Deidre Carson’s BEVA Congress at Liverpool a great success

The 50th British Equine Veterinary Association Annual Congress was held at Liverpool Arena Convention Centre from 7th to 10th September. Rossdales Partner Deidre Carson was BEVA’s President and therefore responsible for the Congress. It was a great success, with over 1,100 delegates and more than 1,600 attendees from 30 countries attending the three days of lectures and the social functions.

This year Professor Leo Jeffcott gave the Plenary Lecture, entitled ‘On the back of the horse - from evolution to athletic performance’.

As in previous years, Rossdales was very well represented with no fewer than 13 of our vets having been invited to speak at Congress on a wide range of topics.

Our newly refreshed Rossdales trade stand was well received and was the ‘launch pad’ for our new website and our new printed and electronic editions of Beaufort Cottage Laboratories Guide to Equine Clinical Pathology. This guide is respected internationally as a useful pocket reference guide to equine laboratory medicine and is also now available as a free app for iPhone and iPad, downloadable via the AppStore or iTunes. In celebration of this new venture, a competition was run on the stand to win an iPad, which was won by Sarah Middleton, a partner in SimplyHorses Veterinary Practice in Durham.

Deidre has now completed her Presidential year and at the Congress Ball held on the Friday evening she officially handed over the presidency to Ben Mayes, who has been appointed as BEVA President for 2011/2012.

(left to right) Jenny Ricketts, AAEP President Bill Moyer, Deidre Carson, Leo Jeffcott, Lesley Moyer, Sidney Ricketts outside the President's reception

Deidre, who was extremely pleased with the number of UK and international delegates in attendance, said at the end of Congress: “I am very happy to have returned to Liverpool. It is a superb venue and delegate numbers have been remarkably high, given the economic climate. There were some excellent presentations from some very eminent speakers and we have received some very positive feedback. I am delighted to have presided over this event in BEVA’s 50th Anniversary Year. It really has been a privilege to be president of BEVA during the past 9 months and I am sure that Ben will do an excellent job as my successor.” After a very successful, challenging and interesting time, Deidre returns to clinical practice, where she is much appreciated by colleagues, staff and clients.