National Equine Forum searches for 2026 cover star
Entries will be judged on composition, clarity, originality, audience appeal and suitability for purpose.
The National Equine Forum has launched this year’s competition for its NEF26 programme cover star.
The competition invites amateur photographers to share a picture of an equine, with the winning entry featuring on the cover of the programme for next year’s forum.
Entrants can submit a photograph of their horse, pony, donkey, or mule, or one that they have permission to photograph (subject to terms and conditions). It can be a singular animal or multiple.
The image can be a creative headshot or another anatomical area, and can also feature the horse’s environment. It should not include an identifiable person.
While only one image can be submitted per entry, entrants can make more than one entry.
The deadline for entries is Monday, 15 September 2025.
Entries will be judged on composition, clarity, originality, audience appeal and suitability for purpose. The winner will be notified in late October 2025.
The winner of last year’s competition was Arthur, a rescued Shetland pony. The photograph was submitted by Amy Newton, a volunteer at Munchkins Miniature Shetland Rescue.
Arthur’s photograph was selected from over 100 equine images to feature on the NEF 2025 programme and in other marketing materials.
As well as the opportunity to feature on the NEF26 programme, entrants can also opt to pass their photograph to the British Equine Trade Association (BETA) 2026 Calendar Competition. A panel of judges will select 12 images to represent each different month of the year.
Of the winning entries to the calendar competition, one will be judged Best in Show and awarded a luxury hamper.
Sarah Shephard, NEF honorary publicity officer, said: “Our cover star competition is becoming quite renowned,
“We received more than 100 entries last year and it’s usually quite a struggle to find a winner, given the creative talent and photographic skill of the participants. Judging the entries is a real highlight for the committee and reflects our mission to bring the equestrian community together in celebration of our equine friends.”
Image © Shutterstock
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