The stories of Ann’s childhood are riddled with forward impulse. Given who she is, it came as no surprise to find out that such a passion had taken root long before I was even a half of a thought, let alone a possibility. I am her greatest love, she’ll tell you, and just as quickly, she’ll emphatically state that I am the air she breathes; but a horse...

Ann’s connection with a horse is equivalent to my insatiable need to hold a paint brush; it’s a thirst that cannot be quenched. To Ann, a horse is a direct extension of herself and to even be next to a picture of one, you’ll immediately see her aligning with the purist reaches of her soul.  Ann’s motto from day one has been, “How can you expect anyone to love you if you don’t love yourself?” It’s a great question and I answer it every day by extending my gratitude to the pedigree because I know without them I would have never been gifted her heart.

I think it’s safe to say that Ann’s link to horses has surpassed every constraint that time has to offer.  As the stories go, she was really young when she rode her first horse. Not even a few weeks after the glorious event, Ann became the proud owner of one. “Joker” would become Ann’s best friend, her life and open a door angels spend a lifetime whispering of in hopes of being heard.

Quickly moving into the realm of the highest expression of horse training, Ann became a local dressage champion. Her room was littered with ribbons and trophies and some still are proudly displayed in her parent’s home, shared with our daughters when we head south for the holidays.

In the first seventy-two hours I spent with Ann, I was given her helmet and riding crop along with a thousand photos of her competitions while she proudly took me back to those glory days. The clothing, the numerous arenas, the terminology, the jumps, the turnouts, the tack, everything she was sharing was coming at me so fast! Her excitement was infectious and for the first time in my life, I felt I was studying for an exam that I couldn’t wait to take.

So in honor of all equestrian pursuits, I present this English saddle. Every time I see a saddle now, I am reminded that there really is a Heaven. I can see her soul reshaping the very fabric of time just as much as I can feel her totality and most importantly, I see her, just as unconditionally as I did when I first laid eyes on her… almost eighteen years ago.

Medium: Watercolors
Size: 6 x 4 (inches)
Materials: 90lb Cold Press Paper
Frame: Mini Wooden Shadow Box with Glass (4 5/8"W x 6 5/8"T x 1.25"D)
Completed: Thursday, October 9, 2014

Artist: Adam Kiger
Represented By: Park View Gallery
Artist's Website: www.adamkiger.com

Who is Ann and what is 31 flavors of love?!