FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH

Equestrian photographer Sebastian Oakley shows you how to get the jump on the competition

Show jumping is a sport that consists of a horse and rider navigating a series of jumps. Those who clear the course without knocking any of the poles down head into a jump-off. with the cleanest and fastest round winning the competition. The jump-off is helpful for photographers, as it means that you have a second chance at getting the best shot possible.

A great showjumping photo conveys the natural movement of the horse with the rider's face in focus. This often requires you to stop down to around f/4. or my preferred aperture of f/5.6, as you need to get both subjects in focus; if the horse or rider isn't sharp. the photos aren't worth the space on your memory card. While a 70-200mm zoom range will cover most smaller venues, if you get more ambitious you'll want to add a 400mm or 600mm super-telephoto to your kit bag.

1. CHECK THE COURSE