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Nominations open for Sir Colin Spedding Award
Pictured: Imran Atcha, winner of the 2022 Sir Colin Spedding Award with HRH The Princess Royal.

Award celebrates unsung equine heroes. 

Nominations have opened for the National Equine Forum's (NEF) Sir Colin Spedding Award 2023.

Introduced in 2013 in memory of the late Sir Colin Spedding, the award recognises an unsung star in the equine world annually, one who has never yet won any awards in recognition of their work. 

Founding chairman of the NEF, Sir Colin chaired the event for 20 years until his death in 2012, and as his commemorative award suggests, he advocated for representatives of all areas of the equine community were welcomed and supported at the NEF. 

Jane Holderness-Roddam, the Sir Colin Spedding Award sub-committee Chair, commented: “During the past decade the Sir Colin Spedding Award has become one of the most coveted accolades within the equestrian sector. 

“Not least because it gives those who have otherwise hidden their light under a bushel, the time to truly shine.”

To nominate an individual for the Award, visit the NEF website and write no more than 100 words explaining why your chosen candidate should be considered.

Nominations must be made before 31 July 2022, and anyone submitting a nomination should ensure that they have read the checklist beforehand.

IMAGE (C) Craig Payne Photography

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.