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Reaseheath undergraduate wins chance to join USA horse research project

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Reaseheath undergraduate Charlotte Woolley has won a prestigious internship at the world’s leading equine breeding and research centre.

Charlotte, 21, who is in the final year of her BSc (Hons) in Equine Science, will spend this summer working and studying at the Virginia Tech State University, USA. The university specialises in breeding and producing top quality sports horses. Charlotte will be trained in veterinary techniques and will assist with research into nutrition, reproduction and parasitology.  She will also help to prepare youngstock for the show ring.

The three month internship is offered through the British Equestrian Federation and is open to all veterinary related institutions  in Britain. Charlotte was judged to be the top candidate after writing a 3000 word paper on equine obesity and discussing its welfare implications. The final selection was held at the BEF headquarters in Hertfordshire in front of a panel of industry leaders.

Charlotte flies out in June and will return in September in time for Reaseheath’s graduation ceremony. Aiming for a career as a veterinary research scientist, she then plans to study for a Masters in research or a PhD in veterinary science.

She says: “This is a very exciting opportunity which is perfect for my future career. I enjoy learning and my ambition is to have a job that is continually challenging and mentally stimulating. My passion is research – it genuinely fascinates me.

“The opportunity to visit leading equestrian events and stud farms in a beautiful part of America will be an unforgettable experience. I am also looking forward to putting the theory I learnt during my degree into practice.

“This internship will build on both my academic and practical skills and broaden my horizons in terms of my current knowledge of the equine industry. I know that it will be a truly life changing experience.”

Originally from Buxton, Charlotte completed ‘A’  levels at Leek College before becoming a Reaseheath student three years ago. She has ridden from a young age and has successfully  competed at show jumping and showing including a HOYS qualification.  She currently lives in Nantwich.

She adds: “I really enjoy studying for my degree at Reaseheath. There’s a great atmosphere and you get lots of individual support from your lecturers if you need it. I definitely made the right choice when I decided to come here.”

You can find out more about our Equine degrees here.

 

Winning undergraduates to attend key scientific conference

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Six Reaseheath equine undergraduates have won bursaries to attend a key International scientific conference.

BSc Hons Equine Science students Amy Porter, Charlotte Woolley, Marie Gellion, Jess Irving and Megan O’Loughlin  and Foundation Degree in Equine Science and Management student Emily Westwood will be delegates at the International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology (ICEEP) when it takes place in June.

The conference, which aims to advance understanding of the physiology, function and health of the equine athlete, is viewed as one of the top scientific forums and gives academics the opportunity to share best practice. International speakers will present papers on subjects such as nutrition, biochemistry of exercise, muscle physiology and the genetics of performance.

The conference will run over four days in Chester and our undergraduates can choose to attend one of the days. To win the bursaries, offered through the Cheshire Racing Hub, the students successfully wrote 500 word summaries on why attending the conference will help them in their future careers. They will join delegates from Britain’s veterinary schools and equine colleges.

All our undergraduates are considering careers in scientific research and are keen to hear leading authorities present the results of high quality investigative studies. They will also use the opportunity to learn more about the mentoring available to post-graduate students and junior scientists.

Marie Gellion, who intends to continue onto a Masters degree, is looking forward to hearing Professor Raymond Geor, a leading equine exercise physiologist from America. She said: “This will be a unique and inspirational opportunity to hear the latest research from someone I’ve admired for a long time.”

ICEEP will run over four days in Chester.  Reaseheath’s Higher Education Programme Leader Dr Jan Birch is on the organising committee and encouraged our students to apply for the bursaries.

She said: “I was delighted that six of our undergraduates were successful, particularly as the applications were of a very high standard.”

You can find out more about our Equine degrees here.