AWARDS

EQVALAN DUO EQUINE THESIS OF THE YEAR AWARD 2011 Do you believe that your thesis deserves special recognition? If so, why not enter the prestigious Eqvalan Duo Equine Thesis of the Year Award. .
 
Now in its thirteenth year, this competition - run by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) and sponsored by Merial Animal Health, a world-leading innovation-driven animal health company - is open to every agricultural and equine university and college in the country.
 
A shortlist of students will present their theses to a panel of judges and an audience of industry-based professionals at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on Friday 11 November 2011.
The winner will receive:-

• a £500 cheque;
• a piece of glassware;
• a 5-year RASE membership;
• a certificate;
• the opportunity to present your thesis at the National Equine Forum.

The winner of the 2010 award was Declan Ryan, who made history by becoming the first male winner of the award, with his thesis titled ‘Haematological Parameters in Thoroughbred Horses’ which was selected from research theses submitted by Universities in the UK and Ireland.

Declan graduated from the University of Limerick and is currently working with racehorse trainer Bruce Hedley in California. He hopes to return to Ireland to train National Hunt racehorses. On winning he said “I had this competition in the back of my mind from the start. To be selected to represent my college was brilliant, and then to make the finals was a great feeling, but to win is a dream come true.”

Declan beat off three other finalists in a presentation of his study. The Judges - Dr Emma Batson (Merial Animal Health), Jan Rogers (British Equestrian Federation), Nicky Moffatt (Horse & Rider magazine), Dr Georgina Crossman (BEFRED) and Rachel Kay (2006 winner) described Declan’s winning thesis as “fascinating and extremely useful information for the industry.” Dr Emma Batson of sponsor, Merial Animal Health, congratulated all of the finalists and said “the standard of the entries in the award rises every year – all the finalists were outstanding, and certainly good enough to have won in previous years, but we were unanimous that Declan’s contribution had the edge.”

The deadline for submitting theses is Friday 22 July 2011 and the final shortlist will be announced in September.

To submit your thesis or for any further information, please contact your equine course tutor or Katie Boon at The Royal Agricultural Society of England, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ. Tel: 02476 858252, Email: katieb@rase.org.uk