Clinical Practice Committee

Kate has worked in equine practice for over 15 years both in the UK and multiple stud seasons in Australia. She joined council in 2020 determined to represent the ambulatory equine vet. Her husband is a farm vet and they have young children. Kate has been involved the continue development of the leg up scheme for new graduates. She is expanding the coaching scheme to help support other BEVA members who might require specific coaching and support- especially following return to work.

Bruce Bladon graduated from Edinburgh University in 1988. He spent one year in mixed practice and then six years in two equine practices (Endell Veterinary Group in Salisbury and O’Gorman Slater and Main in Newbury), before joining Bristol University as Resident in Equine Surgery. He was awarded the Certificate of Equine Practice in 1992, the Diploma of Equine Soft Tissue Surgery in 1999 and Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2001. He returned to Donnington Grove Veterinary Group (as it is now) in 1998, and is now a Clinical Director. He has been recognised as a Specialist in Equine Surgery since 2000, and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2016. He has lectured extensively, including to the British, South African, Australian, New Zealand, Dutch, Italian and Israeli Equine Veterinary Associations, international meetings in Brazil Canada, Spain, Germany and to the European and American Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons. Bruce is the principle equine surgeon at Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery. The practice treats a large number of racing Thoroughbreds, but also has a substantial leisure horse population, including a large referral case load. The practice performs a significant number of scintigraphy bone scans and a very large number of MRI scans, using the Hallmarq® standing low field scanner. Bruce’s key interests are surgery, especially fracture repair and colic surgery, though he undertakes all procedures presented to him. He is also very involved with advanced imaging, particularly MRI. Bruce Bladon was Emergency Services Team Leader at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Bruce is an eco warrior and drives a zero emissions vehicle. He is a (low level) rugby union referee. He can’t really run under 5 min per km pace anymore and can’t remotely keep up with his son (or wife). He does manage to squeeze in the occasional ski trip, but otherwise is not allowed out, and spends his time either in an operating theatre or looking at black and white images.

Safia qualified from Bristol University in 1998 and after a couple of years in mixed practice, did an equine surgical residency Edinburgh University. She stayed on at the University as a Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer in Equine Surgery for a further 9 years. During this time she sat the RCVS Certificate (2002) and then Diploma (2008) in Equine Soft Tissue Surgery, and gained the European College of Veterinary Surgeons Diploma in Equine Surgery (2005). After finally leaving academia in 2012, she spent 5 years working in large private equine hospitals before setting up her own peripatetic surgical consultancy in 2017 providing advice, overground endoscopic and surgical services to practices in the UK and abroad. She has over 90 peer reviewed publications in the veterinary scientific literature and currently sits on the Editorial Consultants Board for Equine Veterinary Journal. Her clinical and research interests focus on the equine upper respiratory tract, equine dentistry, minimally invasive soft tissue surgery (laser surgery and laparoscopy) and imaging of the equine skull. She regularly lectures at CPD meetings and conferences and outside of work is a keen kitesurfer.

Gemma graduated from Cambridge University in 2005. She worked in equine ambulatory practice in Sussex before joining the team at Minster in 2008. Gemma is experienced in all aspects of equine work, however her main interests lie in equine stud medicine. She is responsible for the Thoroughbred breeding, Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer, foaling, and infertility investigations at the clinic. She also enjoys investigating and treating mares with hormonal behavioural problems. In 2011, Gemma gained an RCVS Certificate in Equine Practice and became Clinical Director in September 2015. Gemma is the Senior Veterinary Surgeon at York racecourse, is a FEI permitted treating veterinarian and a riding school inspector. Outside of work she spends most of her time chasing around after her two children and enjoys yoga.

Ian qualified from the RVC in 2006. He completed an internship at NEH in 2008 and then travelled to New Zealand where he worked as a repro and racing vet. In 2010 Ian joined Baker McVeigh in South Africa. In South Africa ian and his wife Laura began a road trip home from the southern to northern-most points in Africa. Ian moved to Chantilly, France in 2012 and returned to Newmarket in 2013 before joining the Baker McVeigh Lambourn practice in 2017. Ian joined BEVA as a Council member in 2021. He enjoys playing with his kids, watching football and riding his bike.

Angela graduated from the University of Bristol in 2009. After completing an internship in Pembrokeshire, she worked in a large equine clinic in The Home Counties for 6 years and was the clinical lead in their Berkshire based hospital. She moved to The Cotswolds in 2016, completed a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in Equine Medicine in 2017 and advanced to the role of clinical director. Angela is also an FEI Permitted Veterinarian. Angela joined the Equicall team in January 2023, alongside digital content creation for a veterinary flexible working initative. Angela is passionate about flexible working and it's implementation at all levels of the veterinary industry. With the aim of providing practicing vets with the much needed time out required, in order to have the capacity to thrive in clinical practice. Veterinary interests aside, Angela loves running, swimming and yoga. But most of all she enjoys exploring The Cotswolds with her little ones and their dog, George.

James graduated from Edinburgh in 2001. After four years in mixed practice, he transitioned into equine stud practice and now leads the team at Equine Reproductive Services (UK). In 2010 he gained the RCVS Certificate in Stud Medicine and became an honorary lecturer at the University of Liverpool, teaching and examining CertAVP candidates. James continues to perform and publish practice-based research and collaborates widely. He is an Advanced Practitioner in Equine Stud Medicine, a BEVA council member and trustee of the International Equine Reproduction Trust. In 2022, he was awarded an RCVS Fellowship for meritorious contributions to clinical practice.

Jo has worked as a surgeon at B&W Equine Hospital since 2014. She is an RCVS and ECVS specialist in Equine Surgery and has a particular interest in orthopaedic surgery, diagnostic orthopaedics and colic surgery. Prior to her time at B&W she undertook a surgical residency at the University of Liverpool, completed an MPhil in Epidemiology, and spent several years in equine ambulatory practice. Jo has an interest in veterinary research and education and has co-supervised ECVS surgical residency training programmes, masters research projects and PhDs and has mentored many young vets during her time in practice. She has numerous publications in the equine literature and has spoken at various international conferences. Jo has a keen interest in equestrian sport; she is a member of the Veterinary Advisory Committee for the Horse Betting Levy board and has worked at several FEI events and within National Hunt Racing. Out of work Jo has a young son and tries to find time to run and get out on her bike!