When Melodie McDaniel was introduced to the Compton Jr. Posse in 2015, she knew she had found a rich, multifaceted story, one that she wanted to tell in photographs.
The year-round after-school program was founded by Mayisha Akbar in 1988 to teach horseback riding and other equestrian skills to teenagers from the predominantly Black neighborhood. The program also nurtured responsibility, discipline, and self-esteem in the young riders. Learning competitive equestrian skills and horse care and maintenance empowered the teens, as did the close relationships they developed with the horses.
The Getty Museum acquired 11 photographs from the series, which McDaniel continued until 2019. I recently spoke with her about what she learned about the program, the kids, and herself.
Virginia Heckert: Had you ever been to Compton before, and did it surprise you to learn that there was an equestrian club there?
Melodie McDaniel: When I was introduced to Mayisha and was told about an equestrian club in Compton, my first thought was that I would see a giant arena with horses. But, to my surprise, it was in the backyard of her home! The neighborhood is zoned for people to have horses, but she had a small farm with llamas, goats, chickens, and, of course, horses. But more importantly, she created an after-school program for at-risk youth. Her vision and mission were to “keep kids on horses and off the streets!” All the horses were rescue horses for the kids to learn about equine therapy and equestrian riding, both Western and English. The kids would come after school, so Mayisha wanted them to work on their homework before they could get on the horses.
VH: You show the formal side of the program, the kids learning the responsibilities of grooming and training their horses and riding competitively, but you also capture more informal moments when they are hanging out, experiencing their neighborhood on horseback.
MM: When I started in 2015, I wanted to take it all in, everything they were doing. On occasion, I heard that they were going to ride the horses down to Sr. Cliff, who is a fixture in Compton; he has Texas-style Mexican burritos and American food. I just showed up, brought my camera, watched, and observed.
This is Adrina, who walked her horse up to order her food. Not too far from there were these little picnic tables where they could sit and eat. It felt like the Old West. Meanwhile, right off the side of the stand is a busy street with cars zipping by.
VH: One of my favorite pictures is Free Spirit. You can see the grace and ease and joy and freedom that the kids experience when they are with their horses.
MM: Yes, that’s Edwin, who now goes by Sequoia. They were just riding around, and it was so nice to see them without a saddle, riding naturally, just galloping. It was just so exquisite. I love the juxtaposition of seeing the kids embracing the freedom of horseback riding in the backyard, on the streets of Compton, or at equestrian club shows.
VH: What is it like to see horses on the street? Why do you think people are filled with such surprise and delight?
MM: It’s so surreal! Usually you see horses in beautiful meadows and rolling hills in rural and farming areas, not on the urban streets of Compton. So, it’s very exciting and unique; it’s powerful and thrilling. There are moments when the horses are on the road and the cars are zipping by. Most of them are probably locals, and they are still in awe when they see the horses riding down the street.
VH: You clearly connected with some of the kids, for example Morganne, whom you started photographing at age nine. In one photograph, titled Connection, we see her totally focused, getting ready for a competition, and in another she’s completely relaxed during a ride through the neighborhood. Tell us more about Morganne.
MM: Morganne was one of the kids I was really impressed with. I noticed that she really engaged with me. There were natural moments when I was able to follow her around. I had gone to see a horse show in La Cañada Flintridge, near Pasadena. She had just finished grooming Laney, and I saw her resting her head. That moment was so beautiful, the love and connection they had. Shortly thereafter she got on the horse and was off and running and won first place in a show jumping course. It’s so unusual— and awesome!—to see African American riders at English championship competitions.
For the second picture, we happened to be not far from a drive-through where some of the kids would “drive” their horses to get ice cream. I was loading my camera and looked over and saw her flipping her braids, having her own “life is good” moment. Morganne has such an inner beauty and confidence for someone her age. She is very comfortable with herself and on her horse. I loved that moment, when she was able to show me a side of herself that was free and natural, outside of the ring and the club.
VH: Your photographs convey the sense of empowerment that the kids gain from the responsibility and discipline they develop. One sees this especially in images of Nathan, whom you also got to know quite well.
MM: Yes, empowerment, confidence, and self-esteem are what the horses give to these kids. Nathan is the horse whisperer to me. He went through the program as a young kid and young adult. Nathan pays it forward now by helping with the kids. The picture of Nathan riding Charlie was at practice for a show that was coming up. I didn’t want to just shoot him straight on, so I got on the ground with my camera, lay on my side, and looked up at him to get this dramatic angle.
VH: Are you still in touch with some of these kids?
MM: Yes, Morganne and another girl, Zoie, are still passionate and competing today. They’re at that point; they’re doing so well. The Compton Jr. Posse is now the Compton Jr. Equestrians, run by Randall Hook, Mayisha’s nephew, who has been riding since he was eight years old, and Jamie Vance. They are forming a team and want to try to get these girls into the Olympics. Soon enough, I know that we will be seeing them in the Olympics.
VH: You worked on this story for four years. What did the experience teach you, not just about the program, the teens, and the horses, but about yourself?
MM: I grew up loving animals. Horses are amazing animals. What I can say about them is what everybody already knows: they are gentle, majestic, heavenly animals. I was always interested in telling stories with my camera. I love capturing real moments that are spontaneous, and I also love making a great portrait. My best work combines both of these in thoughtful portraits at unexpected moments. It takes time to get really good pictures. I learned that the more time I spent with the kids, the more they trusted me, and this allowed me to capture the moments you see in this series. By putting this story in the spotlight, I hope it moves people. It was really important to make images that are powerful and compelling, just as the kids are themselves.
