Nominations open for Sir Colin Spedding Award 2026
This award honours outstanding individuals or organisations in the equine sector
Nominations are now open for the National Equine Forum (NEF) Sir Colin Spedding Award 2026. This award honours outstanding individuals or organisations in the equine sector, who strive to make a difference but have not yet been recognised. The online nomination process is quick and easy; the form can be found here.
Sir Colin Spedding was the founding chairman of the NEF and chaired the event for 20 years until his death in 2012. He ensured that representatives of all areas of the equine sphere were made welcome at the Forum, and that topics of general interest and concern could be discussed openly and amicably.
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The Sir Colin Spedding Award was introduced in 2013 in Sir Colin’s memory and is presented annually at the National Equine Forum, to an exceptional unsung hero or organisation within the equestrian world.
Nominations for the Sir Colin Spedding Award can be submitted via the Award nomination page on the NEF website. Before making a nomination, please read the checklist on the website and submit no more than 100 words on why you believe your chosen candidate (an individual or an organisation) should be considered for the award. Nominations close at midday on July 31, 2025. Please note that multiple nominations for the same person or organisation will not carry additional merit and self-nominations will not be valid. The committee’s decision will be final.
Information about the previous winners of the Sir Colin Spedding Award can be found here.
The Sir Colin Spedding Award sub-committee Chair Jane Holderness-Roddam 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 winner will be invited to attend the National Equine Forum in March 2026, where the award will be formally presented.