1. Eligibility
The 2026 VOCAL Tap Handle Pet Photo Contest (the Contest) is open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least twenty-one (21) years old at the time of entry. The Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
2. Sponsor
The contest is sponsored by VOCAL (Voices of Change for Animals League), 6393 SW 52nd Street, Ocala, FL 34474, World Equestrian Center, The Polo Pony at World Equestrian Center, and First Magnitude Brewing Co.
3. Agreement to Official Rules
Participation in the Contest constitutes the entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon being compliant with these Official Rules and fulfilling all other requirements set forth herein.
4. Contest Period
The Submission Period starts at 8:00 AM (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 and ends at 9:00 PM (Eastern Time) on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The Voting Period starts at 8:00 AM (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 and ends at 9:00 PM (Eastern Time) on Saturday, August 15, 2026. The Submission Period and the Voting Period combined constitute the Contest Period. Entries submitted before or after the Submission Period will be disqualified. Submissions will be accepted for the duration of the Submission Period through online submissions only.
5. How to Enter
Enter online by visiting our website (https://www.gogophotocontest.com/vocalpetcontest) and following the directions provided to complete the entry information and submit. Submissions are accepted during the Submission Period only. A $10 donation is required to enter a pet in the contest. Only entries in the proper category (Dogs or Cats) will be considered.
The same pet can be entered into the contest multiple times, but votes will not be combined across multiple entries of the same pet. You may enter more than one pet in the contest. Any entrant with multiple pets in the image will be asked to provide an alternative image or be disqualified from the contest. Any entrant with people in the image will be asked to provide an alternative image or be disqualified from the contest.
All pets must be currently living.
A high-quality photo of the contest winner’s image will be featured on the tap handle at The Polo Pony at World Equestrian Center – Ocala for one year. Your photo must meet the following requirements:
- 150 dpi (300 dpi preferred)
- At least 4 inches in height or width
- File should be clear, clean, and in focus
All entered photos should meet these requirements. If you are a winner and your photo does not meet these requirements, you will be asked to supply a photo that does. If you are unable to supply a qualifying photo, you will forfeit your prize to the entry receiving the next highest number of votes.
6. Voting
Each $1 donation counts as 1 vote. We encourage you to email the contest link to family and friends and encourage them to vote for your favorite contestant’s photo. Votes may be cast during the Voting Period only.
All donations for votes are non-refundable and not tax deductible (a vote was received in exchange for the donation). Entries and donations must be made via the online contest page. Donations and photo entries submitted via other means (mail, in-person, or the main website donation page) will be accepted as donations but not applied toward the contest. Contest payments online are processed through a secure site.
7. Judging
Prizes are based on the number of votes received. There is one Grand Prize winner. The Grand Prize will be awarded to the single pet (dog) or (cat) with the most overall votes across all categories.
8. Prize Awarding
The winner will be notified at the conclusion of the voting period (on or about August 16, 2026). If the potential winner cannot be contacted within three (3) days after the date of the first attempt to contact him/her, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner from the next non-winning, eligible top vote-getter.
9. Winner Notification
The Grand Prize winner will be notified on or about August 16, 2026. The potential winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, the Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner among the remaining eligible entries. The winner will be awarded and recognized during a celebration party at The Polo Pony on Thursday, September 10th, 2026.
10. Prizes
Grand Prize (1 winner with the most overall votes).
The Grand Prize winner the dog or cat receiving the most overall votes will:
- Have their pet’s photo featured on the tap handle at The Polo Pony at World Equestrian Center – Ocala for one (1) full year
- Receive a $500 gift certificate to World Equestrian Center
11. General Conditions
In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including but not limited to fraud, virus, bug, worm, unauthorized human intervention, or other technical problem, or in the event the Contest is unable to run as planned for any other reason, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, the Sponsor may: (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules, or (b) terminate the Contest and, in the event of termination, award the prize at random from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual found to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest, or acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to damage the website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and any other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.
12. Release and Limitations of Liability
By participating in the Contest, entrants hereby grant VOCAL, World Equestrian Center, The Polo Pony at World Equestrian Center, and First Magnitude Brewing Co. permission to use submitted photographs, video, or other digital media (“photo”) in any and all promotional materials and publications, including web-based publications, without payment or other consideration. Entrants understand that all photos become the property of VOCAL and its sponsor partners and will not be returned. Entrants irrevocably authorize VOCAL and its sponsor partners to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, or distribute these photos for any lawful purpose. Entrants waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product in which the submitted photo appears, and any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the photos.
By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, other companies associated with the contest, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, and agents (the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of the prize, including but not limited to: (a) any technical errors associated with the Contest; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing, or typographical errors; (d) any other errors or problems in connection with the Contest; or (e) injury, death, losses, or damages of any kind to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from participation in the Contest or acceptance, receipt, or misuse of the prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties’ liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest.
13. Disputes
Except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in Florida. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these Official Rules shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Florida, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules.
14. Privacy
Information collected from entrants is subject to VOCAL’s privacy policy.