A horse and its rider enjoy an outdoor photoshoot session near rustic wooden fencing on a sunny day.
A man and woman smile at a farm gate surrounded by cattle and a horse in a lush green field.
A smiling couple stands with a black and white horse and small dog in front of a white van on a farm.
A woman sits on a log beside a brown horse in a field, holding its reins in a serene black and white photo.
Woman in light blue gown walking with a bay horse on a sunlit tree-lined gravel path.
Woman in white lace dress walks alongside a brown horse on a sunlit forest path.
Young woman in black top smiling while gently embracing a brown horse outdoors among lush green trees.

The Partnership Behind the Performance...


When you see an event horse tackling enormous cross-country fences, galloping across some of the world's most impressive courses or competing at the highest levels of the sport, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all.

But behind every incredible performance is something much more personal. A partnership built on trust, understanding and countless hours spent together.

And that's exactly what I wanted to capture during my July portrait session with Elizabeth Barratt and her wonderful horse, Chaman, in Oxfordshire.


Chaman had recently returned from competing in Kentucky with Elizabeth, which made the opportunity to photograph them together particularly exciting.

As an equine photographer, I have the pleasure of meeting some truly incredible horses, but there's always something special about photographing those who compete at such an impressive level.


What I love most, though, is seeing these horses away from the competition environment.

Without the pressure of preparing for a dressage test, tackling a challenging cross-country course or getting ready to enter the showjumping arena, there's an opportunity to capture something completely different.


The quieter moments. The little interactions. The connection between horse and rider that exists long before they ever step into the competition ring.

And for Elizabeth and Chaman, that was exactly what I wanted their photographs to celebrate.

Two men kneeling outdoors with two black Labrador dogs in a black and white portrait photo.
Woman in a blue sundress standing beside a white horse under a large oak tree on a sunny grassy field with lush green hedges.
Woman in a blue sundress stands beside a white horse on a stone path beneath hanging lanterns, surrounded by lush green hedges.
Woman in a blue sundress stands holding the lead rope of a gray horse in a bridle beside a brick building and green trees.

A Beautiful Oxfordshire Summer Evening with a Touch of Spainish Vibes...


Having travelled down to Oxfordshire for Elizabeth and Chaman's portrait session, we arranged to meet later in the afternoon, hoping to avoid the worst of the summer heat.


It had been incredibly warm, and by the time we arrived at the beautiful yard belonging to one of Elizabeth's friends, the surrounding countryside had that wonderful sun-scorched appearance that only comes with a proper British summer.

I remember repeatedly saying that the whole place was giving me Spanish countryside vibes.

The golden, dry ground, the warm evening light and the beautiful surroundings felt like somewhere much further south than Oxfordshire.

It was absolutely gorgeous.


We were incredibly fortunate to have access to such a stunning location, and as the afternoon turned into evening, the slightly cooler temperatures made everything much more comfortable for Chaman.

And what an absolute superstar he was.

Despite everything he's experienced as a competition horse, Chaman was wonderfully relaxed throughout his portrait session.

He was such a good boy, making my job incredibly easy as we explored the different locations around the yard.


One of the things I particularly enjoy about equine portrait photography is having the time to create something beautiful without rushing.

Unlike photographing at an event, where you're often working around a very specific moment, a portrait session gives us the freedom to slow things down.

We can make the most of the light, explore different backgrounds and allow the horse to relax into the experience.


With Elizabeth and Chaman, we had the perfect combination of a beautiful location, gorgeous summer light and a horse who seemed perfectly happy to be the centre of attention.

The result was a collection of photographs that felt wonderfully natural, celebrating not just Chaman's beauty but the relationship he shares with Elizabeth.


Although I'm based in Derbyshire, I travel throughout the UK for equine portrait sessions, and getting to discover beautiful locations like this one in Oxfordshire is one of my favourite parts of the job.

Every yard, every landscape and every partnership offers something different, which is what makes each portrait session so personal.

Young woman in navy blouse sits on bench between two bay horses with white markings, posed against brick wall.
Woman walking two chestnut horses down a sunlit gravel path lined with green trees at a horse farm.
Young woman smiling between two bay horses with white markings, holding reins near a brick stable.

Every Great Partnership Begins on the Ground...


Something I often think about when photographing competition horses is just how much goes into the partnership we eventually see in the arena. We watch these incredible combinations flying over enormous cross-country fences, navigating technical questions and making the most challenging parts of eventing look almost effortless.

But none of that happens overnight.

Behind those performances are years of training, patience, dedication and, perhaps most importantly, trust.

And that trust isn't built solely on the competition field.

It's built during the everyday moments at home.


The time spent grooming, handling, riding and simply being around one another. The little interactions that might seem insignificant but gradually create the understanding needed for horse and rider to work together.

That's what I find so fascinating about photographing horses like Chaman.

Of course, his achievements are incredibly impressive, and having recently competed in Kentucky, he certainly had plenty to be proud of.

But during our portrait session, none of that mattered. He was simply Elizabeth's horse.


The same horse she spends countless hours caring for, training and building a relationship with. The horse she knows inside out, whose personality and little quirks are just as much a part of their partnership as anything they achieve together. I think there's something rather lovely about celebrating that side of these extraordinary horses.


Competition photographs capture the excitement, the athleticism and those incredible moments when everything comes together.

But portraits offer something different.

They capture the partnership behind the performance.

The connection that exists regardless of results, rankings or the next big competition.


Looking back at Elizabeth and Chaman's photographs, I love that we've created something that celebrates them away from the pressures of eventing, on a beautiful Oxfordshire summer evening, simply enjoying being together.

Whether you're competing internationally or enjoying quiet hacks around the countryside, the relationship you share with your horse is what makes it all so special.

And that's something worth remembering, and worth photographing.


If you'd love to celebrate the partnership you share with your horse, away from the competition arena and in a setting that feels special to you, I'd love to help you create a beautiful collection of portraits together.

Ready to go for it and get gorgeous images like this for yourself?

Call me on 0795810155, or use the button below to fill in the enquiry form and lets start planning your dream portrait session.

Two riders stand with their animals - a dog and a dark horse relaxing outdoors in a black and white photo.

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