Page 87 - Puissance Euro 1

Eventing is voor mij de meest complete vorm van paardensport omdat zowel dressuur, springen als een crossparcours aan bod komente sturen. En dan mocht er terwijl niemand de telefoon aanraken die je moest gebruiken, anders kon je helemaal opnieuw beginnen (lacht).Dat kunnen we ons nu nog amper voorstellen...Tijdens het laatste EK in Aken liepen de beelden van de Belgische en Nederlandse ruiters een paar minuten na hun rit al binnen op mijn website. Daar kunnen mijn klanten de foto’s downloaden. Veel sneller kan volgens mij niet, maar zelfs dat is voor sommigen soms nog niet voldoende. In- ternet en andere nieuwe media deden heel veel veranderen,How did you arrive into the world of equestrianism?I attended the races and events in which my first wife took part. So I was automatically introduced into this world. Our first own horse had its stable with Mieke Lunskens. I rode myself a couple of times in the wooded surroundings of the riding school De Kraal in Zandhoven. I met my former teacher Ludo Van Bouwel at an event in Schoten. He was a journalist at the time and invited me to accompany him to a jumping event. The rest is history. I delivered my first pictures of horses back in 1984. I first combined photographing with my job as an employee at the copper factory in Hemiksem, but in 1991I started Hippo Foto. Three years later I decided to start as a full time photographer specialized in pictures of the eques- trian world.Which is the hardest item for an equestrian photographer?I need to be constantly aware of two living creatures at work, which implies that anything may happen. As a photographerI am always positioned on the front row, very close to horses and riders. Experience taught me I should find the ‘right distance’ and respect customs and consequently riders will show themselves very accessible. Being pushy would have the opposite effect.85