The 2026 Youth Art Derby is now closed.
The Awards Night was held on Saturday, October 17th.
Photos have been posted on the Past Events Page and the winners and their entries can be found on the Winners Circle Page.
Details for the 2027 Contests will be posted here in the spring.
Calling all artists.
The Youth Art Derby is a juried, Standardbred horse-themed art contest for Ontario students in Grades 3-12 and it carries $1,500 in prize money. This derby is designed to encourage creative expression through drawing and sketching. It is for horse-loving kids that possess an artistic flair.
We may occasionally be emailing updates and information about this and other contests. If you would like to receive these updates and have not previously signed up for our mailing list, please join now.
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Deadline is August 31, 2026.
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Prizes for each division (Junior/Intermediate/Senior):
1st: $250
2nd: $150
3rd $100
Additionally, Equine Guelph is offering their Youth Horse Behavior and Safety online courses to Finalists that are 13 years of age or older.
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Ontario students in grades 3-12 submit a drawing, sketch or painting with a Standardbred theme - mare, foal, racing, in a field, etc.
1. Open to Ontario students in Grades 3-12 as of June 1, 2026.
• Junior Division – Grades 3-5 as of June 1, 2026
• Intermediate Division – Grades 6-8 as of June 1, 2026
• Senior Division – Grades 9-12 as of June 1, 2026
*Immediate family (children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews) of organizers of the contest, prize sponsors and judges are not eligible to enter.
2. Only one entry is allowed per artist and it must be their original work. Artwork submitted for this contest in previous years will be disqualified.
3. The image of the Standardbred themed artwork must be submitted in either jpg or pdf format. Please ensure that the image of the artwork is a good quality image that is scanned or taken in good light and free from clutter.
4. Although the artwork will be judged from the image submitted., finalists may be asked to bring their original artwork to the Awards Night. Original artwork must be no larger than 11”x17”,
5. All entries must be accompanied by an entry form.
6. Entries will be accepted any time up to midnight of August 31, 2026.
7. Entries will be judged anonymously and judges’ decisions will be final. Student’s name should not appear on the artwork.
8. Finalists will be notified no later than September 18, 2026.
9. Names and pictures of winners may be used for publicity purposes.
10. Entries become the property of the contest organizers and they reserve the right to publish all entries and photos on their website, Social Media accounts, online and in publications.
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Q. What is a Standardbred?
A. A Standardbred is a type of racehorse that pulls a driver on a cart called a sulky. Some people call them Harness Horses. Standardbred horses are bred to race at either the trotting or pacing gait.
Q. Where can I find more information on Standardbreds?
A. In addition to the videos on our website under Resources, you can Google Standardbreds. You’ll also find lots of videos, photos and info on the Standardbred Canada website (www.StandardbredCanada.ca).
Q. Can I enter a painting?
A. Yes. Coloured pencils, pastels, charcoal, markers, crayons and paints are all allowed.
Q. Is digital artwork allowed?
A. No, digital artwork is not allowed.
Q. Can I enter both the Youth Literary Derby and the Youth Art Derby?
A. Yes.
Q. I do not have a computer. Can I send my entry in by mail?
A. No. To avoid entries being received late or lost in the mail, all entries must be submitted on-line. If you don’t have a computer, perhaps you can use one at your school or local library.
If you have problems, please contact us at info@bgracingalliance.ca