Dr Heather Cameron-Whytock
Presentation title: The journey towards evidence-based risk management in equestrian eventing
Dr Heather Cameron-Whytock is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Central Lancashire. Heather’s research so far has focussed on equestrian eventing, analysing data to identify risk factors for horse falls. A recent publication lead by Heather was the largest study ever published on horse falls in eventing, with the study laying out key recommendations for governing bodies, which aim to reduce the risk of injury and fatality in eventing. Heather and the team she works with have completed safety- and welfare-focussed projects for the FEI, British Eventing, Equestrian Australia and Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Heather is also involved in equine cognition and biomechanics research and supervises both masters and PhD students as such.
Professor Kristien Verheyen
Presentation title: From birth to aftercare: aligning epidemiological research with the racing industry’s Thoroughbred welfare priorities
Kristien is Professor of Veterinary Clinical Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College. She is a qualified veterinary surgeon and holds a Masters degree in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Prior to joining the RVC in 2005, Kristien worked in the Epidemiology Unit at the (now closed) Animal Health Trust, initially on equine infectious diseases and being responsible for the veterinary care of the AHT's pony herd. She soon moved into a research role, embarking on a project investigating the epidemiology of fractures in racehorses, and completed a PhD on this topic in 2005. At the RVC, Kristien has developed an extensive research portfolio in equine epidemiology and issues affecting Thoroughbred racehorses in particular. She also teaches aspects of epidemiology and biostatistics, primarily at postgraduate level, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Previous roles include a seven-year stint as Head of the Graduate School at the RVC and Course director for the MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology.
Ben Atkinson
Presentation title: TBC
Benjamin Atkinson is an equestrian performer and Liberty artist. Ben has trained and performed with horses across the world for the past 10 years, gaining skills in everything from showjumping and carriage driving to Cossack trick riding and stunt work in the file industry. Ben’s true passion is Liberty, the art of working horses in complete freedom. Inspired by his father and grandfather, he made the pursuit of unlocking the horses mind his goal in life. Developing new techniques, he brings simplicity and logic to a style of horsemanship often shrouded in mystery. Making the unattainable easily achievable for any person and any horse.
More information on Ben's work can be found on the Atkinson Action Horses webpage!
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