I am extremely lucky to visit some amazing, awe inspiring venues on the British Eventing circuit, but no other compare to driving through the hallowed gates of Badminton Estate with the nervous anticipation of arguably the best five days in the sport.
Badminton promises so much, we look forward to it all year and its akin to Cheltenham and Royal Ascot on my list of must-attends.
I have been extremely fortunate this year to have headed to Badminton supporting one of their army of trusty sponsors in Horsequest. A fabulous supporter of a few years now and they had a jam packed programme of events for their existing and new members to enjoy.
The sport did not disappoint, with a nail biting climax on the final day and a wonderful top ten finish for my favourite event horse, Gorgeous Gary - what more can a girl ask for.
Oliver Townend & Cillnabradden Evo on their way to a Top 10 finish at Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials - Good boy Gary
Congratulations to Piggy French & Vanir Kamira and commiserations to Oliver & his team.
Badminton 2019 winners - Piggy French & Trevor Dicken’s wonder-mare Vanir Kamira
It was wonderful to catch up with generous owners and fellow ‘togs and great friends throughout the event, topped off by some good old British sunshine and a new Joules scarf to add to the ever expanding collection.
I can thankfully say I survived my first foray into the freelance world of photography and was generously supported by my sponsor throughout the event. They got all the photos they requested, on time and everyone left happy.
I can not stress enough to those aspiring photographers out there, believe in yourself and keep going. You will get to your Badminton.
More Badminton photos can be found here or head over to my Facebook page to see the full album.
A restful day at home was in order, but alas off went the phone and bluebell portrait sessions awaited. A swift re-charge of the batteries and soon Chatsworth was calling too.
Phoebe Locke & Cooley Challenger fly through the Dodson & Horrell Anniversary Splash at this years Chatsworth International Horse Trials
May was a rollercoaster of top class events, with a superb trip to the Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials, where I was capturing the only British leg of the Event Rider Masters. Sun cream and ice cream were in short supply on Sunday.
May was topped off by a visit to the Fairfax & Favour Rockingham International Horse Trials, taking in the rolling Northants countryside. I do rather love what I do.
I do hope that, following the sad news that we have all visited Belton for the last time, that the Buntine’s are able to source an alternative venue. Belton is such a loss to the early Spring calendar and one of my favourite spring gatherings. Fingers crossed.
June soon rolled on and off up the A1 I went to one of my favourite events on the circuit - Bramham - rolling Yorkshire countryside, great hospitality and even a few rain drops didn’t dampen the mood. So delighted for Kitty and her team that Vendredi Biats aka Froggy kept his cool and won the Equi-Trek CCI-4*L class, a deserved success to put Badminton behind them.
Equi-Trek Bramham CCI-4*L winners Kitty King & Vendredi Biats
And yes I do say that virtually every event is ‘one of my favourites’ which got me thinking about which is my favourite. What is yours? I couldn’t narrow down a single winner so here’s my top 5, not necessarily in the final order….
Blenheim
Badminton
Burghley
Blair
Bramham
Rain has sadly stopped play this weekend, fingers crossed for all that this rain disappears soon and we can all get back out Eventing!
Thank you as always to everyone who has supported my photography journey so far, welcome to new supporters and a hello to anyone out there I haven’t yet met.