Professor Chris Riggs FRCVS has been awarded the prestigious Sir Colin Spedding Award at the National Equine Forum (NEF), held in London on 5 March 2026, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to equine welfare internationally.
Professor Riggs, Director of the Equine Welfare Research Foundation and Chief Advisor for Mainland Veterinary Engagement at the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), received the honour following more than two decades of work advancing veterinary standards and welfare initiatives for horses, particularly across China and wider Asia.
As part of the Forum programme, Professor Riggs also delivered the NEF Memorial Lecture, titled Changing priorities: The horse in China – evolving values and progress in equine veterinary care. The session took the format of an interview with Dr Naomi Mellor MRCVS, Chief Executive of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.
During the lecture, Professor Riggs shared insights into the rapid development of equine veterinary care in China and the challenges that still remain. These include limitations in practical veterinary training, restricted access to certain licensed medications, and cultural perceptions surrounding veterinary careers.
However, he also highlighted the growing number of enthusiastic young veterinary graduates and the increasing role of international collaboration programmes. Together, these developments are helping to build a stronger and more sustainable veterinary service to support both horse welfare and the expanding equestrian sector in China.
Professor Riggs has worked with the Hong Kong Jockey Club for more than 20 years and played a key role in establishing the HKJC Equine Welfare Research Foundation, which funds scientific research focused on improving the welfare of Thoroughbred racehorses. He continues to direct the foundation today.
Speaking after receiving the award, Professor Riggs said:
“I am honoured, humbled and delighted to have won the NEF Sir Colin Spedding Award. Both this prestigious award and the opportunity to present the Memorial Lecture have enabled me to highlight some of the great progress happening on the Chinese Mainland, alongside the challenges and the growing motivation to enhance equine veterinary care.
“Everything I have achieved has been made possible by the commitment of the Hong Kong Jockey Club to promoting high-quality equestrian sport and equine welfare. Without the generosity of the Club in doing good things for the horse, I would not have been able to achieve anything significant.”
Professor Riggs was nominated for the award by Tim Smalley, Founder and Managing Director of Bedmax, who described him as a “force of nature” in advancing veterinary education and clinical standards.
The Sir Colin Spedding Award was introduced in 2013 in memory of the founding chairman of the National Equine Forum. It recognises an exceptional unsung hero or heroine of the equestrian world whose work has made a significant impact across the sector.
Sessions from the 2026 National Equine Forum are expected to be released on the NEF YouTube channel in the coming weeks.
