On the Bit
U.S.A. Near my home in Southern California
I live in a small city nestled in rolling hills and fertile valleys. Lemons, oranges, grapefruit and more are grown in orchards surrounding us all. In spring the smell of orange blossoms perfumes the air. Here and there, in between the orchards and fields are equestrian centers specializing in dressage, jumping or eventing.
Yesterday, I drove to one of those barns to practice my craft at a dressage show. The riders were dressed in Shadbelly coats, white breeches, shiny black riding boots with white gloves. Both horse and rider were groomed to perfection. The riders were skilled, probably they were trainers. If you have never ridden seriously, you have no idea of the stamina a rider must have to compete or train a horse. Constant subtle weight changes in your seat, constant delicate touches on the reins, intricate cues given by the pressure of the rider’s legs, it’s demanding.
You can see the horse is working hard as well. His veins are popped. He’s happy, though. He’s soft on the bit as shown by the foam from his mouth that has spattered on his chest.
Today’s photo is a portrait with just the hands of the rider showing. The double bridle tells us this is a dressage competition as does the close-fitting saddle. There are no pads under the flaps to help the knees give purchase during a jump. A dressage saddle is made to enhance the signals made by the rider’s legs.
You need a fast shutter speed when shooting horse action. The old wide aperture, high ISO technique works here. You might get some blown out highlights, but as long as the horse is exposed properly, post processing will take care of any exposure problems. This was shot at a 3/4 angle to the horse’s shoulder. It’s a flattering viewpoint.