Do you know someone who deserves to win the NEF Sir Colin Spedding Award?
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF24, Sir Colin Spedding Award

If you know of an exceptional individual or organisation working within the equestrian sector who deserves recognition for their endeavour, the National Equine Forum (NEF) would like to hear from you. Nominations are now being received for the Sir Colin Spedding Award 2024 to champion the cause of those who strive to make difference in…

National Equine Forum delivers an educational and emotional 31st event
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF23

The National Equine Forum (NEF) took delegates on an educational and emotional journey of discovery at their annual event earlier this month. Themes included the Defra perspective, Equine ID, and the public acceptance of equestrianism. The latest data on the sector, the sustainability of riding schools, current equine health risks and working with paraprofessionals were…

Charlotte Thornycroft wins NEF Award and receives standing ovation
By Categories: Memorial Lecture, National Equine Forum, NEF23, Sir Colin Spedding Award

Charlie Thornycroft was announced as the winner of the Sir Colin Spedding Award at last week’s National Equine Forum (NEF), 2nd March 2023. She was presented with the Award by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. Charlie also received a standing ovation for her talk about her experiences providing vital aid to Ukraine’s equestrian sector…

NEF shines spotlight on tackling unwanted behaviours in horses
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF23

The National Equine Forum audience (NEF) were taken on an enlightening journey of equine behaviour change this afternoon (2nd March 2023). They heard how the use of learning theory had helped a fearful horse with challenging behaviours get back on track to establish a solid and successful partnership with his rider. How to tackle unwanted…

Winner of National Equine Forum photography competition announced
By Categories: Cover Image Competition, National Equine Forum, NEF23

The National Equine Forum has announced the winner of its recent photography competition; Claire Evans Watkin’s magnificent headshot of her miniature donkey Ziggy will feature on the programme cover for the 31st National Equine Forum, which takes place on Thursday 2nd March 2023 (#NEF23), as well as in other #NEF23 contexts. A total of 40…

National Equine Forum launches equine photography competition to find programme cover star
By Categories: Cover Image Competition, National Equine Forum, NEF23

If you are a budding equine photographer, now’s your time to showcase your talent; the National Equine Forum is running a special competition to find a cover star for the NEF 2023 programme and all amateur photographers are eligible to enter, by submitting a picture of their own horse or one they have received permission…

NEF calls for unsung equestrians to be honoured
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF23, Sir Colin Spedding Award

The National Equine Forum (NEF) is calling for nominations for the Sir Colin Spedding Award 2023. If you know of an exceptional individual or organisation within the equine sector, why not give them the opportunity to be publicly lauded, by putting them forward for this esteemed award. The Sir Colin Spedding Award was introduced in…

Threats to industry sustainability in the spotlight at 30th National Equine Forum
By Categories: Memorial Lecture, National Equine Forum, NEF22

Grave threats to sustainability within the equestrian sector, from workforce challenges to growing resistance to de-wormers, were in the spotlight at the 30th National Equine Forum (NEF), held in London on 3 March 2022. In the presence of royalty plus governmental, veterinary, educational, charity and equestrian association representatives, a prestigious panel of speakers also discussed…

National Equine Forum announces 30th Birthday programme
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF22

The National Equine Forum (NEF) has announced an exciting and practical programme to celebrate its 30th birthday in March 2022. Currently the intention is to hold a hybrid event at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), with a reduced number of attendees and the opportunity for others to join via the livestreaming, on Thursday 3rd…

Sir Colin Spedding Award: don’t miss your chance to nominate
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF22, Sir Colin Spedding Award

Don’t miss your chance to nominate an exceptional individual or organisation within the equine sector, for the prestigious Sir Colin Spedding Award 2022. Nominations close on 31 July 2021 so if you have a worthy unsung hero on your radar who deserves recognition the NEF organising committee is keen to hear from you as soon…

Royal presentation for Sir Colin Spedding Award winner
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF21, Sir Colin Spedding Award

Claire Williams, winner of this year’s National Equine Forum (NEF) Special Covid-19 Sir Colin Spedding Award 2021 was formally presented with the Award by HRH The Princess Royal, who is President of the NEF, at Gatcombe Park on 29th April 2021. Claire, who is the Executive Director of the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), was…

Special Covid-19 Sir Colin Spedding Award highly commended awardees
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF21, Sir Colin Spedding Award

The National Equine Forum is delighted to recognise the following awardees as highly commended for the Special Covid-19 Sir Colin Spedding Award 2021. Alison Payne has been highly commended for her efforts in creating the book “A Highland Pony 2020 – Project 2020” during the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. Andrew McDiarmid has been…

We must work together to overcome Brexit hurdles conclude speakers at NEF
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF21, Sir Colin Spedding Award

All parts of the equine industry must work together in efforts to remove the hurdles impeding the transport of horses and equestrian goods between Britain and the European Union, according to speakers at the 29th National Equine Forum on 4 March 2021. The changed arrangements since the UK left the trading bloc on 1 January…