Professor Chris Riggs, FRCVS, Director of the Equine Welfare Research Foundation and Chief Advisor for Mainland Veterinary Engagement at The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), has been named the recipient of the prestigious Sir Colin Spedding Award at the National Equine Forum (NEF) held on 5 March 2026.
The award recognises Chris Riggs’s unwavering dedication to improving equine welfare internationally, with a particular focus on advancing veterinary education and standards across China and Asia. His work, described by his nominator as that of a “force of nature”, has included the founding of the Equine Welfare Research Foundation, the development of scholarships, and advocacy for better clinical standards and education.
During the NEF, Professor Riggs delivered the Memorial Lecture, “Changing priorities: The horse in China – evolving values and progress in equine veterinary care”, in conversation with Dr Naomi Mellor MRCVS, Chief Executive of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. He highlighted the challenges faced in China, such as limited access to licensed medications and the need for enhanced clinical training, but expressed optimism for the future, noting the growing number of capable veterinary graduates and increased international collaboration.
“I am honoured, humbled and delighted to have won the NEF Sir Colin Spedding Award,” said Professor Riggs. “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.”
He added, “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.”
Chris Riggs has worked for the HKJC for more than 20 years and continues to direct the Equine Welfare Research Foundation, which funds research into Thoroughbred welfare. His leadership has been key to raising standards both in Hong Kong racing and the broader Chinese equestrian sector.
Industry Endorsement
Tim Smalley, Founder and Managing Director of Bedmax, who nominated Professor Riggs, commented:
“Thanks to Chris there is now a much better knowledge in China to support the growing equine population. 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.”
Amanda Bond, Head of Equestrian Affairs at HKJC, added:
“Chris’s mission has been to ensure the quality care of horses throughout China and he has never deviated away from this important task. With the rapidly developing equestrian industry in China, having enough suitably experienced veterinarians remains a challenge, but Chris has supported, through lobbying of government departments and other key stakeholders, better education and practical clinical experience opportunities for vets. In partnership with the Hong Kong Jockey Club he is working on the enhancement of vocational training of graduate vets and personally he has mentored dozens of Chinese vets. He continues to passionately campaign for horse welfare. In my opinion, there is no better beneficiary of this Award.”
About the Award
The Sir Colin Spedding Award was established in 2013 in memory of the NEF’s founding chairman, who led the Forum for 20 years until his death in 2012. The award honours unsung heroes of the equestrian world whose contributions have not previously been formally acknowledged. Previous recipients include Di Arbuthnot (2025) for her work with Retraining of Racehorses, and joint winners in 2024, Kirsty Withnall and Amanda Stoddart-West, for their commitment to equine welfare.
The full list of Award winners is available at: NEF Roll of Honour.
Feature image: Professor Chris Riggs receiving the Sir Colin Spedding Award, presented by HRH The Princess Royal, President of the National Equine Forum. Credit Shai Dolev Photography www.shaidolev.com
