I have four different main clients this year so need to keep my wits about me. I've headed to Burghley early to give me a chance to sit down and plan my Thursday/Friday/Saturday around who I need to shoot and who, in theory, I don't.
I've decided to get to Burghley and set off onto the cross-country course just after the end of the riders' briefing. A lot of riders walk the course at this point and I might get some nice candid shots as I walk the course myself. I'm looking at specific Land Rover fences, as I'm working for them among others, so this is where I start. It may seem obvious but I'm also looking to shoot fences from the landing side, which means it pays me to walk the course backwards. This also has the added advantage that you meet more of the riders on their way around.
Some of the course is very similar to last year, some quite different. The sponsorship of the HSBC Maltings has been taken over my Joules and the new dressing is a triumph. There are even some Tom Joule hares to backup the branding of the shop and the fences around it.
The Rolex Combination looks very big, as does the Pardubice fence, but both will probably jump well. The new Storm Doris combination is an interesting one and I found several riders down there measuring out the various distances for their horses and pondering their best routes. This will provide a nice photo opportunity with the house in the background too. Shame it's not a Land Rover fence!
One of the first groups I met on my course walk was Mark Phillips, Zara Tindall and Lauren Hough, discussing the strides for the option fence after the Cottesmore Leap. Everybody has a different plan at this one.
Next I bumped into God, AKA Michael Jung. His terrier is so small it makes him look tall!
The trot up went without too much incident. Roo Fox's Fleet Street was accepted after re-presentation and everyone else was accepted first time around.
Anyway, enough talk. Here are some pics and links to the full sets.
Andrew Nicholson and Nereo. Could this be their last Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials?
Clare Abbott and Euro Prince. Clare won the HiHo Silver Best Dressed Lady award at the trot up.
Sir Mark Todd and Leonidas II. NZB Campino was a late withdrawal.
Willa Newton and Chance Remark
Olivia Craddock and Billy Liffy. Liv's lovely outfit was made for her by Emma Brown Tweed
Michael Jung and his dog
Michael again, this time with La Biosthetique Sam FBW. I think this might be their last four-star together.
Simon Grieve on course with one of his owners.
Ludwig Svennerstal and Tim Price share a joke in the warm up arena.
Lauren Hough and Zara Tindall
Boyd Martin
Full image sets:
[Land Rover Burghley Candids] [Land Rover Burghley First Inspection]