Horse welfare heroes recognised for tireless dedication and pioneering initiatives

Two individuals who have had a significant affect on enhancing equine welfare have been named joint winners of the annual Sir Colin Spedding Award.

Nice Yorkshire Present (GYS) livestock and entries coordinator Amanda Stoddart-West and RSPCA case officer Kirsty Withnall have been honoured on the Nationwide Equine Discussion board on 7 March.

Mrs Stoddart-West was recognised for her “pioneering work to boost equine wellbeing” and Ms Withnall for her “tireless dedication” in bringing to justice these answerable for inflicting animals’ struggling.

H&H has coated a lot of Mrs Stoddart-West’s work, together with setting acceptable rider-to-horse weight ratios, elevating participation age for foals and introducing welfare stewards.

“Within the occasion of any of the welfare advances being challenged, Amanda has remained agency in her utility of the rules, and due to her efforts, these are actually being extensively adopted throughout different reveals,” her quotation reads.

Mrs Stoddart-West mentioned: “I used to be completely shocked to be informed that I had been nominated, and extremely honoured to be a joint winner of such a revered honour. There are nice efforts going into making certain the very best requirements of animal welfare nationally, and this award is a mirrored image of all of those that are doing such nice work on this space.

“I couldn’t have achieved any of what I’ve with out the help of my employers the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, and GYS vet Julian Rishworth who I’ve been very lucky to work alongside for the final 21 years.

“There have been occasions when we’ve been met with resistance to alter however with the help of like-minded individuals inside the trade, and because of my good associates and long-suffering husband and household, hopefully we’ve made a distinction to welfare requirements inside the exhibiting world.”

Kirsty Withnall with discussion board president Princess Anne

Ms Withnall has been lead officer in quite a few giant, complicated, high-profile equine and multi-animal welfare instances. She “continues to point out nice tenacity and perseverance in bringing to justice these answerable for inflicting pointless struggling to animals,” her quotation learn. “Most notably, she has been the linchpin in lots of large-scale operations, the place coordination and cooperation with quite a few companies have been important in securing protected and environment friendly rescue for equines and different animals. Her diligent assortment and collation of evidential materials has led to profitable prosecutions and the discount of future cruelty.”

She mentioned: “I’m honoured and completely delighted to obtain this extraordinarily prestigious award. Via my 23 years working for the RSPCA, I do know first-hand how rewarding but in addition extraordinarily difficult the position might be, so it actually means an incredible deal to have my work recognised on this approach.

“I’ve been extremely fortunate to work alongside some excellent colleagues on the RSPCA, but in addition with help from different companies and organisations such because the police, veterinary groups, native authorities and naturally members of the Nationwide Equine Welfare Council and I consider this award belongs to all of them too. Collectively we’ve achieved unbelievable outcomes by way of our joint efforts to guard animal welfare and can for a few years to return.”

Anne Dicker with discussion board president Princess Anne

Anne Dicker, managing associate of the Catherston Stud, was extremely recommended for her work in serving to to unite the equine sector. She has contributed to advancing equine groom apprenticeships, coaching hearth responders, growing digital equine ID coverage, and analysis to additional the rules of the blissful equine athlete.

You may additionally be inquisitive about:

Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is full of all the newest information and reviews, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can get pleasure from the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and reviews in addition to different advantages.

H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Obsessed with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all points of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, wherein she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping reveals by way of to worldwide championships.