Equestrian event

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GerryD

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Gerald Davies
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My girlfriend has been asked to cover an equestrian event as a favour, and wants me to tag along.

I've not got to many details but I believe the 1st day is an orienteering event and the 2nd day is more your jump section. I've no idea what kit to take!!!

I was think of taking along my 24 - 205 and 100 - 400. I'm thinking alonmg the lines that if I am fairly close to the jumps that 100 - 400 is gong to be to narrow, and use the longer len on the 1st day. Does anyone agree with this?

Also fidning locations to stand. I have a feeling we may be told where to stand, but with the jumping events, what distance would a) be safe and b) a good distance to stand/angle from the jumps?

I know there are few post like this on here, and I'll look into them tonight to get and idea (in work at the moment). But any tips would be useful.

Thanks

Gerald
 
Your best bet is to walk the course first, and find a particular spot where you can get the most shots which are either at a right angle to the jump, or have the horse coming towards you. Usually you can get about 50% of the jumps! You do however have to be aware of the route the horses will take, because you don't want to get trampled :)

There isn't a safe distance per se, you just need to be aware of your surroundings, it is movements that will disturb the horse and not you being close to a fence. So if one is coming, just stand still and the horse and rider will do the rest :)
 
Sounds like it's a BHS trec event, assuming it's an outdoor one? As indoor ones are growing.
Normally a prettylaid back sort of event, have a look round the 'net, there's plenty of pictures around of it, or endurance & show jumping events for similar situations
 
You'll probably/possibly end up using only the 100-400.

Do you know where the event is? If you do there's a reasonable chance I'll have been there if it's in this area, PM if you like :)
 
Don't always assume because you are a static object that horse and rider will miss you. I learned this the easy way last year when I was behind the goal at a polo match and it got broken off - twice - in one match. Good thing they are well padded.

I try and take two cameras with me - last year I used my 24-70 and 70-200. This year it will the the former and my 100-400 depending on how far away I am.
 
Trev Rich said:
Why don't you take both and swap between at each jump?
Thats what I generally do... Why have alll the lenses and choose at home?
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Very good point Trev. I was planning on taking both and doing as you say.

purpleclouds said:
Your best bet is to walk the course first, and find a particular spot where you can get the most shots which are either at a right angle to the jump, or have the horse coming towards you. Usually you can get about 50% of the jumps! You do however have to be aware of the route the horses will take, because you don't want to get trampled :)

There isn't a safe distance per se, you just need to be aware of your surroundings, it is movements that will disturb the horse and not you being close to a fence. So if one is coming, just stand still and the horse and rider will do the rest :)
Click to expand...

I was thinking of getting a course map, but the person organizing it, is being a little cagey about letting the map of the course out :bat: Which a little annoying. I was planning on net getting trampled!!! Thanks for the tips on positioning.

I hope your right about the horse going around me, I'd look a little stupid acting like a hare trapped in the head lights :shake:


happysnappy said:
Sounds like it's a BHS trec event, assuming it's an outdoor one? As indoor ones are growing.
Normally a prettylaid back sort of event, have a look round the 'net, there's plenty of pictures around of it, or endurance & show jumping events for similar situations
Click to expand...

Thanks happysnapper. I have no idea, I was planning on finding out on Saturday. The other half is taking the lead on this. Not the best attidute I know, but ikt more a favour than anything else.

Al de Man said:
Make sure you capture the horses' ears pointing forward.
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Thanks the the tip

dod said:
You'll probably/possibly end up using only the 100-400.

Do you know where the event is? If you do there's a reasonable chance I'll have been there if it's in this area, PM if you like :)
Click to expand...

I think at Drumnadrochit. More than likely will, depends on where we end up taking on picture I suppose.

Kerioak said:
Don't always assume because you are a static object that horse and rider will miss you. I learned this the easy way last year when I was behind the goal at a polo match and it got broken off - twice - in one match. Good thing they are well padded.

I try and take two cameras with me - last year I used my 24-70 and 70-200. This year it will the the former and my 100-400 depending on how far away I am.
Click to expand...

I was planning on keeping me wits about me Kerioak. Thanks for the information on the lenses. 100 - 400 is just too good and versatile a lens not to take with me. I was more concerned about what wide lens to take.
 
alot of horse show have photographers there now at mine the man was making a bomb
 
Some tips:

Watch your baackgrounds and lighting. I never fail to be amazed by pro photos with cars, vans and other general clutter in the background. Sometimes it can't be avoided, but most the time it can.

Watch out for event photographers. If they see you with a 100-400mm, I've known some get aggressive as if you are taking the food (cavier) out of their childrens mouths!

Water jumps are good fun if there are any.

Try to get to a point where you can easiy follow at least 2 or 3 jumps on X country or 3 or 4 on showjumping. It is better to get a few great shots rather than loads of average ones.

Hope this helps
 
I was thinking of getting a course map, but the person organizing it, is being a little cagey about letting the map of the course out :bat: Which a little annoying. QUOTE]

I think thats because at a Trec event, the rider has to read a main map in the map room and plot the route on their own little map - so they have to be pretty good map readers

If the marker route "accidentally" got passed to a competitior, it would be considered cheating - so thats why she is being a bit cagey about it.


Good luck all the same - i'd try the 100-400, saves you changing over mid event and you wont be THAT close to the riders i shouldnt thing, usualy the endurance bit is through fields / bridleways, so you should be able to pick and choose your spot well.

Good luck
Click to expand...
 
sarah lewsey said:
alot of horse show have photographers there now at mine the man was making a bomb
Click to expand...

There's always wishful thinking. :D I think this is quite a small event

corny said:
Some tips:

Watch your baackgrounds and lighting. I never fail to be amazed by pro photos with cars, vans and other general clutter in the background. Sometimes it can't be avoided, but most the time it can.

Watch out for event photographers. If they see you with a 100-400mm, I've known some get aggressive as if you are taking the food (cavier) out of their childrens mouths!

Water jumps are good fun if there are any.

Try to get to a point where you can easiy follow at least 2 or 3 jumps on X country or 3 or 4 on showjumping. It is better to get a few great shots rather than loads of average ones.

Hope this helps
Click to expand...

I think Cath is going to be the main tog, so we won't have to worry about event togs. Anyway the 100 - 400 as more uses than just taking photos:bat:

The tips on positioning will come i useful. Thanks

Natalie_B said:
I was thinking of getting a course map, but the person organizing it, is being a little cagey about letting the map of the course out :bat: Which a little annoying. QUOTE]

I think thats because at a Trec event, the rider has to read a main map in the map room and plot the route on their own little map - so they have to be pretty good map readers

If the marker route "accidentally" got passed to a competitior, it would be considered cheating - so thats why she is being a bit cagey about it.


Good luck all the same - i'd try the 100-400, saves you changing over mid event and you wont be THAT close to the riders i shouldnt thing, usualy the endurance bit is through fields / bridleways, so you should be able to pick and choose your spot well.

Good luck
Click to expand...


I kind of feel you are right about the map Natalie_B. It is worth asking for to get an idea of where to stand. I think I'll take both lenses anyway as they fit into my bag.
Click to expand...
 
corny said:
There must be a cheaper weapon to use than a 100-400mm:naughty:
Click to expand...

You are right, but the satisfaction would be good, followed by a deep depression when I realize how much I have fork out for a new lens. :cuckoo::cuckoo:
 
Thanks all for you help. Today went off OK. The light was appalling but we managed to get some decent images. I'll post some later.

I found it a little tricky getting lined up on jump, but once sorted I think I got a few nice image. It was a beginners event so they weren't flying around the course, making it slightly easier :)

Once I sorted that, there was another event going on behind me, which i had lined up well on with the 100 - 400, so had some useful shots there, but the a82 run directly behind it and a lot of the photo's ended up with the road crash barrier in. :(

Started with the 24- 105, but found this a little to wide, and quickly moved over to the
100 - 400

Thanks once again

Gerald
 
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