Spark Awards | Nominations Are Open

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 equestrians, entrepreneurs, writers, designers and more – basically anyone with a cool idea that touches the equestrian industry in some way. 

This competition welcomes creative types from all backgrounds and disciplines, from around the world who positively contribute to equestrian sport in the following seven categories:

Photography, Writing, Art and Design, Changemaker, Broadcasting (podcast and video creators), Entrepreneurship Start Up and Entrepreneurship 2+ years in business. 

The winners will be selected by a panel of expert judges (75%) and a public vote in the Heels Down Spark, our daily equestrian newsletter (25%).

To apply, click on the tab of the appropriate category. Complete the form and submit the samples required by May 30, 2021 11:59 EST. 

Having trouble submitting an entry? Answer the questions included in the form(s) below, add necessary attachments and email it to us instead: [email protected]

Photography

Includes all equine and equine-related (equipment, tack, products, etc.) photography. Only digital submissions accepted. Image specifics 1200 px max across the long side, 140 DPI.

Writing

Open to bloggers and writers on any platform [social media, personal websites, columns published in professional outlets, authors of books, poetry, etc.] Content must be/have been published at the time of submission. Only online links to available content accepted as submissions.

Art & Design

Includes all various mediums, i.e. sculpture, painting, graphic design, textile art, woodworking, etc. Only photo/digital submissions accepted. Image specifics 1200 px max across the long side, 140 DPI.

Changemaker

Open to individuals who have changed the equestrian world for the better in some way, either through advocacy, nonprofit work, product design and implementation, or through other means. Submissions should include examples of the action taken or tangible impact this person or team inspired.

Broadcasting

Open to podcasters and video creators. Content must be/have been published at the time of submission. Online links to available content accepted as submissions.

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Entrepreneurship | Start Up

Open to entrepreneurs with product or service businesses, professional riders, sole proprietorships, freelancers, and nonprofits in operation for less than 2 years. Applicants must own at minimum 50% of the active business at the time of submission.

Entrepreneurship | 2+ years in business

Open to entrepreneurs with product or service businesses, professional riders, sole proprietorships, freelancers, and nonprofits in operation for more than 2 years. Applicants must own at minimum 50% of the active business at the time of submission.

Contest Rules: 

Deadline to enter: May 30, 2021  at 11:59 p.m. EST.

All content must be submitted with required form by contest deadline to be considered. 

All finalists and winners are chosen at the sole discretion of Heels Down Media.

All content must be original to the applicant. Applicants must own the rights to all submissions, and upon the submission of all work grants.

Heels Down Media has the right to publish and share all submitted content for the purpose of the 2021 Spark Awards.

Judging criteria: One winner from each category will be selected in-part by a panel of three expert judges and from votes from the audience. Finalists from each category will be notified and featured on heelsdownmag.com and our channels. 

The public may cast votes in the Heels Down Spark daily newsletter. The public vote will comprise 25% of the final decision and the other 75% will be decided by the panel of expert judges. 

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