U.S. Nationals

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October 26, 2009

Vendors Part of the Horse Show Family

Tucked between the show rings and the Quick Trip barn, exhibitors can find warm refuge at the shopping expo in the Exchange Center building. Here the dirt is left outside and makes way for a variety of beautiful products made especially for the equine enthusiast in all of us. Sitting in almost every booth is a devoted vendor who, over the years, has become a part of the Arabian horse family and has as many horse show stories to tell as each trainer, breeder or owner. Among a group of incredible artists who have been traveling to shows to serve the needs of the Arabian horse community for decades, is painter, Lynn Maderich. Maderich first started exhibiting her art at Arabian shows in the early 80s, traveling to Louisville, Albuquerque and Scottsdale. "Back then the vendors where in outdoor stalls. We'd come to the grounds in the morning, unlock our stall, swing the stall door open and set up for the day," recalls Maderich. "We had so much fun. Paul Wooldridge, who worked for the Arabian Horse World, used to come over and keep me company…and when I wasn't looking, rearrange art," says Maderich with a smile. "But then life happened," says Maderich and my career as an artist came to a close and I got a full-time job." Years later an opportunity to attend art school presented itself and Maderich knew better than to pass it up. This time Maderich studied the classic masters of nineteenth century Europe and soon her skills as an oil painter emerged and transformed her as an artist. In 2001, Maderich painted Grandpa: The Artist Before Me, a piece she calls her personal favorite. The piece serves as a tribute to Maderich's paternal grandfather who gave undying support to her artistic interest as a child. "When I was in my early teens, my grandpa gave me his old sketch pad. It is filled with sketches that are far better than what I can do today. I later realized that my grandpa had also had a dream of being an artist, but after a year and a half of art school, he quit and became a house painter and butcher. That was the early 1900s in Wisconsin and men didn't have a lot of opportunity to flourish as artists," says Maderich. "I'm sure it was very hard for him to quit art school and I think that's why he always encouraged me through every drawing and sketch. Now I'm glad that my name is still Maderich and when I sign my paintings I feel like I'm signing for the both of us." Grandpa now travels with Maderich and can be seen watching over her at every exhibit.
Another one of Maderichs' favorite pieces is one she calls her most complicated painting to date. Pyro Tyme at The Marriot depicts the 2007 National Champion, his trainer, Andy Sellman and owners, Claire and Margaret Larson standing in the middle of The Marriot Hotel. The stallion made a surprise visit to the Minnesota Arabian Breeders Medallion Stallion Service Auction in 2008 and the painting captures the excitement, surprise and awe of the moment. Maderich was careful to capture each hue of the lighting and the hotel's intricate carpet, but the detail in which the stallion appears is what stands out as simply breathtaking. Maderich says she's painted a lot of horses, but the first time she's painted such an important horse.
Maderich has been drawing and painting horses for as long as she can remember. They have always been her favorite subject. It wasn't until after she attended art school and the instructors insisted she paint people everyday that she became really comfortable with human portraits and now that she can paint both, she is back with the Arabian community to share her expertise. Maderich and over 100 other vendors are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Exchange Center Building. Stop by, see what they have to offer and hear a few horse show stories from people who have been part of the family for decades.