Horse Jumping

I have been asked to photograph my friend's daughter at a horse show where she will be jumping her horse for competition.
The riders wear helmets and I would like to use a fill flash to light her face. Is that OK in these events?
Jonathan

You should check with the event venue or coordinator. Sometimes yes, othertimes no, a lot of times they do not allow flash during the competition for fear of scaring the horses.

Ask your friend to find out, since they're in the competition they should be able to get that information or at least know who to talk to.

I attend loads of these things a year in the UK (not sure where you are) I have NEVER seen anyone using flash at a show - We have 3 horses ourselves and I know what flash can do to them, occasionally people have taken pics up at the yard with point and shoots and the flash has fired - They don't like it!!!

I would be extremely supprised if anyone would allow this at a show.

If you do take pics at a show, try to 'blend-in' - i.e. don't wear bright clothes and make sudden movements whilst the horses and riders are compeating for instance, try and stand back from the ringside edge, horses can 'spook' at the simplest things sometimes, including big white lenses and loud shutters firing off at 5fps

That's why I said to ask. I've not been to a jumping show, but I've been to a couple smaller riding shows, and I only saw one where people used a flash. (Not sure if it was actually allowed, but they did it.) I was at one where not photography was allowed at all because the horses didn't like the noise at all.

Thanks for the input. I called the barn that is hosting the event and it turns out they have a photographer who has an exclusive contract to shoot the event. I callled him and he was kind enough to allow me to shoot this ONE person. Plus he gave the OK to using fill flash.
I will post the images on the "Sports" section later (the event is on March 18).
JS

I attend jumping contests at the LA Equestrian Center and have never have used flash or have seen anyone use a flash during the actual event. When they were handing out the awards I did see it once though. I probably wouldn't want to use flash as it may spook the horse or interrupt the rider.

But if the event photog says it's ok, you might want to give it a try. I personally don' t like to use it as I prefer available light. You can do both then, consider using spot metering and metering for the eyes without the flash and then using flash for fill in.
Here are my shots. EXIF data are available below the image so you can see my shooting parameters.
Good luck
http://yido.smugmug.co​m/gallery/836619

Thanks, Tee. I love the B/Ws on your site. I have the same Canon camera. What lenses do you suggest for shooting hunt seat jumping? I know this is a personal preference issue but I need some guide lines. The photographer for the event is a Nikon person.
JS
I need to upgrade my "gear signature"

Thanks, I almost always shoot with the 70-200mm f2.8L. It's usually dim, so I've to increase the ISO to about 400-1600 and shoot pretty open, anywhere from f2.8-4, but mostly at f2.8-3.5.

I generally set to Av Mode and set my aperature to about f2.8-3.5, then I increase my ISO to get shutterspeed just over 1/200sec to prevent motion blur. I use center AF point and AI servo with auto advance. Just start following the rider/horse with the camera and start taking the shots. Always follow through even if you stop shooting. You'll get a sense for how the event goes so you can work on timing. I generally find that as the horse jumps, it looks really nice to get the shot just before the horse reaches the top of it's arc. It gives it a dynamic look to the shot. But you'll have to find a style you like. You may want to go to other events and just shoot for practice.
Good luck.