Michelle Terlato's connection to horses began early and remained with her throughout her life. Image supplied.
31 July 1968 – 11 October 2025: Michelle Terlato’s passion for photography brought equestrian moments to life, capturing events across Australia and internationally. Her remarkable images leave a legacy cherished by the equestrian community.
Michelle Terlato’s connection to horses began early — she received her first pony before the age of 10 and spent her childhood riding at Upper Beaconsfield Pony Club, Victoria, sparking a lifelong passion for all things equestrian. As an adult, she continued her involvement in the horse world through the Upper Pakenham Pony Club’s adult riding club and by running an agistment property in the foothills of Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges. Horses remained a central part of her life, shaping both her leisure, and later, her professional pursuits.
Michelle and husband Joe. Image supplied.
Her creative journey began in high school art classes, where she discovered photography and learned to develop images in the darkroom. This early curiosity evolved into a deeper passion, and she went on to complete further photography courses as a young adult.
Michelle’s two great loves — horses and photography — naturally converged when she began capturing images of her daughter Ashleigh riding at Upper Pakenham Pony Club in 2005. As her skills grew, so did her opportunities, taking her from local club days to state and national events. A turning point came in 2010, when Michelle entered her work in the Berwick Agricultural Show and won several photography categories — an achievement that gave her the confidence to pursue equine photography professionally.
Beginning locally with Pony Club and Interschool events, Michelle quickly expanded her reach, moving from regional to interstate and then international competitions, where her talent caught the attention of both competitors and equestrian media outlets.
PHOTOGRAPHING FOR EQ LIFE
Michelle first photographed for Equestrian Life at Equitana Sydney in 2011. Publisher Sunday McKay quickly recognised her talent, and a partnership was formed that would last nearly 15 years and through a change of company ownership — one that now lives on through an immense archive of beautiful images.
Equitana 2011: Hans Peter Minderhoud, Michelle Terlato, Brett Parbery, Sunday McKay, and Edward Gal. Image supplied.
Jamie Kermond on Quite Cassini at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France – Michelle Terlato’s first international championship. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
Charlotte and Valegro at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
Her first international assignment with Equestrian Life came at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Caen, France, where she captured the great Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin at their peak, alongside Australian team riders and other global stars.
Many championships followed, with Michelle ringside to capture the action at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon (USA); the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning (Denmark) and Pratoni (Italy); and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Michelle was recognised as an officially accredited AOC equestrian photographer for Paris, as she was for the Tokyo 2021 (2020) and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Her international coverage extended far beyond championships. Michelle also photographed the 2019 Longines Masters in Hong Kong; the 2022 Burghley Horse Trials and Hickstead in England; the 2024 CHIO Aachen in Germany; and several Longines Global Champions Tour events.
“She took great pride
in capturing the magic,
emotion, and trust that
underpin equestrian sport.”
The 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon (USA), L-R: An emotional Isabell Werth aboard Bella Rose; Michelle hard at work behind the lens; Australian Rowan Willis and Blue Movie fly over the water jump. Images by Michelle Terlato Photography/supplied.
Left: Michelle with Australian driving legend Boyd Exell at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon. Right: Michelle photographing at Hickstead in the UK. Images supplied.
Julia Lynch on Copabella Vegas competing on the Longines Global Champions Tour. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
Michelle photographing at Hickstead in the UK. Image supplied.
“Michelle often said that horse
welfare and love of the horse
were paramount…”
MAKING MEMORIES
In many ways, one of Michelle’s greatest achievements was the dedicated coverage she provided to riders on home soil, immortalising countless memories through her lens. She photographed the Adelaide Equestrian Festival (formerly the Australian International Three-Day Event, or Adelaide Five-Star) annually since 2017, and was a familiar presence at Dressage & Jumping with the Stars, the Australian Jumping Championships, the Melbourne International Three-Day Event, and more recently, the Magic Millions Showjumping & Polo — among countless others. She even captured the prestigious Tom Quilty Gold Cup endurance event in 2016.
Michelle also became a sought-after commercial equine photographer for leading brands both locally and internationally (including Bates Saddles, Kentucky Equine Research, and Kelato Animal Health among others), known for her creative flair and her ability to showcase the bond between horse and rider. Her unique angles, particularly her iconic low shots of show jumpers — created with the technical help of her husband, Joe — became instantly recognisable. Her close-up portraits, too, revealed the deep emotional connection between horse and rider.
Michelle often said that horse welfare and love of the horse were paramount — not only for competitors but for horse sport as a whole. With the eyes of the world on her work, she took great pride in capturing the magic, emotion, and trust that underpin equestrian sport.
Left: Sonja Johnson smiles as she clears the water and heads for home on Misty Isle Valentino at Melbourne International Three-Day Event. Right: Kerry Mack and her stallion, Mayfield Pzazz, during the peak of his Grand Prix career. Images by Michelle Terlato Photography.
Years spent by the arena, in all weather, watching horses with love and understanding — that’s what made Michelle’s work truly special. Image supplied.
“A good photo can show
you the facts; a great photo
can show you the feelings.”
Alongside Equestrian Life, Michelle’s photographs are cherished by other media outlets, including Horse Deals and Equestrian Hub. A woman of many talents, she even penned the occasional article, sharing her insights and love for the sport.
Equestrian Life is forever grateful and privileged to have worked with Michelle and will always treasure the hundreds of images she shared with us over the years. Event coverage and storytelling are impossible without great photography — and those images are the result of knowledge, hard work, and passion. Years spent by the arena, in all weather, watching horses with love and understanding — that’s what made Michelle’s work truly special.
Michelle once said, “A good photo can show you the facts; a great photo can show you the feelings.”
Thank you, Michelle, for the beautiful photos — and the feelings — you captured.
The Equestrian Life team extends its deepest condolences to Michelle’s family. She will be greatly missed. EQ
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