From Passion to Creation

Stone Horses Art of the Horse Contest is established to allow artists of all skill levels to express themselves and show off their unique style. We believe that everyone deserves to have the opportunity to create something that truly represents their passion for horses. We’re dedicated to providing an exceptionally fun contest experience and building strong relationships with our fellow hobbyists.

Art of the Horse 2026 has
TWO divisions with eight classes total.
Prizes Awarded in each division!! 

Welcome to the Art of the Horse contest for 2026. The theme for this year is Dazzle. All art is dazzling in its own way, and this year we challenge you to make something that dazzles. This could mean literal dazzling colors, art representing a new skill or talent to impress, or simply art you feel proud of creating. This contest is at its heart about art for art’s sake, and we can’t wait to be DAZZLED!

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DIVISION A
ART OF THE HORSE CLASSES FOR ENTRY  

Division A of the AOTH offering for 2026 celebrates amazing artists of all kinds in our community - from flat art in a variety of mediums to storytelling, there's a place in Division A for almost anything!

Click each Class Title to see a Description

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DIVISION B
ART OF THE HORSE CLASSES FOR ENTRY  

Division B of the AOTH offering for 2026 celebrates the amazing customizing artists in our community.

All entries for these four sections must be done on our Trotting Drafter mold, and YES - you can use our newly released Pewter Micro Mini!

***Entrants for these four classes must be attending Equilocity 2026 in Lexington, or have an identified proxy hand-deliver their entries to the Griffin Gate event space***

Click each Class Title to see a Description

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Karma  by Carolyn Moir

How to Enter Division A

Entries for classes 1-4 may be submitted until Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time. No late entries will be allowed, please enter with enough time to account for technical delays, time differences, or other factors that may extend your entry past the final deadline time.

No Purchase is necessary to win. You do not have to be a current/past customer of Stone Horses to enter.

Art of the Horse 2026 Rules
Art of the Horse 2026 
Division A Entry Form
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Headless Horseman  by Michele Henry

How to Enter Division B

Entries for classes 5-8 must also fill out the entry form before 5:00 PM on Friday, July 3rd 2026, and then physically bring your piece to the our Lexington event location on Thursday, July 9th 2026 between 12pm-9:30pm. No Purchase is necessary to win.

You do not have to be a current/past customer of Stone Horses to enter. enter.

Pickup for Division B Entries: NEW IN 2026: Division B customized horses must be picked up from our Equilocity space on Sunday July 12th between the hours of 8am and 4pm Eastern time. You are welcome to send a friend to pick up your model if you are otherwise occupied during these hours, just send us an email to submissions@stonehorses.com so we know who to release your horse to. We will have volunteers staffing horse pickup to ensure they all go home as intended.

Art of the Horse 2026 Rules
Art of the Horse 2026 
Division B Entry Form
Buy a Trotting Drafter
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Witness  by Brianna Thaxton

Who Can Enter 
Art of the Horse Contests

The Art of the Horse contest is open worldwide. Entries must be submitted in English or with English Subtitles where applicable.

Open to everyone ages 14 years and up. Ages 14 years to 17 years must fill out and submit with entry a parent consent form.

Novice to professionals may enter. Please review judging and understand that the criteria set for determining a winner is factored by more than the expertise displayed in the works.

Participants may enter ONE piece per class. A separate entry form per entry must be completed for each entry.

Parental Permission Form 
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Elements of Harmony  by Wiktoria Szamburska

JUDGING CRITERIA

Artwork should be horse related. Judges will review entries for creativity, originality, execution, use of media, realism where appropriate, and overall impact of the piece. Customized art is judged on the same criteria, with an emphasis on celebrating horse art. All levels of artist are welcomed in this contest, and experience will be a weighted criteria in judging decisions.

Division A is judged by the Stone Horses Employees in rounds of whole-company voting. Division B is judged by Stone Horses Employees and (non-entering) qualified artists in collaboration.

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Harmonia  by Kristy Thiessen

Prizes

Each Division Will Be Awarded These Prizes

● Grand Prize/1st Prize: 1/8 Special Run Stone Prize Model Horse and $275 Stone Horses Gift Card
● 2nd Prize: $250 Stone Horses Gift Card
● 3rd Prize: $200 Stone Horses Gift Card