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Nominations open for Sir Colin Spedding Award 2026
The winner of the Sir Colin Spedding Award 2025 was Di Arbuthnot.
Entries close midday on 31 July 2025.

The National Equine Forum (NEF) has opened nominations for the 2026 Sir Colin Spedding Award.

The accolade recognises the unsung heroes of the equine sector, whether they are individuals or organisations.

Nominations can be made using an online form on the NEF website. Nominators should submit no more than 100 words explaining why the chosen candidate should be considered for the award.

Multiple nominations for the same candidate will not carry additional merit and self-nominations are not valid. Entries close on 31 July 2025.

The winner of the Sir Colin Spedding Award in 2025 was Di Arbuthnot. Ms Arbuthnot is the former chief executive of Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), where she sought to give thoroughbred horses a meaningful life after racing.

Ms Arbuthnot said: “I am thrilled to receive this prestigious award, and I would like to thank the National Equine Forum.

“It was a privilege, 25 years ago, to become part of a charity that has helped many thoroughbreds have another career.”

The Sir Colin Spedding Award was launched in 2013 to honour the memory of NEF’s founding chairman. As chairman, Sir Colin ensured representatives from across the equine sector were welcome at the Forum and that a range of topics could be discussed amicably.

Jane Holderness-Roddam, chair of the award’s sub-committee, said: “In the 12 years since the Sir Colin Spedding Award was introduced it has become one of the most coveted accolades within the equestrian sector.
 
“We are proud to have been able to celebrate so many extraordinary individuals, organisations and achievements since its inception and look forward to adding to our outstanding roll call in 2026. If you have an exceptional individual or organisation in mind for the Award do let us know, so that we can give them the recognition and appreciation they truly deserve.”

The application form can be found on the NEF website.

Image © Shai Dolev Photography

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FIVP announces third series of Practice Matters

News Story 1
 The Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices (FIVP) has announced a third season of its podcast, Practice Matters.

Hosted by Ian Wolstenholme, series three will focus on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, including a discussion about some of the expected impacts on independent veterinary colleagues.

Episode one launches on 13th January with guests Drs David Reader and Scott Summers, who will draw on their research into the CMA investigation and provide insights into themes such as transparency, pricing and consumer trust.

Ian Wolstenholme said: "In its third series, we will try and hone in on what the changes will mean in reality for independent practices with advice and guidance on implementation and delivery, drawing on the experience of our own team and other experts in the profession. Hope you can join us soon!" 

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Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk