Yann Candele Clinic {Carol-Ann & Paramount}

You might recognize this pair from another blog this summer, and now Carol-Ann and Monty are here to grace your screens again! I had so much fun capturing their bond and beauty in the summer but the opportunity to capture them in action at the Yann Candell clinic was something I was so excited for! Not only that but to photograph at Carousel Ridge, which Carol-Ann has emphasized as an impeccable facility.

Paramount had unfortunately been out of commission during the 2019 show season due to an injury, so I knew Carol-Ann was thrilled to have him back in the arena and wanted a chance to capture all the moments that they missed the year being out of the ring. It was a 3-day clinic and I arrived to photograph on Sunday. Carol-Ann was right about Carousel Ridge, I was more than blown away. I truly didn’t believe barns like this existed in Alberta. Walking into the barn aisle, I spotted Monty and Carol-Ann, both looking as prestigious as the setting around them. I quickly got my camera out to capture their before ride moments. Although there was the before ride stresses, as is the case with any show or clinic, it was clear there was excitement in the air. Monty didn’t seem to pick up on it too heavily though and was quite subdued, accepting lots of cuddles and snuggles, at least until he got into the arena!

Inside the ring, I found a spot out of the action and got ready to capture all the excellence about to unfold. Yann was certainly humorous and soon had all the riders working hard in their warm-up. Between no-stirrups, riding with one hand on their head and a variety of riding positions, I could see this would be no cakewalk for the riders. None the less, Carol-Ann has a wide grin and was laughing much of the ride. It was clear it was a warm and inviting experience.

After a warm-up for the riders and horses, the jumping began. I hadn’t yet seen Paramount jump and was excited to see the big bay in action. Although the jumps didn’t go as high as the previous day, it was clear that this gelding was a powerful and enthusiastic jumper. He and Carol-Ann excelled in all the exercises, from jumping a fence while looking backwards to a variety of shortening and lengthening lines. I only wish I’d been there the next day to capture them winning the puissance. It’s obvious these two are an impeccable team and a pair that I wouldn’t want to face in the jumper ring!