Kate Blakeman Becomes New BEVA President During 2026 Congress

Kate Blakeman, BVSc, CertAVP, MRCVS, has been appointed as President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) for the term 2026/27. She succeeds Imogen Burrows, BVetMed, CertAVP(EM), PgCertVPS, CertAVP, MRCVS, at the conclusion of BEVA Congress. James Crabtree, BVM&S, CertEM(StudMed), FRCVS, will serve as President Elect, while Nicky Housby-Skeggs, BVetMed, CertAVP(ESO), PGCert Vet Ed, MRCVS, takes on the role of Junior Vice President.

Blakeman graduated from the University of Liverpool and has 16 years of experience in ambulatory equine practice, with a focus on stud medicine. She has worked in various practices across the UK and has completed breeding seasons in Australia. In 2023, she joined the University of Nottingham as an Assistant Clinical Professor in Equine Practice, where she educates future equine veterinarians. Her extensive background in practice and academia allows her to address both clinical and educational aspects of the profession.

Over the past six years, Blakeman has been a member of the BEVA Council, engaging in numerous projects aimed at enhancing equine veterinary practice and supporting professionals within the field. Recently, she updated pregnancy guidelines for practices and helped develop career support programs like Leg Up and Back in the Saddle, in addition to chairing BEVA’s Clinical Practice Committee.

In her inaugural remarks as President, Blakeman emphasized the importance of supporting the people within equine practice. She expressed her desire to focus on collaboration across different roles and sectors to foster understanding and shared solutions, stating that the strength of the profession lies in its ability to listen and learn from one another.

The BEVA also welcomed new members to its Council and Committees during the congress. Hugh Somerville, Alexandre Triguinho, and Beth Bryant have been elected to the BEVA Council, while Angela Jones has been re-elected. New additions to the Nurse Committee include Phillippa Pritchard, Laura Wilkie, and Lizzie Atkins.

The 2026 BEVA Awards Ceremony featured various accolades recognizing significant contributions to the equine veterinary field. The BEVA Equine Welfare Award was awarded to Phillippa Pritchard for her dedication to enhancing equine welfare, including a focus on the emotional well-being of horses in her care at Liphook Equine Hospital.

The Nurse Empowerment Award was presented to Cassie Woods, RVN, for her leadership and support within the nursing community, breaking new ground for equine nurses. Woods has also advocated for ambulatory nursing and contributed significantly through teaching and published works.

Molly McClean, DVM, MRCVS, received the BEVA One to Watch Award for her exceptional early-career promise, having quickly established herself as a talented equine veterinary surgeon focused on lameness investigations.

Euan Bennet, MSci, PhD, won the BEVA Richard Hartley Clinical Award for his research on risk factors leading to fatal musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbreds. The Peter Rossdale Equine Veterinary Journal Open Award was awarded to Camilo Morales for his work on pharmacokinetics in horses, while Pius Spiesshofer received the Peter Rossdale EVE Literary Award for his clinical research on tendon injuries.

Future announcements, including the winner of the Sam Hignett Award, will be made following the conclusion of the congress.