Marylou Verberne, The Moment of Collection (ANIMALS 2024)

Web:

www.marylouverberne.com

From the Series, Collection, 2024. In the series, Collection, I explore the changing nature of the relationship of horse and rider in the highly competitive world of elite equestrianism. With the horse industry in Australia worth around AUD$6.3 billion per annum, increasing commercialisation of equestrian sport is eroding aspects of the horse-human relationship traditionally at the centre of the sport, threatening the formation of vital deep bonds between horse and rider. Developing these bonds involves a symbiotic melding of both bodies, with humans and horses establishing a high level of mutual bodily control and sensitivity. In essence, it’s an empathetic, physical dialogue between the two, with the ultimate goal of having two bodies operate as a single unit in the competition arena. This series offers glimpses into moments of intensity, intimacy, and mutual understanding shared between these magnificent animals and their riders, capturing their silent communication. This beautiful synchronicity can take years to develop, starting with the most rudimentary level of communication, then, through a system of applying pressure to parts of the horse’s body, which is then developed over countless hours of working together. It is based on mutual respect and understanding, and the development of trusting partnerships is particularly important in elite equestrian sport, where horses and humans rely on each other to tackle sporting challenges.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.