Coady Media is proud to announce the launch of the 2026 Equine Pro / Am Photography Competition, created to discover, showcase, and support emerging talent in equine photography.

© Coady Media

By Cady Coulardot

LOUISVILLE, KY–FEBRUARY 23, 2026– Coady Media is proud to announce the launch of the 2026 Equine Pro / Am Photography Competition, created to discover, showcase, and support emerging talent in equine photography. Open to both professional and amateur photographers, the competition offers participants a dynamic platform to showcase their work and gain valuable exposure in the equestrian and racing industries.

Entries will be accepted from March 15, 2026, through April 15, 2026. The competition will feature multiple categories and weekly elimination rounds. The entry portal will be shared on Coady Media socials one week before entries open. (March 8, 2026). To advance, participants must secure public votes by sharing their submissions within their designated categories. Selected categories will feature cash sponsorships, to be announced in the coming weeks.

Awards & Recognition: Participants who advance through all competition rounds will be eligible for public voting to determine Best of Show winners:

• Best of Show (Grand Prize): $1,000
• Second Place: $500
• Third Place: $250

Separate Best of Show honors will be awarded within both Amateur and Professional divisions. In addition to public voting, a panel of industry professionals will review finalist submissions.

Eligibility & Terms: To maintain fairness, entries will be divided into two divisions:

Amateur Division: Open to photographers who a media company has not paid, issued official media credentials, or formally endorsed by a professional media organization.

Professional Division: Includes photographers who earn more than $600 per year from photography or who have been paid, credentialed, or officially endorsed by a company, client, or media entity.

Participants can submit up to 5 entries. Entries that do not meet the eligibility requirements will be disqualified. Additional submission guidelines, deadlines, sponsorship announcements, and official voting details will be released in the coming weeks. This competition is open only to U.S. citizens. Must be 16 years or older to compete unless entering in the Under-16 category.

Sponsorships: If an entity is interested in sponsoring a category, please contact Cady Coulardot. For updates, follow Coady Media on social media or visit CoadyMedia.com.

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