Ward Kirshaw, Eyes on the Prize (PEOPLE 2023)

On a late winter afternoon, the sun dips into the cutting arena making it difficult for rider and horse to see the young steer cut from the herd and to keep it that way for the next few minutes. The dust kicked up by the cattle settles like a golden haze, adding to the challenge of the task at hand. The rider sits tall in the saddle, her eyes on the prize as she communicates with her mount, through the subtle movements of her legs.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.