Willinga Park Arena Eventing October 2022
A few weeks ago on the 8th and 9th of October, our Elegant Exposures Team had a wonderful outing down to the superb Willinga Park grounds for the Arena Eventing and combined training competition. Whilst we were dismayed that we couldn’t be back out on the fabulous cross country course (with many thanks to La Niña for the wild weather during the competition’s lead up) we were extremely grateful to the grounds keepers and organisers for running such a great competition despite the wet weather.
On Saturday morning we began by photographing the Combined Training Dressage tests down at the Grand Prix Arena. And as the sun was shining and the birds chirping, the horses and riders brought out some of their best moves in the Dressage Arena to wow the judges.
As midday rolled around, we positioned a team member at each of the arenas, which saw Mel down at the Main Arena for the higher show jumping classes whilst Shelle snapped the speedy ponies in the showjumping classes over at Ring 2. I (Liv) remained at dressage to capture the star classes for their Combined Training Tests and I saw some really great tests throughout the day - well done riders!
Towards the end of the day the dark clouds began rolling in and we experienced a huge downpour - luckily it was right at the end of the last showjumping rounds and only a few tough riders and horses had to battle out their showjumping rounds in the rain. Once the day was completed Shelle set off back home and Mel and I headed back to our onsite accomodation (thank you a thousand times to Sophie Evans for organising for us!) and we began editing the days photos - luckily we were inside by this time as the rain really began to set in overnight.
Sunday morning, we woke up to the pitter-patter of rain on our roof and checked the weather report to see that we had experienced over 100ml of rain overnight - and we were worried whether the competition could continue in these conditions. Luckily as we left the house to head back over to the arenas the sun finally emerged through the clouds and the rain stopped. We headed down to our arenas to set up for the day and amazingly the arena surfaces were immaculate - not a single puddle in sight, the day could go on!
We photographed the showjumping classes in both rings throughout the morning which saw some cracking rounds had by many! As the afternoon set in, the fun began during the Arena Eventing classes. Set over two back-to-back rounds of Cross Country jumps followed by a showjumping course, riders tackled the tough courses in the star heights for a wonderful afternoon of jumping had by all.
Many thanks must first go to Sophie Evans for all your hard work and dedication to the event - it absolutely couldn’t have happened without you! Also we would like to thank everyone behind the scenes who made this day possible; the catering team, the judges, pole pickers, grounds and maintenance staff (and anyone we havent mentioned), the riders and connections for their continued support of us, and the Willinga Park team for the wonderful grounds - there was no where we’d rather be for a wet weather event - or any event really!
As for now, we hope to see you again very soon (once the weather decides to coordinate that is) but for now keep riding and smile when you see us!
Many thanks,
Liv
Event Manager
Elegant Exposures Photography
Transport Heritage NSW's Locomotive 3801 in Sydney
Are you a train buff/enthusiast? Well you have come to the right blog, because we are!!!!
Our photographers took the opportunity to photograph Transport Heritage NSW’s locomotive 3801. On Saturday 25th September 2022 history was made, as this was the first time the 3801 travelled on the underground city lines and across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Michael was up early and ventured to North Sydney on Saturday 25th September 2022, where he waited ever so patiently with many others for the famous loco to show its glorious colours. Once the train had gone through, Michael moved on to Lavender Bay where he was able to capture more fantastic memories of the heritage train. Thankfully the weather gods played nicely, and the sun shone for this momentous day.
Shelle, who is also a big fan of 3801, has followed its journey over many years. She recalls many memories of watching it travel up through the Blue Mountains township of Blaxland, standing on the end of her grandparent’s driveway or on the railway bridge. When the magnificent engine was fully restored, Shelle had the privilege of capturing the loco at the NSW Train Museum at Thirlmere.
During the October long weekend 2022, Shelle visited the Transport Heritage Expo at Central Station where she captured more glorious shots of the magnificent 3801.
If you are a bit of a train enthusiast or know someone who is? Why not check out our Fine Arts section on the website where we offer many options of art prints. Perfect for Christmas, birthday presents or memorabilia for the pool room.
https://www.elegantexposures.com.au/f291379105
Waratah World Cup Showjumping Weekend
We recently enjoyed two wonderful back-to-back weekends at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre for the Waratah Showjumping World Cup of 2022.
Our team covered all classes in the SIEC Ring 2 and the Trailrace Olympic Ring 3 over a combined 5 days of competition between the two weekends. Throughout the show there was a total of over 1800 rounds of showjumping from over 600 rider and horse combinations during the competition!
We shared many laughs, cheers and amazing moments with the riders, organisers and helpers throughout the competition, this seamlessly run event is always a highlight on our calendars for all our photographers that attended.
A huge thank you must go to the SIEC grounds team for all their work to make the arenas and grounds the best they can possibly be, so the organisers - especially the outstanding Edwena Mitchell (and her team) - can run such an amazing event once again! Thank you to riders and their connections who have supported us in recent weeks, we look forward to seeing you at upcoming events very soon.
For all coverage of Arenas 2 and 3 please head to the links below:
Waratah Showjumping Warmup Weekend (13-14th August)
https://www.elegantexposures.com.au/f60496960
Waratah Showjumping World Cup Weekend (19-21st August)
https://www.elegantexposures.com.au/f1032767097
In the meantime,
Ride safe, and smile when you see us!
Liv Salkeld
Event Manager - Elegant Exposures
(On Behalf of the team at Elegant Exposures)
Rebel Morrow Clinic at Wallaby Hill
On the 16 & 17th Mel attended the beautiful Wallaby Hill for Rebel Morrows Cross Country and Showjumping Clinics. We had some interesting weather to contend with which saw some beautiful sunset photos captured and Mel and Reb's nearly blown away by the gale force winds.
Well done to all the people who rode in the conditions.
Rebel Morrow certainly need no introduction to people in the horse world but for those who may not know much about the horse/equestrian world here is a little background on Reb's.
Rebel Morrow Australian Olympic Eventing rider. She competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens where she finished 11th in the individual and 6th in the team competition. She is currently living in QLD, Australia and coaches in QLD but we are also lucky that she travels NSW and other regions to coach many aspiring eventers.
Check out the latest photos (Link Below) from Rebel's clinic at Wallaby Hill and we are looking forward to seeing Reb's again soon.
Rebel Morrow Clinic - Wallaby Hill 16-17 July 2022
Mel Goodson
CEO - Elegant Exposures
Rebel Morrow - Mel Goodson MKG-5470-2Rebel Morrow and Mel Goodson at Wallaby Hill Clinics 16-17 July 2022
Rebel Morrow Clinic - MKG_5152Rebel Morrow Clinic - Showjumping Indoor arena Wallaby Hill
Rebel Morrow - MKG_5140Rebel Morrow - Like a Boss at Wallaby Hill
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First Weekend of Events for Elegant Exposures
The first weekends events for the newly formed Elegant Exposures team was a success.
You may ask who are the people behind Elegant Exposures (EE)? Its a team you all know well in the eventing world and at many NSW club events. But more about that later.
The first weekend of events saw us attend Berry Riding Club's Clear round Showjumping and also the Welsh Pony & Cob Society NSW Southern RPG for the All breeds foal & younstock show.
Our photographers at both these events had a great time and provided high quality professional service and photography to the clients.
Check out the quality photographs from these Events.
Elegant Exposures | BRC - Clear Round SJ - 25th June 2022
Elegant Exposures | Welsh Pony & Cob Society NSW Southern RPG
The Team at Elegant Exposures is looking forward to bringing you many more memories
Mel Goodson
CEO - Elegant Exposures
Welsh Pony & Cob Society Southern NSW RPG - Grand Champion - MKG_2493Grand Champion Youngstock Exhibit of show
2022 All breeds Foal and Younstock Show Southern NSW RPG - WPCS
Berry Riding Club - Clear Round Showjumping IMG_2478Berry Riding Club - Clear Round Showjumping