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By Marti Healy Photos by Shelly Marshall Schmidt, Oh Schmidt Productions

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One profoundly patient pony, a silk designer scarf, three determined women, and a leaf blower

Behind the scenes at a photo shoot for New Bridge Polo Magazine is rarely straightforward. And, typically, it’s a far cry from what the reader sees on the finished page. From highly inventive to unbelievably funny, what the public doesn’t see is often hard to even imagine. Sometimes, it borders on magic.

I was privileged to be allowed to attend a couple of these photo shoots (the benefit of having friends in all the wrong places). So I witnessed some of this alternate reality first hand.

The pony, the scarf, and the leaf blower, for instance, were employed to create a part-highfashion, part-fantasy, image of an equine flying through the air – the scarf as an integral and organic part of the pony’s tail streaming out behind him, his mane tossed and tousled in the winds.

The pony was “Puck,” by name, a carriage competitor by lifestyle, owned and shown by Ann Hartnett, and the most sweet-tempered, cooperative pony ever – as well as being one of the most beautiful.

Puck allowed numerous scarves to be tied and interwoven into his tail over and over again until the perfect one was found. Various fans were then tried to create the breeze effect – often more than one fan at a time, all at different angles. Finally, the stylist, the photographer, and the handler all concluded that none were quite satisfactory. Nothing was working quite right.

And so, a leaf blower was brought it. A jarringly loud, awkwardly bulky, industrial strength, leaf blower, together with miles and miles of extension cords. Shown to the ever-patient Puck, he barely acknowledged its presence. Even when it was turned on to its maximum speed, he never turned a hair or his head. I watched in awe as the best angle for the “wind” was determined to be when the blower was aimed directly under

the belly of the small pony – letting the strong gust of forced air rush up through his tail and over his sides – all the way up through his mane. Oh, this can’t be good, I remember thinking. And yet, Puck simply posed. And this was all for just one photograph.

When, as a local writer, I was asked to participate in this issue of New Bridge Polo Magazine, I was honored – especially when told I could pick my own topics for stories. One of them, I insisted, had to be showing the backside of the camera relative to what all the imaginative, creative, hardworking folks do to bring this publication to the visual level of quality it achieves, issue after issue.

It’s a story best told in pictures, of course.

1) Puck, the ever-patient pony, never seems to question the strange things humans ask him to tolerate – from a designer scarf tied in his tail to the leaf blower brought in to make it fly. A true 2) “professional,” Puck’s sweet temper makes him a popular photo model for the magazine.

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2) Photographer 2) Photographer Shelly Marshall Shelly Marshall Schmidt captures a Schmidt captures a rare moment when rare moment when Puck can be just a Puck can be just a pony. Awaiting the pony. Awaiting the next shot setup, Puck takes advantage of a free munch on the lawn. A few minutes later he seems equally content in a garden gazebo setting surrounded by lots of odd props.

3) Magazine editor and photo supervisor Katie Roth compliments Puck on his performance and cooperation. The garden gazebo was a lastminute location choice on the minute location choice on the property of Puck’s owner, and property of Puck’s owner, and filled with trunks, hat boxes, filled with trunks, hat boxes, and other paraphernalia gleaned and other paraphernalia gleaned

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from her closets. Spontaneity often trumps tightly scripted shoots for from her closets. Spontaneity often trumps tightly scripted shoots for this magazine known for its upbeat – sometimes surprising – content. this magazine known for its upbeat – sometimes surprising – content.

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4) It started out as a nice shot of Marela the polo pony. Then Bella 4) It started out as a nice shot of Marela the polo pony. Then Bella the dog walked up and was asked to sit in. And then someone the dog walked up and was asked to sit in. And then someone thought it would be fun to add one of the barn cats. And wouldn’t thought it would be fun to add one of the barn cats. And wouldn’t it be more fun if the cat were sitting on the horse’s back? The it be more fun if the cat were sitting on the horse’s back? The flicking of a toy on a stick just out of sight even got the cat to flicking of a toy on a stick just out of sight even got the cat to rise up on its hind legs. What a shot! And then we were done. rise up on its hind legs. What a shot! And then we were done.

5) Bella the dog fears for possession of the chew treat stuffed in 5) Bella the dog fears for possession of the chew treat stuffed in her cheek. But Marela the polo pony seems to just want Bella her cheek. But Marela the polo pony seems to just want Bella to move out of the shot. Meanwhile, Shelly Marshall Schmidt to move out of the shot. Meanwhile, Shelly Marshall Schmidt the photographer just keeps the camera clicking. With fourthe photographer just keeps the camera clicking. With fourlegged models, the best shots are rarely planned.

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6) Even expert handling has its limits, as five grey polo ponies decide to socialize in the middle of a shoot. Their groom, Otto Arredondo, wisely just lets the moment pass, and then brings their attention back to the task at hand.

7) Sometimes art imitates art. Sometimes it intrudes on good-natured swimmers, wears goggles, and bursts into giggles. Polo player Megan Donahey brought her sense of fun to this fashion shoot that took its cue from a classic ad for French designer Hermès. The club pool served as the white-water rapids, a pool member jumped in (literally) as part of the production crew, and the rest was technology wizardry.

8) Bacon the Jack Russell discovers what 8) Bacon the Jack Russell discovers what happens when you get too close to a photo happens when you get too close to a photo shoot for this magazine. You’ll quite shoot for this magazine. You’ll quite likely find yourself on a paddle board in a likely find yourself on a paddle board in a swimming pool wearing a fancy scarf. It swimming pool wearing a fancy scarf. It looked like a safe enough lap on which to looked like a safe enough lap on which to sit. But then photo stylist Chris Powers sit. But then photo stylist Chris Powers got this idea... got this idea...

Idon’t believe there is a group that enjoys a party more than the polo community. From a casual Argentine “asado” to a formal Palm Springs gala, these equestrians know how to entertain with style. The polo community, with its well-traveled members, brings a touch of worldly sophistication to even the most casual events.