THE ARTIST

Emma Tate has been immersed in the world of horses since birth. With a father who was a blacksmith and a mother who trained and competed, she was introduced to riding at a young age. Over the years, she explored various equestrian disciplines before ultimately dedicating herself to dressage. Her passion for horses led her to compete in top-level dressage competitions across the United States.

While completing her studies, a friend encouraged her to take a figure sculpture class. Her first piece was a self-portrait, followed by a life-sized rearing horse sculpture titled Becoming One, which now resides among the trees at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park in Cazenovia, New York.

In 2013, Emma moved to the Netherlands to further her dressage training. A year later, she relocated to Amsterdam, where she rekindled her love for ceramic sculpture, with horses naturally becoming her central muse. During her time in the Netherlands, she created equine sculptures for the World Equestrian Games to support The Brooke Charity, exhibited at the VIP entrance of The Dutch Masters – Indoor Brabant in ’s-Hertogenbosch, collaborated with Horse & Country TV, and completed a private commission for Olympians Lyndal Oatley and Patrik Kittel.

In January 2023, Emma returned to New York to continue her sculptural work. She built a home studio and since then, she has completed several commissions, including a life-sized equine sculpture for Kelly Wearstler.

“I am immediately drawn to horses in every way after growing up with them all my life,” she says. “Their shape, size, individual personality, and the way they trust and bond with humans amaze me every time I spend time with them. They will certainly continue to inspire my artwork in the future.”