The Oaks at Lake City: Grand Opening!

Best shooting day EVER. Seriously. I got the new 70-300mm lens that I have been wanting FOR-E-VER and had soooo much fun with it. I was invited to The Oaks at Lake City's grand opening. The Oaks is this humongous equestrian facility that was started by two amazing Olympic riders, Karen and David O'Connor. The entire place was based off of their standards and training, and the result was fantastic! It's a funny story about how I came to learn about this place. See, in my broke-college-student status, I work at Publix as a cashier to feed my photography and horse obsession. I met Dina, who works at The Oaks, while I was at work. She came through my line ans was telling me all about this grand opening, and invited me to come out an photograph! So, without further ado, I present the most amazing pictures I have taken so far as a photographer! We started out in the dressage arena outside, where Michelle Van den Neste was showing off her amazing dressage talent: Tell me this horse isn't jaw-dropping! And this was only the cutest thing ever. I have never seen such a small horse before. That girl is kneeling on the ground next to him! So then, Michelle made her way into the gigantic covered riding arena and performed an amazing musical number. I could never do dressage. It takes so much patience and perfection. It is so amazing to watch though!
And then there was this guy. Stunning. I have never been a big fan of arabians, but this guy was sure a looker. We watched him dance and prance all over the arena, and then I followed them out and got some real nice shots. He posed for me!


Favorite!
Then we went back outside to the outdoor arena, where I snagged two favorites.
I think this one could totally be on a magazine cover.


And this one has to be one of my all-time favorite shots ever. I didn't even have to edit this picture, it looked so good. This was just one of those right time, right place kind of shots, and I couldn't be happier with the results.

After that, we decided it was time to get home. On our way out, I managed to grab these two shots:

Part of Chester Weber's four-in-hand team heading to the arena:

And a lovely artistic shot of another dressage rider in the covered arena:


So, like I said, we thought we were going to go home, but we somehow ended up at Canterbury taking even more picttures. BUT, I am latelatelate and have to get the horse loaded up and get to the arena! Be on the lookout for another post soon!