My first blog post i thought needed to be the story that inspired the name of my studio. It is also a part of the about me section of this new website! It is a story that is near and dear to my heart and I go back to it from time to time to remind me of the feeling that began this journey.

First of all I have to mention my other passion in life, horses and the sport of cutting. If you ever ride one of these amazing animals you will be hooked forever! I rode my first one when I was seven and the rest is history! My life is largely centered around my horses but I would not have it any other way. I am very much a goal oriented person as well which leads me into this story. I want to tell the story of “Rusty”, the perfect little girl’s horse.  In 1999 I wanted to accomplish a big goal, wanting to win the World Championship in the Jr Youth.  My dad was totally on board and wanted me to reach my goal so the search began for the perfect horse.  It took a little while to find him but then one-week dad told me he thought he found the perfect one.

We went to a show in Newroads, LA that next weekend where we planned to meet this horse and try him out.  We got there right before dark and I remember being so excited to meet this horse.  I had to help set up the stalls for the horses that we brought with us first but after we met up with Robert Rust who brought the gelding for me to try. As soon as they told me where he was I remember running down the aisle to see him.

He was on the very last row in the very corner stall and at this point it was dark outside and all of the lights were on.  I looked through the wooden plank stall, he lifted his head up from eating hay, he was perfect. The perfect little girl’s horse, a dark seal brown with the longest mane and forelock and HUGE tail. I had to go in and pet him right away and he was the kindest soul.

I won all three youth classes that weekend on him and we bought him right after that. I went on to win the Reserve World Champion on him then World Champion the next year.   Rusty taught me so much about showing these amazing animals and he also taught me several big life lessons. He was my best friend.   He lived out a happy retirement in knee high grass until he was twenty-eight.  He passed away right before I started really pursuing something more than a hobby with my artwork.  When thinking of what I wanted to name my studio this story kept coming to mind.

It was love at first sight for me when I saw Rusty and that is the feeling and the moment I always want to think about when I am thinking about my artwork and my business. I want to bottle up that pure joy and love felt at that moment and apply that passion to my future goals in this amazing adventure.  That is the story behind why the studio is named At First Sight Studio, because of the kindest brown gelding there ever was!