Equine students hard work pays off

Ffion Marks, a 2011 first class graduate of the BSc (Hons) Equine Science, was selected as one of only five finalists for this year’s EQVALAN® Duo Equine Thesis of the Year Award 2011 following a hard battle between 14 very strong candidates. Each candidate was put forward by their institution as their strongest dissertation student and the judges all commented on how high the standard of work was throughout all submissions.

This is the 13th year in which the Royal Agricultural Society of England has made the Merial-sponsored award, which recognises the exceptional equine academic achievements being undertaken every year at colleges and universities throughout the UK. The winner receives a cash prize, a trophy and five years free membership to the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

Dr Emma Batson from Merial Animal Health explains:

“It is always tough to judge this award and this year’s shortlist continues to showcase the high achievement and ambitious scope of the academic research within our industry. The equine industry faces many ongoing challenges and the short listed theses all help to further our understanding of the horse and the equine industry in which we work. It will be very tough to choose a Thesis of the Year from such a high quality shortlist.”

Ffion made her final pitch to the judges on Friday November 11th at Stoneleigh Park and was an excellent ambassador for the quality of graduates produced by UWE Hartpury. She was supported by her family and supervisor, Jane Williams. Ffion’s dissertation entitled: A case control study to investigate risk factors for horse falls in steeplechase races at Cheltenham racecourse was very well received by the judges, academics and industry experts in the audience. Unfortunately she did not win but she was highly commended for the quality of her research and her presentation skills. Her work has been converted to an academic paper and is to be submitted to the journal Preventative Veterinary Medicine.