A Day at Rocking L Equine

A Snowy Start to a Day on the Road

It’s 6:00 AM, and the day is already in motion. The alarm rang at 4:00 AM, pulling us into the quiet darkness of a winter morning. A pot of coffee brewed as Frank Sinatra’s voice hummed through the Alexa speaker, setting the tone for the road ahead. Outside, a fresh six inches of snow blanketed everything in sight, the soft glow of candlelight flickering as we double-check our gear. Cameras are charged, and in just a couple of hours, we’ll be on our way to Seneca, Illinois—bound for Rocking L Equine.

Row of saddled horses standing in an indoor riding arena.

We arrived at Rocking L Equine for Kolt and Jacky Reynolds’ reining clinic. The arena was full of energy, with 15 riders focused on sharpening their skills. Horses moved with precision as Kolt and Jacky gave feedback, fine-tuning everything from stops to spins.

We got to work right away, capturing the details—dust kicking up under sliding hooves, the quiet concentration on each rider’s face, and the connection between horse and rider. It was a full day of shooting, finding the right angles and waiting for those perfect moments.

At some point, we took a break and grabbed some pizza, which definitely hit the spot after an early morning and hours behind the camera. Then it was back to work, finishing out the day doing what we love—documenting great horses and great people.

Horse and rider kicking up dust while performing in an indoor equestrian arena.

Side view of someone riding horseback in an indoor equestrian facility.

Rider in brown hoodie holding reins while mounted on horseback in indoor arena.

As rodeo photographers, capturing this clinic felt like a natural step forward, but with a different kind of pace. The precision of reining had a rhythm all its own—slower, controlled, but still demanding of our attention to detail. We adjusted our approach to catch the quiet intensity of each moment, noticing things we might miss in a faster-paced shoot.

Horse and rider creating dust clouds during indoor arena training session.

After the 2 hour drive home, we unpacked our gear, backed up the photos, and finally took a moment to relax. A hot cup of tea and How I Met Your Mother made for the perfect way to wind down while we started sorting through the shots. There’s always something exciting about the first look—reliving the day and catching details we might have missed in real time. Some shots stood out right away, like the crisp spins and the focused expressions of the riders.

Though this event was a bit "out of the norm" from what we usually shoot, it was exactly the kind of challenge we enjoy. Every event teaches us something new, and we’re looking forward to taking what we learned and applying it to future shoots. As we worked through edits, we couldn’t help but talk about what’s next—new events, new styles, and new ways to grow as photographers.

Close-up of western boot with spurs in stirrup while riding horseback.

Western rider on horseback in indoor riding arena with overhead lighting.

Riders practicing barrel racing maneuvers inside a large indoor equestrian arena.

Horse and rider in motion kicking up arena dust during indoor training.

It’s easy to stick to what’s familiar, to stay in the comfort zone, but that’s where growth happens. Trying something new, even if it feels a little daunting, is the key to discovering new passions and sharpening your skills. Whether it’s picking up a new photography style, tackling a new project, or simply pushing yourself to take on challenges, stepping outside your comfort zone opens doors you never knew were there. We’re living proof that the most rewarding experiences are the ones that make you step up, take a risk, and see where it leads.