Four great days shooting the main classes in the International Arena at The Hickstead Derby Meeting and the first time shooting pure show jumping in a long while. Over four days there is always going to be things that stand out.
The Heart stopping moments - When the fence you have your remote parked very close to for it’s aesthetic qualities seems to be the one that the riders keep knocking into with alarming regularity. Will the camper van manage to get through the mud on the way out of the show-ground. When the decision not to put the rain covers on the camera looks like a wrong move as dark clouds appear on the horizon.
The Low Lights - Not managing to attract the attention of second placed Harriet Nuttall at the Speed Derby presentation, whilst simultaneously managing to attract the attention of the Photographic Steward. The afore mentioned extremely reliable remote not firing during The Derby a real Bummer!!
The Highlights - The Banter in the Media Room, The Phil Taylor Dart Shirts [Thanks Julie], The Bourbons, The Prawn Baguettes, The Hickstead Media Team in the Press Office. The inside skinny on the subtleties of course design from Bob “The Builder” Ellis [Olympic Course Designer].
Although the Derby is still the Blue Ribbon event of the whole four days, for me The Bunn Leisure Speed Derby on the Saturday is the main event, it’s fast and furious and provides great photo opportunities. The picture is of Guy Williams and Casper De Muze going through rather than over the Irish Bank on their way to winning the class. I like that Guy Williams he really goes for it, but it was a real shame Harriet didn’t win.