World Equestrian Games

In September I had the privilege of covering the first two days of the World Equestrian Games for the New York Times. This year was the first ever that the WEG were held in the United States, and what state would be more appropriate to host than Kentucky?

Day two was the endurance competition, a rigorous 100 mile marathon for horses and their riders. At the end of each 20 mile segment the horses were doused with cold water to lower their heart rates, then were inspected by veterinarians before being allowed to return to the course.

Covering endurance was a logistical challenge. 30 photographers crammed into two 12-passenger vans and raced toward privately owned farms, hoping to catch the leading horses riding through the scenic Eastern Kentucky landscapes.

Being able to compete against so many experienced photographers from all over the world was a treat, as well as meeting photojournalists whose work I admire like Caren Firouz (Senior Photojournalist for Reuters in Iran) and Larry W. Smith (Contract photographer for European Pressphoto Agency in the Midwest United States)


An early morning Dressage work out for a member of the Italian Equestrian team on the opening day of the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, September 25, 2010. (Luke Sharrett for the New York Times)



Bogdan Czarnik of Poland rides "Colonel Pepenator" during the second round of the Reining competition on the opening day of the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, September 25, 2010. (Luke Sharrett for the New York Times)



A lone rider is seen shortly after crossing the starting line of the Endurance competition on the second day of the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, September 26, 2010. (Luke Sharrett for the New York Times)



A Spanish equestrian crosses a covered bridge on a farm during the second leg of the Endurance competition during the second day of the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, September 26, 2010. (Luke Sharrett for the New York Times)



German Equestrian Gabrielle Forster competes in the Endurance competition during the second day of the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, September 26, 2010. (Luke Sharrett for the New York Times)

German equestrians wash a horse to bring down its heart rate in the Endurance competition during the second day of the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, September 26, 2010. (Luke Sharrett for the New York Times)

Equestrians clean the hoof of a competing horse at a crew check station during Endurance competition on the second day of the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, September 26, 2010. (Luke Sharrett for the New York Times)

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai leads a pack of Arab riders in the fourth leg of the Endurance competition during the second day of the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, September 26, 2010. (Luke Sharrett for the New York Times)

American Heather Reynolds rides "Samiam" across the finish line after completing the Endurance competition during the second day of the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, September 26, 2010. (Luke Sharrett for the New York Times)

Arab influence in the World Equestrian Games has increased in recent years.
(Left) Team members from the United Arab Emirates seek shelter from the mid-day sun in a luxury tent constructed on the grounds of the Games.
(Right) A member of the UAE team carries the United Arab Emirates flag inside the UAE's luxury tent on the first day of the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, September 25, 2010. (Luke Sharrett for the New York Times)

Thanks for looking!

**Photos copyright Luke Sharrett**

Posted by Luke S at 5:36 PM