Congratulations to the 2021 Heels Down Spark Award Winners

In April, we set out to find talented and creative equestrian creators.

The Spark Awards is an international competition for inspiring individuals to recognize the creative talent brewing in the horse world. Hosted by Heels Down Media, the Spark Awards are open to basically anyone with a cool idea that touches the equestrian industry in some way. 

And we found them. Over the next several months, we showcased equestrian photographers, writers, designers, artists, broadcasters, advocates and entrepreneurs. It was inspiring to see and share their work.

And then you helped us select our winners. The winners were chosen by a panel of expert judges (75%) and a public vote in the Heels Down Spark, our daily equestrian newsletter (25%).

You voted, and we’ve determined our 2021 Heels Down Spark Award winners. Here they are:

Photography: Spowart/Holm Equestrian

About Spowart/Holm: “Mette Holm is a former national level rider who has competed at the Royal on a number of occasions. After hanging up her spurs, Mette picked up a camera and started to follow her second passion. In a short period of time Mette has moved from being a serious amateur to full-time professional photographer.

Mark Spowart is an award-winning photojournalist who has covered breaking news, A-List concerts and professional sports. His work has been published in books, magazines, newspapers and online in Canada and around the globe. In addition to Spowart/Holm Equestrian Photography he is also a contributor to Canadian Press Images, Getty Images (New York), Sipa Press (Paris, France) and Alamy Live News (London, England).”

About their work: “We set out to create show images full of impact and emotion. To accomplish this we use a variety of techniques including shooting position outside of the ring, and inside the ring through the use of remote cameras. We never shoot from the same position day to day. We work, within acceptable protocols, to change where we shoot from showing different fences and different angles. We know riders have come to expect a ‘certain’ type of picture. We make them, and then show them images they have only seen on magazine covers, only this time, it is a picture of themselves. 

Our work will continue to push the envelope and boundaries of equestrian photography. Through the use of equipment, technique and post production processes we believe our work will continue to challenge other service providers to improve their game, ultimately benefiting the rider who we all do this for.”

Writing: Karla Parsons 

About Karla: “I’m a 45-year-old mum, wife & slightly rubbish Eventer. I work in the NHS as a radiographer. I started my blog because I didn’t feel like there was a place for me in the shiny world of social media & wondered if others felt this way. I hope to support my fellow equestrians & tell people it’s ok to be a little different.”

About her work: “My writing is quirky, yet still relatable. Yes, there is some swearing…but this appears to make it resound more with the reader.”

How horses inspire her: “I was the typical pony mad, but pony less kid growing up. I dreamt of owning a horse & eventing. The love of horses is in my blood, it fires me up & makes me want to be the best version of me, that I can be. Horses are everything to me.”

Read her submitted work here, here and here. Find more of her writing here.

Start Up: Chanel Rhodes 

“I am a first-generation equestrian and third-generation entrepreneur. My brand name Cowgirl Chanel represents perseverance, a unique difference, boldness, and living life with passion. I have developed a new revolutionary business called Mane Tresses. I am the inventor, designer, and creator of easy to install, flexible wigs for horses from forelock to tail. My unique product allows the buyer to express their love and passion for the equestrian sport in different ways, from riding in a parade to competing in the show ring. My product market includes the every day equestrian, movies studios, theme parks, production companies, social media influencers with horses and photographers. Mane Tresses is affordable, reusable, and unique. Each one of my wigs are handmade by me and carries a piece of my passion in every stitch. 

I have been horse obsessed since the diaper days. I was only able to enter the sport fully at the age of 20. I can not remember a time that I have not been inspired by these majestic animals. Every time I saw a horse I was inspired more and more to join the equestrian sport. 

When most people think of horses, they think of long beautiful flowing manes, which my mare does not have. So one day during Black History Month in 2019 I was inspired to be creative with my horse. I just wondered what it would be like to put extensions in my horse’s mane, I was also curious about the response I would receive. I named my first installation project and video ‘Afrocentric Pony.’ Immediately after releasing my video, I was contacted by the ‘Young Black Equestrians’ to participate in a podcast related to my revolutionary artwork, idea, and brand. I was then inspired to pursue a business to create wigs for horses. 50 prototypes, 200 crys, and 1,000 hours of missed sleep later; I finally launched my business on January 25, 2021. My equine-based products are inspired by ‘Afrocentric Pony’ and allow the buyer to project their creativity on their already majestic equine pal with a fun and whimsical touch the way that I did in February of 2019.

I make natural colored and colorful whimsical wigs for horses. These wigs include forelocks, manes, tails, and soon to include leg feathers for drafts. My products are easy to install, light-weight and flexible for the horse without impeding the horse’s movement. These unique designs do not require any braiding, sewing, weaving, multiple clip-ins, crocheting, or adhesives. These wigs are for day use and are easier to remove than to install. They can be cut, washed, styled, and feathered (for more of a layered look). Each wig is custom made to each order and can also be used on multiple horses. These brilliant and innovative designs allow the buyer to creatively express themselves. These products can be used during turn-out, parades, barrel runs, jumping and in any show ring. My products have been featured on NBC’s ‘Access Daily,’ ABC’s ‘To Tell the Truth,’ 60 Second Docs, a Facebook ‘I AM Beautiful’ commercial, Chrome Magazine, Heelsdown Magazine, Cowgirl Magazine, Bust Magazine, Smartpak catalog and blog, Los Angelenos Magazine(LA Times), Eventing Nation article , Horse Rookie letter, Horsemanship Magazine and more.”

Learn more about Mane Tresses here.

Art & Design: Samantha Sherry

About: “Much of my childhood was spent on a horse’s back. I competed nationally in barrel racing events and was a member of my university’s rodeo team. I am a currently a full-time artist living in Tennessee with three dogs and a 4-year-old Quarter Horse I am training.

In the fall of 2019, I was invited to be the Artist in Residence at Tryon International Equestrian Center and I exhibit work nationally at various museums and galleries. Most recently as part of several exhibitions; including Cowgirl Up!, where I was awarded the Western Art Collector’s Award of Excellence, the Mountain Oyster Contemporary Art Show and Sale, the Western Spirit Art Show, Art of the West, America’s Horse in Art, and a solo show at the American Quarter Horse Museum in 2020.”

“Often varied in style and media, the pieces are unified by subject and theme. Within the work, equine imagery is symbolic and provides the vocabulary and distance necessary to explore deeply personal issues and motifs. My work examines the relationships between memory, family, identity, and loss. The collection, reassembling, and integration of non-traditional materials (i.e. horsehair) with more conventional art mediums and methods aid in the exploration of the continuums between these complex domains.”

How horses inspired her: “Like many young girls, I was obsessed with horses. I dreamt about horses. I drew and painted them. I poured over books dedicated to them. Eventually, my weekly horseback riding lesson evolved into horse ownership. I understood instinctively what a privilege it was to be in the presence of such majestic creatures. Despite countless extracurricular activities and commitments, horses were my priority. Horseback was where I was challenged and comforted, it was the one place I felt myself.”

“Because I was a member of the rodeo team, I was able to bring my horses to college with me. It was during my first official art class in college, I decided to pursue a degree in art. After graduating with a BFA in Studio Art, I enrolled in the MFA program at the Memphis College of Art. My MFA degree was followed by a second masters degree (MAT) and a decision to stay in Memphis. 

Finally freed from the constraints of academia, I gave myself permission to allow my lifelong obsession to fuel my work. Even though I frequently use equine imagery in my work, my creations are not simply just about drawing or painting ‘pretty ponies.’ It is much deeper. Horses have always been my point of entry into the world, a way of framing, questioning, understanding, connecting, and commemorating.”

View more of Samantha’s work here.

Changemaker: Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship 

About: “The mission of the Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship is to provide opportunities for young adult riders from marginalized communities to become involved or stay involved in horse sports through financial awards and mentorship focusing on not only horsemanship and equestrian pursuits, but also career planning and education. 

We believe that opportunities for riding, training, and showing are not easily attainable to individuals facing socioeconomic and accessibility hurdles as well as overt and passive discrimination based upon their race, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

Impact: “After launching in August 2020, we have received as many as 20 applicants each award cycle. All of these young riders were paired with mentors who matched with their career, education, or riding interests. Some provide tangible horse care and riding advice to these young riders seeking knowledge or guidance, other mentors provided solidarity to riders who are navigating the tricky waters of being an openly LGBTQ+ equestrian or a person of color in the show ring. Some mentors share perspective on career planning, be it a career within or outside of the equine industry. We believe this impact is worth far more than the financial awards we provide, but those monetary funds are not trivial either! One college senior was able to fund her IHSA season with the scholarship. One para-dressage rider was able to pay for lessons at a dressage barn in addition to her therapeutic riding lessons. And our most recent awardee plans to put a portion of her scholarship towards t-shirt printing equipment so that she can launch her own business and support her horse habit for years to come.”

The Goal: “We want to change the world! And no, that’s not an exaggeration! We believe that the future is in the hands of the youth and it’s up to all of us to treat them right and give them the opportunities that they deserve so that the future is bright, safe, and secure. Horses empower us, motivate us, make us work hard, and help us chase our dreams. Our hope is that these young adults are able to keep horses in their life as a basis for their empowerment, their motivation, and their future success. Because the future for all of us depends on what they are able to achieve.”

Find out more about the scholarship here.

Broadcasting: Elisa Wallace

“My YouTube channel documents my career as a professional equestrian and my relationships with my horses. Though the stories of my horses, including the ups and the downs, I hope to inspire riders to grow in their equine relationships, and to educate non-riders in their appreciation of these amazing animals. 

I am continually inspired by how forgiving horses are. My horses inspire me to communicate better and to have more patience in all areas of my life.”

Watch some of Elisa’s work here and here. Learn more about Elisa here. And don’t forget to vote on Friday! 

Entrepreneurship: Erin Brown 

“My name is Erin Brown, affectionately known as ‘The Concrete Cowgirl’ I am the Executive Director of Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy (PURA) which is an extension and outgrowth to the original Fletcher Street Stables. PURA was established to preserve the life, legacy and culture of the Urban Black Cowboy in Philadelphia, which was recently displayed in the recent Concrete Cowboy film on Netflix. I am also the owner of Concrete Horsemanship – which is to create a successful partnership through a concrete understanding of your horse.

Our goal is to preserve the life and legacy of the urban black Cowboy in Philadelphia, while providing hands on equine experiences and a safe haven for inner city youth.

With a rise in gun violence, gentrification and lack of youth recreation – Not every kid wants to play basketball. Not every kid wants to play football. Some kids want to ride horses. Horses change lives.”

Learn more about PURA here.

Congratulations to all of our 2021 winners!