Cameras at the ready! Final call for FEI Solidarity World Photo Grand Prix

This is the final call for budding photographers to enter the FEI Solidarity World Photo Grand Prix, a competition aimed at uncovering new photographic talent around the world in 2014, the Chinese Year of the Horse. The competition closes this Sunday 29 June, and to be in with a chance of winning, entries must be received by 24.00 CEST.

This joint initiative with Action Images/Thomson Reuters encourages amateur and professional photographers to submit images that capture an aspect of equestrian sport and lifestyles in a memorable and eye-catching way.

The competition, which began on 8 May, is open to everyone via http://feiworldphotograndprix.org, and to Instagram users who can enter their images by using the hashtag #FEIPhotoGrandPrix.

Nine categories

The competition is divided into nine categories, and the individual winners will receive a tablet, a personalised leather photography portfolio and an Action Images/Thomson Reuters master class.

The overall winner of the FEI Solidarity World Photo Grand Prix will be invited to the FEI’s flagship event, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 (23 August-7 September) in Normandy, France, to work with a Thomson Reuters photographer and experience unparalleled, behind-the-scenes access to the world’s top equestrian talent.

Winning entries in the FEI Solidarity World Photo Grand Prix will also be exhibited in the FEI Pavilion in the heart of the Games village.

Elite judging panel

A world-class, international judging panel will deliver the winning verdict, and launch an aspiring sports photographer’s career. The panel is made up of:

•             Her Royal Highness Princess Haya, FEI President

•             Bob Rosato, legendary sports photographer and Chief Operating Officer of USA TODAY Sports Images

•             Deirdre Lyons, Co-Founder and Director of Corporate Image and Design at Alltech

•             Mark Adams, Director of Communications at International Olympic Committee

•             Melissa Farlow, award-winning National Geographic photographer

•             Giuseppe Della Chiesa, Chair FEI Eventing Committee and international course designer

•             Alan Whiter, Vice President of Action Images

•             Ingrid Klimke, two-time Olympic Eventing champion

•             Arnd Bronkhorst, internationally renowned equestrian photographer

•             Dustin Vaughn-Luma, mobile photography and visual design specialist

FEI President HRH Princess Haya said: "The beauty, power and athleticism of horses has thrilled humans throughout the ages. With this initiative on behalf of FEI Solidarity, we are inviting photographers of all ages and backgrounds to capture and share the magic of horses with a global audience. This competition, like FEI Solidarity itself, is about providing opportunities for talented people to develop and display their skills.

“I am thrilled that we are reaching out to photographers around the globe for their interpretation of the sport and the horse world alongside Action Images and a visionary panel of creative judges. Horses are amazing creatures and the relationships we develop over years are so intricate and unique, I am fascinated and intrigued to see how others perceive the equine world and capture it on camera. I am sure we will see many gifted photographers from all backgrounds and ages emerge onto the global scene as a result of this outreach.”

Bob Rosato, member of the judging panel, said: “An image that impresses me must have the following elements and in no certain order: great composition, great light, speaks volumes to the viewer, must be creative not cliché, and must illustrate the photographer's ability to see photographically. If you think you have an image that has those elements, I can't wait to see them!”

Richard Johnson, FEI Director of Corporate Communications, said: “We’ve already received a wide collection of magnificent entries from around the world and are impressed by the level of creativity individuals have shown. When we first set out to launch this competition we challenged photographers to go beyond the conventional images to create something unique, and they have delivered. It’s safe to say that we may have uncovered some of this generation’s up-and-coming talent. As for the overall winner of the competition, what better prize than to attend the ultimate equestrian event, the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014, for a unique opportunity to capture the atmosphere, passion and diversity of equestrian sport.”   

Notes to editors

FEI on Instagram - capture and share your moments with us.

FEI Solidarity is the FEI’s global sport development programme: www.fei.org/fei/solidarity.