Model Equine Photo Showers Association

Open Show Information

Welcome to MEPSA’s Qualifying Photo Show Series. These shows are opportunities to qualify for our annual Championship Show, held in June.

Qualification Information:

  • Your model is able to qualify for entry into the Championship Photo Show by placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd (4th, 5th or 6th in classes with over 100 entries) in any of MEPSA’s monthly photo shows.
  • Halter – A qualification in any Halter division class enables the model to show in all Halter division classes at the Championship Show. For example: your horse gets a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in her Breed class, she now qualifies to go to the Championship Show.
  • Performance – Models are only eligible to show in the class in which they qualified. For example, your horse places 1st, 2nd or 3rd in Western Pleasure and Jumper, then those are the only two performance classes that may be entered in the Championship Show.
  • Entrants must keep track of their own qualifiers. No lists will be sent by MEPSA.
  • On the website, under MEPSA Forms for Download, there is a Correction Sheet for any errors that may be found in the results (misspelled names, incorrect 5-letter codes, etc).

RULES:

  • Mail-in entries only. Online or emailed photos will not be accepted.
  • For each show, a SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope) with adequate postage to return photos to you, is required. Full results will be sent to all entrants.
  • Visit the Qualifier Class List page for more information on the various classes.
  • Visit the Upcoming Shows page for a complete schedule of shows, judges, entry limits, etc.
  • Make checks payable to the judge. Paypal fees may be sent to mepsa22@yahoo.com. Show coupons are available from the Treasurer, Jennifer Cole at mepsa22@yahoo.com. You may use Paypal or mail a check to Jennifer Cole, 1952 Rossville Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37408. Show coupons are available in denominations from $1-$8. They may be used for any show, including the Other Animal Specialty and the Championship Show. They are a great alternative to sending cash or checks to the individual shows.
  • Entry fees:
    Halter/Performance
    1-15 photos – $1.00
    16-50 photos – $2.00
    51-100 photos – $4.00
    101-150 photos – $5.00
    151-200 photos – $6.00  

    Performance Only
    201-250 photos – $7.00
    251-300 photos – $8.00
    301-350 photos – $9.00
    351-400 photos – $10.00
    401-450 photos – $11.00
  • MEPSA allows the use of digital photographs. Please note and observe the following rules regarding ALL photos:
    • NO PHOTO MANIPULATION ALLOWED – Photos suspected of any manipulation will be pulled from competition at the judge’s discretion. “Manipulation” as set forth by the MEPSA Board of Directors includes, but is not limited to:
      • Digitally or otherwise adding, changing or deleting backgrounds, props, riders, tack ,etc.
      • Altering the appearance of the horse in any manner
    • Minor standard adjustments will be allowed, such as color balance, brightness or cropping.
    • Standard photo sizes only and should be of a uniform size. 4×6 photos are preferred, but 4×5.25 and 3×5 are also allowed. Any other size may be disqualified by the judge.
    • For digital photography, avoid low resolution images, such as 72dpi. This will produce a poor, grainy image that may not show well.
    • If you are printing your own pictures, use a high quality photo paper. Avoid thin and flimsy paper. This will not show off your model to its best advantage and is more likely to become wrinkled and damaged. Also remember the quality of the printer will affect the quality of the photo. A poor quality, low-end printer may not produce the best results.
    • Photos, in Halter, should fill the frame with the model, and the remaining background shouldn’t be distracting, dark or overwhelming. In Performance, the photo should include any props needed for the discipline, but the model and tack should still be visible.
    • NEVER write or put sticky notes, or digitally add information on your photo fronts!! EVER! All model and owner info should be on the backs of your photos, and never on the front.
  • Photo Backs:
    • For more information on Photo Backs, check out this article by Carolyn Bailey.
    • Please mark the back of each photo with the appropriate division letter, the class number(s), the model’s name, breed, gender, color and collectability info (as needed for OF models).
    • Your name, address and 5 letter code (1st two letters of your first name, 1st three letters of your last name) should be on every photo, in case the photo is separated and needs to be returned to you. Make sure all information is current.
    • Please make sure that the information is legible (readable fonts for printing, font sizes 10-12, in dark colors).
    • It is helpful for the judges to have all of your photo backs the same, with the information in the same locations on each photo. Class numbers are preferred in the middle and address labels in the bottom corner.
    • You may also add a sticker, stamp, colorful or designed address labels, to your photo backs to make them unique. This will help the judge when sorting the photos to mail them home.
  • Halter entries:
    • Halter entries may enter one gender, one breed, one color and one collectability/workmanship class with one photo.
    • Adults and foals compete together, except in the gender classes.
    • We encourage the addition of Collectability or Workmanship information.
    • You can download a list of Current Traditional Breyers for Class 58 and a Breed Directory, indicating which class a specific breed is recommended to enter. A mixed breed may enter whichever mixed class the owner feels is best for their model.
    • Fantasy/Decorator models may compete in all four divisions, but please use the Fantasy/Decorator Breed and Color and applicable Gender (if any) and Collectability/Workmanship classes.
  • Performance entries:
    • One photo per class per model, unless otherwise noted on the class list. No photo may be used in more than one class per show.
    • Please include a description of the entry. Adding extra information, including patterns or movements can be helpful to the judge.
    • A list of Speed vs. Skill Games can be downloaded.
  • Headstudy classes are available in both Halter and Performance shows. They do not compete for Championships in any Division.
  • We have monthly Mini qualifier shows throughout the season and a Mini Division in our Championship Show.
    • Mini size is Breyer Stablemate and Little Bit; Stone Pebbles and Chips; small CollectA, small Hartland, Schleich, Safari, Papo and similar sized models.
    • Minis may only show in the Mini Division
  • There are Nine Divisions in the Open series. Please mark each photo with the appropriate letter.
    • Division A
      • Original Finish Plastic – Traditional/Classic size (Breyer, Peter Stone, CollectA, WIA, Hartland, Copperfox, etc.)
    • Division B
      • Original Finish China/Resin – Traditional/Classic size (Hagen-Renaker, Beswick, BHR, BFA, Corlette, Breyer Porcelains, Lakeshore, etc.)
    • Division C
      • Artist Resin/Original Sculpture – Traditional/Classic size (Resins produced by an artist and finished by artists, such as those produced by Mountain View Studios, DaBar, etc. OS being one-of-a-kind pieces sculpted/finished by the artist)
    • Division D
      • Customs – Traditional/Classic size (Any factory-produced model that has been altered in any way from it’s original form by an artist, included Custom Glazed china/ceramic pieces)
    • Division E
      • Original Finish Performance – Traditional/Classic size (OF Plastic, OF China, OF Resin, etc.)
    • Division F
      • Custom Performance – Traditional/Classic size (Any and all customized/Artist Resin/OS models)
    • Division G
      • Original Finish Plastic and Original Finish China – Mini size only (Mini is defined as Stablemate, Little Bit, CollectA and similar sized models generally around 4″ in height and excluding Classic scale foals which are still Classic scale regardless of height)
    • Division H
      • Artist Resin/Original Sculpture and Customs – Mini size only (Mini is defined as Stablemate, Little Bit, CollectA and similar sized models generally around 4″ in height and excluding Classic scale foals which are still Classic scale regardless of height)
    • Division I
      • Performance – Mini size only (Mini is defined as Stablemate, Little Bit, CollectA and similar sized models generally around 4″ in height and excluding Classic scale foals which are still Classic scale regardless of height)
  • Novice Division
    • We have a Novice Division for entrants who are just learning about photo showing. Please visit the Novice Shows page for more details.