Sitting here in the city centre with rain spattered windows and a howling gale, its hard to image we are in the middle of the Great British summer. Or if you’re more cynical maybe this is the perfect reflection of the Great British summer. Trying to be an optimist, I think we’ve had it good so far this summer, maybe not quite matching the heatwave of last season – but then I have just smugly returned from a dry Burgham having only been there on the Sunday so I can be optimistic.
Vendredi Biats & Kitty King are victorious at Burgham
July has been and is now almost gone and now we can say we are in the second half of the season. Riders are talking about their ‘autumn campaigns’ and dreams of Burghley, Blenheim and the Europeans fill the air.
Whilst June finished a bit lack-lustre with a dreadful virus, it was at least thoughtful enough to come along when I had a couple of quiet weeks in the eventing calendar. Weeks where I have welcomed two beautiful new nieces to the family. Had my first (and hopefully last) encounter with camera equipment repairs and some time to reflect before the madness of August and September beckons.
With a new replacement lens in the camera bag off I set to travel some considerable distance North to Burgham International Horse Trials – having never been to the venue, I was encouraged by its considerable entries and good reviews. And I was not disappointed – two of my favourite horses fought out the feature CCI-4*S class with the stunningly beautiful Froggy aka Vendredi Biats just getting the better of Oliver’s Ballaghmor Class.
The stunning Ballaghmor Class & Oliver Townend at Burgham International Horse Trials
July has provided some real highlights for me – a sun-drenched Barbury was just what the doctor ordered, with EWW’s horse Redbarn Lux Ury Biscuit going really well for the team for a podium finish and to see the beautiful Wiltshire course get a new lease of life under Muskateer Events. This was only surpassed in my moment of pure joy in walking over the brow of the hill to be met by one of my racehorse idols in Saphir du Rheu. Yes even us ‘togs have fan-girl moments still. It was so great to see this former Cheltenham Gold Cup runner competing in the novice class. This made my weekend.
“Yes even us ‘togs have fan-girl moments still.”
Onwards to Upton House for some cheeky mid-week eventing - its amazing, the alarm goes off for the day job and a groan ensues/the alarm goes off for an early start to mid-week eventing day and up I jump! Great to see some of the ‘big boys’ start their late-season campaigns towards big autumn targets. The team at Upton had done a great job with the ground so lots of happy competitors makes for a happy photographer with lots of smiling riders.
The last few weeks have had a low point though – those who have read the blog and followed my story will know that I place a great deal of gratitude and inspiration on my photo of the cross-country machine that was Armada – my winning photo of him and Oliver Townend competing at Burghley 2015 opened up some huge doors for me. So I was deeply upset to hear that Moses aka Armada had passed away whilst in his retirement home with Andrew Nicholson. Rest easy Moses and thank you for the part you played in my photography journey.
The enigma that was Armada (Moses) competing with Oliver Townend, Burghley 2015
This got me thinking, along with #NationalPhotoWeek about all the people that have encouraged and supported my journey – so just a thank you for all the support, those of you that have been supportive, shared the photos, bought the photos, shared the website and social pages – thank you, I am living the dream and I appreciate I didn’t get here on my own.
With the summer rolling on, the camera enjoyed a visit to the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park last weekend, then onto Hartpury this weekend.
Hartpury was super special - the dude that is Eventing Worldwide’s horse Redbarn Lux Ury Biscuit had a podium finish in the CCI2*-L class - to be there to capture this special moment for Editor Jess and the team was brilliant. I am very fortunate to be part of this team, I have a lot to thank the EWW team for.
Team EWW spotted at Hartpury - Photo credit: Sally Newcomb
A rest weekend is in store this weekend to charge batteries (literally and metaphorically) as then we go into a crazy busy patch – there’s an exciting plan I have been hatching for a while of a little event in Germany to attend, then onwards to Burghley, Gatcombe and Blenheim.
Four weeks of mental crazy world-class action that I still can’t quite believe will be happening to little old me.
I look forward to continuing collaborating with riders, brands and publications to bring you all the action, thanks for reading and hopefully see you out on course soon.