Equestrian Professional Network: Thrive not Survive in Business

Beyond the Horse: Building the Future of Equestrian Practice so You Can Thrive

Partners:

About the Event

We are delighted to invite you to the Chat Stage at the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials on Thursday 17th September 2026 for a distinctive educational and networking experience designed to support those who care for our horses. Equestrian practice is evolving.

Thrive Not Survive is a one‑day CPD event created to empower equestrian professionals in running and sustaining successful businesses. Throughout the day, four renowned and inspiring speakers will explore the real-world challenges faced by equine practitioners, offering practical insight, strategies, and support.

This event is for vets, equine allied professionals (including but not limited to farriers, musculoskeletal practitioners, equine dental technicians, saddle and bridle fitters), trainers, yard managers, and more. It is an opportunity for equestrian practitioners to come together, share ideas and think strategically about working within the industry - not just how we survive an increasingly demanding landscape, but how we thrive within it.

We recognise the pressures and complexities you face daily, and this event has been developed to better support the practitioners our industry depends on.

Why Attend

This day offers more than education. It is an opportunity for insight, collaboration, and shared experience. Many equine practitioners work independently or within small teams, which can make peer connection and support difficult to access. Thrive Not Survive provides a valuable space to meet colleagues from across the multi‑disciplinary team, exchange ideas, and build supportive professional relationships.

You will leave with:

• Practical tools to strengthen your business
• Fresh perspectives from leading experts
• A stronger sense of community within your profession
• New connections across the equine industry

Timetable

(Gates open 6.00am to 6.00pm, shopping is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm).

Explore Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials

9.15am Come and say hello, collect your name badge, goody bag and refreshments before the days begins

10.00am Ali Dane, Retraining of Racehorses "Building an Enduring Equestrian Industry: Balancing Welfare, Wellbeing, Sustainability and Commercial Success 

11.00am Jacqui Dark, Equine Law UK "How the law affects you and how to protect your business

12.00pm Break for lunch

1.00pm Christine Bjerkan, EQuerry / Co "The future of your practice: growth relevance and sustainable impact"

2.00pm Ben Benson AWCF, BT Benson Farrier Ltd "Dealing with conflict and failure"

3.15pm PANEL Exploring equestrianism in the future: A chance to gain insight from the panel and share your own thoughts and experience

4.15pm Close

Speakers

Ali Dane

Ali Dane is the National Development Officer for Retraining of Racehorses, working across the education and competitions teams. She is passionate about equine welfare and promoting the responsible involvement of horses in sport. In her role she supports the development of educational programmes and competitive opportunities that prioritise horse welfare and ethical practice.

Alongside this position, Ali is a British Dressage judge, a qualified coach, and a coach educator, with extensive experience in training riders at different levels. She also runs a livery yard, providing care and management for horses in a professional yard environment. Her work combines practical equestrian management with education and governance within the sport horse industry. Ali is committed to improving standards across equestrian disciplines and supporting both horses and riders to achieve their potential in a safe, informed, and welfare-led environment.

Jacqui Dark

Jacqui is a Solicitor Advocate having qualified in 2003. This gives Jacqui rights of audience in Court enabling her to represent clients in the High Court as a Barrister would.

Jacqui set up the very successful Equine Department at Blythe Liggins Solicitors in Leamington Spa where she took on and acted for clients such as British Eventing and the RDA between 2003 and 2009. She set up her own firm in 2009 and now acts for riders from grassroots to Olympic level, she is company solicitor to two saddle manufacturers, as well as advising and acting for vets, farriers, owners and professional organisations and societies such as the British Show Horse Association and Sport Horse Breeding (GB).

Jacqui has dealt with many cases in the Court of Arbitration for Sport and sits as a disciplinary panel member for the Professional Boxing Association.

Jacqui’s work area is vast ranging from regulatory work where she defends professionals where there is a regulatory breach or allegation, drafting contracts for the sale and lease of multi million -pound horses, to defending complex equine related Personal Injury claims (and much more in between).

Christine Bjerkan

Christine Bjerkan is the founder of EQuerry Co, a specialist communications agency dedicated to the global equestrian industry. With an international background and experience working across Europe, North America, and emerging equestrian markets, Christine specialises in helping brands, events, federations, and organisations better understand the equestrian audience and create strategies that support long-term industry relevance.

Her work combines strategic marketing, research, and data-driven storytelling, with projects spanning major equestrian events, welfare-focused initiatives, and consumer perception research. Passionate about the future of equestrian sport, Christine is particularly interested in how communication and media can support both industry growth and positive change within the sport.

Ben Benson

Ben Benson AWCF is a Master Farrier and international equine consultant with more than 20 years of experience working across performance and remedial farriery. He has supported horses and teams at the highest level of sport, including multiple Olympic Games and international championships. Ben works closely with riders, owners and veterinary teams, combining traditional farriery with biomechanical assessment and practical problem solving to support soundness and performance.

A former President of the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association, he is recognised for his technical insight, collaborative approach and commitment to horse welfare.

Tickets

We are limited to just 50 tickets and these will be sold on a first come first served basis.

£150 inc VAT (plus card processing fees, where applicable) BEFORE 31st August 2026, rising to £180 inc VAT after).

**If you are a member of a professional association (e.g. BFBA, BEVA, RAMP, IRVAP, ACPAT, BAEDT, SMS and more) you could gain a 20% discount - email for your discount code.

Ticket price includes ONE ticket to attend EPN: Thrive not Survive plus TWO entry tickets and car parking for Blenheim International Horse Trials on Thursday 17^th September 2026. Bring your partner or a friend to enjoy the day at Blenheim!

Refreshments throughout the day.