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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alastair Welch BVM&S CertVR 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.
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.
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.
Bryan O'Meara MVB, CertES(Orth), MRCVS
Assistant
Bryan has completed the Horse Trust Senior Clinical Scholar Residency Programme in Equine Surgery. He has worked in conjunction with Glasgow University, spending six months a year at Glasgow and six months at O'Gorman Slater Main. He works as part of the surgery team, and is based in the clinic.
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 the data in the Equine Veterinary Journal, Irish Veterinary Journal and Equine Veterinary Education among other publications. He is enrolled and has completed the credentials criteria to sit the onerous examination procedure for the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. He has RCVS surgical qualifications in Orthopaedics.
Bryan has extensive experience of equine practice, having worked in several practices in the UK and in his native Ireland. He has recently got married to Lucy (nee Dennis) in Bude, Cornwall.
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 and these strenghts are reflected in his RCVS qualifications in Equine Practise.
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.
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.
Annie-Rose Pearson BVSc MRCVS
Intern
Annie graduated from Liverpool University in 2009. Subsequently she has spent time working in mixed practice in Cardiff Wales. She has a strong interest in racing and is a keen point to point amateur jump jockey. She has presented at the British Equine Veterinary Association annual meeting in 2009 on tendonitis.
Annie is hoping to expand the knowledge gained through her life long interest in horses in developing her holistic approach to equine performance medicine both in racing and other equine disciplines. Thus her veterinary interests include Orthopaedic disease and Respiratory Disease among others.
Annie has also volunteered with working equids in Morocco with the equine charity SPANA.
Amy Hawthorn BVetMed MRCVS
Intern
Originally from Buckinghamshire, Amy is a graduate of the Royal Veterinary College 2010 and has an interest in developing further specialist knowledge in Orthopaedics and Anaesthesia.
There are plans for Amy to undertake a large investigation in to MRI diagnosis of foot lameness at Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery. The study is envisaged to include 1000 horses that underwent MRI at Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery over the last five years.
Amy is a keen eventer and is currently trying to balance her busy working life with a return to the saddle.
Amy has spent a recent stint in Egypt as a volunteer with working equids.
Stephanie Stauffer Vet Med (Bern) MRCVS
Intern
Stephanie graduated from the University of Bern in Switzerland in Summer 2010. The practice was first introduced to Stephanie during her time as an extern at Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery. She is keen to develop her interests in colic surgery and anaesthesia so there is no doubt she will be kept busy at the clinic.
In her spare time Stephanie likes to go for a run, and is a proud member of Forces Fit!! Her popularity at the practice is bolstered by her great cooking and fondue nights. Stephanie grew up in Switzerland where her she was exposed to jumping and dressage; Stephanie loves all European Warmbloods. Currently she is writing up a thesis on research carried out at University of Zurich related to anaesthesia.
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 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.
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.
Tracy Snook
Equine Office
Tracy joined the team in Autumn 2011. She works part time as a secretary in the Equine Office. She is also a part time Parish Clerk for Chieveley.
Tracy lives in Chieveley with her family. She was a proud horse owner for 18 years and now enjoys helping out a friend with her horses.
In her free time she likes to run, play tennis and hiking. She loves the outdoors, especially gardening.
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!!!
Alex Hunt REVN (Senior Equine Theatre Nurse)
Nurse
Alex joined the practice in 2005 and qualified as an Equine Veterinary Nurse in 2008. Alex was appointed the position of Head Theatre Nurse in 2008 and is responsible for the training of nurses in this area. She enjoys emergency medicine and so is kept busy at Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery.
Outside work her main interests are shooting and horse riding. She has owned and ridden horses since she was three years old and has a keen interest in cross-country and hunting.
She owns a scruffy terrier called Sprout and a black Labrador called Betty. Alex is getting married to Andrew in August 2011.
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
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.
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.
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.
Jessica Schwier
Nurse
Jess joined the practice in March 2010 having worked in Spain on a riding establishment for six years. She is currently doing her pre-training and starts her EVN course in September this year. Jess enjoys working in the surgical theatre and all are entertained and humoured by her bubbly personality!
Jess is fluent in French and Spanish and likes to run in her spare time with her Weimaraner, Shaddow.
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.
Leah Challen
Nurse
Leah joined the practice in July 2010 after having previously worked at an Equine Hydrotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre. Having also worked on two large studs she looks forward to her roles with stud medicine, foal medicine and foaling. Leah starts her EVN training in September 2011.
Leah used to ride out race horses regularly but after a riding accident is not retired from racing. Outside work Leah enjoys racing, partying and 5 star holiday destinations.
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.
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.
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.
Chloe Lewis
Yard Staff
Chloe has joined the team in Summer 2011. She has always worked with horses and gained her knowledge from hunting and international dressage yards.
At home in Overton she spends her free time with her 3 horses hunting and eventing. She is always very helpful and smiley!
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.
Paul Whright
Yard Staff