Sponsors of the National Equine Forum 2026 have highly commended this year’s event for its pivotal role in bringing the UK equine sector together to share knowledge for the advancement of welfare. As the UK’s principal independent equestrian conference, the March event attracted vital backing from 21 prominent industry sponsors.
Industry leaders have highlighted the immense value of the conference:
Jan Rogers, The Horse Trust: “We took the decision to be a gold sponsor because NEF is a well-established opportunity for the equine community to get together, share ideas in an open forum, and hear presentations about new things. It allows us to discuss and adopt these ideas within our community in the interests of better equine well-being.”
Stewart Everett, Equine Register: “This is a really important forum and a critical group of people who get together to try and move things forward. It acts as a crucial annual waypoint for people to see where they have got to, what needs to happen next, and how to drive progress.”
James Given, British Horseracing Authority: “The BHA values its relationship with the National Equine Forum as it offers an annual opportunity to engage with the wider equine community and is delighted to continue its sponsorship of the event. This year the various subjects were relevant to the whole equestrian community such as vettings, infectious disease control and the potential for AI to help benefit welfare outcomes. The annual NEF conference always provides in equal measures education and challenge that advance everyone’s understanding of best practice and up to date knowledge.”
Tricia Nassau-Williams, British Equestrian Trade Association: “An event such as this is so important for the subjects it raises, the spin-off of thought it generates, and the vital networking opportunities it creates.”
Lucy Atherton, Saddlers Company: “We always try to come and learn what’s happening in the equestrian sector and the importance of what the equestrian public is thinking about and the concerns they have, particularly around anything to do with horse welfare.”
Recognising NEF’s 2026 Sponsors
The National Equine Forum relies on the generous support of organisations dedicated to the future of the equine industry. This year’s sponsors include:
Gold sponsors: Blue Cross; The British Horse Society; Equine Register; Hartpury University; The Horse Trust; World Horse Welfare.
Silver sponsors: British Equestrian; British Equine Veterinary Association; British Horseracing Authority; Horserace Betting Levy Board; The Mare and Foal Sanctuary; the RSPCA.
Bronze sponsors: British Equestrian Trade Association; British Farriers & Blacksmiths Association; Dodson & Horrell; The Donkey Sanctuary; The Pony Club; Redwings Horse Sanctuary; SEIB Insurance Brokers; Weatherbys; Worshipful Company of Saddlers.
NEF is the UK’s premier annual independent equestrian conference, bringing together equestrian experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and enthusiasts, to present on and debate the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the equine sector.
A not-for-profit event, organised by a committee of volunteers, NEF is made possible through the invaluable support of sponsors who share a commitment to advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and facilitating networking across the sector.
“Not only is the National Equine Forum a knowledge transfer, it’s also a networking event; so it’s a great way of meeting like-minded people for a great cause, which is the horse,” said NEF Organising Committee member Tullis Matson.
NEF Chair Tim Brigstocke said: “We are so grateful to all our sponsors for enabling our event to continue year after year. Without them it wouldn’t be possible.”
Sessions from #NEF26 are available on NEF’s YouTube channel. Subscribe to the channel to receive notifications of future releases. If you would like to know more about becoming a sponsor of NEF please contact us.
Images courtesy of Shai Dolev Photography