On a glorious winter’s day I was recently commissioned to travel up to Warwickshire for an assignment with Team GB’s Nick Skelton. The Show Jumping Gold medalist was giving equestrian lessons to Victoria Pendleton, Frankie Dettori and Tony McCoy. Assigned by The Daily Telegraph for an exclusive editorial photography shoot for the Sport section ahead of the Markel Champions Challenge. The celebrities were preparing to take part in a horse jumping show in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund.
PHOTO:JEFF GILBERT Warwickshire, England, UK
Olympic gold winner Nick Skelton is teaching Vickie Pendleton and Frankie Dettori how to show jump.
The manége- practice arena was a hive of activity
My journey to Warwickshire from London involved a flat tyre on the M40. I had to make a quick wheel change on the hard shoulder. Still arriving in good time for the editorial photography shoot, the manége -practice arena was a hive of activity. Photographers and camera crews jostle for position. Nick Skelton dubbed ‘Golden Oldie’ following his success in Rio was giving his famous novices a masterclass in horse jumping.
PHOTO:JEFF GILBERT Warwickshire, England, UK
Olympic gold winner Nick Skelton is teaching Vickie Pendleton and Frankie Dettori how to show jump.
Superb winter light for show jumping editorial photography action shots
I was given a designated time slot for our exclusive shoot. I got all the riders together for the group shot. The winter light was superb for the action shots. This enabled a shutter speed to accommodate the horses movement over the jumps. For the portraits the light was a little harsh. There was no time for any extravagant lighting methods. My assistant held a warm reflector to soften the light onto the subjects.
PHOTO:JEFF GILBERT Warwickshire, England, UK
Olympic gold winner Nick Skelton is teaching Vickie Pendleton and Frankie Dettori how to show jump.
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