Reno NV – June 14, 2011 – The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby would like to acknowledge artist Maria Partridge who painted the cover art for this year’s prestigious event. Partridge’s inspiration for the cover art came from last year’s derby winner John French and her passion for expressing the natural beauty of horses. The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby will be held Monday, September 5, 2011, at the Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility in Carson City, NV. The derby will be a member event of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby Series. Partridge’s original cover artwork will be on display throughout the duration of the Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby.

Before being asked to design the cover art for the derby, Partridge has pursued a successful career in art. She received her Master of Arts degree from California State University, Sacramento in 2004, working with Joan Moment, Sarah Flohr and Robert Brady. She has exhibited throughout the United States and her work is represented in national and international private collections. She was nominated for the prestigious Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant in New York in 2007. Partridge currently uses images of the horse as a means to explore nature.

“I have ridden horses since I was a child and have loved and respected them all of my life. Eight years ago I moved to Reno and was exposed to wild horses living in the surrounding area,” stated Partridge. “Since then I have become very concerned about these horses as they are caught between the mythology of their origins and the plight of survival due to lack of available land on which to graze.”

Partridge’s paintings focus on the paradox of vulnerability and power that horses represent. Her work explores the essence of the horse and captures the beauty of the animal. Shifting moods, physical reactions to the environment and each other are all reflected in her work. Partridge shares her vision of these noble creatures in an effort to maintain a connection to our Western heritage.

The inspiration for Partridge’s Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby cover art came from last year’s hunter derby, where John French was victorious aboard Rococco. Partridge incorporated her passion for exposing the true beauty of horses with this incredible hunter derby. Partridge studied several photos of different people jumping at the hunter derby for ideas and a vision. She highlighted the style of last year’s winner John French, and his distinctive way of riding in the cover art and included the signature Franktown Meadows jump.

“I am extremely excited to be part of the event and I was thrilled to be asked to do the poster. I hope the derby is incredibly successful because I feel like we need this kind of horse event in northern Nevada,” noted Partridge.

For more information about Maria Partridge and her artwork please visit www.partridgedesign.net, email maria@partridgedesign.net or call her studio at 775-742-1602 or her office at 775-333-3745

For more information about the Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby, please visit www.fmhunterderby.com or contact: Lynne Garnett at 775-722-4261