Behind the Scenes of Royal Windsor Horse Show - Mollie Sibthorpe & Reevesgate Platinum Jubilee

Behind the Scenes of Royal Windsor Horse Show, 2024

With Mollie Sibthorpe and Reevesgates Coloured Ponies very own Reevesgate Platinum Jubilee

I'd had a vision in my head for a little while that I wanted to create a collection of reportage style photographs that depicted everything else that happens at a show other than the actual act of participating in the show ring. Anybody who owns or competes a horse will know the toughest bit isn't even really the part in the ring on the show day. The toughest parts of these occasions are the hours and hours of work and preparation in advance - making sure the horses are fed, rugged, managed appropriately. When they are youngsters like Percy here, are they well handled enough? Have they been appropriately exposed enough in advance? Travel arrangements, selecting products to achieve the best possible level of condition and turnout... The support from family and friends. Vets, coaches, farriers... The devil is in the detail (preparation). I think that's what this collection of photographs show.

Past client and now friend, Mollie Sibthorpe breeds and produces coloured ponies in Upshire, Essex. I knew they'd be looking to head to Royal Windsor Horse Show as they do every year and this time they planned to be there with their handsome 2 year old colt Percy, for his debut! I knew this would be a special opportunity for all involved and capturing the ambiance and emotion in a black and white photograph series would be perfect.

Here are the subsequent photographs from the day. A special thank you to the team at Royal Windsor Horse Show for allowing me to capture these special moments that go so easily unnoticed in the inevitable hustle and bustle of showing!

With all the best grooming and turnout products from Showponyprep.com, we were able to get Percy looking his very best ready for his first ever trip to RWHS. He was impeccably behaved and walked off the lorry like he'd been doing it his whole life. The day was a fantastic experience for him - there was a lot going on and 24 in his class (with some big shapes thrown by some very big and highly strung horses). Little Percy stood like a statue and did a lovely individual show for the judge - a fab day to have under his belt!