The original, 48″ x 60″ painting Equestrian Gala was the featured auction item of the Equus Equestrian Sport Foundation Inc. second annual fundraising event, “Where Art Meets The Art of Horsemanship,” held July 25 in Riverhead, N.Y.

The painting, of Janna Rumbough riding her Andalusian stallion Triunfador XVIII, brought in $5,500 and was purchased by Joan M. Sims, owner of Highlife Farms in Orlando, Fla. After winning the auction, Sims promptly presented the painting to Rumbough as a gift.

Artist Christina Snyder Doelling‘s style is abstract. She grew up in Europe and was influenced by many different painters, including the Old Masters as well as the abstract expressionists.

She studied at Skidmore College (N.Y.) and earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts. She later moved to Atlanta, Ga., to attend the Portfolio Center for advertising. Thereafter, she worked as an art director for more than a decade for agencies in Atlanta and San Francisco.

Doelling, Atlanta, Ga., said the painting took her four weeks to create. Along the way, she said she learned about the nuances and beauty of dressage.

Triunfador, who was competing this past year at the FEI level, passed away earlier this summer. Rumbough had performed an exhibition with him at last year’s EESF fundraiser. This year, she performed again, but with her former mount, Gaucho III, who was retired after breaking a leg. He hadn’t performed in public for five years. Rumbough has, however, kept him fit for breeding.

Also competing during the fundraiser were Bettina Drummond, Silke Rembacz and Shelly Francis. The younger generation of equestrian performers were represented by the Shooting Stars Vaulting Team and the EESF Quadrille Team. This year’s fundraiser brought in slightly more than $20,000, reported Debra Wilcox, EESF president. L.K.