Four off the Floor

One of the better parts, for me, at the MIHA event yesterday was meeting the event's official photographer.  We had a few hours of interesting conversation.  Clearly, he did not see me as a threat.  I didn't ask any trade secrets.  During our conversation, I did ask where some of the better angles for shots would be for the Cloverleaf event.  The photographer was very knowledgeable of the event and the arena.  He suggested a few places, what I would see in each place and where to stay away from.  Very cool information.
When it was suggested to me by a photo club member that this would be a fun shoot, the only advice I was given (more of a directive) was don't use flash.  And that made sense to me.  Last thing I want to do do is startle a 1500 lb critter.  Oh yea, and maybe ruin a kid's career.  And I'm OK with not using a flash.  I have a nice flash unit, but it is very rarely used.
Wait, what?

Wasn't me.  It was the guy who takes pictures at these events for a living.  I was shooting 7 FPS at this time.  We matched.  Sure, the image is a bit off on my end, but that's what you get when you use flash and 10000 ISO.  Anyway, moral of the story is the horses and riders at this level don't startle easy.
Back to the real purpose of the post.  In my conversations with the photographer, he was nice enough to tell me some of the things people look for in a photograph.  One of those shots would be where all four hoofs are off the ground at the same time.  And he told me where in the Cloverleaf pattern I would see this.  He also said, not every horse and rider is capable of this coming together and I'd be lucky enough to catch it.  In fact, there would be very few opportunities.
I had a mission.
Here are the three I have with all four off the ground.

Four off the Floor #1

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15 /18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

82 mm, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 10000

EV +2, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

Four off the Floor #2

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15 /18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

82 mm, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 10000

EV +2, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

Four off the Floor #3

NIKON D500 Ver.1.15 /18.0-200.0 mm f/3.5-5.6

82 mm, 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 12800

EV +2, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

Fun part of the event, and lots of good 'horse' type photos.  Great practice and stretching the D500's abilities.