Equine Team

Bruce Bladon BVM&S Cert EP DESTS Dipl ECVS MRCVS

Partner

Bruce Bladon qualified as a vet from Edinburgh University in 1988.  He spent one year in mixed practice in Hertfordshire and three years in equine practice with Endell Veterinary Group in Salisbury, before joining Blackman & O'Gorman (as it was then) in 1992.  In 1995 he left to undertake a residency training in equine surgery at the University of Bristol, and he rejoined O'Gorman Slater and Main after the three year position.  He has several post graduate qualifications; a Certificate of Equine Practice in 1992, Certificate of Equine Surgery in 1996, Diploma of Equine Soft Tissue Surgery in 1999 and finally Diploma of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2001.  He has been a RCVS registered specialist in Equine Surgery since 2000.

Bruce's passion has been equine surgery and surgical disease of the horse.  He has presented the results of this work extensively, at scientific meetings throughout the UK and the world.  He was a keynote speaker at the South African Equine Veterinary Association conference in 2008 and has presented at the British Equine Veterinary Association conference and the European College of Veterinary Surgeons congress on many occasions.  He has published widely as well, including in the respected peer reviewed journals Equine Veterinary Journal and Veterinary Surgery.

He is usually to be found in his office at the practice, and does not go outside, except in the summer.  He is one of two surgeons who provide the 24 hour surgical expertise to the practice, ensuring that there is always a Board Certified surgeon on hand to operate, should a horse require it, any time, day or night.

Filipe De Oliveira BVSc MRCVS

Partner

Fil graduated from Bristol University in 1997. He joined the practice in 2005 and became a partner in 2011.

His work has revolved around Stud Medicine and Reproduction since graduation.He has worked in world renowned studs in Newmarket and Australia and included a stint working with top class thoroughbreds and endurance horses in Dubai.  His career has afforded him the luxury of working with the thoroughbred from before conception to success on the racing track. 

He has a special interest in stud medicine, artificial insemination and foal medicine.  This involves working with many different breeds from warmbloods and Thoroughbreds to Shetlands.

James Main BVM&S MRCVS

Partner

James graduated from Edinburgh in 1982. He worked for several years at the then Baskerville and Horgan in Aylesbury, now the Hampden Vet Group. He joined Mike O'Gorman in 1988 and became a partner in 1989.

His main interests are racehorse practice and bloodstock. He is present at most of the major thoroughbred sales.

David Mathieson BVM&S MRCVS

Partner

David qualified from Edinburgh in 1986. He spent 2 years in mixed practice in Wellingborough, Northants. Following this he spent a year in Wetherby and then two and a half years in equine practice in Essex. He joined Donnington Grove in 1992 and became a partner in 1994.

His main interests are racehorse practice and sports medicine encompassing respiratory disease and lameness.  He has lectured at the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress on respiratory disease in the racehorse.

Michael O'Gorman MVB MRCVS

Partner

Michael graduated from Dublin in 1968. Following several years in practice he purchased what is now O'Gorman, Slater, Main & Partners with Chris Blackman. He has remained with the practice ever since.

His main interest is in racehorse practice and he has been an official vet at Badminton Horse Trials for many years.

Charlie Schreiber BVetMed MRCVS

Partner

Charlie graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 1988 and after brief periods in mixed and 1st opinion horse practice, joined O'Gorman, Slater and Main in 1993. Since then, he has worked as an ambulatory vet in the racing, sports and leisure areas of the practice, with Widget, his faithful terrier never far behind.

He has recently become a member of British Equine Veterinary Association council, and represents them on the BHA vet committee, giving him an ear and voice in these influential bodies.

He is responsible for assessing of nurses studying for the REVN qualification.

He also demonstrates at the Equine Cardiology course annually, and has an interest in cardiorespiratory medicine and thoroughbred yearling saleswork.

Alastair Welch BVM&S CertVA MRCVS

Partner

Alastair graduated from Edinburgh University in 1999. Following a spell in mixed practice he then completed an internship at The Liphook Equine Hospital. He then worked for 2 years in equine practice in Surrey. He joined the practice in 2004 and became a partner in 2011. He splits his time between racing work and internal medicine.

He is also heavily involved in sales radiography and was awarded the certificate of veterinary anaesthesia in 2004.

Emiliano Espinar Ldo Vet Cert EP MRCVS

Assistant

Emiliano joined the practice in May 2009 having qualified from the University of Cordoba, Spain 1997.  Following an Externship at Hannover University (Germany) Emiliano firstly practised in Ireland then in the UK before returning home to Spain to run his own equine practice.  The practice workload was a combination of work from the Mijas Racetrack in Malaga, reproductive work from the regions studs and local sport horses.  Emiliano is married to an English rose and so has returned to the UK to enjoy the English way of life with his family.

Emiliano's professional strengths lie in his broad experience of practice and has a keen interest in Stud Medicine and Artificial Insemination. He holds the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Equine practice.

Elisabetta Giorio

Assistant

Elisabetta qualified in 2006 at the University of Padova.  She served her internship with us in 2008 and returned in April 2011 as a fully fledged Equine Assistant.

Alix Jackson BVetMed MRCVS

Assistant

Alix joined the practice as an ambulatory assistant in 2009.

She previously completed our internship program and has now returned after a spell working away from the practice.

Fran James MA VetMB DACVS DipECVS MRCVS

Assistant

Fran graduated from Cambridge in 2001. She was an intern for a year at the New Bolton Centre, University of Pennysylvania followed by a surgery residency. She then remained at the New Bolton Centre as a lecturer in Equine Sports Medicine for a further 3 years.

She joined the practice in August 2008 as a surgeon and lameness specialist and is based in the clinic.

Jamie O'Gorman BVSc MRCVS

Assistant

Jamie graduated from Liverpool University in 2003 before completing an equine internship at Greenwood Ellis and Partners in Newmarket. He went on to ambulatory equine practice in Yorkshire before moving to the Gold Coast in Australia for a year to work in 100% racetrack practice. He has also worked in Ireland at a principally stud and racing practice.

Having spent time eventing while growing up he enjoys all aspects of equine veterinary work but his principal interests lie in lameness and respiratory disease.

Bryan O'Meara MVB Cert ES (Orth) Dipl ECVS MRCVS

Assistant

Bryan is a European Specialist in Equine Surgery.  He has completed a Senior Clinical Scholar Residency Programme in Equine Surgery at the end of 2010 which was funded by The Horse Trust.  This was in conjunction with Glasgow University. This amounted to six months a year at Glasgow and six months at O'Gorman Slater Main for three years.  

Bryan has presented work from O'Gorman Slater Main on tendon disease in racehorses at the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, and at the British Equine Veterinary Association conferences, and has published studies in the Equine Veterinary Journal, Irish Veterinary Journal and Equine Veterinary Education among other publications.  Bryan headed a research project which designed a laparoscopic instrument to obtain full thickness intestinal biopsy. He has a special interest in Dynamic Endoscopy (Overground Endoscopy) and upper respiratory tract surgery. (He passed his examination for the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in Equine Surgery in 2013.  He has RCVS surgical qualifications in Orthopaedics (Certificate in Equine Surgery - Orthopaedics).

Bryan has extensive experience of equine practice, having worked in several practices in the UK and in his native Ireland.   He is married to Lucy (nee Dennis).

Jo Munting MA VetMB MRCVS

Assistant

Jo graduated from Cambridge University in 1996 and joined the practice in 2000 having completed an internship in large animal medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and having worked in number of practices in the UK.  

She is a member of our ambulatory vet team and has an interest in anaesthesia.  Jo balances a busy family life and her eventing career with working life. Jo has three young children - so there is no doubt Jo will be kept busy nurturing their equitation talents in future years.  Her life long interest in horses has fashioned a practical approach to equine practice.  

Nicole Jones MA VetMB CertVA CertEM(IntMed) MRCVS

Assistant

Nicole graduated from Cambridge University in 1992, before working in mixed practice for a year and subsequently completing an internship at the Royal Veterinary College in Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics.  Nicole now holds certificates in both anaesthesia and internal medicine. 

A particularly strong interest in dressage is born out of being an advanced dressage rider and producer of sport horses.  Her other professional interests are preventative health in competition yards thus encompassing respiratory medicine and orthopaedic investigations.

Nicole's broad knowledge base and almost twenty years of experience in practice  makes her a popular choice for both racing trainers and sport horse owners.

Francesca Hendey MRCVS

Intern

Rebecca Jones BVSc MRCVS

Intern

Becs developed her passion for animal care as a Small Animal Veterinary Nurse. Following this she went on to work in polo and then on a thoroughbred stud for several years in Australia. Looking for a challenge she did her 5 year Veterinary degree in Sydney and graduated in 2010. She moved back to England and gained her first experiences working for 9 months in a mixed practice in Worcestershire. Enjoying her time as an Extern she started her Internship at Donnington Grove Surgery in January 2011.

She has a keen interest in soft tissue surgery and foal medicine and is looking forward to learning more in this field while she is here.

Outside of work she values her time at home with her fiance Greg and travelling around the world.

Jenny Marsh MRCVS

Intern

Jenny joined the practice in August 2012 after graduating from Liverpool university in July 2012.

 

Her academic interests lie in diagnostic imaging and orthopaedic surgery.  

Ann Wiles (Equine Accounts)

Equine Office

Ann joined the practice in 1982 when it was a two partner business with a small office based in London Road. She has seen many changes and developments - even assistants becoming partners! "Annie" cares for the equine clients accounts but over the years she has developed other skills so important to her function - such as mind reading and interpreting vets notes. She enjoys the lively, if irreverent, banter of the girls in the Equine Office. 

Karen Brewer (Office Manager)

Equine Office

Karen joined the practice in 2001, initially on a one year work placement as part of her degree in Equine Studies at Warwickshire College/Coventry University.   On completion of her degree in 2003 she returned to the practice where she now holds the role of Senior Equine Administrator.  

Karen overseas the running of the whole equine office and its numerous and varied tasks.  A keen rider, (although this has taken a back seat since the arrival of her two children), and horse racing fan.  Karen has two horses, Quiz a 32 yr old very hairy pony and Bert a 17.2hh Irish hunter.

Rosie Scott

Equine Office

Rosie joined the equine office in September 2009 after having worked in the veterinary industry in Lambourn for just under two years.

Rosie does a variety of different duties in the office including passport applications, markings and vetting forms.

Before returning to education in the UK, Rosie worked as head groom for an international show jumper based in Germany and competed successfully in affiliated dressage. She is currently retraining an ex-racehorse, which she hopes to start competing this year.

Sophie Whittle

Equine Office

Sophie joined the practice in 2009 after finishing her A levels at Queen

Marys' College, Basingstoke. Outside of work, she currently has two horses

and plans to start competing again this year.

Victoria Kershaw

Equine Office

Victoria bolstered the Equine Office Team since August 2011. She formerly worked at a local Hunting Yard.

She lives in Tangley with her family and family dog. She loves to exercise her two horse, which includes showing, side saddle riding and hunting.

Kerry Cox

Equine Office

Elizabeth Figg REVN (Senior Equine Nurse)

Nurse

Elizabeth joined the practice in 2003. Before joining the practice she completed an HND in Equine Science followed by a year working in a professional show jumping yard. She qualified as an Equine Veterinary Nurse in 2006 and heads our equine nursing team. Lizzie is an A1 Assessor and Clinical Coach in Equine Veterinary Nursing.

 

Lizzie is married to Nathan and outside of work she events her horse, goes shooting and has two Jack Russells, Mouse and Baxter.  She also likes cooking and bakes fabulous cakes!!!

Anne Marie Slade REVN (Senior Yard Nurse)

Nurse

Anne-Marie is a qualified Equine Veterinary Nurse with a background of working both in the UK and abroad. She has been with the practice for over five years now, and finds her job both interesting and rewarding. Anne-Marie is our Head Yard Nurse and responsible for supervising our in-patient nursing care.

Anne-Marie is also a qualified groom and has worked with an Italian olympic rider, exercising and turning out top grade horses to a very high standard.

Anne-Marie enjoys gardening, movies and a glass or two of wine.

Suzy Smeddle REVN (Senior Theatre Nurse)

Nurse

Suzy joined the practice in 2006.  She is currently completing the final year of her Equine Nurse Training and attends college on a block release scheme.  Her final exams are this summer.  Suzy particularly enjoys inpatient care especially with post surgical cases.

Outside work Suzy can be seen travelling the country competing at dog agility with her springer spaniel Topaz.  She also has a horse that she loves dearly.  Suzy keeps everyone entertained with her hilarious sense of humour.

Lisa Spencer

Nurse

Lisa joined the practice in 2002 as a part time nurse.  She is qualified as Small Animal Nurse however she works in the Equine Department.  She is a calming influence on all the staff when things are busy, she looks out for the younger members of staff and always has a kind word for everyone.

Lisa lives with her husband Adrian and children.  Thankfully Lisa manages to combine her hectic home life with work at the practice.  

Madeleine Ball

Nurse

Laurie Crawford-Smith

Nurse

Laurie is well established as part of the nursing team having joined the practice in 2007.  She is hard working, has an entertaining personality and is renowned for compassionate horse handling skills.  

Laurie is an avid Polo player and likes to spend time with her family who now live in Spain.

Sheena Eames

Nurse

Sheena joined the practice in June 2011. Sheena has worked with horses for many years and has already completed several equine courses studies, including NVQ level 3 in equine management. Sheena is currently working towards her equine nursing diploma. She has a keen interest in equine theatre and diagnostic imaging. 

Outside work Sheena enjoys going outdoors activities, running, reading and walking her 3 dogs Tia, Bella and Kerki. Sheena also has two adorable cats: Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton (a bit more tanned) that she rescued as strays. 

Amy Gethin

Nurse

Amy joined the practice in July 2010. Amy previously worked at Headley Stud locally and as a home help carer.  Amy has already achieved a National Diploma in Horse Managment and she is enrolled to begin her Equine Veterinary Nursing course in September.  She enjoys working in the equine theatre and assisting the vets on the road with x-ray calls.

 

Outside work Amy enjoys partying, socialising and going to the gym.   She has a horse, Nibbles who is 26 years old as well as a Jack Russell and two cats.

Laura Hutt

Nurse

Camilla Jarrett

Nurse

Mary Simcock

Nurse

Mary joined the practice November 2011 and is ready for a challenge. After travelling around the world she settled for 2 1/2 years in Canada where she started working with horses. Back in the UK she cared for horses in a show jumping yard. 

Her aim is to start her training as a nurse next year.

Currently she is training her horse for show jumping and lives in Lambourn.

Chloe Zimmerman

Nurse

Chloe joined the practice in July 2010.  She has a worked in a variety of jobs and draws on her experiences to be a valued member of the nursing team. Chloe has done a degree in Equine Sport Science in Nottingham.  She started to course as an Equine Veterinary Training Nurse in September 2011.

She has a special interest in foals and enjoys the excitement of working out of hours.

Chloe is married to Richard and lives in Lambourn.

Heidi Appleby

Yard Staff

Heidi is the youngest and newest member of our yard staff. She has worked at a stud before joining us in November 2011.

She lives in Snellsmore with her family. In her leisure she spends her time hacking her 4 horses out and meeting up with friends. 

Lisa Pounds

Yard Staff

Lisa has worked in the yard since 2007, having come from just up the road at Donnington castle. She is interested in dog agility and showing with her Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and has a hack called Nobby.

Louise James

Yard Staff