I share the story of a handmade blue horse sculpture I discovered at a horse show, crafted by an experienced ceramic artist. Its elongated, folk-art style and deep blue glaze carry the touch of the maker’s hands and the spirit of the horse. More than décor, this piece reminds me of the beauty of handmade art, the inspiration horses bring to us, and the timeless value of slowing down to appreciate what is crafted with love.

The Blue Horse: A Handmade Treasure from a Horse Show

I found this piece at a horse show about a year ago. Among the bustling barns, shimmering brow bands, saddle pads, and polished boots, there was a small booth run by a woman. She looked like she had spent quite a bit of time with horses. Her hands were weathered in the most beautiful sense of the word. She wasn’t selling saddles or bits, but art. Rows of horse figures, each shaped and glazed by hand, lined her table like a herd waiting to be chosen.

I picked up a small blue horse, and the moment I touched it, I could feel the hours she had poured into it. The clay carried the impressions of her hands, smoothed and worked until it felt just right. It wasn’t just a trinket. It was a promise: her love of horses translated into form, ready to be shared with the world.

A Simple, Yet Striking Style

The horse itself is elongated, almost whimsical. Its legs are stretched tall, its form stylized rather than exact. The finish is a deep, mottled blue glaze, shifting from turquoise to cobalt in the light.

Pieces like this are rarely mass-produced. Instead, they belong to the world of folk art and mid‑century–inspired ceramics, lovingly crafted by individual artists who quietly share their work at fairs or even horse shows. Many artisans leave small initials or a mark on the base, but this one carries no obvious signature. I often imagine that, long after I’m gone, my trinkets might end up at a local goodwill, and that no one would know who created this magical and beautiful piece. That mystery only heightens its charm simply appreciating it for what it is, without knowing its maker.

But I do know the artist. I met her in person, and I was deeply impressed by her work and her passion. She is Sharon Shull, a retired (or semi‑retired) veterinarian who earned her DVM from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1985 and practiced in both Texas and Pennsylvania. Today she resides in Burnet, Texas, with her husband of 37 years; she also has a daughter, a son‑in‑law, and two grandchildren.

Sharon began working with clay during the COVID‑19 pandemic, transforming the animals she once treated in her veterinary practice into raku‑glazed clay sculptures. Each animal she sculpts represents one she cared for during her career. Her pieces are often fired using the raku technique, which is known for its low-temperature firing and unique, sometimes imperfect aesthetic an approach that beautifully complements her heartfelt, animal-inspired creations.

What’s more, Sharon generously gives back donating a percentage of her profits to animal rescue organization.

When I look at it, I see both simplicity and strength. It’s not a glossy reproduction of a horse it’s an impression of one. An idea of what a horse feels like, rather than what it looks like. And in that, I find so much beauty.

The Story in Her Hands

What moved me most was not just the figure itself, but the connection to the woman who made it. I could sense her passion for horses in every curve of clay. She, too, spent hours around them watching, studying, adoring, before sitting down to shape their likeness in her own way. Buying that blue horse wasn’t just adding to my collection. It was carrying a piece of her story home with me.

What It Means to Me

This little blue horse still sits proudly on my shelf. It’s a reminder of the beauty of handmade things, of taking the time to create something imperfectly perfect.

In a world that often chases mass production and instant gratification, this horse whispers a different truth: slow down. Value the things made with care. Recognize that art, especially equestrian art, comes in many forms from oils on canvas to a clay figure born of someone’s fingertips.

It reminds me that horses are not just a passion for riding or competition. they are a muse. They inspire us to create, to capture their spirit in every medium we can find.