With a new camera body to test, a lovely forecast (at least from 1400 onwards!) and Towcester Racecourse’s final National Hunt racing meeting of the 2014/15 season, it was a bit of a no-brainer to once again take advantage of the course’s free admission policy.

The camera I was testing was a Canon EOS-5D MkIII. A good friend had very kindly allowed me to borrow his example to let me try before I bought, and to say I fell in love with it would be a massive understatement. This was my first outing with my own and the first time I’d used one for any equine photography.

On the drive to the course I had to contend with rains of biblical proportions. It was very heavy indeed, and I was starting to question just how badly I wanted to go through with it. I sat it out in the car for a while until the worst of it had passed.

I had intended to venture down towards the far side of the course, as per my previous visit, but, having reached the first hurdle and got my feet extremely wet in the process on the rain drenched grass, I decided that it was perhaps a day to stay somewhat closer to the parade ring, grandstand and winning post!

As things transpired, I’m really glad I did, as I came away with what I think are some really nice action shots, as well as getting some lovely – and very different to my first outing – stuff on the horsewalk and winner’s enclosures.

Once again, the 5D3 performed flawlessly, and the depth of colours and contrast straight out of the camera is just delightful. I think it could be the start of a beautiful friendship!

For Towcester Racecourse, the 2015/16 National Hunt racing season gets underway on 7th October 2015, but, if you can’t wait until then to visit, you can find greyhound racing taking place every Friday and Saturday night as well as every Sunday afternoon. As with the horses, admission is free.