Shortlist Announced for 2019 BETA Equine Thesis of the Year Award
With the first round of judging now over, four extremely strong contenders have made it through to the final of the 2019 British Equestrian Trade Association Equine Thesis of the Year Award, which recognises excellence in academic undergraduate study. This year, it received a bumper number of entries from universities and colleges offering equine-related degree courses across the UK and Ireland.
One student thesis was received per entry, with the following making it through to the finals:
●University of Limerick – Sally-Anne Brown. Thesis: The Incidence of Strangles in Irish Horses: Comparison of Culture, PCR and ELISA Detection Methods.
● Writtle University College – JuditAulinas Coll. Thesis: The Effect a Core Strength Exercise Programme Has on the Biomechanics of the Ridden Horse.
● Hartpury University – Emma Robbins. Thesis: Brand Choice and Consumption Behaviour in the Equine Industry.
●Reaseheath College – Sophie Booth. Thesis: An In-Vitro Investigation to Compare the Anti-Microbial Properties of the Three Essential Oils in Hibi Scrub as Potential Treatment Options for Secondary Equine Dermal Conditions Caused by Staphylococcus Aureus.
Each student will present their thesis to a panel of judges during a special reception at the De Vere Staverton Estate hotel, near Daventry, Northamptonshire, on Sunday 27 October. This is open to the public and members of the academic community. Those wishing to attend should contact the BETA office in advance.* During the event, the winner and runner-up will be announced and awarded a trophy and cash prize.
“We can never fail but to be impressed by the high standard of undergraduate work submitted,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. “This year was no different and I know that our first-round judges had an extremely challenging – but immensely enjoyable – task in selecting our finalists. Our congratulations to them all for making it this far and the very best of luck for the presentations – we can’t wait to hear them!”
This year's final judges are:
• Dr Georgina Crossman – a research consultant with the British Equestrian Federation, coordinator at Advancing Equine Scientific Excellence (AESE) and owner of GK Crossman Consultancy. Georgina is a guest lecturer at a number of institutions, speaking on subjects such as the structure of the horse sector and the relationship between the horse industry and government.
• Chris Gordon –at Dodson &Horrell for more than 25 years after previously working in the agriculture and food research sector. As technical director, he had a keen interest in the practical application of new research to benefit equine welfare and performance. He has also been actively involved with Dodson &Horrell’s provision of nutritional support to Team GBR, as well as other performance horses, including racing and breeding. Chris is a past chair of BETA and current chairof the BETA Feed Committee, which represents the equine feed industry at national and European level. Hereceived the BETA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
• Karen Coumbe – a vet for more than 30 years who began her career in a mixed practice but in 1989 co-founded a specialist equine practice, Bell Equine, in Kent, subsequently developed into a 17-vet equine hospital approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Karen has been a partner there since 1995 and became a director in 2012. She has a particular interest in equine anaesthesia and pain management, as well as sports medicine and equine performance, pre-purchase exams, ophthalmology, dermatology and ultrasonography. She writes veterinary books and is a regular contributor to magazines, including Horse & Hound.
• Liz Benwell – editor of leading trade title Equestrian Trade News. Liz began her career in journalism as a newspaper reporter, was the first editor of Your Horse magazine and is a self-confessed horsey “anorak”. She has enjoyed competing in many equestrian sports at amateur level, with long-distance riding a particular favourite, has three horses, all of which are rehomed from World Horse Welfare, and rides most days.
