It’s mid-August, the time of year when I am typically planning a trip to the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament in Calgary – arguably the world’s largest show jumping competition. While I won’t be able to make the trek north this year due to a variety of prior commitments, I still find myself switching to “equestrian mode”.
The equestrian world is all a-titter in anticipation of the FEI World Equestrian Games, coming for the first time to American soil 25 September – 10 October in Lexington, Kentucky. Competitors in a variety of disciplines, from the staunchly traditional sport of dressage to the internationally emerging sport of reining, will converge on Lexington from across the world and vie for the title of World Equestrian Games champion. An estimated 600,000 spectators, come to watch the best riders in the world, will also be treated to a large trade fair and several special events throughout the sixteen days of competition.
I am currently working on an article / photo essay about equine aqua therapy. The concept of exercising horses in water is gaining a rapid foothold for both rehabilitation and performance horse cases. This next week I will be running across Texas, visiting top facilities, meeting with veterinarians, and talking to horse owners whose mounts have undergone aqua therapy. I still stop and pause every time I see a horse working out in a treadmill… the idea itself seems rather foreign to non-equestrians.
This picture has become one of my favorite equestrian shots. I spent two days hanging out around the warmup arena at the Spruce Meadows Masters last year and found that my affinity definitely leaned towards shooting the famous horses and riders outside of the big arena. While the more traditional competition shots are always exciting, capturing small moments behind the scenes – riders yawning in the warmup arena, hopping off their horses to check boots and bandages, and laughing with one another – is just so much more interesting to me.
This horse was almost ready to enter the arena and the rider chose to take one more practice fence. It all comes together in the shot – the horse’s concentration as he does his job. The rein and draw rein add contrast and a long line down the horse’s form and the shadow of the rider’s hand as he releases is visible on the horse’s shoulder. The evergreens in the background are oh-so fitting for Spruce Meadows. Every little detail, from the stud in the horse’s shoes to the piping on the saddle pad adds to the professionalism of the pair. This is their job and they know how to do it right.
Tags: Equestrian
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