National Equine Forum launches equine photography competition to find programme cover star
By Categories: 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…

Winner of NEF Special Covid-19 Sir Colin Spedding Award announced
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF21, Sir Colin Spedding Award

Claire Williams, Executive Director of the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), was announced as the winner of the Special Covid-19 Sir Colin Spedding Award 2021 at yesterday’s National Equine Forum (NEF) on 4th March 2021. Given the exceptional circumstances of 2020 and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic the NEF Organising Committee changed the emphasis…

Highly topical programme confirmed for National Equine Forum
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF21, Sir Colin Spedding Award

A compelling and highly topical programme has been confirmed for the 29th National Equine Forum (NEF), to be held virtually on Thursday 4th March 2021. Presentations will include the impact of Brexit on the equestrian industry and engaging with more diverse communities within equestrianism. Restrictions posed by the global pandemic, inspired the NEF committee to…

Teamwork, communication and trust are key to tackling equine obesity concludes Great Weight Debate
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF21

Teamwork, communication and trust are key to helping to solve the serious problem of horse, pony and donkey obesity in the UK, was the consensus of the panel of experts at the National Equine Forum’s (NEF) Great Weight Debate (Equine), held last month. The Great Weight Debate (Equine) was the second of two special interest…

NEF Great Weight Debate: what’s weighing on your mind?
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF21

Ahead of the National Equine Forum’s (NEF) special interest webinar The Great Weight Debate (Equine) in January 2021, the organisers are inviting anyone with an interest in horses, ponies or donkeys to submit questions about what’s weighing on their minds about this important topic. The Great Weight Debate (Equine), at 7pm on Wednesday 27th January…
The picture shows the stage at the IMechE with the NEF logo

NEF introduces Special Sir Colin Spedding Covid-19 Award and extends nomination deadline
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF21, Sir Colin Spedding Award

Given the exceptional circumstances of 2020 and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic the National Equine Forum Organising Committee has changed the emphasis of the Sir Colin Spedding Award 2021 to celebrate those who have gone ‘above and beyond’ during a very difficult year. The deadline for nominations has been extended to 16 October 2020….

Global reach for National Equine Forum
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF20

The 28th National Equine Forum, held in London earlier this month, sparked animated interaction from around the globe. As well as attracting delegates from many of the UK’s leading equestrian organisations on the day, the event was livestreamed in 23 countries and generated unprecedented social media engagement. Leading names in the veterinary, charitable and equestrian…

Two winners for prestigious NEF Award
By Categories: National Equine Forum, NEF20, Sir Colin Spedding Award

Nigel Oakley, tireless protector and promoter of the Suffolk Punch horse and Eleanor Jones, the indefatigable Horse & Hound journalist with a passion for equine welfare, were announced as the joint winners of the Sir Colin Spedding Award at yesterday’s National Equine Forum (NEF) on 5th March 2020. Nigel Oakley is dedicated to the cause…