beth

Surrounded by horses all her life, sculptor Mindy Colton has followed her passion that has led her to explore the depths of the equestrian world. From showing in various disciplines to creating one-of-a-kind sculptures, Mindy’s love of the horse and creativity has entranced horse lovers around the world.

Now living in Orlando, Florida, Mindy’s start in the equine and art worlds began when she was growing up in New York City and first riding at the Claremont Riding Academy in Manhattan, the last riding school in the city. She continued to ride and show well into her teen and young adult years on the East Coast.

 “From hunters to equitation, junior jumpers and amateur-owner classes, riding has been a central part of my life,” Mindy said. “Horses are my joy and passion in life.” 

Mindy attended Parson’s School of Design in New York, and then continued to ride in the Midwest after transferring to Washington University School of Fine Art in St. Louis, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. 

Changing Strides

Although Mindy had a flourishing graphic design and illustration career after college while maintaining her own fine art on the side, life as a full-time artist was calling. Spending 10 years living in Lexington, Kentucky, Mindy expanded her equine skill set and she started competing in dressage and three-day eventing, spending time in the local equine scene. “It was an exciting time to be in Lexington,” Mindy said. “Competing at the Kentucky Horse Park and riding there was a joy and some of my best moments.” 

In 1985, Mindy moved to Florida with her husband and received her Master of Arts with Honors while working as an art director at the University of Central Florida. Mindy chose to focus on dressage and training her own horse through Third Level. “I’m really proud of my rescued American Warmblood, Maximillion. He was a horse of a lifetime for sure.”

Winning dozens of USEF/INSILCO Awards, USDF All-Breed Awards and achieving her USDF “L” with Distinction only continued to give Mindy exposure in the horse world and in turn push her drive for her equine art forward. Mindy has explored all kinds of art mediums, from painting to sculpture. Sculpture captured her heart, and her passion in her portrayal of horses can be seen in her fantastical, whimsical, one-of-a-kind style of sculpture. 

Starting her sculpture journey with classical bronze, Mindy expanded her talents to modernistic fine art sculpture. “The limitations of the bronze sculptural process and size led me to begin an exploration of other mediums,” Mindy said. “I have created monumental sculptures in aluminum and copper, as well as much smaller sculptures made out of recycled materials, clays and natural elements.” 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Mindy incorporates many natural materials to create her unique sculptural mixed-media horses. Her larger equine works have tree limbs that she finds on forest walks and brings back to her studio, carving off the bark and shaping each part. “I use various fiber clays, metal rods, copper and aluminum wires, dried grape vines, shells, oriental papers, old maps, vintage postcards, paint and many other materials in my mixed media works,” Mindy said. 

Mindy’s work has caught the eyes of many discerning art collectors and equine enthusiasts alike. Her work is in museums, galleries and public and private collections across the United States, Canada, England, Russia and Europe. It’s been exhibited in numerous solo and two-person shows and more than 200 juried and group shows, winning countless awards. 

When Mindy is asked about her inspiration and what she hopes to convey to the viewer of her sculptures, her passion is evident. “I strive for my works to intrigue the viewer, invite a closer look and exhibit strength, determination and vulnerability. With my unique mixed-media sculptures, I can indulge my artistic passion to work in three dimensions, and create larger sculptures to evoke these emotions.”

Mindy is six-time Regional and State of Florida Arts Grantee, using two of these grants to create large-scale outdoor sculptures. “Renewal,” a monumental sculpture exhibited at Epcot International Flower & Garden Invitational Sculpture Exhibit, was purchased by the City of Casselberry, Florida. Another monumental sculpture, “Wind Dancer,” a life-size Pegasus also exhibited at Epcot, was purchased by the University of Central Florida Honors College. 

Mindy said her proudest moments and artistic achievements are when clients and collectors see her work for the first time. “I use the horse and other images to elicit a feeling or mood, or to create a story. Seeing people’s expressions and hearing them talk about what the sculpture means or represents to them is a wonderful experience.”

For more information, visit www.mindycolton.com

Art Of The Horse is the world’s first equine art platform, established in 2014 by Shya Beth. With weekly articles featuring up-and-coming as well as world-renowned artists, exhibitions and art news, Art Of The Horse is the premier source for all things equine art. Visit artofthehorse.net 

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Tagged under: art, equestrian art, sculptures

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Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

“Besides running Ryegate Show Services and its various organizations, I can be found in the show office, running a scoreboard or judging jumpers at most shows,” Annette said. “I love getting to wear a few different hats at the show.”

When she’s not busy at a show, Annette lives in Annville, Pennsylvania, with her “fur-baby,” Maggie Mae, and enjoys spending time with her many godchildren. Though she doesn’t currently own any horses, Annette rides when she can at Rolling Acres Farm with Patty Foster, Ashley Foster-Worthington and Mary Lisa Leffler.

Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

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A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself The spor A column from Liz Halliday-Sharp herself 
The sport of eventing is a demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires a combination of physical and mental fortitude from both the rider and horse. While having a coach can be incredibly beneficial, self-coaching can also play a crucial role in a rider’s success.

I think that given the opportunity, most riders would like to be coached every day. The reality of life in the horse world, however, is that the majority of us need to absorb as much from the lessons we have on a limited basis and then practice those skills at home to improve.

When I am riding, I try to have a plan for the horses each day and focus on what I’m looking to achieve. It’s important to be aware of the steady improvements rather than trying to solve everything all at once. This is especially important when teaching horses new movements or exercises that they might struggle with, and we need to give them time to learn and understand what we are asking for.

I have a couple of quotes that I use regularly when I’m teaching, and these are mottos that I hold myself to in my daily work as well.

The first is, “If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.” This is a quote that was said to me many years ago when I was still motor racing and I keep it in the back of my mind each day. It’s easy to get stuck doing the same thing every day with your horse and bad habits are hard to break, from both riders and horses!

This leads me to my next quote, which is, “If what you are doing isn’t working, try something else.” It really is as simple as that! Many riders I see keep asking a horse to do something the same way over and over with an ongoing negative response and they wonder why things don’t get better. In these circumstances, I recommend that the rider change something, even if it’s wrong.

Read the full article by clicking the link in our bio! Don’t forget to keep your eye out for our April subscription!
📸Photo by Alex Banks Photography
The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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