Laura & Electra & Bean

I've been friends with Laura since the beginning of both our equestrian lives and have been lucky enough to see her progress with her mare Electra and now her new gelding Bean. We've both seen each other grow and progress as riders from learning to two-point to progressing into the jumper rings together. For this reason, I was thrilled to have her invite me to photograph her at Amberlea Harvest. I've always had a passion for equine photography but it is so much more enjoyable with good friends.

I arrived at the Edmonton area barn early in the morning, wandering through the barns to find Laura's stalls. I finally stumbled upon the two bay horses in their stalls, Laura was just getting Bean tacked up. It was my first time meeting the gelding, but any introduction with enough carrots goes well.

Shortly we were out in the ring, warming up Bean. It was a chilly morning, and the sun hid bashfully behind the clouds. Bean was fresh in the cold weather and reminded me very much of my own gelding at the start of our training. People always say that mares have the most attitude but both Laura and I seem to have lucked out with firey-dragon geldings. Eventually, though the sun came out though and Bean settled.

Once out of the warm-up ring and into the competition ring, all of Bean's energy returned and it was clear he was meant to me a jumper. Although they might have been still a bit rough around the edges, it was clear to see that a diamond was just under the surface and that there was talent to spare. They came out with a quick round and a 4th place.

As typical with horse shows, there was a bit of waiting, and by the time it was a bit warmer outside Laura got to bring Electra out into the ring. Laura had owned Electra for many years now and the pair and grown and blossomed immensely in their ability and partnership, it was a joy to see them now. In the warm-up ring they flowed seamlessly through the movements and over the fences.

Electra's feisty personality came back in the competition ring but the pair were still polished and made easy work of the course. It was almost perfect until Laura found herself on the dirt. One thing about Laura is that she has certainly mastered the impromptu dismount and this time was no different. A graceful front flip/somersault-esque movement resulted with her landing on her feet. What was most graceful though was her demeanour exiting the ring, a quick pony hug and a big smile as she lead Electra out of the ring. I believe that how you treat your horses in these moments of imperfection are representations of your character as a rider and Laura showed nothing but class.

The rest of the day was filled with smiles and laughs and I was so glad to get to capture it all. Days like these where I get to reconnect with old friends and capture true and honest moments are why I love being an Equine Photographer. Horse show photography doesn't have to be about just capturing the perfect arc over one jump, of every rider one after the other, it can be about capturing the feeling of the day, about the relationship of horse and rider and about why we show at all; for the love of our horses.