United States Eventing Association

Photos by Shannon Brinkman

Planning my day out at Beas River consists of many things like making sure all the batteries are charged, digital cards ready, asking myself exactly what equipment to bring, studying the locations of fences so I know where I am going and underlining the Americans and top riders on the order of go so that I make sure I get photos of everyone that the magazines will need to publish. I guess the complex part is to trust my inner compass to guide me in capturing the best possible pictures I can do!

On cross-country day I am glad that I ride my bike to stay in shape and do yoga so I can stay focused. From an outsider’s point of view I guess some might think I’m a bit wild as I do turn into some sort of warrior while I am out there but one of my goals is to photograph all the Americans going over at least two different fences and three or four if I can work it out. Eighteen years of photographing at horse shows gives me a leg up on this action. Plus, you know it’s fun! I go to bed around midnight knowing that my roomie’s alarm clock will chime at 3:30AM.

3:30 is here and I am so glad to been able to have that nap yesterday! I hurry to do a shower and go eat a hearty breakfast by a little after 4. Many media folks and horse show personal are up and quite a few are on their way to Beas River already. I am normally a “push it to the last minute” kind of girl, so having a roomie who is an “up and at ‘em” kind of force is good.

We arrive before 6 after going through security check and a 30-minute drive to the venue, and somewhat of a hike to the media tent. I am glad to have brought exactly what I need and nothing more. I have two camera bodies, a wide angle lens, 70-200 zoom, 200-400 zoom, rain gear and water. It’s drizzling so I’m wet from rain and quickly drenched in sweat again as I walk the entire course (again) to see exactly how far all the fences are apart, location of cross points and to wrap my mind around what I need to accomplish this day.

I start the day at the first water complex so I can travel with the flow of the course and also because I can get to two other locations from here when Amy comes. Poggio is a horse that few might be able to ride over fences as he has his own way of handling fences. However, Amy seems to have an agreement between them and usually it’s good.

They look fine through the first drop and bounce in the water but suddenly it all comes to a halt when Poggio hangs a leg at the

Lantern fence and though Amy is a heck of a rider she does not stay on this time. She is not hurt, but new FEI rules are such that fall of rider means elimination. This definitely puts pressure on the rest of the team but I am still optimistic for Team USA.

I have time now to photograph more fences before Gina begins so I start making my way around the course. The crowds are terrific and I learn later that 18,000 show up to watch this sport. (Left: Some of those 18,000 watch Gina!)

The course is a challenge for many and I see more than one run-out. For Gina’s ride, I station myself at the 2^nd water complex and because I am more comfortable after I have photographed a sequence, I make sure to get there a few riders ahead. The spot I saw earlier is taken over by many amateur Chinese photographers so I do a slightly different spot. It is not my favorite choice but it is the best I can do in the moment. Some TV people are here so I ask them if the one not videoing might step aside for the next rider. He tells me he will duck, so I say okay.

Gina and McKinlaigh now come into view a few fences away and they look wonderful!

The Chopsticks (pictured above left), a big oxer over a ditch, are before the water and Mckinlaigh instead looks like he is jumping Mt. Mckinley! I can hear folks gasp at his power! They leap into the max water drop with finesse and gallop towards the skinny easily.

Here is where my planning falls apart, as the TV guy does not duck but stands almost in front of the skinny so I am stretching to get a clear shot here. After Gina jumps the duck I have to forget about this and make my way through thick crowds – my goal is a beautiful brush fence, the only one I might make from here. The Chinese words I wish I had learned are ‘Wild woman coming through’ or ‘Your house is on fire’! ‘Excuse me’ raises barely a flutter. My heart flying I make it just in time to see them approach as I extend my monopod. But I do make it and they still look great and focused.

Becky and Comet are the next team members to navigate this twisty terrain and my new plan is to capture them at the ditch and wall, the mushrooms and again the brush fence. Comet and Becky jump all these fences with flair and I am enrapt so I don’t hear that they have a run out at the dragon. It’s one of those difficult moments to swallow as I know this will put more pressure on our final riders. This sport can be so tough! Every little moment counts on cross-country and though sometimes a rider can make it through some difficult spots, today was not it. This put much more pressure on the last two riders to get that celebrated team medal. Still, this is Becky’s first turn at Olympics and overall the pair have done very well.

Mandiba and Karen were to try their hand next and so I went to a different fence, the brush going downhill to a skinny brush. Mandiba jumped the drop brush with elegance but then wobbled a stride out to miss the second element and that was it for our team today. Sad but true. I still ran to a couple more spots to capture this young horse’s big day. And even though today was not perfect for them, it will give Mandiba international experience that I am sure will come in handy. And hopefully he will shine with this experience at more big events and prove that he has all the stuff to be a big star.

Phillip and Connaught are the anchor today. And they do set off in typical, “big jumping” Connaught style. Those front legs fly high and the rest follows with super scope. They really do look great through the first water and I decide to walk towards the end to get them coming home. Since they are my last horse and rider combo I figure I might get a few shots of them at the end of the course, and maybe the vet box. They seem really fast but still manage a few time penalties and if I know anything about Dutton it’s that if there was anything he could have done to shave the time he would of done it! Still there is a only a 10 point spread from the winner with Dutton and 5 points with Miles and I have faith in Dutton and Miles to do a good job in show jumping. And as we have seen in other events including the last Olympics, this phase counts!

The rain is coming down harder and we are all glad the day is finished before the sky had opened up. I find Phillip and Evie in the vet box and do a rainy, but happy photo of them. The day was not hot like it could have been so the horses will recover faster and that is wonderful news. With the exertion of the day on my part I look like I just crawled out of the koi pond and my little toe looks nibbled on. I am no longer able to walk quickly, but I know that with a little R & R and I’ll bounce back. Back at the Regal hotel we find a local spa that does massage around the corner and my achy body shouts to get an appointment right away. The cameras weigh in around . . . 30 lbs? The warrior side of me is happy as I feel really pleased with my day and all the planning paid off in the variety I was able to accomplish.

So stay positive folks and we will see what happens in Sha Tin tomorrow!