Winner of National Equine Forum photography competition announced

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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…