Debby Thomas Workshop at Zephyr Farm in Spotsylvania, Virginia

Prepare to drool. You are about to stare at some unbelievably gorgeous horses with serious mane GOALS!

Recently, I traveled to Virginia to visit with my daughter (she attends college back in my home state) and participate in the Debby Thomas Workshop at Zephyr Farm. Zephyr Farm is a small family-owned Gypsy Cob stud service operation. This truly lovely place was the backdrop for a recent photographers workshop hosted by the talented Debby Thomas. I was gifted with the joy of having ten amazing horses in front of my camera that day. Horses that not only blessed my soul with joy but gave me the opportunity to strengthen my skills photographing horses in their natural environment in both action and portraiture.

Thanks in abundance to everyone who assisted with this adventure, including Debbie, Carolyn, and Leslie. You three were so fun to meet and a privilege to work with.

Lubbock Police Department Mounted Unit

The Lubbock Police Department Mounted Unit currently consists of ten officers, with four in training. Within this group are a sergeant and a captain. 

This Mounted Unit provides police patrol, assisting with crime prevention in our city. Officers regularly cover the downtown and depot areas, especially during events such as First Friday Art Trail. The unit also conducts neighborhood deployments. During the Zoe Campos investigation, they participated in area searches. This unit obviously plays a strong role in the protection of our city and I am grateful.

Another aspect of their valuable work is participation in numerous events throughout the community — including National Night Out, Foster Kids Birthday Bash, ABC Pro Rodeo, and Challenger Little League. 

Officers in the Mounted Unit volunteer for this assignment as an ancillary duty and all hold other full-time positions within the department. Each Mounted Officer owns his or her own horse and takes 100% percent responsibility for the daily care of the horse. Through donations made to the Lubbock Police Foundation on behalf of the Mounted Unit the Foundation assists officers in offsetting some costs of feeding the horses.  

This past year, solely due to the community support through the Lubbock Police Foundation five Mounted Officers and their horses attended the 11th Basic Mounted Patrol School in Midland. Six Mounted Officers attended the TEEX Large Animal Rescue School jointly hosted here in Lubbock with the Lubbock Fire Department Search and Rescue Team members this past October.

It was my honor to photograph this excellent group of Mounted Officers and their horses this past week. Enjoy a selection of images from their photo session.

Members of the Lubbock Police Department Mounted Unit

Adorable Siblings and Their Horse | Julie Cordero Photography | Pet and Equine Photography | Lubbock, Texas

I keep staring at these photos and just melt E V E R Y time! Not only are these kids and their patient horse-friend absolutely adorable, but these two sweet kids are growing up learning to love and respect animals. What a powerful and important lesson. Children who are taught to be kind to animals grow up kind to humans as well.

This beautiful black Polish Arabian, Czecher, is 24-years-young and is owned by the mother of these two young riders. Czecher is a fabulous kid sitter! The kids love and trust him totally— they can as he’s quite trustworthy. I was definitely concerned about Miles’ fingers while this sweet boy was feeding Czecher a carrot (aren’t carrots with the green tops still on them the BEST!) from our local Market Street, but this horse took great care of his little charge. Czecher, when not babysitting, is a very talented dressage horse. For the last several years, he has been used primarily as a lesson horse and has taught numerous children to ride.

The mother of Molly and Miles, Renee, has owned Czecher since the day he was born. He captured the heart of his owner immediately. And what’s really special— the kids’ grandmother owned Czecher’s dam! This story is all in the family. What a wonderful legacy of love.

Molly is seven and is already taking dressage riding lessons on Czecher at Premier Park Equestrian Center. I love watching her ride! She has begun showing him in Intro Level dressage shows and has a great riding future ahead of her.

What a special treat to photograph this trio. I am blessed with amazing clients who become my friends.

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Models: Molly and Miles

Equine Model: Czecher, a registered Arabian gelding

Location: Premier Park Equestrian Center | Lubbock, Texas

Flowers: Tucker Floral | Lubbock Texas

Red Dress: Joyfolie

Cowgirl Boots: Macie Bean

Mid-century Side Chair: Joss & Main

“We have almost forgotten how strange a thing it is that so huge and powerful and intelligent an animal as a horse should allow another, and far more feeble animal to ride upon its back.”

— Peter Gray

There's no better way to grow up than on a horse.

It is my sincere privilege to help families create tangible expressions of their love for each other through the art of photography and print. To chat about your own horse and rider session, head to www.juliecordero.com/contact and fill out the form. I’ll be in touch soon.

Time Well Spent with Dena Kirkpatrick, Professional Horse Trainer and World Renowned Clinician →

I am truly honored to be able to spend time with any member of the Kirkpatrick family.

This past week, I had the privilege of photographing the world’s cutest little cowboy — a newer member of the Kirkpatrick family— with his mother, Sarah, and grandmother, Dena.

Sarah lives in Ft. Worth with her family and is the Director of Marketing at Anzea Textiles.

Dena Kirkpatrick is a professional horse trainer, world-renowned clinician, and wife to calf-roping horse trainer and rancher, Cliff Kirkpatrick.

Dena's accomplishments are huge in the horse industry. She holds the record as the only rider and horse pair to win all Go Rounds of the BFA World Championship Futurity. For 10 years in a row, Dena held a place in the Top 10 Futurity Trainers list. She is also the trainer of the Calgary Stampede Champion Canadian World Champ, Lady Perks, aka “Beauty.” Dena also trained WPRA World Champion AHA Horse of the Year Sugar Moon Express, aka “Martha.” As well, Dena has been West Texas Futurity/Derby Champion, San Antonio Livestock Show Rodeo Champion, BFA World Championship Futurity and Futurity Reserve Champion, Elite Futurity Champion, AHA World Champion, Speedhorse Gold Cup Futurity Reserve Champion, Old Fort Days Futurity Reserve Champion, Harlequin Farms Futurity Champion. Dena is sponsored by several companies, including Medivet Equine, Renew Gold, MedVet Pharm, Multi Radiance Veterinary, and Martin Saddlery.

Impressive.

Thanks for having me out, Dena!

The Kirkpatrick family with Magnum, an American Quarter Horse.

Dena Kirkpatrick and Liquid Courage 72