Polly Sweeney and Archie Cox at the 2013 Capital Challenge Horse Show
I (re)learned a valuable lesson during my assignment at the 2013 Capital Challenge Horse Show last week. You’d think by now, after decades of experience as a horse show photographer and journalist, I’d remember that the best photographs—those that tell the story in just one moment—don’t necessarily happen during the actual competition.
This photo above received an unprecedented number of shares and likes after I posted it on the USHJA In Stride magazine Facebook Page. Polly Sweeney, at 71 years young, had just won the biggest competition of her life, and she and her trainer were walking into the ring to receive the awards when I captured this shot.
In hindsight, I’m not sure why I stationed myself nearer to the in-gate. At this time I would usually be setting myself up center ring for the formal presentation. But after interviewing Polly I was so impressed by her story that maybe I had a feeling. I’m really not sure.
In any case, as Polly and her trainer walked into the arena, a huge rock-star cheer arose from the stands where her many friends and family members had gathered. Polly’s reaction told the story—the sheer joy and happiness of a lifelong goal finally reached.
After seeing the positive comments this photo garnered online, I realized the proper image to complement the magazine article wasn’t that lovely photograph of Polly and her horse Pimm’s Cup jumping in perfect form during the class.
Polly Sweeny and Pimm’s Cup winning the WCHR Adult Amateur Challenge
So, at the very last moment I tweaked the article layout and added in the candid image.
Interestingly, pro photographer Scott Kelby had a great blog post this week about sports photography called “So, How Many ‘Keepers’ Do You Get From a Shoot?” In the post he discussed following players all the way through to the end of a play where that “jube” (jubilation) might occur.
While you never know where or if that jube will take place during a sporting event, being prepared and following the action “just in case” is certainly good advice, especially for those of us who might have become a bit complacent after taking tens of thousands of photos!
Tricia Booker Photography 
Tricia, the top photo says it all…well done indeed!!!
Thanks so much, David! I hope you are well and enjoying the fall weather!
An interesting take on the way you present achievement. I love the expressions in the top photo, but then I like the candid rather than posed portraits. Thanks for sharing an interesting viewpoint.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I’m glad you appreciated the candid moment!
What a wonderful post and such an expressively joyous picture! Even when I am taking pictures just of my family, I find many “keepers” in the candid shots when the smiles are relaxed and easy (instead of the posed, formal shots).
Thank you so much! I agree, but I sometimes overlook taking those candids thinking I’ll get something better when everyone is set up…not true!
The candid shot at the top of the post, that’s a fantastic moment being captured. I think your intuition had you set up where you did. Lots of kudos for being in the right spot.
Thanks, David! Not an intuition I would usually follow because of the importance of capturing that formal awards shot, but I’m thankful this time it worked 🙂
What an amazing lady I had to read it again and look hard at the photo but I still can’t believe Polly is 71. You have captured a very special moment.
This is an amazing story! Wish we could all be like this at 71!
In years of shooting awards presentations and other sports or work-related events, it’s always these moments — the spontaneous, the joyous, the unstructured, the personal, that seem to get the most hits or the most sharing on social media.
Yes, she’s an inspiration, for sure!