Sandra Brown, senior visual editor for AJC, sent me a text asking if I was available to cover an assignment. I briefly looked over the assignment and noticed it was near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. I was a little confused how I was going to take photos of some cowboys in Union City. I actually passed the ranch, because the ranch was really a house with a dozen horses in the backyard and situated right off of Flat Shoals Parkway. Once I parked in the driveway and grabbed my gear, I was immediately transported to another world. I honestly forgot I was shooting an assignment on a super busy road near the one of the busiest airports in the world until Arkansas Dave took his stallion along the parkway.
Logan Dansby, 12, prepares to clean a pony on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City. Branden Camp for AJC
Arkansas Dave rides his horse on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City. Branden Cam for AJC
Arkansas Dave and his son Logan Dansby, 12, clean a horse on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City. Branden Camp for AJC
Arkansas Dave rides his horse on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Billy Ray Thunder holds a glove on his ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Arkansas Dave poses for a portrait on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Arkansas Dave rides his horse on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Justin Brown, 11, sits on the bed of a truck as his grandfather, Billy Ray Thunder, demonstrates how to ride a horse on his ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Arkansas Dave, right, cleans his horse while is son, Logan Dansby, 12, ties up his pony on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Billy Ray Thunder and his grandson Justin Brown, 11, feed the horses on his ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Billy Ray Thunder, Justin Brown, 11, Logan Dansby, 12, and Arkansas Dave pose for a portrait on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC
Logan Dansby, 12, walks away from his pony on a ranch off of Flat Shoals Parkway, Tuesday, July 30, 2019, in Union City, Ga. Branden Camp for AJC