Equestrian sports have some incredible photographers, who document the action, emotions and memorable moments at venues world-wide – and also those special relationships between horses and humans outside the ring. We asked some of them to share their favourite photo of 2025 with World of Showjumping, and write a few words about what the photo represents for them. 

Photo by Arnd Bronkhorst

This image brings together a remarkable range of feelings for me. The careful planning to catch the early-morning light, the mist, and the horse in exactly the right place… the speed and sound of a galloping horse breaking through the silence… and then the absolute stillness of the swan drifting across the pond. By pure luck, the swan turned sideways at the perfect moment, mirroring the silhouette of horse and rider. And no — it wasn’t remote-controlled.

Website: www.arnd.nl
Instagram: @arndbronkhorsthorsephoto

Photo by Christophe Taniere

I chose this picture because this black-and-white composition focuses on the horse’s eye, creating intimacy and emotion through restraint. Contrast, and partial framing suggest for me a silent bond between horse and rider without showing the whole scene.

Website: ctanierephotographie.com
Instagram: @ctanierephotographie

Photo by Łukasz Kowalski

In 2025, it was my first time participating in Hamburg Derby, an event I was really looking forward to. I noticed huge Beluga planes landing at the airport near the competition venue on day 1, right after arriving, so I already knew that I wanted to have one of the planes in my photo, it was just a matter of perfect timing. It happened when Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and Tapioca showed up at the grass arena. After I published that photo, I received a lot of „was this photoshopped?” But to be honest I'm probably one of the few who doesn't use Photoshop, so no - it wasn't photoshopped.

Website: www.LukaszKowalski.com
Instagram: @lukaszkowalski_com

Photo by Hervé Bonnaud/1clicphoto

I like the way this image turns a simple moment in the warm-up ring into something unique by revealing the horse, groom, and rider only through their shadows, giving the scene a striking and unexpected look.

Website: www.1clicphoto.com
Instagram: @1clicphoto

Photo by Shannon Brinkman

Laura Kraut with Emeraldo during their winning round of the CSIO5* 1.50m Prize of StadteRegion Aachen at CHIO Aachen, Germany 2025. In the wildest, windiest weather I have ever witnessed for a jumping contest. The class was on hold due to bad weather, so I barely had time to run out as they sent Laura into the huge stadium — then booming wind and rain increased its power as Laura and Emeraldo tackled each fence with fantastic style. Everyone was wildly cheering upon conclusion including me!

Website: shannonbrinkman.zenfolio.com
Instagram: @shannonbrinkman

Photo by Mackenzie Clark

The Magic Forest Forever, my special place. Mother Nature gave us a treat this Autumn morning as the sun rose over the Sunshine Tour. It was lovely to share with Federica Fernandez and her horse "Happy."

Website: www.mackenzieclarkphoto.com
Instagram: @mackenzie_clark

Photo by Morgan Froment

While traveling to different countries to attend major equestrian events in the calendar, I always try to find what is specific to each show and use the venue as a playground. In addition to what I capture with my cameras, I usually fly my drone over a place (with the permision of the organizers), especially large grass arenas, to get a « planet view » like this one in Dinard, as if the main arena was the center of our world during a few days of competitions. The 360° view offers a new perspective on an equestrian location. All in all, this bird view is a literal « World of Showjumping ».

Instagram: @morgan_froment_photos

Photo by Kim Gaudry

Capturing the spirit of the sport of show jumping goes beyond just horse and rider, it truly is a team sport!! This photo was a fun moment between Kyle and longtime groom Shanon loving every minute of the prize giving in which Kyle and his mare Kayenne Z finished in silver medal position in the 2025 5 Million dollar CPKC Grand Prix presented by Rolex at Spruce Meadows Masters.

Instagram: @kimgaudry

Photo by Jaz Leach/Fenwick Photography

This photo is from the GCL Prague Playoffs, of Christian Kukuk's Checker 47 during the team competition. He's got flair to his jumping style with his funky tail flicks, and I wanted to capture that, plus the incredible Riesenbeck clip job on his back end! I rarely tend to like my own photos and am incredibly critical of my own work, but as my Instagram knows I've shared this one countless times and am really proud I took a bit of a different approach. Sure, it's not the most technically correct image but it's striking and forced me to get out of my comfort zone.

Website: www.fenwickphotography.online
Instagram: @fenwickphotography

Photo by Erin Gilmore

Live Oak International is such a special event. Held in Ocala, Florida, it always falls in mid-March and provides a welcome break from the multi-week winter circuits as its own, standalone week of CSI show jumping held on a one-of-a-kind grass field built over sand footing, surrounded by amazing live oak trees. This is always a highlight on my calendar to photograph, both for the views between the trees and for the perfectly timed remote shots like this - an art in itself.

Website: eringilmorephotos.com
Instagram: @eringilmorephotos

Photo by Madeleine D. Bergsjø

Some horse show backdrops are more iconic than others. New York is where I first started my photography career, so standing ringside with Lady Liberty at the LGCT New York in September was a true full circle moment.

Website: www.madeleinedb.com
Instagram: @madeleine.db 

Photo by Tiffany Van Halle/Vygo

I made this choice because we have to value the super grooms, hard workers and they are helping for success! I love this moment between Caroline & Donatello d'Auge after his victory in the World Cup Final in Basel this year! This picture proves the special relationship.

Instagram: @tiffany_vanhalle

Photo by Hannah Jones

I love this photo because it captures both the power and poetry of the moment. Photographing Sylvia Zerbini and her arabians was an unforgettable experience - being surrounded by such presence, grace, and trust between horse and human was truly inspiring. I love the depth in this image; the layered movement of the horses, the dramatic light, and the way the scene feels almost cinematic. It draws the viewer into the energy of the moment while still holding a sense of elegance and mystery that reflects why I am so passionate about equestrian photography.

Website: www.hannahjonesphotos.com
Instagram: @horsecaptures

Photo by Luis Ruas

I chose to send one of Miss Blue. This one is special because it shows how proud her groom is after the first five-star GP win of this year, showing how great and successful the season could be for her and the whole team.

Instagram: @lcruas_

Photo by Andrew Ryback 

This is Sophie Hinners (GER) at the Longines League of Nations competition at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, FL. What I like about this shot is the preparation that went into making it. Typically, we walk a course prior to the start and choose our shots based on the course - but this shot was planned before the pond was even completed. I worked with both course designers (Alan Wade and Bobby Murphy) as well as the ground crew to perfectly place our camera and make sure we got this incredible shot.

Obviously, it’s not something that I can shoot with the camera in hand, so I had to set up a remote camera and constantly adjust the settings as the sun set over the ring. I’m most proud of all the teamwork that went into this shot - from the course designer to the ring crew, to the athletes jumping the water element (clear!) and our team for making sure the shot was captured.

Website: www.andrewryback.com
Instagram: @andrewrybackphotography

Photo by Mark Spowart/Spruce Meadows Media

Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, assesses the height of a fence during the Six Bar Competition on Sept 5, 2025 during The Masters, at Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Canada.

Website: sprucemeadowsphotos.smugmug.com
Instagram: @spowartholm

Photo by Helen Cruden

Pure joy - Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour, winners of the Rolex Grand Prix Brussels 2025. Shot for Rolex Series Equestrian.

Instagram: @hcruden

Photo by Cealy Tetley

I’m attaching a photo of Yuri Mansur from the CPKC class during the Spruce Meadows Masters. I just love his exuberance at achieving a clear round in a most difficult class!

Website: www.tetleyphoto.com
Instagram: @cealy_tetley

Photo by Mette Holm - Spowart/Holm Equestrian Photography

Daniel Coyle, riding Incredible, appear to celebrate after learning they had just won the ATCO Queen Elizabeth II Cup, during the North American on July 5, 2025, at Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Canada.

Website: Spowart/Holm Equestrian Photography
Instagram: @spowartholm

Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson/World of Showjumping

This photograph was taken as Richard Vogel’s United Touch S was leaving the arena during Friday’s team final at the European Championship in A Coruña. All around us, it was swirling of horses, people, nerves, joy and disappointment – yet in this exact moment, it felt like it was only the stunning United Touch and me. Had the photo been taken a fraction of a second later, it would have been filled with joyful German teammates arriving to congratulate on another clear round. 

Website: jennyabrahamsson.photoshelter.com
Instagram: @jennyaphoto