I've never attended a gymkhana or horse trials before, so, when my camera club fixed up an outing to Skipton Horse Trials, I decided to go. It turned out to be a most enjoyable day out. The format is a one-day event where competitors complete three phases: dressage, showjumping and cross-country, picking up penalty points for faults. The one with the least penalties by the end wins the class. There were classes for different skills-levels and I gather there are both amateur and professional riders competing. To be honest, I can't really tell a novice from a pro, as I don't know what to look for, beyond the obvious ability to stay on the horse's back!
Plenty to see, though nothing, apparently, as fascinating as their phones!
The cross-country event meandered through the farm's fields, uphill and downhill, over a series of jumps. For much of the time, we were watching near the water jump as that added some spice to the shots.
The expressions on some of the riders' faces were priceless. I'm not sure this lady (below) was enjoying herself!
Plenty to see, though nothing, apparently, as fascinating as their phones!
ReplyDeleteThat's nothing to the faces I'd pull if I was sitting up there!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to catch everything happening, from phones to facial expressions!
ReplyDeleteI love the face on the last woman!
ReplyDeleteYour last shot is my favourite! What great timing!
ReplyDeleteExcellent action shots Jenny, the horses are gorgeous ✨
ReplyDeleteThe horses are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent collection of photographs, especially impressive because you aren't familiar with the various horse events.
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