A dedicated equine welfare ambassador has been recognised for his efforts improving the lives of horses across the globe.
Professor Chris Riggs, FRCVS, Director Equine Welfare Research Foundation and Chief Advisor, Mainland Veterinary Engagement, The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), was awarded the Sir Colin Spedding Award at the National Equine Forum (5 March), where he also delivered the event’s annual Memorial Lecture.
“Force of nature” Chris has advanced veterinary education and clinical standards in China and across Asia, and through scholarships, advocacy and the founding of the Equine Welfare Research Foundation, his impact has strengthened the care of horses globally.
Chris has worked for the HKJC for more than 20 years. He led the creation of the HKJC Equine Welfare Research Foundation to provide funding to researchers working in the field of equine welfare, focusing on the racehorse.
“I am honoured, humbled and delighted to have won the NEF Sir Colin Spedding Award,” he said. “Both this prestigious Award and the opportunity to present the Memorial Lecture have enabled me to shine a spotlight on some of the great things happening on the Chinese Mainland, as well as some of the challenges there and the growing motivation to enhance equine veterinary care.
“I wish to emphasise that everything I have done 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 wouldn’t have been able to achieve anything significant. I sincerely believe this award should be shared with the HKJC.”
Tim Smalley, Founder and Managing Director of Bedmax, nominated Chris Riggs for the Sir Colin Spedding Award.
“Thanks to Chris there is now a much better knowledge in China to support the growing equine population,” he said. “As an excellent communicator and clinician, he has been able to influence things, which in another culture and with a complicated system is not easy.
“Standards in HK racing might be argued to be better than anywhere else in the world and Chris is behind this. However, his impact has been broader than just the racing industry – driven by general horse welfare across the Chinese Mainland.”
Sir Colin Spedding was the founding chairman of the NEF and chaired the event for 20 years until his death in 2012. The award was introduced in 2013, in his memory. It is presented annually to an exceptional unsung hero of the equestrian world.
Di Arbuthnot, the former Chief Executive of the charity Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) won the 2025 Sir Colin Spedding Award in recognition of her dedication to racehorse welfare.
Joint winners received the Award in 2024. Kirsty Withnall was recognised for her determination as an RSPCA Case Officer and Amanda Stoddart-West was acknowledged for her pioneering work to enhance equine wellbeing as a Coordinator at the Great Yorkshire Show.
