Award for equine thesis
Equine student, Lisa Randle, has picked up the
prestigious ‘Eqvalan Duo Equine Thesis of the Year Award’ from the
Royal Agricultural Society. Lisa is studying BA (Hons) in Equine Studies, via distance
learning.
Lisa conducted a study about the prevalence of obesity and
health issues in mature leisure horses in the Midlands. She says:
“As a distance learner, I was surprised to be even nominated for
the award! I am so pleased to have won, that words almost fail me
(rare for me!) – it is definitely a dream come true.
Lisa (centre) with the judges - photo courtesy of Ed
Phillips Images
"Warwickshire College have always been very supportive and have
helped me to achieve every step of the way. My dissertation
supervisor, Julie Ellis, was instrumental in guiding me in the
right direction, and I am particularly grateful to her for all her
support.”
Judge, Rachael Kay, explained why Lisa’s thesis was chosen as
the winner from the five finalists: “The judges felt that Lisa’s
findings regarding obesity and health-related matters carried
valuable information for the leisure horse industry and we were
unanimous that the study deserved to be awarded first place.”
The award, which is sponsored by Merial, manufacturers of the
Eqvalan wormer, was presented at Stoneleigh Park on 11
November. The award recognises the exceptional equine academic
achievements being undertaken every year at colleges and
universities throughout the UK.
As the winner, Lisa received a £500 cheque, a trophy,
certificate and five years’ free membership to the Royal
Agricultural Society of England. She will now present her work at
the National Equine Forum next year, as well as working closely
with tutor Julie Ellis, to turn her dissertation into a paper for
one of the veterinary journals next year.