WHINNY

Whinny is the story of a little girl and her pony.  My ten-year-old daughter asked for horseback riding lessons in the summer of 2020.  We had left New York City for Long Island when the quarantine began. She hadn’t seen her friends in months, and my husband and I finally said yes. A pony could be the calm in the craziness of everything, companionship in a time of isolation. In August we booked her first lesson.  At her second lesson, I touched a pony for the first time in my life. Like my daughter, I was in awe.

There was a lot to learn.  Terminology.  Technique.  Gear.  How to care for a pony. What ponies eat.  What their ears mean emotionally.  The list was endless and new.  My daughter was hooked. Eventually, her trainer suggested we lease a pony for her to ride exclusively.  This would give my daughter and the pony time to build a relationship.  My daughter, who had never been attached to any of her toys or stuffed animals, was overjoyed. Whinny entered my daughter’s life for six months that May. Both were independent, often preferring to be alone rather than part of a group. But these sensitive souls adored one another, and the bond they forged was special. They brought out the best in each other. They were stronger together.

My daughter knew from the start that her time with Whinny would be short.  But these months taught her unconditional love, loyalty and friendship. My little girl took care of this big pony, and Whinny took care of her.  The stables were peaceful and uncomplicated; time stood still.  Everyone there wanted to be there.  Spending time with Whinny gave my daughter the space to slow down and be present.  In photographing their connection, I was able to experience this serenity for myself.  I could see my daughter for who she is now, as well as glimpses of the woman she will become.  While I thought this was only their story, Whinny stole my heart too.  She took care of me.    

(More images available upon request.)