| Overview |
The late Mr Arthur George MBE, former Secretary of the Welsh Agriculture Society and a member of the Welsh Agricultural Equine Association, was very concerned that those in the Horse World did not appear to act in concert. He, therefore, invited Professor Colin Spedding and Graham Suggett to meet with him on the Welsh Stand at the 1991 Royal Show to discuss what might be done.
As a result, during 1992, representatives of a number of organisations (especially the Welsh Agricultural Equine Association, the Association of British Riding Schools and the National Farmers' Union) met to discuss ways in which the horse and pony industry could 'speak with one voice' when that was needed and appropriate.
The outcome was a proposal to establish a National Equine Coordinating Council (NECC) and as a first step a Seminar was organised at the NFU headquarters, Knightsbridge (on 10th October 1990) to discuss issues of immediate importance and to float the idea of a NECC. The concept was well received and development work commenced, only to founder over the issue of funding.
Whilst being disappointed those who had been members of the small organising committee believed that the concept of the Forum should be maintained as it had had such a good reception. Thus was born the National Equine Forum with an organising committee, formed from a nucleus of those who had pioneered the original concept, with Professor Colin Spedding at the helm as Chairman, and the secretaryship funded by the Association of British Riding Schools through the generosity of the then Chairman, Mrs Pauline Harris.
The organising committee is a freestanding body with no other remit than to run this national event. All the members of the Committee are unpaid volunteers and only exceptionally are essential and travelling expenses paid. The format of the Forum evolved as a low cost operation due to the fact that no-one wanted yet another competing body, or the cost of running it.
The first Forum, held in 1993, could not, of course, assume that it would be annual, but it was so well received that a decision was made to run it annually, if possible. The possibility became fact due to generous sponsorship and speakers giving of their time without payment which has made it possible to operate without any charge to participants.
The organising committee has been encouraged by the appropriate Minister in DEFRA, previously MAFF, opening the Forum - Nicholas Soames in 1993 and 1994; Angela Browning in 1995 and 1996; Lord Donoughue in 1998, Baroness Hayman in 1999 and 2000 (with only the FMD outbreak preventing her from taking part in 2001), Elliot Morley (standing in for Alun Michael) in 2002; Alun Michael in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and Jim Knight in 2006. The Forum has also been greatly honoured by the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, who has contributed her ideas as part of the programme, in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Each year the programme is determined by topical issues with ample opportunity being afforded for questions, contributions and discussion from the floor. The main purpose, however, remains as being an opportunity for the equine industry to speak with one voice, when that is appropriate, and to serve as a sounding board for others to float ideas and proposals.
The Committee only exists to organise each Forum, not to follow up whatever may emerge at the meeting. Where such follow-up action is needed, we try to identify an existing body as the appropriate channel. Very often this has been the Horse and Pony Taxation Committee but sometimes a commercial organisation or individual has taken up a programme initiated by the National Equine Forum.
The Forum is not a threat to any other body and does not seek to usurp their functions. It provides opportunities that can be taken up when participants want or need them.
These opportunities are appreciated by the 190, or so, people who attend by invitation each year but many breed societies, for example, are never represented and, indeed, do not respond to letters. This is a pity and, whilst no-one is obliged to participate, we are very anxious that the members of these societies do actually know about the Forum, so that at least they have the choice and can be represented by their Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
We became embarrassed by the fact that we could not fit into the Royal Veterinary College all those who wanted to attend. Therefore, in 2006 we moved to the Royal Society where we can accommodate all who wish to attend, including those involved in relevant trades.
Topics and speakers from the 1990 fore runner meeting and the meetings from 1993 to 2006 can be found by clicking here. |
