Ashleigh, Betty & Puzzle

My session with Ashleigh and her two horses, Betty and Puzzle, was very much calm, gentle, and full of meaning.

Both Betty and Puzzle are now enjoying quieter lives following injury and this session was about spending time together in the sunshine, appreciating who these horses are now, and honouring the partnership Ashleigh has with each of them.

The shoot took place at Stydd House Farm, a beautiful livery yard tucked away in the Derbyshire countryside. With its on-site cross-country course, winding canter tracks, and tree-lined pathways, it offered the perfect backdrop for a relaxed, unhurried afternoon. The old oak tree quickly became my favourite spot. There’s something timeless about horses beneath trees, I think it's the fairytale vibes, just chilling with your horses on a warm summer's day in the shade.

So often, our days with horses revolve around riding, training plans, rehab schedules, or the never-ending list of yard jobs. Even when it all comes from a place of love, it’s easy to forget to pause. To stand back. To enjoy the simple act of being together.

That’s what made this session so special.

For Ashleigh, this was time carved out purely to connect — no pressure, no agenda. Just walking, standing in the sun, sharing quiet moments with Betty and Puzzle. These are the moments that often go undocumented, yet they’re the ones that matter most in the long run. Especially when a horse’s life changes due to injury, those quieter chapters deserve just as much recognition as the competitive ones.

One of the true bonuses of commissioning a portrait session is that it gives you permission to slow down. It creates space to be fully present with your horse, to notice the small things.

These sessions aren’t about capturing what your horse does. They’re about capturing who they are to you.

Ashleigh’s portraits with Betty and Puzzle reflect a season of life defined by gratitude, patience, and deep connection. A reminder that even when circumstances change, the bond remains — and sometimes, it grows even stronger when we allow ourselves to simply stop and enjoy it.

If you’ve ever felt caught up in the doing, this is your gentle reminder:

your horse doesn’t need you to do more — sometimes they just need you to be there.