PHOTO SHOWS
Photo shows are loads of fun and very addictive, the judges are not professional judges, we just
judge what we like, you don’t have to be a expert photographer either, just have some good, clear photographs.
The horses don’t have to be perfectly turned out, in correct tack or even groomed!
With many Photo Shows, all the proceeds raised from the shows go to charity, often horse charities but it
depends on the organizers preferred choice and the sort of animals being judged.
How to enter: Entering is simple, all you have to do is choose the photos you would like
to enter (more on that later), remember to put your name, address, horses name, and as many details on as you
know, ie height, age, breed, sex etc on the back of each photo. Fill in the entry form (if there is one) and
a cheque, postal order or cash taped to card. Photos are best sent in a photo wallet to protect them in the
post. Also enclose an A4 envelope, padded ones are best, with plenty of postage, if you send loose stamps
extra ones will be returned, send at least 80p worth of stamps. Make sure you send your entries off in
plenty of time for the show date. Finally, take your entries to the post office to be weighed as it
usually costs more than a first class stamp in postage.
What to expect in your returns: About a week to two weeks after the show your SAE will be
returned containing return of your photos, a results sheet with details of how many people entered, how many
entries in each class, how much money was raised, who won what and in some shows photocopies of the winning
photos. You will also receive any rosettes and prizes you may have won. Also enclosed will be details of
the next show and show schedules for other photo shows.
Placings: Good quality rosettes are awarded from 1st to 6th, sometimes with specials below that,
prizes are awarded to first place, these can be small items of grooming kit, stationary etc. All the first
placed entries go forward to be judged for Best In Show and Reserve Best In Show who will each win a huge
rosette and bigger prize. Champion and Reserve Champion horse and pony are picked from all the photos
entered and each win another beautiful rosette. Other prizes/rosettes are awarded at the judges whim, if
I like your horse then I award a prize.
What I am looking for in each class/photo.
Youngstock, mares and fillies, stallions, geldings – a close up, clear, preferably side on picture
of the horse, best without a rider but not essential, they can be at a show, in the yard or grazing in the
field. In the case of youngstock it doesn’t matter how young they are as long as I can see all of the horse.
Mountain and Moorland, Ponies and Horses - the same as above but they must fit into the correct
category, in the case of Mountain and Moorland the breed must be stated on the back of the photo.
Veteran - can be ridden, in-hand, tied up, loose, jumping, galloping, whatever. I need to see the
whole of the horse and the age on the back must be the age of the horse when the photo was taken, please
be honest about the age of the animal, it is nice to know some details about the horse so he ‘comes alive’
to me.
Best Condition - judged in the same way as at live shows, again the horse doesn’t have to be plaited
up, he can be in the field, he must not have a rider or rugs and needs to be taken side on so I can judge it
properly.
Best Ridden - any photo of the horse being ridden, at a show, out on a hack or being schooled. I am
looking for the horse and rider to suit each other and look happy and relaxed.
Family horse/pony - any photo, what is important here is details as to why you think he is a family pony.
In the stable/yard and out in the field - as the title says, they can be doing anything, looking
over the stable door/field gate, rolling, lying down, galloping round, being groomed – anything, I am
just looking for a nice photo.
At an event - the horse can be doing anything at a show, jumping, in hand, warming up, being washed
off, or just a scene at an event. It doesn’t have to be at a horse show, just a horse event, I have had a
horse drawn wedding carriage enter and two horses jousting!
Best Colour/Markings - as it suggests, obviously I need a good, clear shot of the whole horse to show
the colour off and the markings.
The horse entered does not have to be owned by you, you don’t even have to know it, I have had wild ponies
entered before, ponies seen on holiday or at a show. You can even take photos of a champion horse at a
county show and enter it!
Finally, not all shows are for horses, a lot of shows have classes for dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, or
views. Just remember photo shows are fun, good value for money and very, very addictive!
This article has been written by the organizer of Rainsbrook Photo Shows and is a generalization of what
can be expected from a Photo
Show, some details may vary from show to show. If you have any questions please feel free to
email s_leslie@madasafish.com
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