THE Equine Science faculty at the University of Limerick has now been running for close on 30 years and has produced many who have gone on to make their mark in the equestrian world.

Fitting in with their educational schedule, but again clashing with Punchestown’s Friday card, saw this year’s crop of final year students present their projects before their peers, a panel of academic judges and an invited audience, including The Irish Field.

The winning paper receiving the ‘Coolmore Gold Medal’ was presented by Poppy Colligan. Well-researched, with collaboration from the Irish Equine Centre, it studied antibiotic resistance in mares in the treatment of E. coli. Antibiotic resistance is becoming an increasing problem in equine medicine and the study was based on a total of 423 cases of ESBL, mainly in mares.

Second prize went to a study of the incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae as a venereal pathogen in horses, presented by Alanna Bolger. Affecting both mares and stallions, it represents a considerable challenge to stud farm management. It has a high resistance to Ampicillin (95.9%) and Polymyxin B (92.9%). These findings confirm K. pneumoniae as a significant venereal pathogen in the Irish equine population.

Third prize was divided between Giorgia Monti (from Bolonga, Italy), whose study of the ‘Diagnostic validation of an Indirect ELISA for the detection of Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) antibodies for screening purposes’, and Jack Kelly’s well-presented paper on the ‘Examination of Starch Utilisation in ulcerated horses’.

The faculty have been fortunate in the appointment of Prof Nicola Walshe from UCD, who has returned to her Limerick roots to take up the role. She replaces Prof Sean Arkins who has recently retired. Judging was Professor Bridget Younge, course director BSc Equine Science, Professor Tom Buckley, equine health and environmental management, Soraya Morscher (senior equine science teacher, MSc, HSI Level 2 Coach), equestrian coach Amy Fitzgerald (MSc, HSI Level 2 Coach, BHS ISM), Prof Sean Fair, head of Department of Biological Sciences, and Ciara King-Urbin (MSc, HSI Level 1 Coach, BHSAI).

Holding a watching brief was Paraic McNamara, MRCVS, Lecturer Equine Anatomy and Physiology and Equine Reproduction.

Among the many distinguished graduates of the course is Grand National winning jockey Rachael Blackmore, who this week announced her retirement, Sarah Gildea who is Senior R&D scientist at Randox, and Michael Hardy, head of sales at Goffs Ireland.

These presentations were the culmination of four years study covering all aspects of equestrianism ranging from equine reproduction, nutrition, bloodstock management right up to and including riding at Clonshire Equestrian.

This course gives an excellent grounding to young equestrian students regardless of where their career in the world of the horse may take them. We can but wish each and every one a brilliant career whatever branch of equestrianism they choose to follow.