Challenge: Sports IV (Basic Editing) Camera: Nikon D90 Lens: Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II Location: Spiritwood Date: May 2, 2010 Aperture: f.9 ISO: 400 Shutter: 1/400 Galleries: Humorous, Animals Date Uploaded: May 4, 2010
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Taken at a local dressage schooling show, where those new to the discipline of dressage get a chance to show in a fairly low-key setting with the option of not being penalized if they wear relatively casual attire. Hence the traces of winter coat and the unbraided mane on the horse, and the old-school ratcatcher outfit on the rider :-)
Bill is the horse, a 15-yr-old Belgian/QH. He is the schoolmaster. He knows his job inside-out, upside-down and backwards, and that is to look after his rider while he learns. I love the look on his face - one of honesty and patience, which is what makes him the perfect horse for his adult beginner rider. The soft slightly loopy rein is probably precisely what Bill needs so he continues to go forward. Horses like Bill are worth their weight in gold.
The look of utmost concentration on the student, his rider's face - not to mention the relatively old-school lace-up boots, tweedy jacket and tie and taupe breeches - were a nice change from shooting glossy OTTBs and their female riders in their black jackets over blindingly white shirts, white breeches and big, white square saddlepads!
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