Budding amateur equestrian photographers are invited to take part in a competition run by The National Equine Forum (NEF). The winner’s image will appear on the NEF 2025 programme cover.
All amateur photographers are eligible to enter, by submitting a picture of their own horse, pony, donkey or mule, or one they have received permission to photograph. Submitted images will also be included in the BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) 2025 calendar competition on request.
“This is the third year of our NEF cover star competition,” said NEF honorary publicity officer Sarah Shephard. “It is fast becoming a highlight on our NEF calendar, as we have been bowled over in previous years, not only with the quantity of entries but also with the wonderful creative quality. It’s a lovely way to celebrate the equestrian world and reflects NEF’s mission to bring the equestrian community together.”
The winner will follow in the footsteps of Lorna Elliot’s headshot of her Fell pony Greenholme Grey Bobby II who won the NEF24 competition. The winning image will feature on the programme cover for the 33rd National Equine Forum, which takes place on Thursday 6 March 2025 (#NEF25), as well as in other #NEF25 contexts.
The image should be of a horse, pony, donkey or mule (singular or multiple), or a creative headshot or other anatomical area. It can also feature the horse’s environment in the background. It should not include any image of an identifiable person.
Entrants will also be given the opportunity for their image and details to be passed to the BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association) 2025 Calendar Competition. From all the winning entries, one image will be judged Best in Show and the successful entrant will receive a luxury hamper. Further details can be found here.
To enter the NEF programme cover star competition, click here.
Lead image by Lorna Elliot of her Fell pony Greenholme Grey Bobby II, which was the 2024 NEF cover image
