essay competition judging criteria

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How To Judge A Writing Competition

Five top tips from a writing competition judge.

Simon Whaley - Author | Writer | Photographer

The Writing Cooperative

I remember the first time I was asked to judge a writing competition. At first, I was honored to be asked and said, “Yes,” without thinking. Five minutes later, I had done some thinking, and my thoughts were … “What have I done?” 😱

Written by Simon Whaley - Author | Writer | Photographer

Bestselling author, writer and photographer. UK travel writer. Lives in the glorious Welsh Borders. Contact: https://www.simonwhaley.co.uk/contact-me/

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Judging Rubrics

Find out how essays from each stream will be judged and graded here:

Creative essay rubric

Argumentative essay rubric

Journalistic essay rubric

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Criteria for judging, content (55%), demonstrated understanding of political courage.

• Demonstrated an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in  Profiles in Courage
• Identified an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917.
• Proved that the elected official risked his or her career to address an issue at the local, state, national, or international level
• Explained why the official's course of action best serves or has served the larger public interest
• Outlined the obstacles, dangers, and pressures the elected official is encountering or has encountered

 Originality

• Thoughtful, original choice of a U.S. elected official
• Story is not widely known, or a well-known story is portrayed in a unique way
• Essay subject is not on the list of most written about essay subjects .

Supporting Evidence

• Well-researched
• Convincing arguments supported with specific examples
• Critical analysis of acts of political courage

Source Material

• Bibliography of five or more varied sources
• Includes primary source material
• Thoughtfully selected, reliable   

Presentation (45%)

Quality of writing.

• Style, clarity, flow, vocabulary

Organization

• Structure, paragraphing, introduction and conclusion

Conventions

• Syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation

An essay will be disqualified if:

• It is not on the topic.
• The subject is not an elected official.
• The subject is John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, or Edward M. Kennedy.
• The subject is a previous  Profile in Courage Award recipient  unless the essay describes an act of political courage other than the act for which the award was given.
• The subject is a senator featured in  Profiles in Courage .
• The essay focuses on an act of political courage that occurred prior to 1917.
• It does not include a minimum of five sources.
• It is more than 1,000 words or less than 700 words (not including citations and bibliography.)
• It is postmarked or submitted by email after the deadline.
• It is not the student’s original work.

How to Judge a Contest: Guide, Shortcuts and Examples

What is a Contest?

A contest is an activity where skill is needed to win. Unlike a Sweepstakes where a random draw identifies the winner, in a contest the participants has to take an action that requires some degree of skill. That degree of skill depends on what the promotion or event is asking the participant to do. For example; in an essay where participants enter and compete by submitting original writing.

The Judging Criteria

Contests also have an element of competition that requires the Sponsor or agency to set clear contest judging criteria so participants know how their entries will be judged. This criteria will also tell the judging body what to look for and how to assign value or rank entries. As a marketer, you can save yourself a lot of potential trouble, and complaints, if your judging criteria is clear to all participants and judges. For example: “ Es s ay Submissions must be in English, comply with Official Rules, meet all requirements called for on the Contest Website and be original work not exceeding 1,000 characters in length.”

The “How-To” Guide for Judging

In a contest, the judging criteria is an attempt to focus the participants, as well as the judges, on the expected outcome of the entry. Properly designed judging criteria aims to minimize the judges unconscious biases and focus their attention on the qualities that are going to be weighed and assigned a value or score. For example, a judging criteria score sheet may rank values as “ 33.3% for creativity, 33.3% for originality; and 33.3% for adherence to topic .”

Judges (ideally more than one) should be experts or have some degree of expertise in what they are judging. This is not a requirement, but it helps the Sponsor or contest administrator select the winner. The contestants also gain a sense of fair play when they see the winner was chosen by experts.

How to Pick Judges for the Contest

If you can’t find expert judges, then individuals or a group with a clear understanding of the judging criteria and no conflicts of interest or bias could serve as judges. Beyond the judging criteria, the judges should have seen enough examples of the work being judged to determine what is considered poor, average and exceptional within the criteria.

Judges Goals

Ultimately, judges aim to assign a total value or points to each entry and select the winner based on total amount of points earned.

Judging Shortcut

A shortcut to judging large numbers of entries is to use social media networks to judge on your behalf up to a certain degree. For example, you can run your contest on Facebook and have the fans vote for the top five entries. From there a more formalized judge or contest administrator can select the winner based on the criteria. This can work well, but there are risks associated with fan voting. One of the risks is that participants can simply ask their friends to vote for them regardless of the quality of the work. It undermines the promotional effort when a poor entry gets lots of votes. This is why we don’t recommend that fan votes make the final decision on who wins.

Protect Your Contest With Judging Criteria

Having your judging criteria set will also protect the integrity of the contest and guide judges if there is a tie. A well-articulated judging criteria will explain what to do in the event of a tie. For example; “ In the event of a tie for any potential Winning Entry, the score for Creativity/Originality will be used as a tiebreaker.” Or “If there still remains a tie, Sponsor will bring in a tie-breaking Judge to apply the same Judging Criteria to determine the winner .”

Bottom Line: Contests are a Great Marketing Tool

Contests are worth the effort and repay the sponsor handsomely. They’re fun and generate a lot of buzz, awareness and potential sales for the sponsor. Just make sure your judging criteria are set in place. If you need any help with your contest let us know at [email protected] .

Want to build a sweepstakes by text? See our features and pricing .

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Criteria for Judging Essays in the Creative Writing Competition 2013

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Judging Criteria

Essay Contest Framework:

• Entries will be blind judged by members of ICNA NJ and their associates.
• Entries must be in good taste, easy to read, use proper grammar and punctuation, and correct spelling.
• Writing quality, clarity and impact, including organization into introduction, main body and clear conclusion are important.
• Depth of research and analysis including citing of relevant references will be considered.
• Evidence of original thought and creativity on important issues and challenges of race and injustice will be considered.
• Entries should be relevant to current events.

Our shortlisted Finalists’ essays will be judged by an international panel of sustainability experts and educationalists, who will select the winning entries in each category.

The judges are looking for originality and creativity in all formats – and the potential to contribute to constructive  national or international debate . Unique and well-argued perspectives score highly.

Each student’s age is taken into account when judging, so that younger students are not at a disadvantage when compared with older students.

The 2024 competition is now closed.

08 september 2023.

TSL 2024 Essay Competition Launch – NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS. Registration open for Teacher Champions/Schools to participate in TSL 2024 Essay Competition.

18 January 2024

Final deadline for essay entries.

Announcement of International Essay Competition 2024 Finalists & Honourable Mentions on TSL website

22 May 2024

Top Ten Finalists from Primary and Secondary categories notified via Teacher Champion.

Invitations to participate in the International Student Debates sent to eligible students via their Teacher Champion.

01 May - 31 July 2024

Country Debates.

17th and 18th July 2024

International Students Debates & Awards (online) 17th July: Primary Debates, 18th July: Secondary Debates

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How to Judge a Contest: Guide, Shortcuts and Examples

What is a Co ntest?

A contest is an activity where skill is needed to win. Unlike a Sweepstakes where a random draw identifies the winner, in a contest the participants has to take an action that requires some degree of skill . That degree of skill depends on what the promotion or event is asking the participant to do. For example; in an essay contest, participants enter and compete by submitting original writing.

The Legal Contest Formula 

Prize + consideration (monetary fee or demonstration of skill) = legal contest (in most jurisdictions)

Are Contest Legal in the US?

Yes. All 50 States allow contest promotions. All contests are allowed as long as the sponsor awards the prize based on skill and not chance.

See Contest Rules and Laws by State.

The Judging Criteria

Contests also have an element of competition that requires the Sponsor or agency to set clear contest judging criteria so participants know how their entries will be judged. This criteria will also tell the judging body what to look for and how to assign value or rank entries.

As a marketer, you can save yourself a lot of potential trouble, and complaints, if your judging criteria is clear to all participants and judges. For example: “ Es s ay Submissions must be in English, comply with Official Rules, meet all requirements called for on the Contest Website and be original work not exceeding 1,000 characters in length.”

The “How-To” Guide for Judging

In a contest, the judging criteria is an attempt to focus the participants, as well as the judges, on the expected outcome of the entry. Properly designed judging criteria aims to minimize the judges unconscious biases and focus their attention on the qualities that are going to be weighed and assigned a value or score. For example, a judging criteria score sheet may rank values as “ 33.3% for creativity, 33.3% for originality; and 33.3% for adherence to topic .”

Judges (ideally more than one) should be experts or have some degree of expertise in what they are judging. This is not a requirement, but it helps the Sponsor or contest administrator select the winner. The contestants also gain a sense of fair play when they see the winner was chosen by experts.

How to Pick Judges for the Contest

If you can’t find expert judges, then individuals or a group with a clear understanding of the judging criteria and no conflicts of interest or bias could serve as judges. Beyond the judging criteria, the judges should have seen enough examples of the work being judged to determine what is considered poor, average and exceptional within the criteria.

Judges Goals

Ultimately, judges aim to assign a total value or points to each entry and select the winner based on total amount of points earned.

Judging Shortcut

A shortcut to judging large numbers of entries is to use social media networks to judge on your behalf up to a certain degree. For example, you can run your contest on Facebook and have the fans vote for the top five entries. From there a more formalized judge or contest administrator can select the winner based on the criteria. This can work well, but there are risks associated with fan voting. One of the risks is that participants can simply ask their friends to vote for them regardless of the quality of the work. It undermines the promotional effort when a poor entry gets lots of votes. This is why we don’t recommend that fan votes make the final decision on who wins.

Protect Your Contest With Judging Criteria

Having your judging criteria set will also protect the integrity of the contest and guide judges if there is a tie. A well-articulated judging criteria will explain what to do in the event of a tie. For example; “ In the event of a tie for any potential Winning Entry, the score for Creativity/Originality will be used as a tiebreaker.” Or “If there still remains a tie, Sponsor will bring in a tie-breaking Judge to apply the same Judging Criteria to determine the winner .”

Rules for Social Media Contests

Contests are allowed in all social media platforms as long as you follow state laws and the social media platform’s own set of rules.

• Facebook Contest Rules you should follow, along with a few Facebook contest ideas to help you get started. See Facebook Contest Rules
• Instagram has some strict rules that you need to be aware of and follow closely if you want your promotion to be successful. See Instagram Contest Rules
• Pinterest can help you connect with your customers, especially if your business is related to the types of content that often trend on Pinterest like fashion, food, and beauty. See Pinterest Promotion Rules 
• For Twitter see Guidelines for Promotions on Twitter (sorry, we haven’t written a rules article on Twitter yet.)
• For Youtube see YouTube’s Contest Policies and Guidelines (sorry, we haven’t written a rules article on Youtube yet.)

Can You Charge Participants an Entry Fee?

Yes, as long as the winners are chosen by skill and not chance (randomly).

Remember: Prize + consideration (monetary fee or skill) = legal contest (in most jurisdictions)

Contest Official Rules Examples

Better Homes & Gardens America’s Best Front Yard Official Contest Rules

Bottom Line: Contests are a Great Marketing Tool

Contests are worth the effort and repay the sponsor handsomely. They’re fun and generate a lot of buzz, awareness and potential sales for the sponsor. Just make sure your judging criteria are set in place.  If you need any help with your contest let us know at [email protected] .

Need help witha Contest? See our Contest Management Services

Want to build a sweepstakes by text?  See our features and pricing .

Everything You Should Know about the John Locke Institute (JLI) Essay Competition

By Jin Chow

Co-founder of Polygence, Forbes 30 Under 30 for Education

3 minute read

We first wrote about the world-famous John Locke Institute (JLI) Essay Competition in our list of 20 writing contests for high school students . This contest is a unique opportunity to refine your argumentation skills on fascinating and challenging topics that aren’t explored in the classroom.

The Oxford philosopher, medical doctor, political scientist, and economist John Locke was a big believer in challenging old habits of the mind. In that spirit, the JLI started this contest to challenge students to be more adventurous in their thinking. 

While not quite as prestigious as getting published in The Concord Review , winning the grand prize or placing in one of the 7 categories of the John Locke Essay Competition can get your college application noticed by top schools like Princeton, Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge. Awards include $2,000 scholarships (for category prize winners) and a $10,000 scholarship for the grand prize. (The scholarships can be applied to the JLI’s Summer Schools at Oxford University, Princeton University, or Washington DC, or to its Gap Year programs in Oxford University, Guatemala, or Washington DC) 

But winning isn’t necessarily the best thing about it. Simply entering the contest and writing your essay will give you a profound learning experience like no other. Add to that the fact that your entry will be read and possibly commented on by some of the top minds at Oxford and Princeton University and it’s free to enter the competition. The real question is: why wouldn’t you enter? Here’s a guide to get you started on your essay contest entry.

Do your own research through Polygence!

Polygence pairs you with an expert mentor in your area of passion. Together, you work to create a high quality research project that is uniquely your own.

Eligibility

The John Locke Institute Essay Competition is open to any high school student anywhere in the world, ages 15-18. Students 14 or under are eligible for the Junior prize. 

John Locke Essay Competition Topics

The essay questions change from year to year. You can choose from 7 different categories (Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law). Within each category, there are 3 intriguing questions you can pick from. When you’re debating which question to write about, here’s a tip. Choose whichever question excites, upsets, or gives you any kind of strong emotional response. If you’re passionate about a topic, it will come through in your research and your writing. If you have any lived experience on the subject, that also helps. 

There are some sample questions the 2023 contest for each of the seven JLI essay subject  categories and the Junior Prize (the questions change each year):

Philosophy: Is tax theft? 

Politics: Do the results of elections express the will of the people?

Economics: What would happen if we banned billionaires?  

History: Which has a bigger effect on history: the plans of the powerful or their mistakes?

Psychology: Can happiness be measured?

Theology: What distinguishes a small religion from a large cult?

Law: Are there too many laws?

Junior Prize: What, if anything, do your parents owe you?

John Locke Writing Contest Requirements

Your essay must not exceed 2,000 words (not counting diagrams, tables of data, endnotes, bibliography, or authorship declaration) and must address only one of the questions in your chosen subject category. No footnotes are allowed, but you may include in-text citations or endnotes. 

Timeline and Deadlines

January - New essay questions are released

April 1st - Registration opens

May 31st  - Registration deadline

June 30th - Essay submission deadline

We highly recommend you check the JLI website as soon as the new questions are released in January and start researching and writing as soon as you can after choosing your topic. You must register for the contest by the end of May. The deadline for the essay submission itself is at the end of June, but we also recommend that you submit it earlier in case any problems arise. If you start right away in January, you can have a few months to work on your essay. 

John Locke Institute Essay Competition Judging Criteria

While the JLI says that their grading system is proprietary, they do also give you this helpful paragraph that describes what they are looking for: “Essays will be judged on knowledge and understanding of the relevant material, the competent use of evidence, quality of argumentation, originality, structure, writing style and persuasive force. The very best essays are likely to be those which would be capable of changing somebody's mind. Essays which ignore or fail to address the strongest objections and counter-arguments are unlikely to be successful. Candidates are advised to answer the question as precisely and directly as possible.” (We’ve bolded important words to keep in mind.) 

You can also join the JLI mailing list (scroll to the bottom of that page) to get contest updates and to learn more about what makes for a winning essay.

The words will fly off the page!

Interested in Literature and Languages? We'll match you with an expert mentor who will help you explore your next project.

Research and Essay Writing Tactics

Give yourself a baseline. First, just write down all your thoughts on the subject without doing any research. What are your gut-level opinions? What about this particular question intrigued you the most? What are some counter-arguments you can think of right away? What you are trying to do here is identify holes in your knowledge or understanding of the subject. What you don’t know or are unsure about can guide your research. Be sure to find evidence to support all the things you think you already know. 

Create a reading/watching list of related books, interviews, articles, podcasts, documentaries, etc. that relate to your topic. Find references that both support and argue against your argument. Choose the most highly reputable sources you can find. You may need to seek out and speak to experts to help you locate the best sources. Read and take notes. Address those questions and holes in the knowledge you identified earlier. Also, continue to read widely and think about your topic as you observe the world from day to day. Sometimes unrelated news stories, literature, film, songs, and visual art can give you an unexpected insight into your essay question. Remember that c is a learning experience and that you are not going to have a rock-solid argument all at once.

Read past essays . These will give you a sense of the criteria judges are using to select winning work. These essays are meant to convince the judges of a very specific stance. The argument must be clear and must include evidence to support it. You will note that winning entries tend to get straight to the point, show an impressive depth of knowledge on the subject with citations to reputable sources, flow with excellent reasoning, and use precise language. They don’t include flowery digressions. Save that for a different type of writing.

Proof your work with a teacher or mentor if possible. Even though your argument needs to be wholly your own, it certainly helps to bounce ideas around with someone who cares about the topic. A teacher or mentor can help you explore different options if you get stuck and point you toward new resources. They can offer general advice and point out errors or weaknesses. Working with a teacher or mentor is important for another reason. When you submit your entry, you will be required to provide the email address of an “academic referee” who is familiar with your work. This should be teachers, mentors, or other faculty members who are not related to you.

Polygence Scholars Are Also Passionate About

Research and prepare for your competition or fair.

Polygence pairs you with an expert mentor in your area of passion. Together, you work to create a high quality research project that is uniquely your own. Our highly-specialized mentors can help guide you to feel even more prepared for an upcoming fair or competion. We also offer options to explore multiple topics, or to showcase your final product!

JRMSU – ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITIES OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

ESSAY WRITING COMPETITION Mechanics and Rules

• The Board of judges shall provide topic of the essay at the venue of the competition.
• The contestants shall be given two (2) hours to develop the composition.
• The contestants shall be provided with a pen and a long bondpaper marked with the assigned number duly signed by the contest master. They are prohibited to write their names and the University they are representing.
• No printed materials, electronic gadgets, or storage devices shall be utilized.
• The contestants are prohibited to wear their university uniform or any symbol/s (e.g. ID lanyard) that mark distinction of their respective university.
• Each contestant shall be assigned a number.
• The result of the contest shall be posted on the tally board immediately after the judges have finished rating the contestants’ manuscripts.
• The judges’ decision is final.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM

DOWNLOAD CONFIRMATION SLIP

*Adapted from PASUC Guidelines and modified by the host university.

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creative writing competition guidelines

Competition guidelines.

Competition Guidelines:

• Contestants will be given a prompt in the form of a phrase, quote, picture, etc.
• Contestants will have three hours to write a Short Story about this topic.
• The writing will be performed in one continuous session.
• Entries should be about 750 words in length (give or take 75 words).
• Contestants are expected to type their Short Stories on the provided computers.

Judging Criteria:

Final judging will be based on the below criteria:

• Keeps the readers interested with an engaging and well-organized story. (10 points)
• Creates conflict, resolution, and character growth effectively. (10 points)
• Maintains an effective pacing and presents interesting characters. (10 points)
• Tells an engaging and imaginative story. (15 points)
• Has a unique plot, idea, or theme. (15 points)
• Uses vocabulary words effectively. (10 points)
• Writes in a consistent and engaging style. (5 points)
• Uses a proper short story format. (5 points)
• Uses correct grammar. (10 points)
• Relevance to Prompt (10 points)

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Essay Writing Contests: Organizing and Judging for Middle School Students

Nov 24, 2023 | Education , Family

Essay writing contests are a fantastic way for middle school students to hone their writing skills and express their creativity. These contests can challenge students to think critically and articulate their thoughts coherently, fostering a love for writing at an early age. For educators and organizers, the challenge lies in creating a contest that is both encouraging and fair, helping young writers develop their skills in a supportive environment.

While some students might be tempted to seek an essay writing service to write me a paper , essay contests offer a more enriching experience. They provide an opportunity for students to engage in creative and analytical thinking, develop their writing style, and gain confidence in their abilities.

Organizing the Contest

Planning and preparation.

Theme Selection : It’s crucial to select a theme that resonates with middle schoolers, sparking their imagination and creativity. The theme should be broad enough to allow various interpretations yet specific enough to provide some direction.

Inclusivity in Themes : Consider themes that cater to a wide range of interests and backgrounds, ensuring every participant feels included and excited to write.

Rules and Guidelines : Rules should be clear but not overly restrictive. Balance between providing enough structure for quality submissions and allowing creative freedom is key. Accessibility of these guidelines is crucial. Consider multiple platforms for dissemination.

Promotion and Participation

School Involvement : Actively engage with school administrators and teachers. This could include informational sessions in classrooms, distributing flyers, and digital announcements via school platforms.

Incorporating into Curriculum : Teachers can weave the essay contest into their teaching plans, perhaps aligning it with relevant topics being covered in class.

Diverse Participation : Reach out to various student groups and clubs to ensure broad participation. Encourage students from different backgrounds to bring their unique perspectives.

Preparatory Workshops : Organize workshops focusing on essay writing skills, idea generation, and research methods to help students prepare.

Judging the Essays

Setting criteria.

Comprehensive Criteria : Along with creativity and structure, include criteria like relevance to the theme, use of language, and persuasive power of the argument. This helps students understand different facets of good writing.

Transparency in Judging Process : Communicate the judging process to participants to ensure transparency and build trust in the contest’s integrity.

Diverse Judging Panel

Expert Inclusion : Include experts in children’s literature or education to bring a professional perspective to the judging process.

Student Judges : Involve older students as junior judges to provide a peer perspective, which can be particularly encouraging for participants.

Feedback and Evaluation

Constructive Feedback : Detailed feedback helps students understand not just what needs improvement but also what they did well.

Individualized Attention : Try to ensure feedback is personalized, reflecting an understanding of each student’s writing style and effort.

Promoting Learning and Growth

Skill-Building Sessions : Prior to the contest, conduct workshops focused on enhancing writing skills, research methods, and creative thinking. This provides all participants with a level playing field and equips them with essential writing tools.

Guest Speakers : Invite authors, educators, or journalists to share insights and tips on effective writing, storytelling, and research techniques.

Post-Contest Workshops : After the contest, offer workshops based on the common areas of improvement noticed in the submissions. This can be an ongoing educational initiative to continuously nurture writing skills.

Leveraging Technology

Online Forums : Create online platforms where students can discuss their ideas, seek peer reviews, and share resources. This fosters a collaborative and interactive learning environment.

Utilizing Writing Software : Introduce students to writing software and online tools that can aid in drafting, editing, and refining their essays. This helps them become more self-sufficient and technologically adept writers.

Online Readings and Discussions : Host virtual events where students can present their essays and participate in discussions. This not only showcases their work but also builds public speaking and presentation skills.

Engaging the Community

Involving parents and guardians.

Workshops for Parents : Conduct sessions for parents on how they can assist their children in the writing process without taking over their work.

Regular Updates : Keep parents informed about contest progress and their children’s involvement, fostering a sense of community investment.

Community Events

Showcase Events : Along with reading events, consider exhibitions or publications (like a booklet or a school magazine) featuring the best essays.

Celebrating All Participants : Acknowledge every participant’s effort, not just the winners, to foster a positive and encouraging atmosphere.

Collaboration with Local Organizations

Partnerships for Resources : Collaborate with organizations for resources like writing guides, access to libraries, and expert talks.

Broader Community Involvement : Engage the broader community in the contest, perhaps through public readings or local media coverage, to celebrate young talent.

Essay writing contests for middle school students are more than just a competition. They are a platform for growth, learning, and self-expression. By organizing these contests thoughtfully and judging them fairly, educators and organizers can make a significant impact on the development of young writers. Remember, the goal is to nurture a generation of thinkers, creators, and communicators who are confident in their ability to express themselves through the written word and do not rely on the best paper writing service platforms.

Such contests equip students with vital skills that will serve them well throughout their academic journey and beyond, laying the foundation for effective communication and creative expression.

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Announcing the "Why My Favorite Horse Would Love to Be a Breyer Model” Essay Contest

It’s the million-dollar question! How can you get your very own Breyer model horse? The answer could be in your hands—or words! As part of Breyer Animal Creation’s 75th anniversary celebration in 2025, we’re throwing a “Why My Favorite Horse Would Love to be a Breyer Model” essay contest. Three (3) winners will be honored with a personal copy of their very own genuine Breyer model in the likeness of their entry when Breyer’s Diamond Anniversary happens in 2025 (an estimated retail value of US$1,000.00)!*

The contest is open to essays about real horses and ponies of all breeds, types, and abilities—whether they’re a show ring champion or a solid-citizen lesson pony (no fictional horses, please) . You don’t even need to own a horse to write about it! Tell us about that precious pony you own, a horse that you ride, or a horse you admire.

One of the three winning entries, with the permission of the horse’s owner, may even have the opportunity to become part of the Breyer stable for purchase at your favorite Breyer retailer in 2025!

Don’t let your favorite horse, or pony, get left in the field – saddle up and write! We can’t wait to hear your stories!

MANY WILL ENTER, ONLY THREE WILL WIN. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. See how to enter and official rules below.

• Write an essay describing why your favorite horse is the hands-down choice to be honored as a Breyer model (minimum of 50 words, maximum of 250 words).
• Email your entry to us at [email protected] by no later than 11:59pm EST July 31, 2024 following the official rules below. No other method of entry will be accepted.
• Your entry must include the subject line “Breyer Essay Contest 2024” along with your original essay, a photo of the horse (taken by you or someone else; .jpeg or .gif, no more than 2MB), your name, age (at the time of entry), mailing address, telephone number, and email address as well as parent/legal guardian’s email address and statement of parental consent if under age 18 (or under the legal age of majority in the entrant’s state of residence in the U.S. or jurisdiction of residence in Canada, whichever is greater). Essay, entry and statement of parental consent (if applicable) must be submitted in English. Entries missing any of the above requirements will be immediately disqualified.
• All essays must be original and entirely created by the entrant. Only one entry per person will be accepted in this essay contest; all subsequent entries will be disqualified. Only single author essays qualify (no co-authored entries).
• Individuals who cannot write may dictate their story to be printed, written legibly or typed.
• Essays will be judged by a judging panel including qualified members of Sponsor’s Marketing Team and at least one similar qualified independent judge. Each entry will be judged on the following criteria: 60% on the communication of the character of the horse (what makes them so special!) and 40% on the creative expression of the writer (how well the horse’s story is told!).
• Winners will be notified on or around September 15, 2024 and may be announced on or about January 1, 2025 on BreyerHorses.com.
• Three (3) winners will each win one Breyer model horse decorated in the likeness of their entry (Estimated Retail Value (“ERV”): US$1,000 each). Total ERV of all three prizes is US$3,000.00.

*Contest is open to all legal residents, ages 5 and above at the time of entry, of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec), where allowed. Email account required. Parent must submit entry if entrant is under age 13. If selected as a potential winner, parental consent is required if entrant is under age 18 (or under the legal age of majority in the entrant’s state of residence in the U.S. or jurisdiction of residence in Canada – whichever is greater). Void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law.

• Contact and shipping information collected will be used by Sponsor for the purposes of administering this Contest and awarding the prizes only and will not be used for marketing or other purposes.

See Official Rules for complete details.

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES:

By submitting an entry, you (and your parent or legal guardian on your behalf, as applicable) agree to be bound by the following Why My Favorite Horse Would Love to be a Breyer Model Essay Contest (“Contest”) rules:

• This is a skill‐based contest and chance plays no part in the determination of winning. Many will enter, but only three (3) will win.
• NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase will not increase your odds of winning.
• Contest is open to all legal residents, ages 5 and above at the time of entry, of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec) where allowed. Email account required. Parent must submit entry if entrant is under age 13. If selected as a potential winner, parental consent is required for entrants under age 18 (or under the legal age of majority in the entrant’s state of residence in the U.S. or jurisdiction of residence in Canada). Void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law.
• Contest entry period begins June 25, 2024 at 5:00PM EDT and ends July 31, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT. All entries must be received by Sponsor via email at [email protected] by no later than 11:59pm EDT July 31, 2024. No other method of entry will be accepted.
• To create your entry, write an essay describing why your favorite horse is the hands-down choice to be honored as a Breyer model. Minimum of 50 words, maximum of 250 words.
• All essays must be original and entirely created by the entrant. Only single author essays qualify (no co-authored entries).
• Your entry must include the subject line “Breyer Essay Contest 2024” along with your original essay, a photo of the horse taken by you or someone else (.jpeg or .gif, no more than 2MB), your name, age (at the time of entry), mailing address, telephone number, and email address as well as parent/legal guardian’s email address and statement of parental consent if under age 18 (or under the legal age of majority in the entrant’s state of residence in the U.S. or jurisdiction of residence in Canada, whichever is greater). Essay, entry, and statement of parental consent (if applicable) must be submitted in English. Entries missing any of the above requirements will be immediately disqualified.
• Individuals who cannot write may dictate their story to be printed, written legibly, or typed by a third party for submission.
• Limit one (1) entry per person; all subsequent entries will be disqualified.
• Entries will be judged by a judging panel including qualified members of Sponsor's Marketing Team and at least one similarly qualified independent judge. Each entry will be judged according to the following criteria: 60% on the communication of the character of the horse (what makes them so special) and 40% on the creative expression of the writer (i.e., how well the horse’s story is told). Three (3) winners will be determined by the judges in their sole discretion. The decisions of the judges will be final and binding in all respects.
• Three (3) potential winners will be selected on or about September 15, 2024. We will contact the potential winners (or their parent/legal guardian if under age 18 or under the legal age of majority in the entrant’s state of residence in the U.S. or jurisdiction of residence in Canada – whichever is greater) by email on or about October 1, 2024 to confirm shipping address and provide a Prize Winner Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release (Declaration and Release for residents of Canada). Selected potential winners must confirm receipt of email and verify valid contact and shipping information to Sponsor, and sign and return the executed Prize Winner Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release (Declaration and Release for residents of Canada), by email (email address will be provided to potential winner in notification email) within three (3) business days or such potential winner will forfeit the prize and an alternate potential winner will be selected. The first name, first initial of last name, and state/province/territory and country of the winners from each age group may be posted on the Sponsor website (www.breyerhorses.com) on or about January 1, 2025.
• Winners agree not to publicly disclose they are winners until Sponsor announcement of winners.
• Prize: Three (3) winners will each win one Breyer model horse decorated in the likeness of their entry (Estimated Retail Value (“ERV”): $1,000 USD each). Winner is responsible for all taxes on their prize. Total ERV of all 3 prizes: $3,000.00 USD.
• Prize will be awarded in the name of the parent if the winner is under age 18 (or under the legal age of majority in the entrant’s state in the U.S. or jurisdiction of residence in Canada – whichever is greater).
• Prize will ship on or about December 1, 2024 at no charge to winner. Estimated ship time approximately 1-2 weeks depending on destination.
• Noncompliance or return of prize notification as undeliverable, whether by email or telephone, may result in disqualification and selection of an alternative potential winner.
• Sponsor and Sponsor’s employees, retailers, and their immediate family members (i.e., spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and/or stepchild, wherever they may live), and anyone else professionally connected with the Contest, are not eligible to enter.
• All entries become the sole property of Sponsor (to the maximum extent permitted by law) and may be used or reproduced in any manner and for any purpose by Sponsor without additional consent or compensation, including without limitation for commercial purposes, and will not be acknowledged or returned. By entering, you (and your parent or legal guardian on your behalf, as applicable): (i) grant to the Sponsor, in perpetuity, a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish, display, reproduce, modify, edit or otherwise use your entry/works, in whole or in part, for advertising or promoting the Contest or for any other reason; and (ii) waives all moral rights in and to your entry in favor of the Sponsor (and anyone authorized by the Sponsor to use the entry).
• By participating, Contest entrants (and their parent or legal guardian on their behalf, as applicable): (1) represent that they have complied with these Official Contest Rules; (2) grant Sponsor the right to use entrant’s name (first name and first letter of last name), city, state/province/territory/county, and country; (3) to the maximum extent permitted by law, release Sponsor from any and all liability in connection with this Contest, and (4) agree to execute an affidavit of eligibility/prize acceptance form and/or publicity release (declaration and release for residents of Canada) if requested to do so, all without further compensation. Entry into the Contest constitutes complete permission for Sponsor to use, edit, or modify all submissions for all purposes including without limitation advertising and trade in any manner or medium whatsoever. To the maximum extent permitted by law, entrants over the age of 18 and the parents or legal guardians of entrants under age 18 (or under the legal age of majority in the entrant’s state of residence in the U.S. or jurisdiction of residence in Canada – whichever is greater) agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Sponsor, its officers, directors, agents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, wherever  situated, against claims, losses, penalties, causes of action, damages, liability, costs, expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees) or claims caused by or resulting indirectly from entrants participation in the Contest, without limitation or exception, including entrant's violation of any third-party's rights, including without limitation, infringement of any copyright, trademark, service mark, trade secret, right of privacy or publicity or any other third party right).
• Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late or misdirected entries, or incomplete/incorrect entries, or any internet, hardware, or software computer malfunction.
• Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify anyone who attempts to tamper or otherwise interfere with the proper functioning of the promotion and/or its website.
• Sponsor reserves the right to modify or cancel the Contest in the event of a malfunction beyond Sponsor’s control.
• All entries must be original and entirely created by the entrant, must not violate the trademark, copyright, or privacy/publicity rights of any third party, and must not violate any applicable local, federal, state/provincial/territorial, and/or international laws and regulations. Void in Quebec and where prohibited or restricted by law.
• California residents: this program may constitute a financial incentive under California law. For more information, please see privacy policy financial incentives notice.
• Sponsor is: Reeves International, Inc., 14 Industrial Rd, Pequannock, NJ 07440. Breyer Animal Creations is a division of Reeves International, Inc.
• For a copy of these Official Rules or the Winners List (which shall include the first name, first letter of last name, state/province/territory, and country of the winner, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Sponsor at the above address; Attn: Breyer Essay Contest 2024. Please specify which item you are requesting. Residents of Vermont and Canada may omit return postage. You may also obtain a copy of these Official Rules or the Winners List by sending an email (with your email address) to: [email protected] with the subject line “Breyer Essay Contest 2024 request.” Please specify which item you are requesting.

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