As Chronicle staffers covering competitions around the world, we take thousands of photos each year. Some of our favorite pictures are ones you might expect—riders winning major championships or smiling on a podium—but others make the list because they demonstrate a particularly strong bond between horse and rider. Still others were captured in beautiful light or under a clear blue sky.

Check out our top picks of pics for 2013:

Pieter Devos kissed his mare, Candy, after winning the $1 Million CN Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta. (Photo by Mollie Bailey.)

Westray and Tammy Provost were the picture of elegance stepping over this classic, Kentucky-themed fence at the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship. (Photo by Mollie Bailey.)

Even though he was far from home, Swedish-bred D Niro was greeted by fans at the Reem Acra FEI Dressage World Cup Finals in Gothenburg, Sweden. The gelding represented Canada with Jacqueline Brooks, and he was even able to meet his breeder at the competition. (Photo by Mollie Bailey.)

Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg topped the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final in Sweden with Damon Hill NRW, and here they waited patiently for their honor round. (Photo by Lisa Slade)

Another day, another dollar: New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson dropped casually and easily into the Head Of The Lake at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** before going on to win. (Photo by Kat Netzler.)

Spanish moss and event horses mix beautifully at the Red Hills CIC***. Here Emily Rusinyak and Absolute V gallop around the Florida cross-country course. (Photo by Kat Netzler)

This photo of Blue Angel and Kent Farrington watching a Jumbotron replay of their winning ride in the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix at the Washington International went viral on the Chronicle’s Facebook page, earning a then-record 10,388 likes and 977 shares. (Photo by Mollie Bailey)

Everyone cheered for Jan Byyny as she won the Dutta Corp. Fair Hill International CCI*** (Md.), marking an extraordinary comeback. (Photo by Sara Lieser.)

There’s the thrill of triumph for some at the Rolex Kentucky CCI****—such as when Daniel Clasing jumped clear around this first four-star cross-country with longtime partner Houston. (Photo by Beth Honcharski.)

Then there are displays of good sportsmanship and horsemanship, as Ronald Zabala-Goetschel demonstrated. (Photos by Kat Netzler.)

You could still see the bond between a horse and her former rider as George Williams participated in a retirement ceremony for Rocher in the Dixon Oval at Dressage At Devon (Pa.). (Photo by Lisa Slade.)

Angelica Augustsson endured a scary moment  in the Furusiyya Nations Cup Consolation Final with Mic Mac du Tillard. (Photo by Mollie Bailey.)

That’s not a zebra: Children’s hunter Queen Of Hearts turned heads in New York with Gabriella Savatierre aboard. (Photo by Lindsay Berreth)

And Timber Ridge’s dapples stunned spectators in Wellington, Fla. (Photo by Mollie Bailey.)

Show jumper/eventer Marilyn Little and RF Demeter jumped this enormous cross-country fence at The Fork (N.C.) easily out of stride, managing to look like they could be skipping around a handy hunter trip. (Photo by Lindsay Berreth)

Top dressage and event rider Ingrid Klimke proved that there’s no harm in doing a little jumping in your dressage tack at the first Global Dressage Forum North America. (Photo by Lisa Slade.)

Senior editor Kat Netzler journeyed to Doha, Qatar, to see the Al Shaqab venue. (Photo by Kat Netzler)

Event riders learned from show jumping master George Morris in a clinic held at Boyd Martin’s farm. (Photo by Amy Dragoo.)

And Morris proved that, even at 74 and with or without stirrups, he can still ride circles around everyone else. (Photo by Molly Sorge.)  

Adrienne Iverson and Salto found the perfect light and displayed perfect form at the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships in Lexington, Ky. (Photo by Mollie Bailey)

Beezie Madden’s longtime groom Clark Shipley shared the limelight with Simon at the Rolex FEI World Cup Show Jumping Final in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Mollie Bailey.)

That’s A 10: Edward Gal showed off new star Glock’s Undercover at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final, earning top marks for piaffe and passage. (Photo by Lisa Slade.)

Then Gal demonstrated the spirit of friendly competition, joking around with Helen Langehanenberg and Adelinde Cornelissen on the podium. (Photo by Lisa Slade.)

The Shetland Pony race was a highlight of this year’s Washington International. (Photo by Mollie Bailey.)

Legolas knew he was a star at the Aachen CDIO in Germany. (Photo by Shannon Brinkman.)

Where’s the rail?: Williams took a huge leap over the open water at the Adequan North American Junior And Young Rider Championships (Ky.) with Robert Jornayvaz aboard. (Photo by Lindsay Berreth)