Libby Law Photography Blog: June 2012

FEATURE: COURSE WALK @ 2012 IRL-TATTERSALLS INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIAL:

WITH: Erik Duvander (ESNZ HP Coach), Jonelle Richards & Tim Price (HP Squad Members)

AND: THE FAMOUS TONKS!!!

Friday 1June

I ADORE WHAT I DO!!! And the best thing is, I get to share it with everyone who wants to catch a glimpse and follow these magnificent riders on the International Stage...
Ireland is just stunning, it is so wonderful to be back here for my second year, and, I do think the boys and girls of the NZL squads are getting used to me flitting around capturing their movements throughout each event!!!

Today I caught up with Jonelle, Tim and Erik and joined them on the course walk, I did run around the course on Tuesday (had to stretch the legs after a very long time cooped up in my Little Turtle, then on a Ferry - about 20hrs in total).... and my first thoughts were: OH-MY-GOODNESS, these are going to be FABULOUS to capture - the fences are HUGE: MAGIC for "FLYING PONIES" shots!!!

On course I heard Jonelle remark that it was needed to ride each fence very specifically, and later I asked

her about this and she explained: "usually there are straightforward let-up fences at certain points (these are straight forward fences with no big questions for the horse & rider) - but here, the "Let-Up" fences are not particularly "Let-Up"!!! All have a litte bit of a twist". I had better make sure I know where those "twists" are so as not to find myself under the tootsies of one of these stars!!!!

INTRODUCING: "Tonks" - Tim & Jonelles gorgeous dog: Jonelle says: "I think he is the luckiest dog in the world - he eats, sleeps, and runs - in a different place, and often, a different country each week!!!" - I couldn't agree more - then I realised why I have formed such a warm friendship with this cutie - he's a lot like me - take away the sleep bit at the moment, but the rest is pretty on-the-spot!!!!!

BACK TO THE RIDERS:

I asked a few of our wonderful kiwi's what there impressions were of the (in my view) HUGE Tattersalls XC courses:

QUOTES FROM THE NZL RIDERS:

Mark Todd:
(MAJOR MILESTONE)
CIC***: This is a fair test - a decent 3*
(LEONIDAS III)
CCI**: It is a strong 2* course, decent track, bold and straightforward

Jonelle Richards:
(MERE OAK)

CCI***: Big & Ditchy (a girl who doesn't waste words!!!)

Tim Price:
(WESKO & WEMBLEY)
CCI**: Big - "IN-YOUR-FACE", an "attacking" course that will reward the brave! You know what you've got early on regarding confidence and how its going to ride. It doesn't let up till the last fence. The goings good - it's between you and the jumps really!!!

Dan Jocelyn:
(BROOKFIELD DE BOUNCER)
CCI***: Nice-Big-Bold - Plenty to do....

IT'S TIME TO GET EXCITED ABOUT FOLLOWING THESE STARS AROUND THE COURSE AS THEY GALLOP TOMORROW... I will be keeping you informed via my trusty BlackBerry, then later on, the results from my gorgeous Canons....