The Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition

The Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition 2026 Theme

Get ready for an explosion of creativity in the PCUK Thelwell Art Competition 2026, themed:

“Pony Club Fun Memories”

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 shortly, so be sure to keep your eyes open! You’ll have until April 30th, 2026, 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.

The Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition 2025 The Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition 2023/24

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 Fun Memories.”
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 30th April 2026.

Horsemanship Rulebook 2025

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.

🎨 The 2026 Thelwell Pony Club Art Competition is OFFICIALLY OPEN! 🎨

This year’s theme is “Pony Club Fun Memories” — celebrating all those special moments, friendships, and adventures that make Pony Club so unforgettable.

We can’t wait to see your creativity shine as you bring your favourite Pony Club memories to life through art!

A huge thank you to all our talented Members who took part last year — your incredible entries truly impressed our judges, and we’re so excited to see what you create this time!

🕛 Deadline for entries: Midnight, 30th April 2026

ENTER HERE !

Participation Certificate

The 2026 participation certificate is currently being updated and will be available to download shortly. This is where you’ll be able to access it once it’s ready — stay tuned!

Be sure to take a look at a selection of 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!