BEVA presented Awards to some of the profession’s most outstanding contributors to equine veterinary science, health and welfare, at BEVA Congress on Thursday 13 September 2018. This year saw the introduction of a new award, The EVJ Literary Award for Video Abstracts, in recognition of the role of multi-media in showcasing research.
All seven Awards have been established by BEVA, in conjunction with various sponsors, to reflect BEVA’s recognition of and support for significant accomplishments by equine vets and others involved in horse health and welfare.
The BEVA Equine Welfare Award sponsored by Blue Cross was awarded to Dr Peter Rossdale OBE FRCVS for championing the cause of equine welfare through continuing education within all sectors of the profession. In his early career as a stud vet Peter became the leading figure in establishing equine perinatology as a scientific discipline, and in doing so stimulated research collaboration around the world.
He was editor of the Equine Veterinary Journal from 1980 to 2011, securing its place in the top 10 of the world’s veterinary journals. In 1986 he launched Equine Veterinary Education and established it as the leading journal for equine practitioners.
The BEVA Richard Hartley Clinical Award was presented to Dr James Rushton for the paper ‘Effects of three blood derived products on equine corneal cells, an in vitro study’ by J. O. Rushton, E. Kammergruber, A. Tichy, M. Egerbacher, B. Nell and S. Gabner. It was first published online in October 2017 and then May 2018 in Volume 50 of the Equine Veterinary Journal.
The award is given in memory of Richard Hartley, a founder member of BEVA and president from 1974 to 1975. It is awarded for evidence-based papers with direct clinical application and the prize is intended to support travel of the senior author and/or co-authors.
The BEVA Trust Peter Rossdale Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) Open Award was presented to Sarah Allen for the research study paper ‘Description of veterinary events and risk factors for fatality in National Hunt flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000-2013)’ by S. Allen, S. Rosanowski, A. Stirk, K. Verheyen. It was first published online in February 2017 and then November 2017 in Volume 49 of the Equine Veterinary Journal.
This award is given for the paper that best achieves the EVJ’s mission to publish articles which influence and improve clinical practice and/or add significantly to the scientific knowledge that underpins and supports veterinary medicine in relation to the horse. The award is made by the BEVA Trust, in recognition of Peter Rossdale’s immense contribution to BEVA and EVJ.
The Voorjaarsdagen and BEVA Awards were introduced in 2005 to mark the close relationship between the two Associations. The award is selected and presented biannually, once at the Voorjaarsdagen Congress and once at BEVA Congress, and is open to all those presenting a Clinical Research paper.
This year’s BEVA Award winner was Inge J.M. Slenter for her paper on ‘Clinical, ultrasonographic and histopathologic findings in seven horses with Descemet’s membrane detachment’. Inge’s presentation won the award at the Voorjaarsdagen Congress in April 2018; she will present it again during the Clinical Research Sessions at BEVA Congress.
The reciprocal Voorjaarsdagen Award winner will be selected from those presenting Clinical Research papers at this year’s BEVA Congress. Their prize will be free registration to Voorjaarsdagen Congress 2019 where they will have the opportunity to present their paper again.
New for this year the EVJ Literary Award for Video Abstracts, sponsored by IMV Imaging (previously BCF Technology Ltd) is given to the author who provides a video abstract which best communicates how their research is relevant to clinical practice and/or supports veterinary medicine in relation to the horse.
The inaugural winner was Dr Thomas van Bergen for the paper ‘Foramen epiploicum mesh closure (FEMC) through a ventral midline laparotomy’ by T. van Bergen, A. Rötting, P. Wiemer, S. Schauvliege, K. Vanderperren, F. Ugahary and A. Martens. The article was published online in September 2017 and then in the March 2018, Volume 50, issue 2 of the Equine Veterinary Journal. The video abstract can be viewed here.
The Sam Hignett Award will be presented for the best clinical research presentation from general equine practice at BEVA Congress, with the winner to be announced after Congress.
For further information on the BEVA Awards visit www.bevacongress.org
