Sarah, Figs, Tia & Ribatejo

n November, I travelled over to Sarah’s beautiful new base at Cheadle Equestrian Centre to photograph a very special portrait session with her dressage horses Figs, Tia and Ribatejo. Capturing them in their new home felt particularly meaningful — not just as a marker of a new chapter, but as a quiet pause in what has been an incredibly exciting year for Sarah.

Hot off the press from a European Bronze Medal in France, Sarah and Figs’ achievement is nothing short of extraordinary. Results like that don’t happen by chance — they’re built on years of partnership, trust, and dedication. While competition photos have their place, this session was about something deeper: celebrating the bond behind the ribbons.

I say it often, but I’ll happily keep saying it — having portraits with your horses at home, away from the atmosphere of competition, is so important. These are the moments where the connection really lives. The calm, the familiarity, the unspoken understanding between horse and rider. That bond is what carries you down the centre line and, more often than not, is what puts you in the placings. To have that relationship captured in a timeless, tangible way is incredibly special.

This session was also part of my ongoing mission to show just how beautiful winter can be for portraits. Soft light, muted tones, and a quieter backdrop create something incredibly elegant and emotive — and I’m delighted that winter sessions are slowly becoming more popular with my clients. They’re particularly perfect if you love winter styling or prefer to be a little more covered up.

Sarah very kindly dipped into her wardrobe and we carefully selected some gorgeous winter outfits, not only for her portraits but also to feature in my 2026 Welcome Book. Thoughtful styling makes such a difference, and these looks were the perfect example of how winter clothing can elevate an equine portrait rather than detract from it.

As always, it was an absolute pleasure to work with Sarah. The coffee is good, the horses are beautiful, and I always leave feeling grateful for the chance to catch up — and to create artwork that reflects such a special partnership.

Portrait sessions like this are a reminder of why I do what I do: preserving the quiet, meaningful moments that often sit behind the biggest achievements.