So it is about time I properly introduce myself to everyone!
Hi, I am Joss and I am an Equine Photographer based in Wiltshire.
Animals, and horses in particular have been a huge part of my life from a very young age. The first horse I rode, at the age of 4, was an ex-racehorse called Flash who lived in Zimbabwe with my great-uncle. I remember it so clearly, looking over the top of his long neck, feeling so high up and stirring oats in the barn with my little arms to feed to the horses. Shortly after I started having lessons back in the UK and my horse addiction well and truly began! I don’t know about you, but I still go ‘horses!!’ when I drive past them.
Here are some facts you may not know about me:
- I used to work for Gary Witheford, a ‘horse whisperer’ who helps troubled racehorses – it was a HUGE learning experience and completely changed my life
- I am also an artist, specialising in pencils and watercolours, mainly doing pet portraits – you can view my work on my instagram page @jossridleyart. When I was little I used to draw horses with 18 legs because that’s how I saw them when they ran fast!
- I am a big TV fan, as is the rest of my family, we regularly get addicted to TV shows, from nature documentaries to gripping dramas
- I have a fox red Labrador called Penny (ok, if you take one look at any of my social media pages you know I have a dog haha! She was once described as the most instagrammed dog in the Cotswolds). I love spending time on long walks with her in the countryside
- I love the New Forest, it is my favourite place in the UK. Horses, donkeys and deer all wandering free in the most beautiful location – how could anyone not love it??
- Most of my family are from Zimbabwe, we used to visit a lot when I was a kid, but it wasn’t until more recently when we returned in 2017 and 2019 to go game viewing and I have fallen completely in love with Africa. There is something about Africa that gets into your soul more so than any other place. I would love to go on horseback safari!
- I have a first class honours degree in Equine Management from the Royal Agricultural University. It was so fascinating learning about the amazing animals I had admired for so long
- I was the Events Manager at Beaufort Polo Club for 3yrs and have been in polo since spending my Placement Year at Cirencester Polo Club in 2015 – I got to meet royalty, some of the best polo players in the world and became really passionate about the sport. Unfortunately, I am incapable of hitting the ball so a career as a polo player is not a possibility…
- I never considered Equine Photography as a career until I met Emily Hancock & Hannah Freeland from the Training Barn. I had the most amazing experience on one of their courses and I instantly knew it was the job for me!
So that’s a bit about me! I would love to know more about you and the horses in your life. Pop me a message and let’s chat!
