Horse welfare heroes recognised for tireless choice and pioneering projects


  • Two individuals who have had a significant affect on bettering equine welfare had been named joint winners of the once a year Sir Colin Spedding Award.

    Nice Yorkshire Display (GYS) cattle 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 once recognised for her “pioneering paintings to give a boost to equine wellbeing” and Ms Withnall for her “tireless choice” in bringing to justice the ones answerable for inflicting animals’ struggling.

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

    “Within the tournament of any of the welfare advances being challenged, Amanda has remained company in her utility of the foundations, and on account of her efforts, those at the moment are being broadly followed throughout different displays,” her quotation reads.

    Mrs Stoddart-West stated: “I used to be completely stunned to learn that I have been nominated, and extremely honoured to be a joint winner of this kind of respected honour. There are nice efforts going into making sure the best requirements of animal welfare nationally, and this award is a mirrored image of all of those that are doing such nice paintings on this space.

    “I couldn’t have completed any of what I’ve with out the enhance of my employers the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, and GYS vet Julian Rishworth who I’ve been very lucky to paintings along for the remaining 21 years.

    “There were occasions when we have now been met with resistance to modify however with the enhance of like-minded folks inside the business, and due to my excellent buddies and long-suffering husband and circle of relatives, expectantly we have now made a distinction to welfare requirements inside the appearing international.”

    Kirsty Withnall with discussion board president Princess Anne

    Ms Withnall has been lead officer in a lot of vast, complicated, high-profile equine and multi-animal welfare instances. She “continues to turn nice tenacity and perseverance in bringing to justice the ones answerable for inflicting pointless struggling to animals,” her quotation learn. “Maximum significantly, she has been the linchpin in lots of large-scale operations, the place coordination and cooperation with a lot of businesses had been essential in securing protected and environment friendly rescue for equines and different animals. Her diligent assortment and collation of evidential subject material has resulted in a success prosecutions and the relief of long term cruelty.”

    She stated: “I’m honoured and completely overjoyed to obtain this extraordinarily prestigious award. Thru my 23 years running for the RSPCA, I do know first-hand how rewarding but additionally extraordinarily difficult the function may also be, so it actually approach a really perfect deal to have my paintings recognised on this method.

    “I’ve been extremely fortunate to paintings along some remarkable colleagues on the RSPCA, but additionally with enhance from different businesses and organisations such because the police, veterinary groups, native government and naturally individuals of the Nationwide Equine Welfare Council and I consider this award belongs to they all too. In combination we have now completed fantastic effects via our joint efforts to offer protection to animal welfare and can for many future years.”

    Anne Dicker with discussion board president Princess Anne

    Anne Dicker, managing spouse of the Catherston Stud, was once extremely recommended for her paintings in serving to to unite the equine sector. She has contributed to advancing equine groom apprenticeships, coaching fireplace responders, creating virtual equine ID coverage, and analysis to additional the foundations of the glad equine athlete.

    You may additionally be inquisitive about:

    The establishing committee dominated that any one deemed to be too heavy for his or her mount can be spoken to

    Horse & Hound mag, out each Thursday, is full of the entire newest information and reviews, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. To find how you’ll be able to revel in the mag delivered for your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to get admission to our on-line carrier that brings you breaking information and reviews in addition to different advantages.

  • Leave a Comment