On Working Equitation, New Roads, and a Rider to Spain
Kimberlee and Robin Bond’s Kiger Zapata crossing the bridge obstacle during Western Zone Championships in 2024.
Some loves come slowly, but others spark the first time you encounter them. That’s how it was for me and working equitation. From the first show I photographed in the fall of 2023, I was hooked. The discipline blends precision with partnership, and every ride tells a story of trust, agility, and connection.
In 2024, I had the chance to photograph multiple shows across Region 1, including the Western Zone Championships. That’s where I first met and photographed Kimberlee Barker. She wasn’t just another competitor, she was riding Robin Bond’s mustang, Kiger Zapata KCA. Watching them together struck a chord in me. Her quiet determination, paired with the grit and spirit of a mustang, reminded me why these horses matter and why this sport is so captivating. Photographing that ride inspired me to keep following working equitation and to continue telling its stories through my lens.
By the start of 2025, I knew I wanted to do more than just document this journey from the sidelines. I wanted to invest in it. So this year, I’ve stepped into a new role: sponsoring Kimberlee with my photography. You could say I’ve become her personal paparazzi.
Kimberlee is now competing for a chance to represent the United States at the World Championships in Spain in 2026. Following her, photographing her, and sharing her story is an honor, one that keeps me inspired behind the lens.
Working equitation has opened new doors for me, both as a photographer and as a storyteller. And as Kimberlee rides toward Spain, I’m grateful to be on this journey with her, capturing not just the sport but also the spirit that makes it so extraordinary.