Barden Photographic

🏆 The final day of competition brings it all down to this - precision, power, and pressure in the Gillian Rolton Main Arena.

Show Jumping Day is where champions are decided, with riders and horses giving everything in the fight for the top of the leaderboard. Every rail, every second, every round counts.

📷 Barden Photographic

Great to see Lahni, one of so many talented young riders competing at The Cairns Show. Watching the next generation of riders chase their goals is always inspiring. The future of equestrian sport is in very good hands. 💚

What a day at the Cairns Show! Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings 🤩

Beautifully written words ❤️

Stop being so f*cking mean to yourself.

I know you think this doesn't apply to you, that you're not mean to yourself. Ok then, answer me this...

When did you last finish a ride and immediately think about what went right and what you did well, before reflecting on the parts that could have been improved?

When did you last give yourself a rest? And I mean a proper rest, no riding, no rushing around with somewhere to be. I mean taking time for you to chilled, regulated and content.

When did you last allow yourself to feel proud of something you've achieved without trying to dilute it?
''Oh it was all the horse''
''He helped me out''
''He saved me at fence 4''

When someone gives you a compliment, do you graciously accept it or do you dismiss and downplay it?

When was the last time you spent money on yourself? Not riding clothes, not clothes for work, not a new rug, or the weekly shop? When did you last buy yourself that nice coffee or cozy blanket, just because you wanted it?

I know you think you're not mean to yourself. That you're just ''joking around'' and ''having a laugh'' when you berate yourself for that pole down or missed fence. But your brain is ALWAYS listening, and it remembers and takes in far more than you are consciously aware of.

Equestrians are notoriously driven and passionate. We rarely settle and our goalposts are forever shifting. It's both a blessing and a curse, but you will never be the rider you want to be whilst consistently being mean to yourself, even in tiny ways.

So just try and be a little kinder to yourself. Celebrate your wins, allow yourself to feel proud, take credit for working hard. Be your own biggest fan.

Self belief is a super power, and it's probably the one thing holding you back.

📸 📸 Exciting news! Barden Photographic will be photographing the equestrian events at the Cairns Show!

I’ll be photographing on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 July.

With multiple rings running throughout the day, I’ll be photographing as many competitors as possible, but I can’t guarantee coverage of every round. If you’d like to guarantee coverage, I’m now taking Expressions of Interest for Priority Coverage.

Simply send me a message with your horse’s name, the classes you’re competing in, and the day(s) you’ll be attending. I’ll map expressions of interest against the competition and confirm Priority Coverage where I’m able to guarantee coverage.

I can’t wait to see everyone at the Show! 💚

Photographed here is Renee Swensen

Did someone ask for a sneak peek? When there are no horsey events on the calendar, what else can a photographer do? This weekend I had the pleasure of photographing the Atherton Tableland Kennel Club Dog Show, and wow was Saturday a huge day! Unfortunately, with the opening of the heavens, the camera had to hide on Sunday. I hope you all like the sneak peek, and I can’t wait for you to see the rest!

Photos are uploading now and the gallery linked below will be released tonight. Thank you to the Atherton Tableland Kennel Club Inc for the incredible Dog Show this weekend.

https://bardenphotographic.shootproof.com/gallery/f7d25fa9-914b-4d85-8f3e-50c328e84ed4

There’s something special about a bit of sand dancing. 🤎

There’s a quiet beauty to dressage—the partnership, the precision, and the trust between horse and rider.

It was so lovely to spend the day at the Malanda Show watching competitors encourage one another, celebrate each other’s rides, and simply enjoy a fantastic day with their horses.

Thanks for having me along! 💚

Photographed here is Morgaine Crew

📸 It’s time to relive a wonderful day! The gallery from the 2026 Malanda Show Dressage Competition is ready for viewing.

A heartfelt thank you to Meraki Equestrian Centre for the invitation and the honour of photographing your riders throughout the day. 💚

A special thank you also to the Malanda Show Society, the organisers, volunteers, officials and everyone working behind the scenes to make the event possible, your efforts are truly inspiring, and your hard work showed throughout the event.

Congratulations to every rider who took part. Whether it was your first test or your hundredth, I hope you enjoy looking back on your day.

If you’d like to have a look through the gallery, you can find it here:

Malanda Show - Dressage Malanda Show - Dressage

Posts like this remind me why I love what I do. ❤️

Thank you so much to Meraki Equestrian Centre for your incredibly kind words. Capturing moments like these, where months or years of hard work come together in one unforgettable second, is exactly why I photograph our local equestrian community.

Congratulations again to Mia and Coco. 💚