Thrills… & Spills: A Mind of Their Own

Rule #1 of riding, “Keep the horse between yourself and the ground,” is easier said than done.

And it certainly doesn’t help that the animals we’re dealing with are sentient beings with thoughts, opinions and (occasionally bad) ideas all of their own.

Negotiating with them can be tricky and sometimes… let’s just say not everybody is on quite the same page. Exhibit A: These Instagram photos of recent misses, near misses and other assorted “oh dear” moments from the winter circuit.

??? #thermal2016 #equinephotography #equinephotographer #hitsthermal #equestrian #jumper #hunter #equitation #eq #stallion #horses #photos #photography #photographer #horseshow #showjumping #equestrianphotographer #equestrianphotography #equestrianlife #scope

A photo posted by ZK Photography (@zk.photo) on Mar 13, 2016 at 3:44pm PDT

Por Gabriela Lutz gabilutzfotografia@gmail.com facebook.com/GabiLutzFotografia #gabilutzfotografia

A photo posted by Gabriela Lutz – Fotografia (@gabilutzfotografia) on Mar 22, 2016 at 4:27pm PDT

Me and my account after this update happens ? please please please turn on post notifications and cwd for a spam

A photo posted by marion ✨ (@flyingchangephoto) on Mar 28, 2016 at 6:25am PDT

Superman¿?? #2SE

A photo posted by Two Stride Equestrian (@shop2stride) on Mar 6, 2016 at 7:32pm PST

Rothchild is my spirit animal #aigmillion #HITSThermal

A video posted by Matilyn Skinner (@matilynskinner) on Mar 20, 2016 at 6:09pm PDT

It’s crazy how much SSP has grown since last WEF. Last year we had nothing close to 5k followers with no video account, and very few actually “decent” photos. Today, our video account (@ssp_videography) reached 10k, and we have over 23k followers on here. Yea yea, it’s not about the followers, but it’s amazing to see what an impact our photos (and videos) have had in the equine community! Ofc I couldn’t have done it without Biz (@auto.swap) who came to WEF with me for the first time last year, all riders who’ve shared my photos, and all of our amazing SSP riders. I’m looking forward to seeing you all next weekend!! #wef2016

A photo posted by Grace Schinsing (@sassystridesphotography) on Mar 11, 2016 at 3:56pm PST

It’s not a proper victory until Rothchild gets in his signature buck. He and McLain Ward were victors in today’s AIG Million. #hitsthermal2016 #jumpers #nowthatsabuck #hangontight #HITSThermal

A photo posted by The Chronicle (@chronofhorse) on Mar 20, 2016 at 7:51pm PDT

??? New photos on my website! Link in the bio ( zabelkerivan21.wix.com/photography) #equestrian #equine #equinephotography #equinephotographer #horses #photographer #jumeprs #gp #classic #showjumping #thermal #hitsthermal2016 #jumping #eq #hunters #milliongp #equestrianstyle

A photo posted by ZK Photography (@zk.photo) on Mar 20, 2016 at 7:15pm PDT

#horse #chestnut #falloff #hunterjumper #HITSocala #horseshow #horseshowlife #loosehorse #equestrian #equestrianlife #equestrianphotography #equine #equinephotography

A photo posted by Shannon O (@soreilly_photography) on Mar 14, 2016 at 1:03pm PDT

since y'all enjoyed the the last pic of this series so much .. lol 5k likes and counting ??

A photo posted by @hs_photography on Mar 22, 2016 at 5:59pm PDT

Go Jumping.

Editor’s Note: We make every attempt to ensure that correct photographer credit is given. If incorrectly attributed, please let us know at wylie@nationmediallc.com.