Visitors to the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon, North Carolina in September, and other major events may come across a horse of a different material. Five life size equine sculptures clad in denim will be on display at WEG this year, representing different disciplines of equestrian sport.
Thought provoking, and artistically appealing, the sculptures of the Blue Jean Horse Project are the work of seventeen-year-old equine artist Shya Beth, of Sussex County, NJ. The horses are designed to be more than visually interesting. The ultimate goal of the project is to raise awareness and to actively help horses in need around the world.
“I’ve been around horses all my life. I’ve worked in 4-H where I’ve fundraised for a local equine charity and a few years ago I created my first life size sculpture from wire and wood and covered with hundreds of paper flowers I hand cut, painted and attached,” Beth explained how the idea for the Blue Jean Horse Project got started. “After I created that sculpture I was really involved with horse rescues. I was thinking of a way that I could bridge both art and my passion for helping horses together. I came up with the idea of uniting people in denim because it isn’t just for equestrians or farmers. There is stylish denim for New York, there’s all types of denim and so many people wear it. I thought I could interpose denim and use it for horses in need.”
Beth’s sculptures begin with recycled Styrofoam blocks, originally used for shipping lighting fixtures. She bonds them together with spray foam to create the large block she will sculpt into the life-sized bodies. Legs are sculpted individually and are designed to be removable for shipping. The entire sculpture is then covered in denim. The process can take a few weeks to a few months for the completion of each horse.
Beth has found sponsors to help support the project including Ariat, Brook Ledge Horse Transport and many others. She also gets help from individuals who contribute denim jeans for the horses at drop off points in her community.
“I’ve had so many generous supporters. I’m really appreciative of everything,” she said.
The first horse completed in the eighteen sculptures Beth has planned is the show jumper, a natural choice for the artist, as this is her own riding sport.
“I’ve grown up with horses and art all my life. My mother is an artist,” Beth said. “I was riding before I could walk, in a basket saddle.”
Along with each horse, Beth also creates the props associated with the sport.
“I made a jump as well for it with four mannequins that create the standards, and all have fancy denim on,” she said.
The first horse in the series, the Blue Jean Jumper was displayed at the Longines Global Champions Tour in Miami, FL in April, where it was autographed by many top riders including McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Jan Tops, Scott Brash, Athina Onassis and Ben Maher.
“Each sculpture will be signed by riders and trainers and show officials at the top levels of equestrian sport. They’ve all been very supportive of the idea,” Beth said.
The next sculpture in the series was the Blue Jean Eventer, which debuted at the Mars Essex Horse Trials in Far Hills, NJ in June.
The jumper and eventer will be joined at the WEG, by sculptures representing reining, and dressage, plus a life size miniature donkey.
“It will represent the hardships donkeys face. It will have a donkey that’s falling over from a load of straw. In third world countries, they pack donkeys’ backs so high its several times their actual height. So many times, donkeys are exhausted from working every day that they fall over and collapse from sheer exhaustion,” Beth said. “My art represents not only horses, but horses throughout the world, that they need help and people can come together from all backgrounds. Whether you’re an equestrian or not, you can help horses of the world.”
Future horses in the project will represent more sports such as team roping, barrel racing, polo, and driving as well as individual breeds. “I wanted to include all disciplines,” Beth said.
Sculptures from the Blue Jean Horse Project will be exhibited at upcoming events, and autographed. Beth is also producing documentaries to go along with each to further highlight their message.
“The documentary films I’m doing are about each discipline. They will include interviews with riders and people who sign them, information about the events they’re exhibited at and the sculpture process,” Beth said.
The ongoing project is expected to reach completion in about four years, at which time the entire collection will be exhibited together. At that point, the autographed horses will be auctioned off, and proceeds distributed to equine charities worldwide.
“The response has been incredibly good. I’ve had so many supporters helping me through this. I could not do this without everyone,” Beth said. “Seeing how the equestrian community can come together and be supportive of helping horses through art and helping horses across the world, it’s been a really cool process for me.”
For more information, as well as news of where future sculptures will be exhibited, visit the website at thebluejeanhorse.wordpress.com.