The combinations for the Irish eventing squad competing in the FEI Eventing European Championship for Ponies have been selected by Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Youth Eventing Manager Debbie Byrne.Taking place in Le Mans, France, from the 29thof July until the 2ndof August, Byrne has chosen a squad with championship experience combined with debut combinations.Returning from last years championship at the same venue are Kitty Cullen, Tadgh OHaire and Anna Radford, and they are joined in the squad by Molly Egan, Ellen ONeill and Lilymai Walsh.Byrne said: I am delighted to announce my pony squad for the upcoming European championship in Le Mans at the end of the month.We have a mixture of experience, with three riders with past championship exposure, but all have come through the system this year requiring results and performaces at national and international events.I am confident that we can perform at championship level with the help of my coaching and veterinary team, and the aim is to challenge for a podium position.I would like to thank the parents and owners for the commitment that they have shown to the Pony High Performance Programme. We will all now prepare to make this a successful championship.The Irish eventing squad for the FEI European Championships for Ponies, in alphabetical order, is as follows:Kitty Cullen Greenaun RusselMolly Egan Forans Daylight (ISH)Tadgh OHaire Ballinagore HeroEllen ONeill Cadarn dHeolanAnna Radford Essenar Double Dutch (ISH)Lillymai Walsh Chapel Hill Dark Spark (ISH)Reserves:Hannah Goold Paddys BestLucy Hope Ryan Pretty PatternsBREEDING:Forans Daylight (ISH) 2014 chestnut mare. By OBOS Quality 004 out of My Little Girl. Breeder: John Foran. Owner: Ruth Furney. Rider: Molly EganEssenar Double Dutch (ISH) 2011 chestnut mare. By Luidam out of Touch of Dutch. Breeder: Wright & Norris. Owner: Maria Raford. Rider: Anna RadfordChapel Hill Dark Spark (ISH) 2017 bay gelding. By Krafty Clover out of Dungarvan Roseann. Breeder: Jennifer Hunt. Owner: Des Kent. Rider Lillymai WalshThe post Debbie Byrne selects Irish eventing pony squad for European Championship appeared first on .

The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) has launched its sixth annual Summer of Safety campaign, an event designed to promote safety around horses.The campaign began as a way to make safety more accessible and better understood by equestrians. Over the years, with support from retailers and manufacturers connected to safety, the event has also become a celebration of safety with competitions, live content, and show appearances.Safety is a core part of what we do as BETA, said Claire Williams, Executive Director of BETA. From the BETA body protector safety standards to the fitting courses we support, as well as being a voice on safety panels across the world representing the British industry, its important to us. We know that horse riding, and even being around horses on the ground, carries risk, but the Summer of Safety works to help reduce the risk factors, share learning and research, and increase understanding to give us the knowledge to help us all protect ourselves better.The campaign runs until 23 September and will see the BETA team at the Pony Club Championships, Scone Palace International, and the World Equestrian Games in Aachen. In addition, BETA retailers across the country are supporting the initiative and encourage the public to visit their stores with any questions they might have.We have some amazing prizes from our members that well be giving away through our social media, added Claire. In addition, well be running a series of video content with experts in the space, sharing more information aligned with their expertise. These are always so interesting because we really go into the detail and explore the questions that are on everyones minds but, in some cases, are too afraid to ask!To find out more about the campaign, visit beta-uk.org and follow BETA on Instagram (@beta_equestrian) and Facebook (/betaequestrian). Participating retailers will display the Summer of Safety logo (pictured above) in store and/or online.Images by BETARelated contentBody protector or air jacket or both together? Expert explains the differencesEssential 12-point checklist for safer and happier hackingNeed a new body protector? Your Horse showcases six that are available on the market nowThe post Summer of Safety returns with show appearances, competitions and more appeared first on Your Horse.

The nominated entries for the 2026 FEI World Championships taking place in Aachen (GER) next month have been published and can be found at the links below:Dressage: https://inside.fei.org/system/files/Dressage%20Nominated%20Entries%20Aachen%20%28GER%29.pdfEventing: https://inside.fei.org/system/files/EVENTING%20Nominated%20entries%20Aachen%202026%20landscape.pdfJumping: https://inside.fei.org/system/files/Nominated_Entries_CH-M_Aachen_2026_Jumping_V1.pdfPara Dressage: https://inside.fei.org/system/files/CH-M%20Aachen%20PED%20Nominated%20Entries%20-%20CoCs%20%28MER%29_20260707_V2.pdfThe post Nominated entries announced for FEI World Championships 2026 in Aachen (GER) appeared first on .

On July 2, a 13-year-old Quarter Horse mare in Allegan County, Michigan, tested positive for strangles. The mare developed clinical signs on June 22, including nasal and lymph node discharge. She is currently recovering.EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. TheEDCCis an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.About StranglesStranglesin horses is an infection caused byStreptococcus equisubspeciesequiand spread through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Horses that arent showing clinical signs can harbor and spread the bacteria, and recovered horses remain contagious for at least six weeks, with the potential to cause outbreaks long-term.Infected horses can exhibit a variety of clinical signs:FeverSwollen and/or abscessed lymph nodesNasal dischargeCoughing or wheezingMuscle swellingDifficulty swallowingVeterinarians diagnose horses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing with either a nasal swab, wash, or an abscess sample, and they treat most cases based on clinical signs, implementing antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can prevent an infected horse from developing immunity. Most horses make a full recovery in three to four weeks.A vaccine is available but not always effective. Biosecurity measures of quarantining new horses at a facility and maintaining high standards of hygiene and disinfecting surfaces can helplower the risk of outbreakorcontain one when it occurs.

This weeks sees the park here at Badminton host the very first Royal Horticultural Society Badminton Flower Show. It is an event not to be missed with so much to see and doAwe-inspiring gardensThe prestigious RHS Medals and Awards are handed out as the show opens.Take a tour of the gardens and see if you agree with the judges.The Peoples Choicevote opens at the beginning of the show, so you have a chance to vote for your favourites tooThere are several judged categories across the show, each with their own set of criteria.Show gardensrepresent the pinnacle of garden design, while theYoung Designergardenschallenge designers at the start of their careersBBC Radio 4 and RHS celebrate The Archers 75th anniversarywith a feature garden,designed by one of the UKs most celebrated garden designers, Jo ThompsonTheArtisan Gardensaimto highlight and celebrate beautiful country gardens, artisan makers and crafts people. Be inspired by traditional crafts that you could try at home in theArtisan StudiosThePocket Planting Gardensinvitenew horticulturiststo bring their firstgarden to an RHS Show. Thismentored category offers the first opportunity for budding designers to start their show careers, and to have their designs rated by RHS Judges.TomStuart-Smith brings the largest ever show garden to an RHS Show withThe Julia Rausing Garden, and be prepared for a scented heaven in thePerfume PavilionsFabulous floralsTake a tour of theFloral Marqueeand see which medals have been awarded to the incredible exhibits and exhibitors.Take advantage of their wealth of knowledgeTheMaster Growerfor 2026 is theKitchen Garden Plant Centreand takes pride of placeamong the many specialist growers offering their advice along with an array of beautiful plantsShow Installationsexploringhorticultural and fun horse themes are dotted all around the showground.Dont forget to grab a selfie in front of the famous RHS Letters and tag #RHSBadminton onInstagram@the_rhsto share your picHouseplants take centre stage in theHouseplant Terarriums, where you can talk to experts about your treasured plants and how to display themAsk the expertsLearn from the experts and influencers ontheTalks Stageas part of the jam-packed show programme. See the timetables for theMain Stageand theIn The Grow Stage.Visit thePlant Villageand theFloral Marqueewhere plantspeople are on hand to share their plant knowledge alongside an excitingrange of plants to buyMake the most of RHS horticultural knowledge at theRHS Advicehubwith experts on hand to answer all your gardening questionsFind out more from the Show Guide or have a chat with one of the manyShow VolunteersFood-lovers paradiseCalling all foodiesRHS Badminton hasplenty of deliciousfood options, from worldwide street foodto fine dining at the Lakeside Restaurant.Be inspired to growyour own food by visiting theGrow Your Ownarea, which willbe packed with handy tips, and visit theSchool and Community Allotments for even more food for thought.Make the most of your special day out with a glass ofRoebuck EstatesSparkling Wine, while listeningto music on theLive atthe Lake stage in true summer festival style.TheGreat Taste Market is a mecca for those who love to eat, with speciality cheeses, artisan bakes and homemade ingredients to take home or buy as gifts.The best day out for allTheres lots offamily-friendly activitiesto keep younger visitorshappy, enjoying nature and maybe even sparking a life-long love of gardening. Look out for the joyfulLive, Love, Local Wheelbarrows for schools and communities.See your favourite gardening stars on the stage sharing their experience and wisdom. Take part in demonstrations and learn how the experts do it in on theTalks StageNo matter the weather, there are things to keep everyone happy both inside and out, so plan your day using theShow Guideto make sure you dont miss a thing!Above all else, RHS Badminton Flower Show is a fun day out celebrating the summer, with a huge range oftradestandsready to provide all your shopping needs.For all the information about the show that opens on Wednesday 7th July please head to their dedicated website where you can also purchase tickets. Click here to find out more.

Veterinarians rely on a thorough history, physical examination, and gastroscopy to guide gastric ulcer diagnosis. Gastroscopy, which allows the veterinarian to visualize the horses stomach with an endoscope, remains the gold standard for confirming the presence, location, and severity of gastric ulcers. In this Ask TheHorse Live excerpt Laramie Winfield, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, cVA, cVMMP, of Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinic, in Salinas, California, explains how veterinarians use gastroscopy to diagnose equine gastric ulcer syndrome.ThispodcastisanexcerptfromourAskTheHorseLiveQ&A,WhatYouNeedtoKnowAboutEquineGastricUlcers.Listentothefullrecordinghere.About the Expert: Laramie Winfield, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, cVA, cVMMP Laramie Winfield, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, cVA, cVMMP, grew up in the Salinas Valley, riding horses with her mom and sisters. Winfields professional interests are equine internal medicine, emergency and critical care, neonatology, acupuncture, sports medicine, and ophthalmology. Winfield is certified in veterinary acupuncture and is also a veterinary medical manipulation practitioner, having completed her training at the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute in Reddick, Florida. In integrating her riding background with her training in internal medicine, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation Winfield strives to offer a comprehensive view of horse health and performance. Winfield is an equity partner at Steinbeck Peninsula Equine Clinics, in Salinas, California. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Nick Carlson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, and their children. She loves horseback riding and three-day eventing with her horse Franky.

Consider your horses individual needs when helping him gain weight. | Alexandra Beckstett/The HorseHelping a horse gain weight might sound simple: Feed more. In practice, it is rarely that straightforward. Some horses need additional digestible calories. Others eat well but their bodies do not utilize nutrients efficiently. Still others appear thin because they lack topline and muscle, not because they simply need more body fat.That distinction matters, because the best supplement for one horse might not address the limiting factor in another.For many horses that primarily need additional dietary energy, Mad Barns W-3 Oil remains the best overall weight gain supplement. For horses that would benefit from different support, Optimum Digestive Health, Visceral+, and Three Amigos address feed efficiency, appetite and stomach comfort, or lean muscle development, respectively.When Does a Horse Need a Weight Gain Supplement?A weight gain supplement might help when a horse cannot maintain body condition on its current forage and feeding program. That can happen because the diet is short on calories, but it can also reflect poor forage quality, inadequate protein quality, dental problems, parasite burdens, stress, illness, or digestive inefficiency.Owners often notice the problem first as visible ribs, a sharper topline, loss of muscle, or difficulty holding weight during training. In some horses the change is gradual. In others, especially seniors, lactating mares, growing horses, or horses in heavy work, calorie demands can outpace intake more quickly.The first step is identifying why the horse might be losing condition and what its diet is lacking. Owners should use supplements only to fill a specific gap in that program, not to cover up an unresolved health or management problem.Looking Beyond the Feed ScoopWeight loss and poor condition can have several overlapping causes. Horses with higher energy requirements need a diet to match those. Hot-blooded breeds, highly active horses, and anxious horses can also expend more energy than expected, even when they are not in intense training.Mature or low-quality hay can fill the gut without providing enough digestible energy. Limited turnout, inconsistent forage meals, competition within a herd for resources, and long stretches without forage can reduce intake.Health concerns can complicate the picture. Dental disease can make it more difficult for a horse to chew hay thoroughly and obtain the nutrients it provides. Parasite burdens, gastric discomfort, hindgut imbalance, chronic pain, illness, and age-related changes can all affect how a horses ability to absorbs and use nutrients.Call your veterinarian if the horse has a reduced appetite, difficulty chewing, or is dropping feed, or if it has loose manure, recurrent digestive upset, lethargy, declining performance, muscle loss, or any other sign that suggests illness or pain.Three Common Nutritional LimitsTo determine why a horse appears thin, start by considering three broad categories, which can overlap: insufficient calories, poor nutrient utilization, and inadequate muscle development.The first group includes horses in a calorie deficit. They expend more energy than they consume, which is common among hard keepers, seniors, horses in work, growing horses, and horses exposed to temperature extremes or stress. These horses often need more digestible energy through improved forage, increased forage intake, or calorie-dense feeds and supplements.The second group includes horses that appear to eat enough but still struggle to hold their weight. For these horses, the problem might be digestive efficiency. Stress, abrupt diet changes, aging, illness, inconsistent forage intake, and shifts in hindgut microflora can interfere with fiber digestion and nutrient utilization. These horses might show inconsistent manure quality, reduced feed efficiency, or difficulty maintaining weight during travel or stress.The third group includes horses that are not truly lacking fat but lack topline or lean muscle. They might have an acceptable body condition score yet look narrow over the back or weak through the hindquarters. In these horses, amino acid intake, protein quality, vitamin and mineral balance, and the horses exercise program especially matter.What to Look for in a Weight Gain SupplementFor most horses primarily needing more calories, fat is one of the most useful tools. Fat supplies more energy per gram than carbohydrates or protein, allowing a horse to consume more calories without a large increase in feed volume. This can be especially helpful for hard keepers, senior horses, performance horses, and horses that do not tolerate large concentrate meals well.A useful weight gain supplement should provide add enough calories per serving to support weight gain, fit into a forage-based diet, and avoid unnecessary starch and sugar. Palatability matters, too, because a supplement not eaten consistently cannot help the horse gain weight.Fat-based calories are often called cool calories because they increase energy intake without relying on high-starch feeds, which some owners associate with reactive horse behavior. Common fat sources in equine diets include vegetable oils, stabilized rice bran, flax products, camelina oil, and high-fat commercial feeds or supplements.W-3 Oil: Best Overall Choice for Calorie SupportFor horses that simply need more dietary energy, W-3 Oil is the strongest overall choice. A 100-gram serving provides approximately 900 calories from fat, making it an efficient way to add energy without relying on larger grain meals or extra feed bulk.Unlike plain vegetable oil, W-3 Oil is formulated to supply fat-based energy from flax oil and soybean oil, along with added DHA and natural vitamin E. DHA is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that supports normal inflammatory balance, joint health, skin and coat quality, immune function, and overall wellness.The added natural vitamin E is also important. When unsaturated fat increases in the diet, antioxidant support becomes more important for cell membranes, muscle function, immune function, tissue health, and recovery from exercise. W-3 Oil pairs calorie density with these broader nutritional benefits, which is why it works well for hard keepers, senior horses, sport horses, and horses that need extra energy on a lower-starch program.Visceral+: Best Support When Appetite and Stomach Comfort Limit IntakeSome horses do not maintain weight because they do not eat enough to meet their energy needs. Reduced appetite, inconsistent feed intake, stress, and abdominal discomfort can all make healthy weight gain harder. Gastric discomfort, in particular, can contribute to picky eating and reduced calorie intake.Visceral+ is the best option for horses that need support for appetite, gastric function, and abdominal comfort. It is designed to help maintain a healthy stomach environment and support normal digestive function, which can encourage more consistent feed intake.Its ingredients include lecithin to help maintain the stomachs protective lining, nucleotides to support healthy gastric tissue, glutamine as an energy source for digestive tract cells, and mannan-oligosaccharides to support mucin production in the gut.Optimum Digestive Health: Best Support for Feed EfficiencyOther horses eat enough on paper but still fail to maintain weight. In those cases, the issue might not be feed volume. It might be how efficiently the horse digests fiber and extracts usable nutrients from the diet.Much of a horses usable energy comes from hindgut fermentation. Microbes in the cecum and colon break down fiber from hay and pasture into volatile fatty acids, which the horse absorbs and uses as energy. When the horse might not get as much benefit from the forage it consumes.Optimum Digestive Health is the best choice for horses that need support for feed efficiency and hindgut function. It does not primarily supply calories. Instead, it supports the digestive environment that helps a horse get more from the ration it consumes.The formula provides probiotics to help maintain beneficial hindgut microbes, prebiotics to support microbial activity, yeast and fermentation products to support fiber-digesting bacteria, digestive enzymes to aid feed breakdown, toxin binders, and ingredients that help maintain hindgut stability during stress, travel, dietary change, or inconsistent forage intake.Choose Optimum Digestive Health when a horse eats adequate energy but still struggles to maintain condition, has inconsistent manure quality, or needs added support for hindgut function.Three Amigos: Best Support for Topline and Lean MuscleSome horses look underdeveloped because they lack muscle rather than fat. They might have enough calories to maintain body condition but still look narrow through the back, weak over the topline, or poorly developed through the hindquarters.In those cases, adding more calories alone might not solve the problem. Muscle development depends on an appropriate training stimulus, enough energy to support tissue growth, and adequate protein quality. The horse also needs enough essential amino acids to build muscle protein.Three Amigos is the best option for horses that need targeted amino acid support. It provides lysine, methionine, and threonine, the three essential amino acids most commonly limiting in equine diets.Lysine is the primary limiting amino acid in many horse diets and key for muscle protein synthesis. Methionine supports protein synthesis, tissue development, hoof quality, and normal metabolic pathways. Threonine supports muscle protein synthesis, gut barrier function, immune function, and normal tissue maintenance.Choose Three Amigos when a horse lacks topline or muscle development, appears to be receiving enough calories but still struggles with muscle maintenance, eats mature hay or lower-quality forage, or needs added support for muscle recovery and lean tissue development. If the horse is truly underweight, calorie intake still needs to be addressed alongside amino acid supply.Final RecommendationsSupplements work best when they complement, rather than replace, good forage, adequate calories, balanced vitamins and minerals, consistent management, and veterinary care for unexplained weight loss. For personalized guidance, submit your horses diet for a free evaluation by Mad Barns equine nutritionists.

How to Take the Perfect Horse Photo: Pro Tips from Equestrian Photographer Lillie Ratcliffe07/07/2026 By Aaron EnglanderKey TakeawaysStand your horse square first. A horse resting a leg looks skewed get all four feet planted before you even lift the camera.Get the ears forward with sound. A beaded maraca, a hunt horn played off your phone, or a recording of a strange horse whinnying are Lillie's three go-to tricks.Bathe and groom beforehand. Especially for greys it makes the single biggest difference to the finished image and saves hours of editing.Motion is easier than stillness. A moving horse naturally holds a good shape; a stationary one has time to look bored or drop a leg.The camera helps, but editing wins. A dedicated camera captures light and detail better, but the real difference between photographers lives in post-production.Know your budget tier. A good UK equestrian portrait shoot starts around 500565 always check whether the images are included in that price.Authenticity beats polish. As AI imagery spreads, real horses and real moments are becoming more valuable, not less.Quick Answer: How Do You Take the Perfect Horse Photo?To take a great photo of your horse, first stand them square on all four feet so they don't look skewed, then use a sound a maraca, a hunt horn, or another horse whinnying to prick their ears forward. Bathe and groom them beforehand, shoot in good natural light, and remember that most of the "magic" happens in the editing afterwards.Meet Lillie Ratcliffe: Equestrian Photographer and Viral CreatorOn Episode 39 of the Just Horse Riders Podcast, host Aaron Englander sits down with Lillie Ratcliffe, the 22-year-old founder of Lillie Ratcliffe Photography and one of the UK's fastest-growing equestrian content creators. Lillie has run her equestrian and countryside brand photography business for six years she started it at 16 and now works with names across the horse world while pulling in 300k+ followers across platforms. Her tacking-up ASMR videos have racked up millions of views, including one clip that hit 13 million. In other words, she is exactly the person to answer the question every horse owner has muttered at least once: why does my horse never look good in photos?"How do I get a good photo of my horse? Because I always find I always mess it up," Aaron admits early on which, honestly, is the most relatable opening line we've had on the show. Lillie's answer turned into a genuine masterclass, so we've pulled the whole thing together below.How Do You Take the Perfect Horse Photo?Lillie's method is refreshingly simple, and it starts long before you worry about lenses or presets. It comes down to two things: shape and attention.Start by Standing Your Horse SquareAccording to Lillie Ratcliffe, the first step to a good horse photo is making sure the horse is stood square on all four feet and not resting a leg, because a resting leg makes the horse look skewed. "Make sure that your horse isn't resting a leg at the back because it can make them look really skew especially if they're a warm-blooded horse," she explains. "Make sure they're stood on all four feet like a horse should be. Chances are, if they're on their four feet, they're good for a photo."It sounds obvious, but this one adjustment fixes the majority of amateur shots. A horse propping a hind leg reads as awkward and unbalanced on camera, even if you can't quite say why. Plant all four feet and you're already most of the way there.Getting the Ears Forward: Lillie's Three TricksOnce the horse is square, the whole photo hinges on the ears. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, the most reliable tricks for getting a horse's ears forward are shaking a maraca, playing a hunt horn from your phone, or playing a recording of another horse whinnying. She rattled through them like a magician revealing the act and warned that not every trick works on every horse.The Maraca"Some of them are really they don't. Bugsy doesn't put his ears forward for photos. Maraca doesn't work," Lillie laughs. A little beaded shaker is the gentlest option and often the first thing she reaches for. Younger, curious horses tend to snap their ears straight to it. Seasoned old campaigners like her cob Bugsy? They've seen it all and couldn't care less.The Hunt HornThe second trick comes with a caveat. "If your horse has been hunting, don't do it," she warns you don't want to switch a hunting horse into work mode. But for a chilled horse, a hunt horn played off YouTube through your phone perks the ears up beautifully. Her Thoroughbred Reggie, an ex-racer who hunted at one point, "recognises it enough that he perks up, but he won't go through it, and he'll stay still with his ears forward."The Mystery HorseThe third is the cheekiest: play a recording of a different horse whinnying. "They'll think, who's that horse? I don't recognise that horse," Lillie says. Curiosity does the rest. And the much-mythologised trick of throwing sand in the air? "It's all very, very last resort," she admits a technique reserved for the truly unbothered subject.Preparing Your Horse and Rider Before the Camera Comes OutHalf the battle is won before the shoot even begins. Lillie sends every client a bit of pre-shoot guidance, and it makes a visible difference in the gallery.What Should I Do to Prepare My Horse Before a Photo Shoot?Bathe and groom your horse thoroughly, especially if they are grey. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, bathing and grooming before a shoot makes the biggest difference to the final images and saves significant editing time. She can edit out dirt and grass stains, but a clean horse means a sharper, more polished result with far less work in post.What Should I Wear for an Equestrian Portrait Photo Shoot?Bring three outfits: something smart, something casual, and your everyday yard attire. Lillie recommends variety so you have options on the day, but ultimately advises wearing what feels comfortable a relaxed rider always photographs better than a stiff one. If you're planning a shoot, decent, well-fitting riding jodhpurs and breeches and clean riding boots photograph far better than tired, muddy kit.One quick warning from Lillie: avoid tiny, busy patterns. "Close stripes, really tiny patterns the camera just doesn't look quite right on camera," she says. The lens picks up on fine prints and turns them into a distracting shimmer. A bold, simple pattern is fine; a fussy micro-print will fight the whole image.Is It Harder to Photograph a Horse Standing Still or In Motion?Here's the counter-intuitive one that surprised even Aaron.Is It Harder to Photograph a Horse Standing Still or In Motion?Standing still is harder. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, horses in motion naturally hold a good shape through their gait they can't overthink their ears or plant a leg wonkily, and a jumping horse has to travel in an arc. A stationary horse, by contrast, has all the time in the world to look grumpy, disengaged, or bored, which makes the still shot the trickier of the two to nail."If you know what you're looking for, motion is easier," Lillie explains. "It's the timings of the gait you've got to get just right." She likens it to photographing toddlers far easier to catch one mid-run than to make one sit still and smile on command. Whether it's a dressage extended trot, a show jumping round, or a relaxed hack, movement gives you shape for free.Do I Need a Professional Camera or Is a Phone Good Enough?Phone cameras have come a long way so where's the line?Do I Need a Professional Camera or Is a Phone Good Enough for Horse Photos?A phone can take a good horse photo, but a dedicated camera captures light and detail far better, particularly in tricky conditions like a sunset. The bigger difference, though, is editing: a proper camera file holds enough detail to push colours and presets without falling apart, which is where a professional image really pulls ahead of a phone snap.Why Editing Is Where the Magic HappensThis was one of Lillie's strongest opinions of the whole episode. According to Lillie Ratcliffe, the real skill lies in the editing rather than the moment of capture that's where one photographer's images pull ahead of another's. "Do you think there's more skill in the editing than actually taking the photo?" Aaron asks. "Yeah," Lillie replies, without hesitation.Give the same well-exposed image to two people and the one who understands colour, tone and presets will produce something in a completely different league. It's why "I've got a good camera" and "I take good photos" are two very different sentences.Brand Photography vs Portrait PhotographyLillie splits her work into two worlds, and she loves them for opposite reasons. Brand photography is her bread and butter polished, seasonal content produced across full-day shoots with sourced models and locations, delivered to equestrian businesses on a rolling basis. It's commercial, it's varied, and it keeps the lights on.The Emotional Value of PortraiturePortraiture, on the other hand, is where the heart is. "People just love photos with their horses," Lillie says. "When you give the images back, they're so overwhelmingly pleased with them and they treasure them forever." A portrait captures a bond that won't last forever the horse a rider has now, exactly as they are now. Years down the line, long after that horse is gone, those images are irreplaceable. It's the kind of thing that makes a professional shoot one of the most meaningful gifts a horse owner can give themselves or a loved one.What Does an Equestrian Photo Shoot Actually Cost?Lillie was refreshingly honest about money and about the hidden work behind that headline figure.How Much Does an Equestrian Photo Shoot Cost in the UK?A good UK equestrian portrait shoot typically starts around 500, and Lillie's own portraiture sits at roughly 565. Watch the small print, though: some photographers charge for the session and then charge again for the full gallery of edited images, so you might only receive a handful of photos within the base price. Always confirm exactly what's included before you book.And that day rate isn't pure profit. "When you break down the hours, take off the model fees, the location fees, travel time, the editing time, assistant fees, equipment maintenance it whittles down very quickly," Lillie points out. Aaron, who has run his own business in the equestrian trade for 15+ years, agreed instantly: "A lot of people think you just turn up with a camera and shoot." The editing alone can swallow days.The Cup of Tea That Got 13 Million ViewsNo episode with Lillie would be complete without the story behind her viral moment and it's a lovely reminder that great content often comes from tiny, human details. Her page blew up on the back of tacking-up ASMR: no talking, just the sounds of buckles, brushes and the odd snort from Bugsy. Then, on a whim, she added a mug of tea."I remember just before thinking, what would happen if I just added a mug in with a cup of tea?" she says. "It's the most impractical thing in the world, having a cup of tea in your hand. It stops the scroll. So I did that. It blew up 13 million views." That single video earned her around 40,000 followers in a week, and the tea has been part of the brand ever since. Proof that authenticity, not production budget, is what people actually connect with.AI Imagery vs Authentic Equestrian ContentAaron steered the conversation toward the elephant in every creative industry right now: AI. Lillie is clear-eyed about it. Some of her clients have already switched product shots from photography to AI, and "it kind of shocks you into that reality that maybe at some point photography isn't going to exist in the space it does at the moment."But she isn't panicking and she makes a compelling case for real work. Both she and Aaron believe there's a growing bias toward the authentic. Social platforms are said to favour genuine content over AI "slop," audiences increasingly value things done the harder way, and there's something a viewer can feel in a real horse, a real yard, a real cup of tea. As Lillie puts it, AI "is always too polished. It's not real. It's never going to be a person." The tools are useful for editing and planning; they're not a replacement for the connection that makes equestrian content land.Turning a Hobby Into a Business at 16Beyond the photography tips, Lillie's story is a genuinely inspiring one for any rider dreaming of going self-employed. She started with 25 portfolio-building shoots, worked long hours for little money for years, and slowly built the contacts, experience and confidence to charge what she's worth. Her advice to her 16-year-old self? "Worry less. It will work out."Her one hard-won warning for anyone juggling multiple ventures: don't spread yourself too thin. Scaling back to focus on brand photography, she says, is precisely what "opened doors." It's the kind of practical wisdom that applies whether you're building a photography business or just trying to fit riding around a full-time job and whether that means keeping your horse comfortable through winter with the right turnout rugs or keeping your own routine sustainable, the theme is the same: protect your energy and do a few things well.Watch and Listen to the Full EpisodeThere's far more in the full conversation from the trick pony that lay flat in an arena with its nose in a treat bag for a supplement brand shoot, to Lillie's dad dressing up as Santa (and a dinosaur) for her Christmas content, to the reality of dealing with online hate. It's warm, funny and genuinely useful whether you want a better photo of your own horse or you're thinking about turning your own equestrian passion into a living.Watch now on YouTube below, or listen on Spotify here: Just Horse Riders Podcast, Episode 39.Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do you get a horse's ears forward for a photo?Use sound to grab their attention: shake a beaded maraca, play a hunt horn from your phone, or play a recording of another horse whinnying. Different horses respond to different noises, so it's often trial and error and throwing a little sand is a genuine last resort.Should you bathe your horse before a photo shoot?Yes. Bathing and grooming beforehand makes the biggest difference to the final images, especially for grey horses, and it saves the photographer hours of editing out dirt and grass stains.Is a phone camera good enough for horse photos?A phone can take good horse photos, but a dedicated camera captures light and detail better and gives far more room in editing. The real difference between amateur and professional images usually shows up in post-production, not in the camera itself.How much does an equestrian photo shoot cost in the UK?A good equestrian portrait shoot typically starts around 500, with many photographers charging roughly 500565 for the session. Some charge extra for the full edited gallery, so always check what's included before booking.What's the difference between brand and portrait horse photography?Brand photography is polished, seasonal content produced for equestrian businesses, often across full days with sourced models and locations. Portraiture is more personal and emotional treasured images of an owner and their horse to keep for years.About the AuthorAaron Englander is the Founder of Just Horse Riders, with 15+ years in the equestrian industry and the creator of the Englander Equestrian product line. He hosts the Just Horse Riders Podcast, sitting down with riders, experts and creators from across the horse world.

The DAFM Studbook series returned on the 4th of July to Maryville stables. This series is funded under National Breeding Services by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with a total prize fund of 90,000.With the show calendar in full swing and many shows taking place over the weekend, the entries were down with just under 100 horses competing over the three age groups.Twenty-one of the thirty-eight starters jumped a double clear in the five-year-olds to divide the prize money on offer. One of the clear rounds in the section was Robyn Moran riding her own Fortside Exhibition (ISH) which has now put the combination comfortably at the top of the leaderboard.Robyn Moran riding Fortside Exhibition (ISH). Photo: Engage EditsA change in the competition format for this years series meant that the six-year-old horses did not jump off for placings at this leg, and instead, the double clears divided the prize fund. Half of the starters completed with a double clear, one of these being Harry Wood riding Boleybawn Alexa (ISH).Harry Wood riding Boleybawn Alexa (ISH). Photo: Engage EditsCoen Williams is certainly making his mark on the series with four horses in contention for the league title across the three age groups. He has now moved to the top of the leaderboard in both the six-year-old and seven-year-old leagues with Grand Amour KPCM (ISH) and Parc Violetta (ISH) respectively after both horses put in good performances in Maryville.The seven-year-old league has been tight at the top with Williams and Foley battling it out, but after adding three points to their tally, Williams and Parc Violetta (ISH) have now taken the lead. The winner on the day was Gemma Phelan riding Lance Corporal (ISH) which slots them into third place in the league.Gemma Phelan pictured on Sumas Lumen (ISH). Photo: Engage EditsThe next leg of the series takes place in Glenamaddy on the 11th of July.League tables for the series are available through the links below:Five-Year-Old LeagueSix-Year-Old LeagueSeven-Year-Old LeagueBreeding:Fortside Exhibition (ISH): 2021 gelding by Castlefield Kingston (OS), out of Fairfield Lucky (ISH), by Ars Vivendi (HOLST). Bred by Margaret Bergin, county Laois.Boleybawn Alexa (ISH): 2020 mare by Grandorado TN (KWPN), out of Arina (KWPN), by Crown Z (ZANG). Bred by Boleybawn Horses Ltd, county Wicklow.Grand Amour KPCM (ISH): 2020 mare by Grandorado TN (KWPN), out of Ellie May LVS Z (ZANG), by Emerald Vant Ruytershof (BWP). Bred by Karen Millar, county Down.Parc Violeta (ISH): 2019 mare by Kannan (KWPN), out of Ulanda D (KWPN), by Emilion (KWPN). Bred by Paula Williams, county Clare.Lance Corporal (ISH): 2019 gelding by Corporal VDL (WESTF), out of LV-Firefly (AES), by Jai-Ho (AES). Bred by Louise Thompson, county Fermanagh.The post DAFM Studbook Series leg 5: Maryville appeared first on .