BY TAMMY A GANTT
Under the flagship of The Florida Horse, Brock Sheridan, Tammy Gantt, Nancy Moffatt and the late John Filer took home four American Horse Publications equine media awards, including one top honor, on Saturday, May 18 at the AHP conference in Lexington, Ky. from among 78 AHP members and more than 453 entries in 47 categories.
The Florida Horse magazine advertising spread titled Greetings From Florida took first place in the Equine-Related Single Advertisement Design category. The design mimicked a 1950’s retro linen postcard. The beach scene featured two colorful slingback beach chairs facing the ocean with a photo of a Florida Thoroughbred on the beach table between them. Contributing Editor Gantt developed the ad concept, copy and selected the retro color pallet. The late creative director John Filer designed the ad. Current senior graphic designer Moffatt made updates including new logos. The ad ran several times during the winter months in 2023 beckoning people to leave the cold weather to enjoy the mild climate appreciated by the Florida Thoroughbred industry. The ad was part of a Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and Florida Department of Agriculture campaign.
FEC earned second place for a commercial in their ongoing series, Florida Thoroughbred History Moments, a campaign created for the FTBOA. The 2023 commercial featured the beloved Florida-bred Silver Charm. Now at 30, he is the oldest living Kentucky Derby (G1) winner. The :30 clip highlighted the horse’s successes, the early McKathan Brothers-Bob Baffert connection and Silver Charm’s retirement to Old Friends in Kentucky. The concept, visuals and script were by Gantt. Sean Kaplan of Kaplan Media produced the video.
Moffatt earned a third place for graphic design, under the editorial direction of FEC Editor-in-Chief Sheridan, for a feature recognizing Jena Antonucci’s milestone Belmont Stakes win with Arcangelo. The stunning visual of Antonucci raising the Belmont trophy high in the air headlined Shattering the Glass Ceiling included a broken glass effect.
Moffatt and Sheridan earned an honorable mention for graphic design for The Florida Horse feature on Florida Sire Stakes-winner Bentornato titled Two for Two for ‘Tornato.
The AHP award contest, held annually since 1976, allows national members to enter their best content from the previous year. Finalists represent a broad spectrum of media, including print and online journalism, digital media, photography, videography, podcasts, books and more. The awards recognize excellence in equine content published in 2023.
“Like the ever-changing media world, so do the winners in each year’s competition,” AHP Awards Coordinator Chris Brune said. “I have been one of those members waiting to learn if my publication’s entries were honored. That happened twice during my career as editor of Eastern/Western Quarter Horse Journal.”
American Horse Publications has united equine-related publishing media, businesses, media professionals and students for more than 50 years. The professional membership association promotes excellence in equine media and encourages relationships and communication within the horse industry through education and networking. For more information, click here.
