Sarah Kearney (nee Rainford)
In 2012, Sarah Rainford, an Equine Science graduate from Reaseheath, won the prestigious Equvalan Duo Equine Thesis of the Year.
Sarah graduated with a First Class (Hons) BSc Degree in Equine Science and is now working as a Consultant Nutritionist for feed company Dodson and Horrell.
Sarah’s final year thesis considered whether horse riding could successfully increase joint mobility in physically disabled children. She developed an interest in this subject after doing work experience with the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) group at Foxes Riding School on the Wirral.
There was much competition for this coveted award, with finalists being chosen from Writtle College, the Royal Agricultural College, Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Limerick. All the candidates presented their dissertations to a panel of four judges at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire.
The Royal Agricultural Society of England devised this award in recognition of exceptional equine academic achievements among college and university students.
Said Sarah: "I am extremely proud and honoured to be have been chosen as the winner of the thesis of the year award, especially with the high standard of other entries. I hope that the work I have done will go towards validating the work of the RDA.”