Behind the shot
One of Australia’s top equestrian photographers, MICHELLE TERLATO travels the world capturing equestrian athletes in action. Each month she shares one of her favorite shots.
Rider: Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli (SWE)
Horse: Dana RJ
Event: 2022 Global Champions Tour
Location: Royal Hospital Chelsea, London
Camera Type/Settings: Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 70-200mm, f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec
Challenges: London’s purpose-built Global Champions arena is not huge, but it does provide excellent access for photographers and the media around most of its sides. My first instinct was to shoot with Chelsea Hospital in the background as it is such an iconic building, and I did take plenty of images in that format. However, later in the day the sun started to set and golden hour began, and while I was on completely the wrong side of the arena in relation to the sun, I think this image works even though much of it is in shadow.
The sun is casting a shadow on the horse’s hind legs and highlighting the hooves. There is a vague sense of the crowd in the background, but the focus is firmly on Danna RJ’s hind legs and hooves, which to me is what this image is all about.
As most equestrian photographers will agree, with only such a small, fast-moving area to focus on, shooting the hooves of a horse while they’re jumping is not always easy – but this worked perfectly. Ironically, some of the best images are the unplanned, the impulsive, and the unexpected, when you just decide to have a go – and this image is the result of one of those moments.
Why this shot is special: The image captures a fleeting moment in literally a millisecond of time where the athleticism of the horse is truly on show. The near hind leg is stretched out to the absolute limit to clear the rail, while the off side hoof skims over by a hair’s breadth.
The tail is flying and the ears are pricked. Sweden’s Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli’s coat tails are flapping and grains of sand fly through the air, all of which give a sense of fast movement, finesse and skill, with perhaps the tiniest bit of rail-clearing luck! To my delight, the two back hooves and even the horse’s shoes are perfectly in focus as is each tiny grain of sand. Happy days!
I have a love of horses who jump flamboyantly and this one of Angelica’s certainly had some pizazz! As did Angelica, who took the win against some of the world’s best. It was an edge of the seat victory fought out against the clock and down to the very last rider around Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani’s simple yet challenging 5* course.
Michelle is available for event, commercial, and private shoots. Visit Michelle Terlato Photography to view her impressive portfolio.
