AKSM Photography Takes Blue at Devon Horse Show
(The winning photo that expressed the emotion of Devon and featured equestrian rider Texie Loyd. Andrew McKeough/AKSM Photography).
The winning photo was taken by actor and photojournalist Andrew McKeough during last year’s show. It depicts equestrian junior rider Texie Loyd after showing during Junior’s Weekend 2019.
Article by Thomas Zaffalon, AKSM Sports
DEVON, PA - It was announced yesterday that AKSM Photography had won the grand prize in the Devon Horse Show’s 2020 “Devon Memories” photography competition as a part of their 2020 “Virtual Devon” show this year. Due to the pandemic, the show had to be canceled for the first time since a three-year period due to WWII.
This year’s 124th show was set to take place from May 21st through May 31st at the show grounds. Instead the Devon Horse Show decided to take things online and hold a “virtual show”. The virtual show was held during the time the real show would’ve and included everyone’s favorite events from Lady’s Day with Carson Kressley to celebrating their annual First Friday event online. A new addition to this year’s show was a photography competition to celebrate the “Memories of Devon”.
Devon Horse Show Chairman and CEO Wayne W. Grafton stated that, “While we are disappointed that the show can't go on as normal we are excited about offering the Virtual Devon Horse Show for 2020, […] This is a wonderful opportunity to bring our entire community together to celebrate the history of Devon.”
From May 15th through May 20th, photographers were asked to submit their favorite Devon photos for a chance at the Grand Prize. In total, 11 submissions were selected and judged from over 200 entries. Out of those 11 submissions, 7 were chosen as first round selections, 3 as second round selections and one as the Grand Prize Winner. AKSM Photography took home that honor after yesterday’s announcement.
The winning photo was taken by actor and photojournalist Andrew McKeough during last year’s show. It depicts equestrian junior rider Texie Loyd after showing during Junior’s Weekend 2019. Katie Johnson, a representative for McKeough said that he is “Elated and joyful” after hearing the news and that, “[…] this is an honor that he will hold with him deeply.”
AKSM Photography’s Executive Director, Marcella Parisi, said in a statement yesterday that, “[It’s] very great for our team to have this honor as a beacon of light during these times of great repress and hardship in both our country and around the world.” Parisi added that, “Our primary job is to capture and document that world as it evolves, in both good times and in bad times and we are so appreciative of the work of the Devon Horse Show in the dedication to Bryn Mawr Hospital.”
As a part of the honor of being the Grand Prize winner, AKSM Photography will receive a gift basked sponsored by Devon Souvenirs full of limited edition 2020 items that honor this year’s show and the front-line workers who put their lives at risk during the Coronavirus pandemic. Part of the basket includes Devon Horse Show branded washable masks. AKSM Photography has said that they plan to donate the masks to those who need them most.