The Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition

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The Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition 2025 Theme

Get ready for an explosion of creativity in The Pony Club Art Competition 2025, themed:

“Pony Club Through the Seasons”

We’re beyond excited to announce that the legendary Thelwell family will once again be joining our judging panel, bringing their expertise and passion for ponies to the mix! A huge thank you to them for providing some truly amazing prizes for our winners.

Every participant will be able to download a special certificate of participation to commemorate the occasion. We can’t wait to see what exciting prizes await this year!

This is your chance to let your imagination shine! We’re so excited to see all your colourful creations and celebrate the fun of Pony Club together. Let’s make this competition a super memorable adventure!

Entries for the competition will open on October 21st, so be sure to set your reminders! You’ll have until February 24th, 2025, to submit your masterpieces! You can upload your entry online right here on our website, found at the bottom of this page.

 

“It was a privilege and great pleasure to be involved with The Pony Club competition and I was amazed at the range of members’ artistic talents in all age categories.   That made judging the best entries very difficult as they were all so good and varied, many showing great imagination.” – Penny Jones, Thelwell.

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Rules

  • Individual Competition: One entry is allowed per person.
  • Team Competition: Centres/Branches can enter a piece of Collaborative art, contributed to by a minimum of three members (no maximum)

 

  • Entrants must be a current Member of a Pony Club Branch or Centre in the United Kingdom or part of our International Membership.
  • The artwork should be inspired by a personal memory or idea. If you need references, please use photos from your own collection or your family’s collection. Avoid using images from magazines or published sources, as those are protected by copyright and belong to someone else.
  • Team Competition: Centres and Branches can submit a collaborative piece of art that follows the same theme as the Individual competition: “Pony Club Through the Seasons.”
  • Please note that we do not accept digitally edited photos that have been altered to resemble drawings.
  • The subject of the work must be equestrian-related.
  • The piece must be entirely the artist’s own work.
  • By entering the competition, participants give their express permission for their submission to be used for publicity if required.
  • There are three separate age categories: 11 years and Under, 12-16 Years, and 17 Years and Over.
  • Age = age on date of entry
  • Deadline for entries is midnight 24th February 2025.
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Guidelines for Photography

Photograph your artwork outside in natural light to ensure true colors and minimize shadows. If it’s windy, have someone hold it or prop it against a wall. If the artwork is on paper, tape it to a board to keep it flat. Avoid shadows from nearby objects, and angle the piece if it’s too sunny.

To get a clear, undistorted photo, align the edges of your artwork with the edges of the picture and fill the frame. If using a camera with zoom, stand about 1.5–2 meters away and zoom in to cut out the background. This way, you won’t need to edit the photo later. Lastly, make sure the flash is turned off to avoid white spots on your image.

 

Presentation of Artwork

The final drawing or painting must be no larger than A2, and please ensure that the uploaded image is clear, as judging will take place online.

Photograph your artwork digitally and upload it to The Pony Club Art Competition portal below, along with the online entry form. If you are successful, we may ask you to send your artwork to us to be displayed at events such as Windsor, London International, and The Pony Club Championships.

 

Judging

We have a diverse group of highly accomplished judges for this competition.

  • Initial Stage: Judging will be based on the images uploaded to the competition website. Five entries in each category will be shortlisted, and those entrants will be notified in April 2025, all entrants can download a participation certificate after submitting an entry below.
  • Finalists: The five finalists in each age category will advance to the final stage of judging. This will determine the overall Winner and Runner-up in each category, as determined by David Thelwell and Penny Jones, the children of Norman Thelwell.
  • Winner & Runner Up: The overall winner & runner up in each category will have their artwork displayed at prestigious events such as Royal Windsor, London International and The Pony Club Championships.

Please Enter The 2025 Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition Below

(Form will appear from 21st October)

If you’re having any trouble with the entry process, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance! You can contact us at art@pcuk.org, and we’ll be happy to help you navigate the submission steps. Your creativity matters, and we’re here to support you in making your entry a success.

Also, don’t panic if your submission doesn’t appear right away; it’s been sent to a team member for approval. Once approved, it will be displayed. Thank you for your patience!

(ENTRY FORM WILL APPEAR HERE FROM 21ST OCTOBER)

If after pressing ‘submit’ the page stays as ‘submitting’, please check the size of your file as we can only accept files 3MB maximum. If your image is more than 3MB, please reduce your file size and re-submit.

Participation Certificate

Congratulations on completing the Thelwell Pony Club Art Competition 2025! Click below to download your participation certificate and celebrate your creative achievement!

(From 21st October 2024)

Be sure to take a look at a selection of last year’s (2023/24) entries showcased below, all inspired by the theme of “Friendship and Adventure”! These artworks wonderfully show the friendship and adventure that make our Pony Club community special! You might find inspiration for your own creative journey as you view the unique interpretations from fellow participants. Enjoy browsing through their imaginative works!

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Want to learn more about Thelwell?

Discover the world of Norman Thelwell, the beloved British cartoonist known for his iconic illustrations of ponies and riders. With a unique blend of humour and charm, Thelwell’s artwork captures the quirks of equestrian life, making his cartoons a favourite among horse lovers of all ages. Explore his legacy and find out why Thelwell’s characters have become timeless symbols in the equestrian world.

Thelwell Website

Need more information?

Please see the contact details to the right.

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Emma Cordery

Sports Intern
T: 02476 698300 E: art@pcuk.org