RIP Susan Sexton

[Whitehedge Farm]

I heard the very sad news today that Susan Sexton has passed away after a long battle with leukemia. She was a pioneer and trend setter in sport horse photography. Some of my most memorable images of stallions throughout the years have been hers, she always captured the true spirit of the horses she was working on.

I was fortunate enough to work with her on a photo shoot at my farm several years ago of my stallion and babies. It was a true delight to work with her! I just recently talked with her again and she was in good spirits and was remarkable in her memory of our shoot, the people and horses involved. She was a beautiful strong woman, and an artist that will be greatly missed in our industry. My heart goes out to her family and friends.

[Walnut Farm]

how very sad! never knew her but always loved her work!

[Home Again Farm]

Susan was a very gifted woman. I am so very sorry to her of her passing — and she went way too young. So very sad...

[Edgewood]

How sad. My condolences to her family. I met her several times as she was an honorary member of MAHB and was good friends with some of the long time members.

Her photos will certainly be her legacy.

[TwinGates]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Truly the end of an era because she was an artist. I also was fortunate enough to have her to two sessions with my stallion - as a 3yo right after his approval and again in 2007 when he was a mature stallion.

What set her apart was her unerring ability to capture the horse's personality. Some photographers have a signature pose or style, her signature was showing who the horse WAS . . . inside. I'm SO happy I told her this when she was still with us, because it seemed to really mean something to her. Condolences to her family and RIP Susan, you will be dearly missed.

[Sonesta]

Oh, dear. How very sad. She was a wonderful person and will truly be missed. I will always cherish the photos she took of our horses.

[sid]

I'm in shock. I recently tried to get in touch with her, but didn't hear back which was so unlike her.

She was not only incredibly gifted, but a really,really wonderful person. I was blessed to know her.

I'm so, so sad to hear this news.:cry:

Sincere condolences to her loved ones.

[Rubs Not Pats]

I just spoke to her maybe two weeks ago! My condolences for her family and friends. She was a true talent in this industry and will leave a big void behind her.

[ann kitchel]

Oh my, I am so sad to hear this news. I have so many fond memories of Susan. She came to our farm in the early 80's and photographed our stallions. "The look of eagles" as she always said was what she was looking for. We subsequently went on a trek to Florida together with Carter Bass...........had a ball. My thoughts are with her family. She was gifted and a good friend.........

[VirginiaBred]

So very sad to learn this news.
:(

[patch work farm]

I received a call this afternoon telling me the sad news about Susan. She was a truly talented photographer with a wonderful sense of humor.

Long before her move to Chicago she came to my farm to do a photo shoot, I think she took over 300 pictures of my favorite mare, they were beautiful. I also think we laughed the majority of the time she was here. Several years later she gave a photo "clinic" at the AHS meeting in Baltimore and had the group laughing throughout. She certainly was a pioneer and will be very missed by all that knew her.

[SilverBalls]

What a shame... she was very gifted!

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

Wow, I am shocked. What a loss! She will be missed.

[Peg]

Godspeed, Susan. Condolences to your family and friends. Your shoes will be difficult to fill. Peg

[railmom]

I have some really lovely photos Susan took. She was a caring and gifted photographer, she will be missed.

[ptownevt]

I had the great honor and pleasure of working with Susan several years ago when I was a beginning equine sports photographer. I found her to be welcoming, warm and generous as she shared her insights and experience with me. It was 3 days that I will cherish. She was the one equine sports photographer that I had studied in depth and I actually got to work with her. It was a dream come true. God speed, Susan.

[Ainsley]

How very sad :(
Condolences to her friends and family, she was a true artist who will certainly be missed.
RIP Susan

[DennisM]

There are two lovely online tributes to this talented and wonderful woman:

http://terrimiller.wordpress.com and

http://dressagedaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4663:09sexton&catid=224:novermber-2009

[Edgar]

Our condolences to her family and friends, she has many who will miss her...

[TWF]

Thoughts and prayers to her family..Susan was a gifted and visionary artist.

[HeyYouNags]

I'm very sorry to hear of her passing.

She did a photo shoot at a local farm a few years ago, and I took two of my horses over. It was so exciting to have her talented eye turned towards my guys, and the pictures still blow me away.

[DownYonder]

I, too, am very sorry to hear of her passing. I have long admired her work. I only had the chance to meet her one time, and she was very gracious and generous about sharing her knowledge.

RIP, Susan. Your beautiful photographs are treasured works of art that will become your legacy.

[patch work farm]

Thank you for posting Terri's link, she wrote such an eloquent tribute! I also love the photo she has of Susan, it captures her perfectly.

[STF]

OMG!!
Susan was so nice!
Right after I bought Puerto, she found out and sent me a long email about how she liked him and had some more pics of him for me, etc from when he was at the 100DT.
Told me I could have them if I wanted, them, etc.
A very sweet lady!

Sad to loose her!:no:

[Cartier]

Love the link to Terri Miller’s page… with the tribute to Susan… Terri’s photos are amazing… absolutely amazing.

We never met Susan… but years ago friends – Joe and Carolyn Williams - had her do a shoot of their magnificent stallion Groms, who tragically died shortly after the photo shoot. Joe and Carolyn had some of Susan’s framed photos of Groms on display throughout their home. The photos were absolutely beautiful and inspired Arthur and I to do a website for Joe and Carolyn, so that the world could see the amazing stallion that Susan had captured on film. We were rank amateurs, the site has been redesigned over the years, but some of Susan’s photos of Groms are still up.

http://www.stillpointfarm.net/GromsPhoto.htm

They perfectly captured the essence of Groms and his very special relationship with Carolyn. Susan had an extraordinary ability to connect with her subjects and capture their sprit on film. She was unique and will live on in the legacy of art she has left behind.

[Zydeco Sport Horses]

Condolences to all who loved Susan. What a rich tapestry of memories she is living behind for them.

[Horsecrazy27]

I heard the very sad news today that Susan Sexton has passed away after a long battle with leukemia. She was a pioneer and trend setter in sport horse photography. Some of my most memorable images of stallions throughout the years have been hers, she always captured the true spirit of the horses she was working on.

I was fortunate enough to work with her on a photo shoot at my farm several years ago of my stallion and babies. It was a true delight to work with her! I just recently talked with her again and she was in good spirits and was remarkable in her memory of our shoot, the people and horses involved. She was a beautiful strong woman, and an artist that will be greatly missed in our industry. My heart goes out to her family and friends.

Again, didn't know her, but loved her work. She will be missed.

[Hiddenacresmi]

Condolences to her family. Her works of art will be missed in our industry.

[Majestic Gaits]

I had the fortunate pleasure to be with Susan during the World Cup in Las Vegas. She will be missed. Condolences to the family and especially to her cousin Beth Jenkins.

Kathy

[graystonefarm]

I never met Susan but it is clear that she made an impact on many lives. She certainly had a rare talent. I too have always admired her work.

My sincere condolences to her family and friends.

[maple_brook]

Oh no! She will be missed. My deepest condolences to Beth and the rest of her family.

[Thomas_1]

I didn't know her but thoughts with her family and friends.

I hope they don't mind if I use this opportunity to ask those who are mourning her passing to spare a few minutes to consider making a small donation to Leukaemia Research in her memory.

If you want further details then please click on this link:

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104176

[onetempies]

Holy cow! I'm so sorry to hear of her passing! Susan really was a VERY gifted photographer! I was lucky enough to get some great shots at Lamplight years ago on my mare that I lost to PHF in July 2005! The one photo she totally captured the personality and sweetness of that mare! To this day, everybody who sees it comments how beautiful of a shot it is. RIP Susan :(

[Kyzteke]

I never met Susan, but I always admired her work. She was simply amazing. I remember reading an interview with her on how she got started -- she never meant to be a professional equine photographer.

She will be badly missed -- I hope her loved ones have a chance to read this thread and realize how admired and beloved Susan was in the horse world.

[ElizaS]

Here's a lovely tribute that's been made for Susan. She was an amazing woman in so many way who will be greatly missed.

http://horseflyfilms.com/preview/susansexton.html