Baileys Horse Feeds Vet of the Year 2026

Baileys Horse Feeds Vet of the Year 2026

Appreciating the singular difference this skilled professional has made to horses’ lives, and subsequently to their owners’ lives too.

These highly skilled knights in shining armour – or muddy overalls – have given your horses and ponies the best possible healthcare in 2026.

The shortlist

Chris, who joined Western Counties Equine Hospital, Devon, when it was formed in 2000, focuses on racing, sport horse performance and breeding.

“I love supporting the horse as an athlete, getting the best out of them and minimising the risk of injury,” he says. “My highlights as a vet are when I’m on duty at Badminton, Burghley and Bicton, because I appreciate seeing these healthy athletes competing in their prime. I enjoy five-star competition, but also the grassroots three-day events, seeing riders and horses having fun.”

Chris also does a bit of breeding and says:
“It’s fascinating seeing the whole process from conception to competition, being there for the highs and lows. Hopefully I’m not needed, but the lows is where I come in, and it’s good to be able to give horses the best outcome.”

Although he’s never been a rider, Philip grew up around thoroughbreds and the sales thanks to his aunt and uncle, who bred racehorses.

Philip, who specialises in lameness and orthopaedics, set up Emerald Equine Vets, South Yorkshire, “from the back of a van two years ago”.

“Now we have 2,000 clients and seven staff,” he says.
“I love how varied the work is; every day is different. I love being a traditional vet, spending all my time outdoors with the horses and chatting to their owners. What better job could there be?”

A satisfied client says: “Truly an exceptional vet. Phil’s been at ours in the pouring rain at 2am, dealing with our concerns well outside office hours, and has brought our horses back from the brink on several occasions.”

Stephanie has been fascinated by horses from a young age. “Looking after them, learning how to keep them in the best possible condition started early,” she says. When her horse broke a leg when she was a teenager, her vet invited Stephanie to join him on his rounds.

“I learnt then that it wasn’t just about the horse; you need to be able to help the owners too,” she says. “Becoming an equine vet felt like a very natural path. It allowed me to combine my love of horses with that genuine desire to help them and be their advocate.

“I love working out what the horse is trying to tell us, noticing the subtle signs, listening to the person
who knows them best and piecing it all together to make a real difference.”

Stephanie founded The Sport Horse Vet, in Merseyside, this year, aiming to offer a more personal, individual approach to equine vet care: “A huge decision and one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done,” she says.

Being a vet wasn’t on the cards for Emily in the early days. She left school without A levels and “just played with horses while dabbling in other jobs”. A work placement at a veterinary practice carved a new career path, via vet school in Edinburgh.

“It’s only once you’ve loved a horse more than anything else in the world, you know how much it means to save theirs,” Emily says. “I love being able to get better at it. There are very few jobs, years down the line, that when you get home at the end of the day, you feel better qualified than the day before.”

Emily founded Pocket Nook Equine Vets, in Cheshire, and this year built a hospital clinic on her farm, which she runs with her partner Matt and his dad.

“This enables us to offer intensive care for those not in a financial position to go to one of the bigger hospitals,” she says.

Previous Vet of the Year award winners

Previous winners of this award include:

• Claire Maher of Avonvale Equine Vet Practice, Upton, Oxon
• Philippa Hughes of Dyffryn Tywi Equine Clinic
• Sophie Fulton of SF Equine Vets
• Emily Willoughby of EW Equine Vets
• Elizabeth Frew of Kings Bounty Equine
• Tim Randle
• Ken Anderson
• Alistair Field
• Natalie McGoldrick

About the Horse & Hound Awards 2026

The Horse & Hound Awards are celebrating their 11th year, being held in partnership with NAF and Agria.

As ever, the Horse & Hound Awards winners will be nominated and voted for by you, with the exception of the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award, which is decided by a Horse & Hound panel. We intend to recognise both the big names who have made 2026 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses, at every level.

The winners will be revealed at a glittering ceremony at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire on 25 November, where some 300 people, including heroes of the summer’s World Championships, will gather to enjoy a glamorous evening of champagne, winner reveals, BAFTA-style speeches and dancing.