Sometime’s you don’t need a lot of something for it to pack a punch - and that is definitely the case with the 2020 Eventing season.
Little did we know back in February that the season would be in two parts and quite frankly who knew in May that we’d even get the second part at all.
There may have been a gaping 16-week break, following totally shutdown after Lincoln Horse Trials back in March, but never before has the phrase ‘quality over quantity’ ever rung so true.
Little did we know back on this windswept, freezing cold day, back in March at Lincoln Horse Trials, that this pair - Laura Collett & London 52 - would take their first 5* but that we’d spend the next 16 weeks without Eventing at all
Reading Laura Collett’s column in Horse & Hound on her 5* win last week - the words ‘you make it happen’ really resonated with me. This season has been weird/tough/hard/stark/sterile even, yet I made a promise to myself back in June that I would try and get out there and make it happen post-lockdown. And hopefully that’s what I achieved.
It’s been bloody tough there’s no doubt, it’s been hard to plan with reduced press numbers permitted entry and late confirmation of attendance had me checking email accounts every 5 seconds on the run up to the big targets.
The ultimate fashion accessory of 2020: The Facemask - Ros Canter & Pencos Crown Jewel during the final horse inspection, Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials, September 2020
But it’s been the most wonderful season in so many ways too. I’ve pushed myself, I’ve got out there and hopefully made it happen. Just need to remember where I stored my brave-pants over the winter so I put them on again come the spring!
Not another person in sight: Emily Philp & Cupido III, Burgham International Horse Trials, August 2020
I won’t lie, I did feel like a kid that had been let into the sweet shop after closing time when I pulling into Barbury back in July - I felt guilty to be there when so many others couldn’t be. But some wise words from a fellow photographer calmed the anxiety and made me look at the situation differently- more so than ever the photos from the events were most people’s only view of the action this season - hopefully I delivered on this for people and given everyone a view into the events with all the action and stories.
The course seemingly to themselves, a familiar sight in 2020: Georgina Reece & Carrick Diamond Craft, Barbury Horse Trials, July 2020
A rollercoaster season that delivered some amazing highs and a few sad lows. Let’s take a whistle-stop review of 2020 parts 1.0 and 2.0:
New publication - It’s been a complete privilege to support the uber-talented Katie Neat in her new venture, roll on much more excitement in the new year. Thank you Katie
The big elephant in the room - The big C - Corona may have stopped play for many more weeks than we wanted - I must say though I’m rather proud with how the sport bounced back. Each and every venue, organiser, competitor and colleague has dealt with the big C so well and everyone pulled together to get things going again safely. It has been a complete privilege to have been able to attend events since the first lockdown was lifted. I hope I’ve been able to keep you all updated with the action and that by sharing my work I’ve helped in small way.
New adventures - despite the prolonged absence, I managed to still take in several new venues. Thoresby, Bicton, Wellington, Little Downham, Kelsall and the stunning Cornbury. A massive thank you to all the organisers for making it happen this season, especially the new events that showed true courage to run in this most difficult of years.
Beautiful Bicton: Kitty King & Vendredi Biats, BIcton Horse Trials, July 2020 - a venue I will definitely be visiting next year
Big wins - Watching the special one win Burnham International was very special indeed, to enjoy the crowing of Ros Canter’s first ever victory in a CCI-4*S on her world Champ Allstar B and being there to capture Laura Collet’s first 5* victory was quite an honour.
Five star smile: Laura Collett after gaining her first ever well deserved victory aboard London 52, Les 5 Etoiles de Pau, October 2020
The special moments: Yasmin Ingham and her devoted groom share a special moment after Banzai du Loir wins the Fairfax CCI4*S 8 & 9 Year Old class at Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials, September 2020
The ‘Special one’s retirement - I’m still sitting on the fence with what to classify this as. A true high that I could be there to capture his win and him bowing out at the top of the game like the legend he is but the overwhelming sadness hasn’t totally sunk in yet that next season won’t bring any more special one adventures that have been the foundation of seasons past. (Although I am enjoying the videos of him enjoying a well deserved Devon mud-bath). You can catch up on the blog about Cillnabradden Evo finishing on a high here.
The farewell tour: Cillnabradden Evo & Oliver Townend put in a foot perfect round of showjumping en route to his final victory in the CCI4*S class at Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials, September 2020
New clients - I have been privileged to work with some new clients this year, which given all it’s strangeness and shortening is a major achievement that I was determined to celebrate with some cake once quarantine is over. And the cake was soooo good.
Foot perfect: Tom McEwen & Toledo de Kerser, Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials, September 2020
Balance - At Burnham Market in September, I finally found the art of balance: a full-on day of capturing the 4* action, followed by a walk along Brancaster beach then a scrummy pub dinner on the way back to my hotel - the perfect balanced day.
The perfect balance of world class eventing & evening walks along the North Norfolk coast, September 2020
Bravery - There will be some debate about whether bravery is the right word, some would substitute it with stupidity, craziness even. But back in the summer, when it become apparent that Pau was the only 5* clinging on for dear life amongst an obliterated international calendar, I hatched a mad plan to get too Pau. And for once the bravery paid off, in spades. So much time spent nervously trying to second guess whether we’d be able to go at all, but it turned out needly so. The event clung on and I had a blast.
Perfect Pau: the trip of the year! Action from the marathon during the FEI World Singles Driving Championships at Les 5 Etoiles de Pau, October 2020
Press Pals - the usual few who I am so very lucky to call friends as well as colleagues. Those people who greet you on course with the usual dose of banter, those folks that encourage and push you to do better. Thank you - I owe you all more than you know! Although I am aware how many of you I owe a cup coffee too, I am keeping a tally, promise! Here’s hoping that come Badminton, we can crack open the Gin and belatedly toast the 2020 season together.
Being an impatient madam, I have already been on a foray on the FEI website, filling up my provisional calendar with potential adventures next year - I’m just praying to the Eventing gods that we have shown this year that we can operate safely within the Covid-safe protocols to ensure that the season can get underway next spring. Fingers, toes and just about everything crossed. Sadly I don’t think it’ll be back to the old normal, but as long as we get something like the new normal that’ll be enough of a target for me.
It’s interesting given the huge 16-week break that the numbers look close to normal - almost 6,000 miles covered and I managed to squeeze in 14 events in this shortened of seasons. It hasn’t gone untouched that I have been incredibly lucky to have managed to get to 14 events this year. Hopefully the events that bravely went ahead, have shown that we can operate as a safe sport and we can get cracking come the Spring again. Fingers firmly crossed on that front.
Izilot DHI & supergroup Sarah Charnley share a quiet moment after Isaac’s & Ros Canter’s victory in the CCI2*L, Burgham International Horse Trials, August 2020
Having just seen a quote whilst scrolling (procrastinating, anyone else so this??) through Instagram about how equestrianism “It’s not a hobby, it’s a way of life” and that seems to perfectly sums up my season/photography/equestrianism perfectly. It’s so much more than a hobby/side-hustle/second job (delete as appropriate), it’s a way of life and I’m bloody enjoying life at the moment *if that’s allowed in the midst of a global pandemic.
Here’s my 10 favourite moments captured from this season:
Finishing on a high - Cillnabradden Evo & Oliver Townend en route to victory in the CCI4*S, Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International Horse Trials, September 2020
A flying leap - Richard Coney & Mermus R Diamonds, Les 5 Étoiles de Pau, October 2020
Walking on water - Ros Canter & Allstar B ease to their first CCI-4*S victory, Burgham International Horse Trials, August 2020
Perfectly framed: Harry Meade & The Classic Composer gallop through the Stonehenge feature fence at Barbury Horse Trials, July 2020
Picture-perfect backdrop: Tom McEwen & MHS Brown Jack, Cornbury International Horse Trials, September 2020
What a leap: Chris Burton & Leopards Action make light work of the ‘tall & narrow’ fence at Bicton Horse Trials, July 2020
If Carlsburg did Trot Up locations - Thoresberton International & Young Horse Championships, October 2020
What a leap: Rupert Batting & LSS Lanzerote put in a huge leap whilst navigating David Evan’s cross country course, Cornbury International Horse Trials, September 2020
5* performance: Laura Collett & London 52 on their way to victory, Les 5 Etoiles de Pau, October 2020
The stars came out to play at Burgham: Oliver Townend & Ballaghmor Class saucer to a facile CCI4*S victory at Burgham International Horse Trials, August 2020
Hope you have enjoyed the season along with me - I know a lot of you will have had to endure not going Eventing as much, if at all this season, so I hope I have been able to share the action with you all as a tiny substitute and that we can say hi again on course next year.
Still without doubt the cutest canine on the Eventing circuit this year, Lincoln Horse Trials, March 2020
Now to put the camera down and re-acquaint myself with the vacuum cleaner, it’s been a long time friend but I’m sure we’ll get the hang of each other again. Oh and finish the garden makeover that I’ve been busying myself with to pass the 14 days of quarantine after Pau (worth every single day).
Until next time….
Stay safe everyone