Don't miss out on our June competition to win a Bates Saddle of your choice
“Thank you a million times” says Jess Somerfield, after receiving her specially commissioned portrait by Grace Collett Art. Jess won the portrait in our 5* Member competition in December and it is now beautifully framed and hanging in her home
“I have just received the drawing and it is framed and in the best pride of place in my house. I shed a few beautiful tears. So lucky to have won! Thank you to you for having such an awesome competition to win”
Our thanks go to Jess for being a member for over eight years and also to the wonderful artist, Grace Collett.
Grace is not only a very talented equine artist but also the sister-in-law of British eventing star Laura Collett, whose portrait of Laura’s Mr Bass first caught our eye
The famous Mr Bass
Horse-mad from a young age, Grace started out her equestrian career eventing her ponies and then, like many of us, was interrupted by study, going off to University to do art and design. Now based near Cheltenham and, being kept busy with her art and a young child, Grace does not currently have a horse of her own but keeps up her equine fix by drawing gorgeous portraits of horses.
She loves doing the drawings and discovering the subject’s personality – and admits she feels a little bereft when sending off the finished piece to its new home!
Now Jess has received her portrait of Serenity and Dotty which we hope will continue to be ‘very cherished’ for many years
"A few years ago; I lost my heart horse ‘Serenity’. To this day she has been the biggest influence in my competition and riding career" Jess told us in her entry
"She was 17hh of leggy elegant warmblood with the most beautiful elegant face. It has been a dream of mine to find a fabulous artist to draw her up - to have her on my wall for both myself - and my partner, who possibly loved her more than I did. Losing her almost made me give up competing and riding professionally all together. We lost her in a freak accident where she fell and smacked her head and it was the worst day I’ve been through"
"Fast forward 4 years; I was able to track down a daughter she had and purchase her - and I feel like I've still got a little part of ‘Serenity’ in my stable. She’s just started competing 80cm and hopefully higher next year. After seeing this portrait that was so beautifully done; I would just love to throw my name in and hopefully win one of my gorgeous mare - to remember a lovely horse gone too soon. Would be an honour and something very cherished in our home"
Check out the stages of the drawing that Grace did for Jess in the pictures below
