Pictured: The winning photograph (C) Claire Evans Watkin.

Claire Evans Watkin revealed as NEF competition winner.

The National Equine Forum (NEF) has announced the winner of its photography competition, which saw 40 equine photographers go head to head to feature on the programme cover for the 31st National Equine Forum.

With a wide range of images submitted in different styles, the judges received entries from across the UK, as well as Brazil, Canada, America and Norway.

Claire Evans Watkin, from Ceredigion, Wales, has been revealed as this year's winner, with a headshot of her miniature donkey Ziggy.

Craig Payne, NEF's official photographer, chose the winning entry. He discussed why he decided on Claire Evans Watkin's image: “I absolutely love this entry.

“It is bright and colourful and the clouds give intrigue which contrasts nicely with the donkey's big ears and the unusually shaped tree in the distance. 

“The photo has been taken from slightly beneath the donkey and this helps to silhouette it and avoid too much of the grassland, and the fact the donkey is looking down the camera could be said to drive home the point that the Forum is for all equines. 

“This is a key point as we haven't featured a donkey on the cover before.”

On hearing of her win, Claire said: “I am so excited that my picture of Ziggy has been chosen as the winning entry for the National Equine Forum programme cover competition. 

“I have a real passion for photography and Ziggy is a great model. I can’t wait to see him on the cover of the 2023 programme.”

Image (C) Claire Evans Watkin