The Spark Awards for Equestrian Creativity 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. 

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%).

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    

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Entrepreneurship – Start Up 

Includes products, services, 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  

Includes products, services, professional riders, sole proprietorships, freelancers, and nonprofits. Applicants must own at minimum 50% of the active business at the time of submission.

How to Enter:

All submissions will be completed using this form. The deadline to apply is May 30.   

Judging criteria: One winner from each category will be selected in-part by a panel of three professional judges and from votes from the audience. Finalists from each category will be notified and featured on heelsdownmag.com and our social channels. The public may cast votes in the Heels Down Spark, our daily equestrian newsletter. The public vote will comprise 25% of the final decision and the other 75% will be decided by the panel of expert judges. 

Contest Rules: 

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

All content must be submitted with the 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 the right to publish and share all submitted content for the purpose of the 2021 Spark Awards.