There are show photos, the kind that clinically portray horses and riders going through the motions: an extended trot, a cross country effort, a smiling awards ceremony shot.
And then there are Shannon Brinkman photos. Her work is equal parts art and documentary, the result of both years of experience and innate intuition. It captures something beyond the physical action of galloping, jumping or jogging before a ground jury — it captures the intangibles that propel those kinetics: emotion, ambition, interspecies partnership.
Sometimes, a candid portrait of a horse and rider sharing a quiet moment speaks louder than any dramatic, high-speed action pic. It’s important work she’s doing, reminding us with her lens what a dynamic and three-dimensional sport this really is. And, like eventing’s own top athletes, she says she never stops learning and improving her craft.
It’s always a pleasure to work alongside Shannon and an honor to publish her photos. She’s played an invaluable role at EN this year, bringing us ringside from Kentucky to Peru. And now, to round out the year, Shannon (and her sweet, precocious, talented daughter Roya!) are here with all of us in Reddick, Florida, capturing the essence of this special event against the mossy-green backdrop that is Ocala Jockey Club.
A roundup of the final horse inspection:
In the CCI4*-L, Nilson da Silva did not present Rock Phantom, his own 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Spirit House x Ballycroy Rose). The pair was in 18th place overnight. Twenty-two CCI4*-L horses passed before the ground jury of Christian Landolt (SUI), Helen Brettell (GBR), and Gretchen Butts (USA) and will move forward to show jumping.
In the CCI3*-L, 27 horses were presented and passed before the ground jury.
In the CCI2*-L, Kimberly Keeton‘s mount Evita-Veron, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Veron x Tomlow) owned by the rider and Hope Thomas, was sent to the hold box and did not re-represent. Sara Kozumplik Murphy did not present Delta Queen, a 10-year-old warmblood mare owned by Edith Rameika. Sixty-four CCI2* horses will move forward to show jumping.
Here are a few more of Shannon’s photos from Sunday morning here in Ocala — view more at the Shannon Brinkman website and be sure to follow her on Instagram. Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion!
Show jumping starts at 9:30 a.m. EST with the CCI2*-L, followed by the CCI3*-L and the CCI4*-L. All show jumping will stream live here on EN and on EQTV Network. CCI4*-S cross country takes place from 11:30-12:40 p.m. EST.
Go Eventing.
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