Client: SHS

Project: Campaign

Capturing this shoot was truly special for our team, and the pre-production alone took months as we worked to secure the perfect location.

We scouted sites across the UK but it was only on a cold Saturday morning that I stumbled upon the sign for Arley Hall. The moment I arrived, I had a gut feeling… this was it. The location perfectly embodied the story we wanted to tell.

The next challenge was finding the right horse. I spent weeks measuring over 30 horses to ensure the perfect shoe fit. At times, I felt like Cinderella searching for her glass slipper! In the end… we found Carrot a great stamp of a horse who only just fit within the size range.

With the added bonus of an owner whose hoof knowledge was second to none, my stress eased considerably!

Since we were flying the entire team in we only had a one day shoot to get everything. Every storyboard detail had been planned to within an inch but with the unpredictability of English weather, we knew success hinged on the sky. That morning, despite fears of rain we were gifted with a crisp autumn fog and soft dew.

Riding Carrot through the mist gave me the unforgettable feeling that all our hard work had paid off. In just over four hours we completed every riding shot with Max covering both photography and video while I balanced directing and riding.

The results were nothing short of outstanding. Thanks to all involved and the team at Arley.