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National Equine Forum announces winning photographer
Pictured: The winning photograph (C) Claire Evans Watkin.

Claire Evans Watkin revealed as NEF competition winner.

The National Equine Forum (NEF) has announced the winner of its photography competition, which saw 40 equine photographers go head to head to feature on the programme cover for the 31st National Equine Forum.

With a wide range of images submitted in different styles, the judges received entries from across the UK, as well as Brazil, Canada, America and Norway.

Claire Evans Watkin, from Ceredigion, Wales, has been revealed as this year's winner, with a headshot of her miniature donkey Ziggy.

Craig Payne, NEF's official photographer, chose the winning entry. He discussed why he decided on Claire Evans Watkin's image: “I absolutely love this entry.

“It is bright and colourful and the clouds give intrigue which contrasts nicely with the donkey's big ears and the unusually shaped tree in the distance. 

“The photo has been taken from slightly beneath the donkey and this helps to silhouette it and avoid too much of the grassland, and the fact the donkey is looking down the camera could be said to drive home the point that the Forum is for all equines. 

“This is a key point as we haven't featured a donkey on the cover before.”

On hearing of her win, Claire said: “I am so excited that my picture of Ziggy has been chosen as the winning entry for the National Equine Forum programme cover competition. 

“I have a real passion for photography and Ziggy is a great model. I can’t wait to see him on the cover of the 2023 programme.”

 

Image (C) Claire Evans Watkin

 

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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.