Claire Williams, executive director of the British Equestrian Trade Association, and the winner of this year’s National Equine Forum (NEF) Special COVID-19 Sir Colin Spedding Award 2021 was formally presented with the award by HRH The Princess Royal, the president of the NEF.

Ms Williams was nominated for this special edition award in recognition of her tireless work to advise, support and maintain morale across the equestrian sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her efforts included analysis of Government guidelines and the development of protocols to allow feed merchants and tack shops selling feed and horse care products to trade legally and continue with essential safety services such as hat fitting.

Ms Williams said: “I feel deeply honoured, not only to have won the award but also for it to have been presented to me by HRH The Princess Royal. The past 12 months have been a challenge for the industry and I was pleased to have been able to play my part in providing support to BETA members and members of the wider equestrian community through this difficult time.

“This award actually belongs not just to me but to my colleagues at BETA, whose support has been invaluable.”

The Sir Colin Spedding Award was introduced in 2013 in Sir Colin’s memory and is presented annually to an exceptional unsung hero or heroine of the equestrian world. It was adapted to the Special COVID-19 Sir Colin Spedding Award as a one-off for 2021 and will return to its normal format in 2022.