Equestrian Portrait Session with Event Rider Simon Grieve at Field Farm, Wymeswold
Introduction: Meeting Eventing’s Finest
When I had the opportunity to photograph professional event rider Simon Grieve based at Field Farm in Wymeswold, Leicestershire, I knew this session was going to be something special. For those who follow eventing, Simon is a name you’ll recognise: I discovered he’s competed regularly at the highest levels of three‑day eventing including multiple CCI5 starts at iconic events like Burghley, Badminton and Pau and has won nearly 100 national events* over his career.
Photography at this level isn’t just about pretty pictures, it’s about capturing performance, personality, partnership and the raw spirit of equestrian sport.
Meeting Simon Grieve at Field Farm - Rider, Coach, Writer, Equestrian Voice
Photographing professional event rider Simon Grieve at Field Farm in Wymeswold, Leicestershire was one of those sessions that quietly stays with you. Rather than action shots, this was a portrait-led equestrian session focused on presence, partnership and personality within a real training environment.
Working with high-level riders is always special but portraiture reveals something different, the stillness behind performance.
Simon’s depth in the sport goes far beyond his competition results. He’s a British Eventing coach — BECC Level 3 — helping riders from grassroots to Advanced level and also shares insight as a writer and commentator within the equestrian world.
Simon’s philosophy blends experience and enthusiasm he’s not just there to compete but to teach, support and lift up riders and their horses.
A Portrait Session in a Working Eventing Environment
Instead of photographing ridden work, we used the surroundings of the eventing practice field at Field Farm as our setting. It wasn’t a polished backdrop and that was exactly the point.
The textures of a working training ground brought:
• authenticity
• atmosphere
• depth of story
• connection to the sport
This approach allowed the horses and rider to remain the true focus — not the scenery.
The Horses: Bertie and Rocky
Simon brought two beautiful horses for the session.
Bertie, a bay gelding, has since moved to the United States — a reminder of how international the sport has become.
Rocky, a striking grey sport horse, was just five years old at the time. Even as a youngster he carried presence and elegance beyond his years. Horses like him don’t need motion to command attention, they simply exist and the lens follows.
Though I’m unsure where Rocky is now, he remains one of those unforgettable equine subjects every photographer hopes for.
A Sweet Guest Appearance — Twiggy the Whippet (she has just sadly passed away aged 14)
No equestrian yard is complete without its canine companion and Simon’s whippet Twiggy quietly stole a few moments of the session. Calm, gentle and beautifully expressive, she added warmth and personality that balanced the strength of the horses.
The Creative Challenge
Portrait photography in a working training field presents unique challenges:
✔ no curated backdrop
✔ variable ground conditions
✔ natural light only
✔ real working environment
But these are often the elements that create the most honest imagery. The focus becomes:
• expression
• connection
• presence
• authenticity
And that’s where meaningful equestrian portraiture lives.
Why This Session Matters
This shoot reflects what I value most in equestrian photography documenting the relationship between rider and horse in environments where their story genuinely exists.
Not staged.
Not polished.
Simply real.
Field Farm provided the setting but the portraits are about character, trust and quiet partnership.
Final Thoughts: Tradition Meets Modern Equestrian Photography
Photographing Simon and his horses reminded me why I love equestrian photography: its passion, movement, personalities and partnerships all wrapped into one frame. This session wasn’t about glossy backdrops, it was about raw connection and the emotional bond between horse and rider.
To fellow photographers and equestrian lovers this is the kind of shoot that stays with you.
I specialise in portrait-led sessions for event/dressage riders and performance horses, captured in the environments where their story truly exists. If you’d like to create something similar, enquiries are always welcome.
