Tommy Thompson painted "Cold Ride" after visiting George and Beverly Greenup's farm near Pulaski, Tennessee, for a New Year's Day party, following a trail ride by a group of horse enthusiasts. At the party the artist met Arnold and Lisa Warmels, who live on a farm in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee. After taking several photographs of Arnold and his horse, Thompson was inspired to paint this oil on canvas, measuring 20" by 24". The landscape that the artist incorporated in his painting has elements of the trees and foreground that is behind the barn on the Greenup farm. Thompson included the imaginary distant landscape to add depth to the composition.
Arnold Warmels, a native of the Netherlands, is a horse trainer and clinician operating his business, Fryslan Valley Sport Horses, at his farm in Leiper's Fork, TN. Warmels' brand of horse training is dubbed "Riding Light" or "Horsemanship for Life." Although the European trainer grew up as a student of dressage in his homeland, his wide expertise cuts across several disciplines and includes experience with a variety of horse breeds that he has worked with since his arrival in the United States. To learn more about Arnold and his special training style, visit http://www.fryslanvalley.com.
