Every December, we ask our staff to share their favorite photos from the year that was. Some of this year’s picks are favorites for technical reasons—the light, the composition—but many were memorable for the stories they tell and the special moments they evoke that stand out even amid long days of exciting competition.

Hunter riders aren’t known for being particularly expressive as a whole, but Nick Haness always lightens the mood. While he wins blue at major championships on a regular basis, he celebrated his other ribbons at Platinum Performance/USHJA International Derby Championships in Kentucky in August.

— Mollie Bailey

When I walked over to the iconic Head of the Lake to shoot some novice cross-country at this year’s USEA American Eventing Championships, I could tell the light was doing something magical. It was still relatively early, and the sun was filtering through the trees just enough to make the water’s surface sparkle while the surrounding trees remained dark. As I took a couple of test shots, I could envision the photo I wanted out of this spot. Then I had to wait for just the right horse to come through. Drea Milkamp and Phantomssandstorm were just the pair I was looking for. Phantomssandstorm’s gray coat provided the perfect contrast to the dark surroundings, and the resulting image was magical.

After I posted the picture on the Chronicle’s Instagram, several photographers I look up to reached out to tell me they loved it, which was a big win.

— Kimberly Loushin

Before I got down to Wellington, Florida, for the last two weeks of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival, I’d been hearing about McLain Ward’s newest mount, Ilex, who seemed destined to be a superstar. Watching him in action at the $500,000 Rolex Grand Prix CSI5*, with his ground-covering stride, playful bucks and tremendous scope was a real treat. I shot most of the class over this jump, and most of the photos of it didn’t turn out great. But Ilex jumped it like a giant pony hunter, and I love the way the lights on the palm trees behind McLain make for a festive atmosphere.

— Mollie Bailey

I think it’s safe to say Tamie Smith and Mai Baum were a press room favorite heading into the Mars Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill this year. Many of us have been following “The Black Stallion’s” career from their emotional Fair Hill win in 2015 to their Land Rover Kentucky CCI5*-L win last year. After “Lexus” missed out on the Olympics and Smith announced Maryland would be the gelding’s last five-star start, many were hoping for a fairytale send-off. It ultimately wasn’t to be, as Smith pulled up partway through the course, but I really loved this image of them jumping this massive rolltop at the top of a hill.

— Kimberly Loushin

The big news coming out of the pony jumper competition at USEF Pony Finals this year was how much the ponies and riders struggled in the Final. But Elina Liebert and Diarado Des Cibaudes put in lovely rounds to jump to silver. I took a dozen photos (OK, maybe two dozen) of this cute pair; I love his pink nose and the look of determination on her face in each one.

— Mollie Bailey

Photographing top pairs is one of my favorite parts of traveling to horse shows, and the Longines League Of Nations Ocala in Florida was a great opportunity for that with many of the world’s best converging on the World Equestrian Center—Ocala. The competition didn’t disappoint, and the crew at WEC did a fabulous job with the amazing fences in the main arena. As an avid viewer of the “Free Willy” movies when I was a kid, I loved the addition of the topiary orcas to the open water, captured here being jumped by Hannah Selleck and Cloud 39. I’m still hoping to go on a whale-watching expedition sometime soon, but getting to combine orcas and horses in one image was a pretty fun experience.

— Kimberly Loushin

Taylor Morrow and Chapeau didn’t make headlines at Devon (Pennsylvania); they earned an eighth-placed ribbon in one of the very competitive large pony hunter classes. But Taylor looked as concentrated as any professional over every fence, and Chapeau jumped in great style everywhere too. 

— Mollie Bailey

This image of Mimi Gochman and Gigi’s Girl BH at Devon (Pennsylvania) is one of my favorites because it’s just classically beautiful. “Gigi” always has beautiful form in the air, and Gochman is in a wonderful balance to let her mare do her job easily.

— Kimberly Loushin

Amanda Steege had a roller coaster ride at the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Derby Championships with Lafitte De Muze. After an extraordinary classic round that put her on top, she recognized her cheering section as he exited the ring. The next day she and “Lafitte” would put in another stellar trip, but then Lafitte swapped and scooted when the crowd cheered, knocking them out of contention. I like to remember this part of the weekend, when Amanda was filled with joy from an outstanding classic round.

— Mollie Bailey