The Training Barn’s Country & Equestrian Photographer of the Year 2026

1. Eligibility

• Open to photographers aged 18 and over worldwide.
• Both amateur and professional photographers are welcome.
• Employees, mentors, or judges of The Training Barn may not enter.

2. How to Enter

• Each entry covers one image.
• Entry fee: £10 per image.
• After completing checkout, entrants receive an email with full upload instructions.
• Entries close: 30th November 2026 at Midnight (UK time) Late submissions will not be accepted.

3. Categories

1. Children & Ponies
2. Families with Horses
3. Equestrian Portraits
4. Equestrian Action
5. Dogs
6. Country Lifestyle
7. Fine Art

Entrants must select the most suitable category; organisers reserve the right to reassign if necessary.

4. Image Requirements

• JPEG format, maximum 3000px on the longest edge, and 10 MB file size limit.
• Global editing, retouching, and composited images are allowed.
• AI-generated images will be disqualified.
• Images taken during workshops or mentoring sessions are not eligible; entries must be entirely the artist’s own work.
• Each image must be the sole work of the entrant.

5. Prizes

Overall Winner Prize Package (valued over £1,500):

• 1-1 In-Person Day with Emily Hancock & Hannah Freeland at The Training Barn
• Kaleidoscope Framing – Display Piece of your choice up to 40" in size, with UK delivery included (overseas delivery charges may apply)

The prize package will be awarded to the Overall Winner.
Category Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit awards will be announced on The Training Barn’s social media and tagged accordingly.
Award recipients may describe themselves as, for example, “Gold Award Winner – The Training Barn Photographer of the Year 2026.”

Prizes are non-transferable and must be claimed within 12 months of announcement.

6. Judging

Judging takes place on Tuesday 1st December 2026.

Our panel brings together artistry, technical excellence, and deep understanding of equine and country photography. Each judge offers a unique perspective on creativity, storytelling, and professional presentation.

Confirmed Judges:

• Emily Hancock – Artist / Mentor / Judge
• Hannah Freeland – Equine Portrait & Editorial Photographer / Mentor
• Laura Collett – Gold Individual Medalist / Olympic Team Rider / Horse Owner
• Hannah Sims (SillyPrune) – Horse Owner / Influencer / Content Creator

All entries will be evaluated on:

Storytelling • Emotion & Impact • Composition & Light • Technical Quality

The judges’ decisions are final and made independently.

7. Copyright & Usage

• Entrants retain full copyright of their images.
• By entering, entrants grant The Training Barn a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display, reproduce, and promote shortlisted and winning images in connection with the competition, including on the website, social media, marketing materials, and press coverage.
• All images will be credited to the photographer whenever used.

8. Data Protection

Personal information is collected solely for the purpose of administering this competition and will not be shared with third parties except as required to deliver prizes.

9. Disqualification

Entries that breach these terms or contain offensive or inappropriate content may be disqualified without refund. The Training Barn reserves the right to remove or reject entries at its discretion. 

10. Liability

The Training Barn accepts no responsibility for entries lost, corrupted, or submitted in error. Submission of an entry implies full acceptance of these terms.

11. Organiser & Independence

The Country & Equestrian Photographer of the Year 2026 is an independent competition organised by The Training Barn and its invited judges. It is not affiliated with any association or governing body.