Equestrian legend attends farriery dinner to celebrate Brooke
Brooke staff with John Cowper-Coles, Master of the WCF (left), and Jane Holderness-Roddam CVO CBE (centre right).
VIP guests including British event rider, Jane Holderness-Roddam CVO CBE, attended a lunch last week hosted by the Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF).
The Court Lunch, held at Mercers’ Hall on 31 March 2026, included recognition of Brooke and its Global Farriery Project which is transforming the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules around the world.
The project was informed by Brooke’s research which discovered that in some regions, 100% of working animals suffered from lameness, often due to poor hoof care - highlighting the urgent need for skilled farriery services.
Launched in 2019, the project involves training and mentoring for street farriers, as well as forming partnerships with governments, NGOs and organisations like the WCF.
“We are immensely grateful to the Worshipful Company of Farriers for their continued partnership and support.”
Laura Skippen, Brooke’s Global Head of Animal Health and Welfare, said: “The Global Farriery Project is an ambitious initiative designed not only to transform farriery services, but to elevate farriery into a respected and fairly compensated profession worldwide.”
“Effective farriery is essential - preventing unnecessary suffering and supporting the livelihoods of the people who depend on working animals."
Brooke has also partnered the WCF on a new, annual award scheme, celebrating the work of individual farriers globally.
Court Assistant, Dr Philip Wadey MBE (left) and Jane Holderness-Roddam (right).
“We hugely value our strong relationship with Brooke.”
John Cowper-Coles, Master of the WCF, said: “The Worshipful Company of Farriers are delighted to fully support Brooke's Global Farriery Project which continues to do so much to improve standards of Farriery in developing countries."
Brooke and the WCF will join forces again when members of the Company run the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 12 April 2026, raising funds for the charity and the WCF Charitable Trust.