The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has announced the appointment of Bruce Bladon as its new President for 2024/25. Bladon, a principal equine surgeon at Donnington Grove Equine Vets, will took over from Roger Smith at the conclusion of the BEVA Congress, held last week.
Bladon brings a wealth of experience to the role, including a distinguished career in equine surgery and imaging. A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, he has been working at Donnington Grove since 1998 and was the equine surgeon for the Rio Olympic Games. In 2016, he was awarded a fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for his contributions to clinical practice.
As President, Bladon plans to focus on the theme “Use it Wisely or Lose it Forever,” addressing crucial issues such as antibiotic usage, potential over-treatment in sport horses, and unnecessary surgical procedures. He aims to initiate a national antibiotic monitoring programme for equine practices.
In other BEVA news, Imogen Burrows has been named President-Elect, and Kate Blakeman will serve as Junior Vice President. The council also welcomes new members Jenny Hindmarsh, Rebekah Sullivan, and Jo Suthers, with Ian Beamish and Gemma Dransfield being re-elected.
This leadership transition marks an important moment for BEVA as it continues its mission to support and advance equine veterinary medicine in the UK.
