Historic Leiston Abbey provides the backdrop for stunning images of a Suffolk Punch by photographer Elizabeth Ebsworth
Well have our favourite Suffolk icons and for Elizabeth Ebsworth, who spends much of her time photographing horses, it's the Suffolk Punch.
Elizabeth, who specialises in fine art, equestrian and architectural photography, is currently working on a project entitled Horses and Architecture. Taking inspiration from Suffolk painter Sir Alfred Munnings, she has created her own modern day adaptation of his work in photographic form.
Elizabeth spent a day photographing creative partner Camilla Sheeley, a professional model, stylist and national dressage rider, at the atmopsheric ruins of Leiston Abbey, home to Pro Corda music academy. 'Marrying Leiston Abbey and the Suffolk Punch - both historical icons - seemed a fantastic opportunity to celebrate them as one, especially since Sir Alfred Munnings painted Suffolk Punches on a number of occasions,' says Elizabeth.
Elizabeth and Camilla, who grew up in Woodbridge, form Two Queens Creative, sharing a passion for horses and beautiful places. They host photography and creative workshops at hidden gems, all featuring stunning steeds and fabulous fashion. They're open to everyone and provide an opportunity for people to improve their technical photography skills, create unique content for pleasure or portfolios, and to meet new people, make friends and network.
'We identified Leiston Abbey and the fabulous Pro Corda charity, with music and creative expression at its heart, as a special subject for us,' says Elizabeth. 'And when it came to selecting the perfect horses for the shoot there was really only one choice. Camilla shared the spotlight with wonderful Suffolk Punches on her wedding day 15 years ago, so along we were both delighted when The Suffolk Punch Trust agreed to join us for this iconic shoot.'
By incorporating Camilla modelling with the horses, showcasing some country fashion and local designers, the two women were also able to fulfil their aim of supporting smaller businesses, brands and charities, helping them to reach a wider audience through beautiful imagery. Elizabeth's creative ambition was to highlight the striking architectural elements of the ruins by contrasting them with the beauty and form of the Suffolk Punch and the model Camilla. She uses colours and textures to create depth to the imagery, and also gives it a contemporary feel.
For styling, Camilla selected two distinct looks. Classic Tweed, inspired by the abbey's idyllic Suffolk countryside location and its rich history. For a time the abbey ruins were used as farm buildings and the church itself was used as a barn. her Warm Country Chic, colourful, summer styling draws inspiration from the bright and bold Suffolk Punches, famed for their iconic Chesnut colour. Camilla selected country life brands including Suffolk-based Hicks & Brown, which was started by two sisters who created the Suffolk Fedora, and Woodbridge jewellery designer Emily Mortimer.
Camilla is also an accredited yoga instructor and hosts wellness retreats. 'Look out for Leiston Abbey Yoga Retreat coming soon,' she says. Two Queens will be hosting a workshop at Leiston Abbey on July 7, Summer Evening at Leiston Abbey, ethereal themed photography and creative workshop with statuesque horse, model and breath-taking dresses.
For more information elizabethebsworthphotography.com
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A Suffolk icon
'They have a very different attitude to life - they're odd characters, independent, they love a challenge and hard work.' Hollesley Bay Colony Stud manager Tracey Pettitt sums up the character of the Suffolk Punch and why she loves the iconic breed.
'I love how trusting they are. They're very willing and nothing seems too much trouble.' The Punch embodies the county's reputation - modest, unassuming, a quiet achiever with a good temperament and excellent work ethic. It comes in one colour (Chesnut - it's even spelled differently), has no fussy feathering around its hooves like the flashier Shire or Clydesdale, and is shorter but more massively built than other British heavy draught breeds. Punch is the old English word for a short, stout person.
For the Leiston Abbey photo shoot, Tracey selected Colony Aspall, a nine-year-old gelding who has been trained to harness and to ride. 'He's very well mannered,' she says, 'although he does get excited when he goes somewhere new. But he was very, very patient on this occasion, incredibly good, in fact.' Colony Aspall is one of the horses bred at the stud where there are currently 19 on site. Colony Jennifer produced the first foal of the 2023 season and another three are expected.
The Suffolk Punch registry is the oldest English breed society. The first known mention of the breed is in William Camden's Britannia, published in 1586, in which he describes a working horse of the eastern counties of England that is easily recognisable as the Suffolk Punch. Today, the UK Rare Breeds Survival Trust considers the Punch's survival status critical - they are, famously, rarer than pandas (and some would say better looking). Suffolk Punches have been continuously bred at Hollesley for 260 and the stud plays a key role in the breed's survival. Numbers in the UK are only in the low hundreds - steady, says Tracey, but they need to increase. For more information on how you can support the Suffolk Punch thesuffolkpunchtrust.co.uk
Leiston Abbey
Leiston Abbey belonged to the Premonstratensians, a reformed order of white-habited canons founded by St Norbert in northern France. It was established on Minsmere marshes in 1182 by Ranulf de Glanville, Henry II’s Chief Justiciar. The priests endured their damp, exposed home until 1363 when they decided to move it stone by stone a mile inland and a new, bigger abbey was built on the present site by Robert de Ufford, Earl of Suffolk. The abbey was ruined in the Dissolution in 1535 but some buildings remain.
Historic Abbey House is the special residential home for the students who attend Pro Corda, one of Europe’s leading music organisations which operates the International Chamber Music Academy for young musicians. An educational charity established in 1969, its mission is to provide musical training for a wide range of young people through ensemble training and performance, specialising in chamber music.
It runs a nationwide chamber music festival for schools - Pro Corda Music Festival - Suffolk Schools programmes, residential performing arts Create Together courses for young people with special educational needs (SEN) and adult courses. It also stages dinner concerts, which are popular with the local community, and feature artists taking courses, including Andrew Quartermain, a professional pianist, Pro Corda CEO and artistic director.
While Leiston Abbey itself is in the care of English Heritage, Pro Corda has acquired he freehold to the site and this autumn will embark on an extensive renovation programme to upgrade accommodation, build new teaching studios and create a new visitor entrance. procorda.com
