Forum 2026

#NEF26 Programme

#NEF26 Live streaming registration

The 34th National Equine Forum will take place from 10:00GMT to 16:30GMT on Thursday 05 March 2026 (#NEF26), in London.

Delegates will once again be able to join us face-to-face, or via the live streaming. We hope you can join us at #NEF26, either in London or via the live streaming.

The programme will build on momentum from previous years by focusing on:
10:10 The Equine Industry in a changing world: including governmental views and a consideration of the implications of changes to our weather and climate on those producing forage for horses.
11:00 Beyond Caveat Emptor: looking under the bonnet of modern vettings: discussing what the new Seller’s Declaration means for vets and purchasers, with perspectives from key stakeholders across the profession.
11:55 On the brink: equine health conditions we cannot ignore: including disease threats and antimicrobial resistance.
14:10 Artificial intelligence: the future is here: including case studies and discussion on the advantages and limitations of using artificial intelligence in equine welfare.
15:05 Bite-sized slots: special interest topics you'll want to know about: a series of short, sharp presentations to give updates on areas of interest in the equine world.
15:45 The Sir Colin Spedding Award Memorial Lecture
Presentation of the Sir Colin Spedding Award 2026

More information can be found in our news update.

HRH The Princess Royal

President, National Equine Forum

HRH The Princess Royal was a member of the British team in the European Three-Day Event Championships in 1973, winning silver medals as an individual and team member at the same competition in Germany two years later. The Princess competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, won an individual gold medal at the European Eventing Championships at Burghley in 1971 and was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

After five years as President of the British Olympic Association, The Princess was elected to the International Olympic Committee, and in 2005 she led the team which resulted in London being awarded the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Here, she was appointed a Director of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).

Her Royal Highness is President or Patron of some 400 organisations, including the Riding for the Disabled Association, World Horse Welfare and The Horse Trust. She kindly accepted the post of President of the National Equine Forum in 2009.

Her Royal Highness will be providing her personal perspective, based on what has been presented at the Forum.

Tim Brigstocke MBE

Chairman, National Equine Forum

Tim has been Chairman of the National Equine Forum since 2012, when he took over from Sir Colin Spedding.

Tim runs his own consultancy business which specialises in expert witness work. He is also involved in a large number of farm livestock organisations and initiatives. He chairs the biannual stakeholder British Horse Council meetings and was until recently Chairman of the UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines expert advisory committee. He was previously Chief Agricultural Adviser for Unilever Agribusiness before working for the Government’s research service BBSRC.

Tim will open and close the proceedings.

THE EQUINE INDUSTRY IN A CHANGING WORLD

Roly Owers OBE MRCVS

Organising Committee Member, National Equine Forum

Roly joined World Horse Welfare as Chief Executive in 2008. His previous roles included serving as a Veterinary Officer in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, with postings to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, Army Dog Unit Northern Ireland and Defence Animal Centre.

His other roles include being BEVA Treasurer, British Horse Council Director, European Horse Network Board Member, Equine Fitters Council Director and a member of the Pet Plan Charitable Trust Welfare Committee.

Roly qualified from Cambridge Veterinary School in 1992, has had a lifetime of interest in horses, lives just outside Cambridge and is married with three children.

Roly will chair The Equine Industry in a Changing World session.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Biosecurity, Borders & Animals), Defra

Baroness Hayman of Ullock was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2024, with responsibility for biosecurity, borders and animal welfare.

She was previously shadow spokesperson for Defra in the Lords, as well as Shadow Spokesperson for Levelling Up, Housing, Communities and Local Government until 2023.

In the Commons, Baroness Hayman served as shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2017 to 2019. She was elected as MP for Workington in 2015, where she was the first female MP to represent a constituency in Cumbria.

Baroness Hayman was raised to the Peerage in July 2020.

Baroness Hayman will present the Government’s view on the equine sector.

Dr June Fanning

Chief Veterinary Officer for Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine

June has worked with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for over 20 years in a wide range of roles across laboratory and inspectorate services. She was appointed Ireland’s first female Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) in January 2025.

As CVO, she leads policy and operational controls across animal health, animal welfare, veterinary public health, food safety, veterinary medicines, border controls, and trade in animals and animal products.

June holds a research-based PhD from University College Dublin and a Professional Diploma in Economic Science of Policy Analysis from the Institute of Public Administration. She advocates for evidence-based policy, public health protection, and the advancement of animal health and welfare across Ireland and beyond.

June will explain how Ireland’s equine sector has embraced progress in response to media spotlight.

Dr Katie Williams

Technical Manager, Dengie Horse Feeds

Katie is a registered nutritionist and has worked in the equine feed industry for nearly 30 years. She is responsible for product development, ensuring legal compliance and overseeing R&D projects as well as providing technical support to key accounts at Dengie Horse Feeds.

Katie completed her PhD in Veterinary Medicine Research at the University of Glasgow in 2023 and her current research interests are peri-operative nutrition, nutrition in the veterinary curriculum and implementation science.

She is Vice-Chair of the BETA Feed Committee and leads BETA’s initiative to promote the work of equine nutritionists and address misinformation about the feed industry.

Katie will talk about climatic implications for those producing forage for horses.

BEYOND CAVEAT EMPTOR: LOOKING UNDER THE BONNET OF MODERN VETTINGS

David Mountford

Chief Executive, British Equine Veterinary Association

David joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps after graduating from Cambridge Vet School. He commanded in Cyprus and Hong Kong and served with the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery before leaving to join what is now World Horse Welfare, where he managed the charity’s operations and veterinary activities.
In 2011, David took on the new role of British Equine Veterinary Association Chief Executive, where he is responsible for supporting equine vets through education, journal publication, and the provision of relevant services.

As Chair of The British Horse Council, he is involved with representing the interests of the wider horse industry to government, the ongoing focus of which is digital identification for horses.

David will chair the session highlighting veterinary pre-purchase examinations.

Dr Sam Cutts MRCVS

Director, Hook Norton Veterinary Group

Sam qualified from the University of Cambridge in 2010 and is a practicing vet and a director of Hook Norton Veterinary Group, a large independent mixed practice in Oxfordshire. Her caseload is predominantly performance/poor performance horses; working with partnerships to ensure that the horse is training and competing to the very best of its ability and working to see if there is any veterinary intervention that might help with difficulties they are experiencing, as well as reproductive work.

Also a member of the racecourse vet team at Stratford Racecourse, Sam is an FEI Permitted Treating Veterinarian.

She also acts regularly as an Expert Witness, being a Practising Associate of the Academy of Experts, providing provide practical and pragmatic opinion in cases which commonly involve post purchase disputes.

Sam takes part in the session highlighting veterinary pre-purchase examinations.

Dr Mark Georgetti MRCVS

Clinical Director, Three Counties Equine Hospital

Graduating from Massey University in New Zealand in 1996, Mark spent his early career working in equine practice in Canterbury and the Waikato in NZ before relocating to the United Kingdom permanently in 2005.

Mark's clinical practice focuses on Thoroughbred and sports horse medicine, orthopaedic investigations, and orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery. He carries out a significant number of private sale pre-purchase examinations and assists on Thoroughbred auction pre-purchase examination panels.

In addition to this clinical work, Mark teaches on the BEVA Equine Pre Purchase Examination course, lectures nationally and internationally on racehorse casualty management, is Veterinary Services Manager for Hartpury Horse Trials and is part of the treating vet team at Badminton Horse Trials.

Mark takes part in the session highlighting veterinary pre-purchase examinations.

Dr Lucy Grieve MRCVS

Veterinary Projects Officer, British Equine Veterinary Association

Lucy qualified as a vet from the University of Cambridge in 2007, following which, she completed an internship at Rossdales in Newmarket. She worked for a private Thoroughbred training facility for seven years, before starting a family and returning to Rossdales in 2015 to work on the sports and recreational horse team. During her time in practice, Lucy served on BEVA Council for ten years, chairing the Ethics and Welfare Committee and Equine Obesity Working Group, and was elected President from 2020-2021.

She represents BEVA in the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations (FEEVA), chairing working groups and is currently mid-term as Vice-President of the FEEVA.

Lucy is passionate about improving equine welfare and the positive interaction between horse and human. She is a Trustee for the British Horse Society (BHS) and is studying for a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Lucy takes part in the session highlighting veterinary pre-purchase examinations.

Julia Martin

Owner, Kings Hill Equestrian

Julia has 38 years’ experience in the equestrian industry. Having showjumped as a child and a teenager, she soon became involved in riding and selling horses for others. For the past 35 years, she has specialised in buying and selling a wide range of horses and ponies, from family hacks to competition horses.

Her children have been actively involved in The Pony Club, showjumping, and hunting. She is the District Commissioner of the Crawley and Horsham Hunt Pony Club. Six years ago, she qualified as a Saddle Fitter under the Society of Master Saddlers, and is a Director of Penfolds Saddlery.

Julia’s passion lies in working with both horse and rider to create the best possible partnership and she has bred sport horses herself for over 30 years.

Julia takes part in the session highlighting veterinary pre-purchase examinations.

ON THE BRINK: EQUINE HEALTH CONDITIONS WE CANNOT IGNORE

Dr Richard Newton FRCVS

Director, Equine Infectious Diease Surveillance (EIDS), University of Cambridge

Richard was established at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket for more than 25 years where he acquired a breadth of experience in the epidemiology, surveillance and control of a range of equine infectious diseases.

When the AHT closed in 2020, he and his team were immediately retained by the UK’s racing and breeding industry and since November 2021 they have been based in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge.

Richard and his team continue to provide global disease surveillance and advice on disease prevention strategies and management of outbreaks.

Richard chairs the session on current equine health conditions that we cannot ignore.

Dr Hattie Bell MRCVS

Veterinary Surgeon, Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS), University of Cambridge

Hattie graduated from the Cambridge Veterinary School in 2012 and began her career with an imaging internship at Rossdales Diagnostic Centre, Newmarket.

She subsequently transitioned into predominantly Thoroughbred stud practice, gaining international experience during two stud seasons in New South Wales, Australia, before returning to Rossdale and Partners as a permanent member of the team. Driven by her interest in neonatal and reproductive medicine, Hattie earned her Certificate in Equine Stud Medicine from the University of Liverpool in 2017.

She now supports the International Collating Centre (ICC), contributing clinical insights to the Equine Infectious Disease Service's work in disease surveillance and equine health monitoring.

Hattie takes part in the session on current equine health conditions that we cannot ignore.

Prof Jane Hodgkinson

Professor of Molecular Veterinary Parasitology, University of Liverpool

Jane has more than 25 years of experience working within Veterinary Parasitology and is passionate about improving the health and welfare of equids by minimising the impact of parasitic infection and preventing the impact of drug-resistant parasites on horse health.

She works closely with studs, training and livery yard owners to provide advice on effective parasite control, and she was instrumental in the development of the recent CANTER and British Equine Veterinary Association protectMEtoo best practice guidelines.

Jane’s current research focuses on identifying drug resistance in roundworms. She is particularly interested in how people integrate diagnostics and non-drug-based approaches to prevent parasitic disease in youngstock and mature horses and how to change human behaviour by understanding the barriers people face.

Jane takes part in the session on current equine health conditions that we cannot ignore.

Dr Philip Ivens MRCVS

Managing Director, Buckingham Equine Vets

Philip qualified from the University of Cambridge in 2003 and worked in mixed/equine practice before joining the team at the Equine Referral Hospital at the Royal Veterinary College as Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Equine Medicine and Equine Infectious Disease where he gained his RCVS certificate in equine internal medicine.

By examination, he gained the European Diploma in Equine Internal Medicine and became an European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine and a RCVS Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine.

He is founder and director of Buckingham Equine Vets and part of their ambulatory team, having a specialist interest in equine infectious diseases, respiratory medicine and oncology. He acts as a medicine consultant within the practice and heads up Buckingham Equine Medicine Referrals. He has published on equine infectious diseases and written several chapters in veterinary textbooks.

Philip takes part in the session on current equine health conditions that we cannot ignore.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE : THE FUTURE IS HERE

Prof Tim Parkin FRCVS

President, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Prior to his current role as Head of School and Professor of Veterinary Epidemiology at Bristol Veterinary School, Tim worked at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine. He became Professor in 2017 and was appointed Head of the Division of Equine Clinical Science and Clinical Director of Equine Hospital between 2015 and 2018.

In 2018, he became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Public Health and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. He is currently President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Tim has worked with numerous different racing jurisdictions including GB, Ireland, Hong Kong, Australia, South America and the USA as well as with the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI). He is a veterinary data analyst with a focus on predicting risk and preventing fatal equine injury in racing and other equestrian sports.

Tim will chair the session on current and future uses of artificial intelligence.

Dr Liz Cresswell MRCVS

Veterinary Lead, Vet Vision AI

Liz is a vet with extensive experience across clinical practice, industry and agriculture. In her professional role she leads the development and delivery of data-driven cattle welfare solutions, working at the interface of veterinary expertise, farming systems and emerging technology.

Awarded a Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2022, Liz studied preventative health in livestock, exploring how system-level approaches can deliver measurable welfare and productivity gains at scale. Her work focuses on translating practical, on-farm insights into actionable intelligence, using AI computer vision to support better decision-making and real-world improvements in animal welfare.

Liz will take part in the session on current and future uses of artificial intelligence.

Pip Young

PhD Student, Bristol Veterinary School

Pip graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA in Natural Sciences (Zoology) in 2024, moving on to work as a Research Assistant at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, on a project which aimed to identify priorities and recommendations for using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve equid health and welfare.

She currently studies the link between dairy cows’ day-to-day behaviours and their affective states and welfare. She is a member of the Animal Welfare and Behaviour research group and also works with the AI team at the John Oldacre Centre.

Pip has particular interests in equine behaviour and training, and human education. These interests have led her to develop and deliver training materials for young equestrians that focus on equine care, and to work as a groom/trainer at the Blue Cross and an academic tutor.

Pip will take part in the session on current and future uses of artificial intelligence.

Maj Graham Harvey MRCVS

Royal Army Veterinary Corps, jHubMed Scout & Project Lead

Graham is a Veterinary Officer serving in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. Initially trained at the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies, he joined the Regular Army in 2012 and has served primarily in Military Working Dog and Command facing roles. His final regular posting was with jHubMed, a medical innovation hub solving Defence Medical Services problems. He also serves as a Military Mission Partner for the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF).

Graham is leading various novel projects for the MOD including the safe simulation of current emerging battle effects; In-extremis casualty evacuation by heavy lift Uncrewed Air Systems; and Project Phobos: AI machine vision monitoring of Military Working Horses for earlier health intervention and improved performance.

He lives in the Midlands with his wife and two young children with less time than he’d like for a plethora of semi-abandoned hobbies and interests.

Graham will take part in the session on current and future uses of artificial intelligence.

Prof Sarah Freeman FRCVS

Professor of Veterinary Surgeon, University of Nottingham

Sarah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1994. She joined the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham in 2005, and was involved in much of the early planning and delivery of the new curriculum.

Her current role involves teaching across years 1-5 of the curriculum as well as clinical research. She leads the Nottingham Equine Colic Research Team, and this year will celebrate 10 years since the launch of the REACT colic campaign.

Sarah’s PhD students are working on a diversity of projects – an equine wound educational campaign, AI recognition of sleep behaviours in the horse and AI recognition of colic. Current postdoctoral students are working on an implementation study for an end-of-life decision making resource, and practical implementation of a welfare assessment tool for working equids.

Sarah will take part in the session on current and future uses of artificial intelligence.

BITE-SIZED SLOTS: SPECIAL INTEREST TOPICS YOU'LL WANT TO KNOW ABOUT

Sarah Jenkins

Editor-in-Chief, Horse & Hound

Sarah heads up Horse & Hound’s editorial team and is responsible for the content strategy for both the magazine and website; she began this role in 2014, having started out as an equestrian journalist 10 years previously. Sarah has written and reported for Horse & Hound throughout her career, covering major events including Europeans and World Equestrian Games. Her previous roles include brand development editor and dressage editor.

She was deputy editor of equestrian monthly Horse magazine for two years and has co-written books including The Complete Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Horses & Ponies.

Before studying sociology and social psychology at London School of Economics, Sarah spent a year working for and training with Olympic gold medallist Leslie Law at his Worcestershire base.

Sarah will chair the session covering special interest topics in the equine sector.

Abbie Bevan

Insight & Research Manager, British Equestrian

Abbie holds a degree in Politics, History and International Relations and a Masters’ degree in Security from Loughborough University, having previously been a groom and rider.

With a background in data and impact, she previously worked at the Office for National Statistics as an Analytical Impact Manager, measuring, evaluating and reporting on the impact of government data.

Abbie has worked at British Equestrian for over two years as the Insights and Research Manager, leading on all things data and research, including managing the delivery of their social value work.

Abbie will take part in the session covering special interest topics in the equine sector.

Helen Whitelegg

Campaigns & Policy Manager, Redwings Horse Sanctuary

Helen first joined Redwings in 2001 and has worked in the charity’s horse care, welfare, communications and campaigns teams. Her work now focuses on improving equine welfare through evidence based campaigning, strategic communications, and close collaboration with partners, policymakers, and horse owners. She serves as a member of the Fireworks Impact Coalition and the National Equine Welfare Council’s Research and Education Group, and coordinates the annual collaborative Strangles Awareness Week campaign.

Helen is the driving force behind Redwings’ national fireworks campaign, conducting research and drawing on firsthand conversations with affected horse owners to highlight the serious welfare risks posed by fireworks.

She advocates for evidence-based and realistic changes that will have real impact on the lives of horses, other animals and vulnerable humans across the UK. Redwings’ recent petition to reduce fireworks noise levels received over 183,000 signatures, prompting a packed and lively parliamentary debate in Westminster Hall in January.

Helen will take part in the session covering special interest topics in the equine sector.

Sally Foskett

Rehoming Operations Manager - National Horse Services Lead, Blue Cross

Before joining the Blue Cross, Sally taught equine studies and managed an equestrian centre, gaining valuable experience in horse care and education. This background equips her with practical knowledge and strong leadership skills.

Horses have always been central to Sally’s life. She has supported her daughters in national-level eventing and now enjoys caring for retired ponies. She fosters Shetland ponies for Blue Cross, helping them find safe and nurturing environments.

Sally oversees the management of Blue Cross’ horse centres, ensuring strategic goals are met to improve equine welfare. She leads operations and supports rehoming initiatives to provide horses with safe, loving homes.

Sally will take part in the session covering special interest topics in the equine sector.

Cheryl Johns

Founder, LiveryList & Yard Owner Hub

Cheryl is an experienced Yard Manager, Equestrian, and Business Consultant with over 25 years’ experience across the UK equine sector. She is a trusted voice in equestrian business and yard management, known for blending practical equine experience with business acumen to support owners and professionals.

Passionate about raising standards within the livery sector, Cheryl works closely with equestrian organisations, publications, and industry experts to improve understanding of yard owners’ needs. She is dedicated to informing both horse owners and yard managers about best practice, welfare, and sustainable approaches to yard, equine, and client management.

Cheryl has contributed to initiatives with bodies such as Redwings Horse Sanctuary, the British Equestrian Trade Association, the British Horse Society, the ABRS+, and the Equestrian Employers Association. She is co-founder of YardWise, an independent organisation providing education and events for yard owners, managers and equestrian professionals, to promote best practice within the sector.

Cheryl will take part in the session covering special interest topics in the equine sector.

MEMORIAL LECTURE: THE HORSE IN CHINA

Dr Naomi Mellor MRCVS

Chief Exectuive, Thoroughbred Breeders' Association

Naomi joined the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association as Chief Executive in 2025, after 18 years as an equine vet. She has extensive experience in multiple equine sports, as well as the stud and regulatory sectors.

Alongside being a vet, Naomi also ran a successful business in the media and events sphere and is the founder of the International Women’s Podcast Awards.

She currently serves as veterinary trustee on the board of Marwell Zoo and has previously been a part of the Women in Racing committee.

Naomi will chair the Memorial Lecture.

Prof Chris Riggs FRCVS

Director, Equine Welfare Research Foundation &
Chief Advisor, Mainland Veterinary Engagement, The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Chris studied Veterinary Science at the University of Bristol, received further training in equine surgery at the Royal Veterinary College, and was awarded a PhD for research into the causes of racehorse fractures in 1991. He subsequently worked at the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool, where he developed specialist skills in equine surgery.

He gained clinical experience at equine referral centres in the UK and Australia before joining the Hong Kong Jockey Club as Head of Veterinary Clinical Services before being appointed to his current position in 2019. He has a particular interest, and specialist qualifications, in surgery and orthopaedics and has published extensively in these fields. He seeks to provide opportunities for young colleagues to further their clinical skills, focusing on Chinese Mainland.

Chris is a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and holds positions as Adjunct Professor at City University, HK, China; Special Professor at the University of Nottingham; and Guest Professor at Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China. Chris became President of the World Equine Veterinary Association in January 2026.

Chris will be interviewed by Naomi for the Memorial Lecture.

Jim Eyre

Organising Committee Member, National Equine Forum

Jim is Chief Executive of British Equestrian (BEF) and Secretary General to the European and International Federations, alongside having operational oversight of the BEF World Class Programme and Sport England funded grassroots initiatives, in partnership with BEF Member Bodies. He sits on the British Horse Council and chairs the European Equestrian Federation Veterinary Working Group.

Prior to joining BEF, Jim spent over five years with Premiership Rugby team Harlequin FC as Chief Operating Officer and then a spell at RFU leading on the response to rugby’s recovery from the COVID pandemic.

Before his transition to professional sport, Jim spent 25 years in the military in a variety of roles, including as the Commanding Officer of The Household Cavalry Regiment and earlier as Squadron Leader of the Blues and Royals Mounted Squadron.

Jim will announce the winner of the Sir Colin Spedding Award.