FOR years, Gisborne photographer Nicole Emanuel was asked by horse lovers to put a collection of her pictures in a calendar.
After almost two decades photographing horses across Australia, and producing the best-selling book High on Horses, Nicole has released a 2009 calendar.
"When you go to buy a horse calendar, all the photos are taken in the UK, US and Europe," Nicole says.
"This is probably the first time a calendar has been made from photos taken in Australia."
Dedicated to Australia's mountain cattlemen, the Beautiful Australian Horses calendar, features Nicole's favourite shots from the past decade.
"I've tried to identify some of the most beautiful horses and breeds in Australia," she says.
These include dressage horses, stock horses, Clydesdales and Thoroughbreds.
"Almost anybody into horses, or anybody who can appreciate nice photography will enjoy it," she says.
A shot taken 10 years ago in Victoria's high country is among her most memorable.
It captured a cattle muster on a freezing morning at Australia's highest cattle station, Tom Grobbin, near Corryong.
"I had about four cameras hanging off me and I was constantly wiping moisture off the camera gear," Nicole says.
"Where I took that photo, it's now burnt out.
"A lot of the pics and the great times I had was up in the high country."
Country Living has 10 Beautiful Australian Horses calendar prize packs to give away.
To enter, send an envelope with your name, address and phone number to:
Beautiful Australian Horses calendar competition, The Weekly Times, PO Box 14681, Melbourne 8001.
For more details about the calendar visit www.capriolepress.com
