JUNE 2018 THE RIDER /49 Meet writer, photographer and horsewoman Dorothy Chiotti


with horse lover and regular Rider


The Rider recently spoke reader DOROTHY


CHIOTTI whose photographic art was on show in Toronto during May’s CONTACT Pho- tography Festival, as part of the Women at Work show hosted by Urban Gallery. In recent years, Dorothy


has been focused on develop- ing her creative voice through writing and photography. She


photographic subjects and why? I’ve always loved the form, function


and spirit of the horse so these beautiful crea- tures are among my favourite subjects. I’m also inspired by nature and love to capture its mysteries. When travelling, my eye is drawn to the ancient places and sacred spaces of Britain and Western Europe. Their light, shadow, colour, texture and stories cap- ture my imagination. With respect to people, the Barn Mavens series (women working with horses, in barns, etc.) is my first real foray into working with them. I’ve discov- ered I like the candid approach - there’s truth to it. I think that’s another reason I love photographing horses: every mo- ment with a horse is a moment of truth. You had a horse who literally changed your life – can you tell us about him and how he impacted your life? Shakespeare entered my life at a


crossroads - I was 43 and had been forced out of my copywriting job the year before, and was struggling to fig- ure out what to do next. In the mean- time, a horse I’d been part-boarding died of cancer, so my husband sug- gested it was time to get a horse to call my own - a life-long dream was to come true. Shakespeare, a rising four- year-old Hanoverian gelding, and I found each other. I thought our journey was about


training and dressage, but it turned out to be so much more. As soon as Shake- speare (or Bear as he was affection- ately known) came home I started


is the author of Murder on the High Cs, a light-hearted mur- der mystery set in the melodra- matic world of divas and dysfunction, which was long- listed for the Crime Writers of Canada 2018 “Unhanged Arthur” Award for Best Un- published First Crime Novel. Dorothy is a prolific writer of poetry and short stories, keeps a writing blog In So Many Words, and has two more nov- els in the works. Another passion is work-


ing with horses. As well as being a nationally certified equestrian coach through Equestrian Canada (retired) and graduate of the internation- ally-renown training program of natural horsemanship trainer, Chris Irwin, Dorothy is a certified Advanced FEEL (Facilitated Equine Experien- tial Learning) practitioner with Horse Spirit Connections of Tottenham, Ontario. She is also a student of dressage under the expert eye of trainer, Nancy Smart. Dorothy writes of her life with horses and on the farm at Musings of a Horse Mom.


You’re so busy writing


novels and blogs, as well as working with horses – what in- spired you to pick up a camera and embark on a photographic art career as well? My interest in photogra-


phy took shape while travelling and easily transferred to my equestrian passion. My family is highly artistic and “painting with a camera” proved to be an outlet for creative expression that resonated with me. My other preferred outlet is writ- ing.


What are your favourite


Chris Irwin’s Train the Trainer course. Those nine months represented the significant first step of my journey to true self-awareness


tended to my heart took our connection to an even deeper level. I found the beautiful Hanoverian mare, Sophi, who was only too happy to help me develop as a dres- sage rider so Bear had all the time he needed to heal and it was my privilege to give it to him. My amazing boy had helped me to find, and have confidence in, my voice. He’d helped me to believe in myself and go the distance. He was, as they say, my “heart” horse. Shakespeare died sud-


around horses and in life generally. Over the years, Bear was a patient teacher, but in 2011, I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue and for the next few years had neither the strength nor the stamina to do more than gen- tle riding. As a result, my interest in dressage fell by the wayside and then in January 2015, after graduating from the life-altering Facil- itated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL) program at Horse Spirit Connections in Tot- tenham, Bear, now 13, suffered a career-end- ing injury (torn lateral suspensory) while in an icy paddock. It was a tragic moment in our journey, however the time we spent to- gether while I tended to his wounds and he


denly and tragically from tor- sion colic November 21, 2017, just days after I’d taken his picture for the Urban Gallery exhibit. We had spent almost 12 years together and losing him so soon was something for which I was totally unprepared. I had been


so sure we’d grow old to- gether and help people through the FEEL work. Still, it wasn’t to be, and now I ho- nour his memory by living the lessons he so beautifully taught: to be in the moment; to be mindful; to be more in my heart and less in my head; and, in those final days ~ to let go and let be. Naturally, he became one of my chief photographic subjects. In May, you participated in the annual Scotiabank CON- TACT Photography Festival at Toronto’s Urban Gallery “Women at Work” show. Your large format photos of life in the barn showed women working with horses in all capacities. How was this experience for you? Having the opportunity


Continued on Page 50


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