On Rain, Resilience, and Riding Together
In the rain, after the ride, a quiet embrace. Proof that dressage is more than precision, it’s partnership.
This has marked my second season photographing dressage shows. There were many incredible rides at the May Show at Donida Farm and Equestrian Center, but one in particular has stayed with me: Heather and her horse, Diddy.
The day was cold and wet, the kind of rain that seeps into everything. Riders pushed through, horses worked with focus, and I stood ringside with my camera, trying to keep my lens clear of droplets. Then came Heather and Diddy.
Their performance was strong, but it wasn’t what happened in the arena that struck me most, it was what came at the very end. As they came to a halt and the arena fell quiet, Heather leaned forward, wrapped her arms around Diddy’s neck, and held him close. Rain fell harder, blurring the edges of the moment, but the image was clear: trust, relief, and deep affection between horse and rider.
That embrace at the conclusion of their performance captured everything I love about equestrian sport photography. It’s not just about competition scores or technical precision, it’s about honoring the bond that carries horse and rider through every stride, every season, and sometimes, every storm.