DISCLAIMER: The following text is NOT free to use. If you're going to run a show, write your own show journal instead of plagiarizing other people's hard work.
This show is sanctioned by:


Falken Stud (Helsinge) and Misty Hills Stables (Mistyhills) welcome you to the Midsummer
Celebration Grand Prix. Hosted at Falkengård in Hälsingland, Sweden, we invite you to join us in a
celebration of elite horsemanship and the traditional Swedish Midsummer holiday.
GENERAL INFORMATION

Please make sure you've turned in your entry by looking through the entries journal below!
Deadline
Entries:
General Rules
- Link your references, legitimate stock only please. Specify “no refs used” if that is the case. (Remember, just because you can find it on google doesn’t make it free to use- I can probably find your art on google with the right keywords.)
- Fullbody entries. No photo parts or animations. Both traditional and digital drawings are accepted.
- You may submit a maximum of 2 entries per class. A horse may enter both dressage and show jumping, but cannot compete twice in the same class. The same rider may enter two horses in the same class.
- All breeds are welcome, including fantasy breeds. However, this show aims for “realistic” participation, so that use of magic or special abilities is forbidden. Falls and accidents will result in disqualification (you are still welcome to draw them though, if you need it for story purposes!)
- This is a grand prix-level competition, so previous experience is recommended but not mandatory.
- Be a good sport. If you win, be gracious. If you don’t, don’t throw a fit or shame the winners. If you have a serious issue with the judging, please note us privately.
Registration
Preregistration is not required. However, if you would like to receive reminder notes before the deadline to help you get your entry done in time, send a note to Helsinge with the name of your horse, rider, and class you’re entering.
When you have finished your entry, submit it in a comment on the Entries Journal. In the entry’s description, please include the following information:- Horse name and link to ref
- Rider name and link to ref (if one exists)
- Link to the show journal so we know it’s for us, and which class the entry is for
- Remember to credit your stock or specify if no references were used
CLASSES
Summer Solstice Showjumping Grand Prix
Held outdoors in a grass field during the afternoon. Jumps average 150 cm in height. Appropriate professional tack and attire please, helmets are required. You may design the jumps yourself, creativity is encouraged. We’ll provide a couple of example designs in the near future as well. Keep in mind that the theme is Swedish midsummer. If you’re uncertain of what would fit, ask! We’re happy to help explain the traditions and landscapes.
Midnight Sun Dressage Grand Prix
Held outdoors in a sand arena. Grand Prix difficulty level. Appropriate professional tack and attire please. Traditional white dressage fence. This class takes place at 9 pm; the sun will still be up until just before 11 pm, around the end of the class. (Since it rises again at 3 am, “nighttime” is just a smooth transition from dusk to dawn, without becoming completely dark.)
Location, Weather, and Scenery
The competition takes place on Midsummer, June 19th, at Falkengård in Hälsingland, Sweden. The weather is sunny and mild, with the temperature at approximately 20C/68F. The area is surrounded by pine forests and rolling hills. The trees in the stable grounds consist primarily of birches, as well as rowans, horse-chestnuts, and small apple trees, all of which are currently in bloom. There are a handful of ash and maple trees as well, along with quite a few lilac bushes and early-blooming roses. The pastures and edges of pathways are filled with summer wildflowers- daisies, lupines, red clover, woodland geranium, yarrow, harebells, etc. Fencing is mostly brown post-and-rail, though there are some old sections of gärdsgård fence in some places.
Your background does not need to match a specific section of the stable, this description is intended to help you form your own vision of the scenery and atmosphere of the showgrounds and season.
JUDGING
Judging method
Each entry will be judged collaboratively by Mistyhills and Helsinge. There is no pre-written scoring rubric, in order to maintain flexibility and open-mindedness. However, we do have some guidelines:
- SINGLE ENTRY. Extras and RP stuff is very much welcome and encouraged, we love your stories! (If you want to RP with staff, or prompt suggestions for celebrating the holiday and hanging out at the show, we’re happy to help. RP between competitors is encouraged as well). However, only your main entry will be judged in the show, as we want to see what you can accomplish when you devote your time to one fantastic entry instead of 20 halfhearted extras. So if RP isn’t your thing, don’t worry, you won’t be marked down for it.
- EFFORT. This isn’t your usual monthly mini show. We want to see you at your very best, to see the masterpiece you are capable of creating when you pour your heart into a single entry. That doesn’t necessarily mean perfect anatomy and hyperrealism- what we want is for you to push your own boundaries. Dare tackle those riders’ faces, or skip the premade leaf brushes and do things by hand. Spoil us with all those details you’re usually too lazy to do. If you usually trace, braving something freehanded may speak volumes, even if the anatomy isn’t realistic. Your personal style is important to us.
- CREATIVITY. Blow our minds. Take a risk instead of sticking to what feels safe. Try something new. Go wild with the Midsummer theme. Catch our attention!
- We will also take into consideration other factors like stories, how well you represent the show’s theme in your entry, and whether you follow the rules. Uncredited references, more entries than the maximum permitted, or very poor behavior towards other people in the show will result in disqualification. All qualifying entries will receive a placing.
PRIZES
If you would like to donate art or points as prizes, let us know! (We won’t be including things like designs or breed imports for this show). The following prizes count for both classes:
First place
- 1272
or 6 month Premium Membership
- Blue and yellow ribbon
- Traditional full image of horse and rider with background by Helsinge
Simple portrait of winning horse by Mistyhills
Second place
- 636
or 3 month Premium Membership
- Blue ribbon
- Simple fullbody of horse by Helsinge
Third place
- 396
or 1 month Premium Membership
- Yellow ribbon
- Simple portrait by Helsinge
Fourth place
- Red ribbon
Fifth place
- Green ribbon
Remaining participants
- White ribbon for participation