A Day at Surf City Western I – My First Western Horse Show 📸🐴
Huntington Beach, CA
On May 10th, I ventured into something entirely new — photographing my very first western horse show! 🤠 As a lifelong lover of horses 🐎 and someone who’s spent plenty of time capturing equine beauty in more natural or portrait-focused settings, stepping into the fast-paced, high-energy world of western showing was both exhilarating and a little nerve-wracking. But the Surf City Western I at Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center in Huntington Beach, CA, turned out to be one of the most fun and rewarding experiences I’ve had behind the lens. 💫
The day kicked off bright and early at 8 AM 🌅, with the energy already buzzing through the barns and arenas. Riders, trainers, and horses bustled about — brushing, tacking, and preparing for the day ahead 🧼🐴🧑🌾. Though I didn’t stay for the entire show, I was fortunate enough to cover a wide range of classes including Halter, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Trail, and Reining. Each discipline brought its own unique style, skillset, and vibe — and I absolutely loved capturing every moment of it. 🎞️✨
✨ The Halter Classes were the perfect way to start the day. It was so impressive to see the handlers present their horses with pride and precision — the grooming, the posture, the way each horse showed off its best features. 🌟
🧡 Horsemanship was a powerful display of rider skill and connection with their horse. The subtle cues, the attention to detail, and the sharp execution made it one of my favorite events to photograph!
💃 Western Pleasure had me swooning. The horses moved with such grace and calmness, and the riders made it all look effortless — gliding around the arena with beautiful cadence and poise.
🌲 Trail was such a fun class to witness — full of challenges, obstacles, and creative tests of trust and teamwork. The expressions on both horse and rider as they navigated gates, bridges, and poles were priceless.
🔥 And then there was Reining — fast spins, deep sliding stops, and pure adrenaline. This class truly brought the wow factor. It was intense, technical, and absolutely electrifying to capture through the lens!
While I wasn’t able to photograph every rider that day, I’ve curated a gallery of some of the highlights that tell the story of an incredible event filled with talent, dedication, and true western spirit. 💪🏽🤎 Whether you were there in the arena or cheering from the sidelines, I hope these images bring back the joy of that day.
I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to tag along and document this event — and I truly hope it won’t be my last time doing so! I’d love to continue working with this amazing western community and capture even more equine athletes and their stories down the road. 🥰📷
Until next time, ride fast, smile big, and stay wild. 🐎✨
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