Firstly, a massive than you for all the kind comments and messages on my Alby tribute blog – much appreciated - and apologies for the lack of updates, its been a little hectic around here, but maybe you have enjoyed the radio silence?!
Well folks, we have reached (and probably crept past) the mid-point of the season. For me this means chasing riders for second-half season plans and goals, working out where they are all going and therefore where I am going.
And that seems a big question; where am I going?
Tim Price & Vitali, Festival of British Eventing Gatcombe, August 2022
It’s been a hectic first half of the season, punctuated with some great moments and some not-so-great moments to keep a healthy balance. Over 10k miles covered, chasing ponies up and down the land, captured those special moments.
The tour bus has taken me to new courses – Dauntsey and Farley Hall, then old favourites such as Bramham, Barbury and Upton. Upton especially was such a jolly event this year, it's amazing what 2 tractors and several thousand gallons of water can do to raise the morale of an event. All were chirpy as I made my way from one warm up ring to another and then around the lorry park. The dry summer whilst having been great for my tan, it hasn’t been so great for those trying to manage ground conditions. But the great news was that the usual ice-cream van was in position and waiting for me at Barbury!
It hasn't all been sunshine and suncream though - massive thanks to Alex and Jean Muir, who rescued me at Somerford International and offered to shelter a soggy photographer whilst a heavy downpour drifted across the cross country track - ladies, not only are you epic for all the volunteering you do for the sport, you are just lovely kind people and the kindness was much appreciated that day.
A trip back to the hallowed turf of the Hickstead International arena for the Al Shira'Aa Derby Meeting was a particular highlight - watching competitors launch off the infamous Derby bank, whilst precariously positioned in the media pen at the bottom of the bank was a 'pinch-me' moment; having watched the class since I was 4yrs old and now to be there as accreditated press was a but surreal. Life as a freelance photographer can be tough, so seeing one of my photos from the class end up on a magazine cover, was a must-treasure moment.
Gemma Stevens & Flash Cooley, winners of the Hickstead RIHS Eventers Challenge, July 2022
I have learnt to celebrate the good moments, like any rider will tell you, in equestrianism they don't come along every week, so make the most of them. It also makes you realise who should be in your circle too, as they celebrate with you and encourage you along during the often-long periods of time between these moments. The circle has definitely shrunk a little this season, but everyone in it is there to celebrate with me. Some people help charge your battery and some people just drain it.
Then there is the exhaustion. I can’t pretend that this season hasn’t taken its toll. The ‘hopefully pulled and not torn’ calf muscle from Bramham is still niggling away whenever I pick up the pace to chase a special horse and is becoming tiresome. Anyone that can lend me an ArcEquine, do drop me a DM. It's probably easier to list what doesn't hurt at this point in the season, but hey ho, that’s what winter is for; rest and recouperation!
There are still so many highlights to come from the season though – an exciting trip for gelato and pasta for one...
But joking aside, there are some big hills still to climb – I was super lucky to be head back to Gatcombe Park after a covid-hiatus to work with the Press Team, along with a trip to Blair for some Loch-side fish and chips, before hopefully a return to the hallowed turf of Burghley Park awaits us all.
Gatcombe Park looked stunning, bathed in the sunlight on the hottest day ever, when we visited for the press preview day – despite the 40 degrees, the Park looked in great shape, it was so wonderful to witness the park full of spectators once again. Eventing felt properly back with a bang this month.
It’s a real shame that the Junior and Young Rider Europeans at Hartpury clashed with a big 4* - these guys deserved the whole of the spotlight for a weekend on them and I for one am gutted that I missied it. Massive congratulations to all Team GB riders, but especially to the superstar that is Alice Casburn - from chatting to unassuming Alice at Houghton last year, Alice and dear 'Spin have scaled up the rankings, conquered such tracks as Blair, Pau and then Badminton - before finishing the best of the Brits in the Young Rider section and claiming individual Bronze, to compliment her Team Gold medal. Take a bow Alice!
Onwards my tour of the UK continued - a quick trip to RIHS to take in the spectacle of the Hickstead Eventers Challenge, won with a super speedy clear from Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley, then 'up North to Burgham, where the team had put hours of care and attention into the ground.
The 4* was a who's who of the International Eventing world and two worthy winners of both sections left with laden arms of goodies from generous title sponsor Hambro Sports Horses. Always a delight to head up the A1, even if my B&B appeared to be located at the end of the runway at Newcastle airport!
Ros Canter & Izilot DHI, winners of section I CCI4*S at Hambro Sports Horses Burgham International, July 2022
The adventures just keep coming at this time of the year and onwards I plodded to Gatcombe - such a delight to have this gem back in the calendar after a covid-enforced hiatus. It was a pleasure to work for the team at JB again, who look after press and PR services at the Festival, so my little feet barely touched the well-cared for ground, whizzing around captured all the press images over the weekend.
The jam-packed August continues at pace, onwards to Hartpury I went (no one mention the amber heatwave warning) whilst everything was done to ensure that our super special equine athletes were monitored during that heat, it was even harder than usual to be out there in the baking heat on the Saturday. Massive thanks to Megan at EHOS, who kept me supplied with plenty of liquid to get through that long day. I love the sun, but that was a little too warm even for me - 36 degrees, scorching.
Keeping cool - Kitty King & Vended Biats splash through the Superflex lake on their way to a podium finish at Hartpury in the CCI4*S
I snuck away from Hartpury on Friday morning, as I was very privileged to have a sneak peak at Derek de Grazia’s first Burghley course - perfect, we are so locky to have this diamond back on the calendar this year. Roll on next week!! I really am the luckiest girl in the world to have a front row seat to the action.
The heatwave finally broke at West Wilts, where I had trotted off to to support the lovely Will Rawlin - the heavens eventually opened, I had forgotten how great proper summer rain smelt, but not the part when you panic about your camera gear being in a thunderstorm, haha!
Georgie Goss & Wozniak battle a downpour at West Wilts Horse Trials, August 2022
Then finally the long awaited short-list of Team GB riders who have gotten the nod for Pratoni was unveiled - after all the speculation and what if’s, it was almost a relief in a way, to see the cream of the crop selected. My heart does go out to those who got so close to selection, yet so far. Pratoni’s loss will most definitely be Burghley’s gain for sure.
and now the Scottish Highlands are calling once again...