Equestrian Cross Country

[JohnEBongo]

I went out Sunday to shoot my niece in the cross country portion of the two day event. Unfortunately her horse refused jump #5 and she was DQ'd. That was less than halfway through the course so I did not get any shots of her. The day was not a complete loss, as I was able to get some nice shots of other riders. Thanks for looking, comments welcome......John

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/105137605-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/105138022-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/105141086-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/105139868-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/105140483-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/105139571-M.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/105142637-M.jpg

[dbaker1221]

very nice series:thumb

[gavin]

very nice series:thumb


Very nice action shots. :) Timing on #1 and #5 are a little late

[Phyxius]

Very nice job :) Were these at Locust Hill? I've shown there before, it's very nice! Looks like the lighting was tricky in some of them, but you did a great job!

Love the "EEEEEK" expression in the second one ;)

3rd, 4th, and 5th are a lovely series of that horse and rider. 3rd for the close up, 4th because of the smile thought the picture should have been taken a hair later (in jumping you want all four feet off the ground but before the horse reaches the top of the bascule). And, 5th because of the great angle and lighteness in the face.

The chestnut picture has lovely clarity and color but was taken just a tad late.

Great shots all around and I'm sorry your niece was DQ'ed.

[JohnEBongo]

Thanks everyone, for your input on these shots. Although I agree that the timing on #1 is a tad late, I don't find it so late as to ruin the shot. #5, however, is just about too late to be usable. I included it because I like the color, clarity and sharpness in that shot. Having said that, please look at the shot just before. Is this shot, with the horses face obscured by the jump marker, more or less usable than the one I chose?? Os is it, too, unusable??
Oh, Phyxius, this competition near Culpeper, VA.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/105138895-M.jpg

[Phyxius]

I think the shot of the chestnut that you posted first is better. The flag only blocks the rider and the fact the picture was slightly late would bother me less as a rider than one where you can't see my horse's face. However, everyone is different and besides the fact that their release isn't so nice the rider's equitation is quite correct in this picture.

Locust Hill (aka Commonwealth Park) is in Culpepper, off Rt. 522.