Meet vet Nikki from Farr&Pursey Equine Veterinary Services

Rick and Nikki at their practice in Aldbury

Farr & Pursey Equine Veterinary Services have only been in business just over a year and already they are building an excellent reputation. Set up in February 2015 by Nikki Pursey and her colleague, Rick Farr, they are gaining a great client base thanks to their dedicated and personalised service. Here we find out more about Nikki and what her ambitions are for the practice.

"As a child I was completely pony mad and knew I wanted to be around them, but I also loved science and discovering how things work." Becoming a vet seemed the perfect way to combine Nikki's two passions in life. "I did my first work experience at 13 as I was not quite sure how I'd handle the more gory aspects of the job!" She loved it and from then on was totally focused on what she wanted to do. Her determination paid off when, in 2007, she  qualified from Cambridge University.

Having gained valuable experience working at other veterinary practices, Nikki, along with her veterinary colleague, Rick, decided to launch their own equine business, and Farr & Pursey was opened in February 2015. "We set up Farr &Pursey because we wanted to deliver a much more personal service tailored to our clients' need," explains Nikki. Knowing that many horse owners don't want to travel their horses to receive veterinary care, Farr &Pursey have invested in the most up-to-date diagnostic equipment so they can provide a mobile service without their customers having to travel anywhere. "Having more control over the diagnostic tests we can perform and which drugs/treatment protocols we can use is really important to us so we can give the best care we can to our patients and maximise the changes of a successful outcome."  Farr &Pursey is now 16 months old and Nikki cannot believe how far they have come in such a short time. "I would like to see us cementing ourselves as one of the leading practices in the area; providing top class veterinary care whilst maintaining a personal touch with our clients."

Despite the long hours and challenges of running a business, Nikki is as enthusiastic as ever about being a vet. "There are a few things that make this the best job in the world. No two days are the same and you never stop learning because there is always a new drug coming out or a new diagnostic test to get to grips with; it keeps you on your toes! I love the contact I have with my clients and getting to know them and their horses. Lots of people enter the profession without ever really considering that an animal is unlikely to walk through your door without an owner attached but I really enjoy that human interaction - especially when they provide tea and cake!"

Nikki and her beloved Satch

And, as a fellow horse owner, Nikki can apply her own experiences and empathise with clients when their horses are ill. "I started riding when I was 4 and had my first pony, Mouse, on loan at 10. Satch was the first pony I owned and we spent many a weekend at Pony Club camp and competitions. Over the years, Satch amassed a few ailments such as colic and Cushing's disease, which means I've been on the other side of the vet/client relationship. We sadly lost him last month so I also know what it is like to make that final agonising decision and just how important it is that we handle it sensitively as the vet."

So, what does the future look like for Farr & Pursey? "We already have some of the best diagnostic equipment in the area and I would like to see this expand further. We also hope to take on a couple of other vets in due course to make out-of-hours cover a little less draining for the two of us, but we don't want to become a big practice and lose the personal touch. In time we may build a clinic base, but I never want to lose our ability to bring the service to our clients' yards."  As a client of Farr & Pursey myself, I can highly recommend them as a veterinary practice - Nikki and Rick are personable and knowledgeable veterinary professionals who really do care about both the animals and their owners.

Next time: Nikki shares her experience of what ailments seem to be on the rise, and what owners can do ensure their horse receive the best veterinary care.

 Kathryn White is owner and director of Cathean Ltd Medical and Copy Writing Services. She is a published medical, copy and equestrian writer with a passion for creating compelling text in collaboration with her clients. Her customers include pharmaceutical, healthcare and equestrian businesses across the world.

Badminton Grassroots: a first-timer's experience

Jessie Vanassche was the winner of the Ian White Memorial Trophy in 2015. Since then, she has gone from strength to strength. In May, she travelled to the hallowed turf of Badminton to compete in the BE90 Grassroots Championships for the first time..and she did rather well! Here she tells of her experience.

Although course walks with professional riders were offered, Jessie followed her trainer's instruction and walked the crosscountry track first with her mum and then on her own. This helped her to 'get in the zone and fully concentrated on the job in hand'. There was also a crosscountry app available for download which Jessie found helpful for reminding her of the course throughout the preparations. On the eve of the event, everyone gathered together for welcoming drinks and this proved to be a very special moment for Jessie. 'I chatted with both Mary and Emily King about the competition ahead!'

The day of the event dawned. 'Considering I was riding at Badminton, I felt surprisingly calm', explained Jessie. While she walked the course one more time,  her mum and friend Heidi smartened up DaVinci and the rest of her support team arrived over from the Isle of Wight. Unfortunately, Jessie's trainer/cousin Sarah Holmes couldn't make it, but her aunt came instead to help Jessie and DaVinci warm up. 'Having her there definitely helped my performance on the day as I was so relaxed.'

Jessie was a little concerned about how DV would react to the dressage arenas given there were flowers, signs and flags everywhere. 'But much to my delight, he must have known it was an important day because he didn't look at anything and stayed on my side throughout the whole test. We finished with a score of 25.3!' After watching how the crosscountry course was riding for her fellow competitors, Jessie and DV focused on the showjumping phase and the pair put in a fantastic performance to jump clear. 'DV jumped brilliantly considering the course was up to height and had been built in a way which I knew could potentially catch us out. Hearing the cheer of my supporters as we went through the finish put a massive smile on my face knowing we were through to the last phase on 25.3.'

On the way to crosscountry, Jessie knew she was in the top 5, but she had to push that to the back of her mind to fully concentrate on the next task. 'As I got to the start I had goosebumps all over at the thought of riding around the famous Badminton Estate. I knew I would need to attack every fence, especially the water as it was early on in the course (fence 5) and that's where the crowds would be.' DV gave her a super ride round and as they came over the finish line, Jessie checked her watch to find they had completed dead on the optimum time. 'I jumped off to a hug from mum knowing we  had done the best we could - finally, the hard work had paid off.' After cooling DV, Jessie heard the news that they had come second. 'I don't there were many dry eyes in my little support group, I was thrilled.'

The prize giving was performed in front of Badminton House. The top 6 riders were escorted down to the house to wait for the 4* trot up to finish before being called forward. 'When I entered the prize giving, Mary King spotted me and gave me a thumbs up, how cool is that?' laughs Jessie. Straight after the prize giving, Jessie was taken over to the media centre to attend a press conference along with the winner. 'I got back to the lorry to find the celebration drinks had already started flowing and DV was tucked up in bed for the night.'

'It has all been slightly unreal and it took a good week after for it to even sink in.' Jessie and DV now hope to qualify again but this time at BE100 level. And a top tip for those who qualify next year? 'You can only do what you can do. Don't put yourself under pressure because it's Badminton; treat it as any other event and enjoy.'

Kathryn White is owner and director of Cathean Ltd Medical and Copy Writing Services. She is a published medical, copy and equestrian writer with a passion for creating compelling text in collaboration with her clients. Her customers include pharmaceutical, healthcare and equestrian businesses across the world.

Another layer of the onion is peeled: moving on after losing a life partner

As we near what would have been Ian's 50th birthday, I feel another milestone is reached and a new phase is starting.
 A good friend of mine likened the process of grief as peeling the layers of an onion. Not that the grief diminishes, it's just that with each phase, or layer, you learn something new and move on. For anyone going through the loss of a life partner, whether it be through bereavement or divorce, it is a significant and traumatic event that shatters your life, future and self-confidence into tiny, heart-wrenching fragments.  Here's my story so far and what I've learned.

When Ian died, lots of people kept telling me: 'You're so young - you will find someone else'. They meant well, but I was horrified at the thought. Ian was my soulmate; we met when I was 19, and we were going to grow old together. Why would I now want to be with anyone else? No, I was quite happy being by myself with my memories as company, thank you very much. And, to my shame, I judged other widows who had found happiness with someone else...

Then, quite unexpectedly, I too met someone and realised that being with another man was possible - that it wasn't a case of 'replacing Ian' - I could love again in a new and different way. But the guilt of moving on never left me. It always felt like there were 3 people in that relationship. Fortunately, my partner was incredibly understanding and supportive, and we had a fun-filled 6 years together. 

Looking back, I went into that relationship feeling vulnerable and in need of being loved - more than I cared to admit - and I always felt like I was 'Ian's widow'. When we parted ways earlier this year, I emerged feeling stronger from having had that experience. I feel happy to be me - not as anyone's partner, wife or widow - but plain old me. And it feels good! My wedding rings have been removed from my finger and stored carefully with love. There are no shrines to Ian in my home, but pictures of us competing our horses remain on the walls to depict the amazing experiences I had with a very special man. Experiences that form a significant part of my past. And, what really matters is what is in my heart. No-one can ever take my memories away, and no-one will take away the love Ian and I shared.

I feel hopeful about the future. I know now that I can be happy either on my own or with someone new. I am a strong, capable, independent woman either way. I am me, and I no longer feel the same guilt about moving on with my life. Ian helped me to understand the power of opening up my heart and letting someone in - however vulnerable that can make us feel at times. I haven't got here on my own either. I have had, and continue to have, the love of my friends and professional support from counselors and coaches. It's through this professional framework that I have discovered who I really am, and I no longer hold the belief that I am weaker for wanting someone to share my life in the future  - it doesn't have to mean I am any less independent (or stubborn!).  I don't think many of us can journey through life and take the knocks without professional guidance.

None of us are perfect either - and that's ok too. I have had my fair share of wobbly days when I want to scream at the unfairness of it all, and need to remain under my duvet and weep. It's all part of the process, and I am ready to peel another layer of that onion of grief.

I am ready to seize life in this new phase, single or not, and enjoy living it my way, as me.

I would love to hear your stories of rebuilding your life after a significant event. Please feel able to share.
 

Kathryn White is owner and director of Cathean Ltd Medical and Copy Writing Services. She is a published medical, copy and equestrian writer with a passion for creating compelling text in collaboration with her clients. Her customers include pharmaceutical, healthcare and equestrian businesses across the world.

The Wilbur-force retires on a high

I have mixed emotions as I write this blog. My beautiful horse, Wilbur (aka Wild Spirit), has been retired due to multiple issues including damaged suspensory ligaments, and sacroiliac pain. We were doing so well, and he looks incredible, yet underneath, he was clearly in pain.

This recent diagnosis, courtesy of the professional and capable team at the Animal Health Trust, would explain his increasingly unpredictable behaviour over the past few months, when ridden. He was in pain. Even though he was being treated for ulcers and having various back and physio sessions, his behaviour became increasingly dangerous. Despite this, we ended our ridden partnership on a high, as the Chiltern and Thames Medium Winter Dressage Champions 2016. Wilbur has given me so much joy (and heart ache, as only horse owners will know!) over the past 7 years and is one special boy. Let me explain.

He has a very strong link with my late husband, Ian. In February 2008, Ian was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour - a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme - and we spent Valentine's Day in Stoke Mandeville Hospital awaiting further tests. Ian promised that he would do better than those sterile surroundings for our date the following year. Sadly, he passed away a few weeks later, but he kept his word. In January 2009, I was looking for a new horse after my own, Willow, had been put to sleep with a severe bout of colic the previous November. Friend Ellie had told me about a horse called Wilbur being for sale so I rang her friend Kim, who owned him, to see if he was still for sale. He was. I had to go and see him.

On the day I first met him, a pair of lost gloves turned up in my hat bag - I had hunted high and low for these, including in the hat bag. This was a sign, and when I sat on Wilbur's back I just knew I had to buy him. I had lofty ambitions, at the time, of eventing at Intermediate level, but at that moment, I wouldn't have cared if we hadn't jumped a cross pole! He passed the vetting and arrived home on Valentine's Day 2009.

Despite being brilliant across the country, Wilbur knew better. I was not the bravest rider over solid fences and he wasn't great at keeping coloured poles up, so we concentrated on our dressage, something we both enjoyed. He has taken me to a level I never  expected to achieve and won my first ever sash, which satisfies a childhood ambition. Wilbur has taught me loads, not just about horsemanship  but 'stuff' about me and life generally. Thank you, Wilbur, you owe me nothing and I can't wait to see what you teach me in the next phase of our partnership. As a dear friend put it: 'This is my gift to you, Wilbur; go be a horse, boy, back to how you were born and I will watch over you.' Happy retirement!

Wilbur's golden glory moments:
1st - Tweseldown horse trials, BE90
6th - PetPlan Area Dressage Festival, Elementary
2nd - Reserve Champion, Chiltern & Thames Rider Summer Dressage Championships, Medium
1st -  Champion, Chiltern & Thames Rider Winter Dressage Championships, Medium
Competition photos courtesy of SBM photographic, and John Britter Photography

Kathryn White is owner and director of Cathean Ltd Medical and Copy Writing Services. She is a published medical, copy and equestrian writer with a passion for creating compelling text in collaboration with her clients. Her customers include pharmaceutical, healthcare and equestrian businesses across the world.

We are jamming at Myrtle

Who would have thought that the 2 'sticks' I planted a few years ago would produce such an abundance of berries; especially given the lack of gardening credentials I have? Those cuttings came from one plant - an abandoned blackcurrant bush found on the bargain table at my local garden centre. But, here we are, 10 pots of jam later and more to come.

This was  my first foray into jam making, initiated by the need to make more space in the freezer - the currants were taking over.  I have to confess that I put off the jamming session because it all sounded a bit too technical - and that's coming from a laboratory chemist (a past life!). Thank goodness for the internet and my FB friends, who came to the rescue. Top tips: to sterilise, wash the jars with very hot water and place in a warm oven while you make the jam; use a sugar thermometer to catch that all important 'setting point'; and seal the pots with wax discs immediately after filling. Ta dah! And the best thing of all is proudly giving away your jars of delicious fruity gloop to grateful  friends (before the mould sets in - er hum!). 
Kathryn White is owner and director of Cathean Ltd Medical and Copy Writing Services. She is a published medical, copy and equestrian writer with a passion for creating compelling text in collaboration with her clients. Her customers include pharmaceutical, healthcare and equestrian businesses across the world.

Meet Jessie Vanassche - IWMT 2015 winner

Jessie (right) receiving prize from Kathryn
(photo courtesy of Uptown Eventing)

Jessie Vanassche is a determined young event rider who is truly dedicated to her sport given her base is the beautiful Isle of Wight. Last year she not only won the Ian White Memorial Trophy, but also took home the Moose trophy for completing her crosscountry round closest to the optimum time. This month she travelled over to the mainland to enjoy her prizes - a lesson with the fabulous Gill Watson and some crosscountry schooling at Aston-le-Walls. Here we find out more about her and her winning horse, DaVinci2 and how she manages to event from off the southern coast.

How long have you been eventing and what attracted you to the sport? Horses have been a massive part of my life, ever since I could walk. I enjoyed all the equestrian disciplines, and my time on a competition yard meant I kind of fell in to competing. I spent a lot of my younger days on ponies, competing on riding club teams. I think this is when I decided that eventing was the way forward for me. I started affiliated eventing in 2007.

The very handsome DaVinci 2

Tell us about your horse, DaVinci 2: He took quite a while to find. I had been loaning a 14.2hh pony and when she came up for sale I had to decide whether to buy her or find something bigger. Sadly she was sold on as I wanted a horse to last me a little longer. Although we came over to the mainland for our search, DaVinci 2 (DV) was  found right on our doorstep. Through my cousin, eventrider Sarah Holmes, I met DV's then owner who Sarah was riding for a couple of times a week. I went to try him and I absolutely loved him! Given he's quite a big build British Warmblood, you'd expect him to be a handful, but he is the perfect English gentleman and loves a cuddle. So, I've now had him for 18 months and when I bought him, my aim was to event him and qualify for the Badminton Grassroots. To my delight, we achieved a BE90 qualification last season and so I'm very excited about competing there this May. My next aim is a BE100 qualification. Smith's Lawn was my first BE100.

How do you manage to event when living 'overseas' in the Isle of Wight? It has it's challenges. I think our longest journey has to have been to Lincoln for the Riding Club Championships. This took us 6 hours from Portsmouth, excluding the ferry crossing and getting to the port. We have done this for many years now though. Ferry timings can cause a headache, not to mention the added expense to our travel costs. On a few occasions we have turned up at the terminal to see our ferry pulling out without us!  However, all my horses have coped with this unusual trip - it's like parking your lorry for a while. It's only when we're waiting for a ferry that I sometimes wonder if it would be easier to live on the mainland, but the hacking on the island is great, and you're never too far away from green land or the sea. Plus we have affiliated and local showjumping and dressage events at our yard.

Flying over jumps at Aston le Walls

Who do you train with? I train weekly with  Sarah, who is brilliant and has taught me for many years. I spent my early teenage years eventing with her and I think this is where I really caught the eventing bug. I also have monthly lessons with Nicola Buchannan (nee Jourdain) who has taught me dressage since I was 11. Recently, I've had lessons with Richard Waygood who's significantly improved DV's jumping technique.

How do you juggle eventing with other commitments? During the week, I currently juggle two part-time jobs: one in the family-owned garage and the other on my aunt's yard (Lake Farm Equestrian Centre). This is where I stable DV. Working on the yard has given me invaluable experience which I apply to my own horses. I have the weekends free to compete and I love the mix of office and outdoor work.

Jessie and Gill

What attracted you to the IWMT competition? This was the first time I had competed at Smith's Lawn horse trials. I saw the section was for amateur owner/riders and that there was more than one trophy to aim for within the class, so I thought it was worth entering. It turned out to be a successful first BE100 for us. DV went amazingly well. His showjumping was better than ever and he flew round the crosscountry course to win. It gave me the confidence boost I needed to continue at BE100 and aim for another Grassroots qualification at Badminton. My lesson with Gill was brilliant - I definitely picked up some tips for the forthcoming season.

What are your plans for the future in terms of eventing? I would like to compete at Novice level with DV and to just keep enjoying the sport. I think every amateur rider's biggest dream is to compete at Badminton.

Kathryn White is owner and director of Cathean Ltd Medical and Copy Writing Services. She is a published medical, copy and equestrian writer with a passion for creating compelling text in collaboration with her clients. Her customers include pharmaceutical, healthcare and equestrian businesses across the world.  

IWMT Sponsors: Meet Louise Leverton from Protexin Equine

The team at Protexin Equine Premium has been a long-standing sponsor of the Ian White Memorial Trophy, which will be held at Smith's Lawn horse trials in August. Here we meet Louise Leverton from Protexin who will be looking after their sponsorship activities this year.

Louise at Burghley last year

What is your role and how long have you worked for Protexin?
I am Territory Manager  for the central region of the UK and started with the company on 1st August last year. Before coming to Protexin I worked for an equestrian wholesalers that distributed Protexin products so this is how I got to know their brand. I feed  Protexin products to my own horse because I know and trust what they do. This is what attracted me to working with the company when the opportunity came up.

Tell us about Protexin Equine and their mission
Protexin Equine Premium is a leading range of probiotic supplements for horses and ponies of all ages and capabilities. We are dedicated to producing innovative research-based products of the highest quality. All our products carry the BETA 'NOPS' logo which means they do not contain any prohibited substances, so users can be rest assured that they can keep their horses on our products and compete with no concerns.

What are the products used for and why should horse owners use them?
The products focus on gut function, which when working correctly will help with the overall condition and wellbeing of the horse. The gut balancer is a good maintenance product containing pre and probiotics, which horses can be fed on a continuous basis as part of their daily feed. This product also works well with horses who get a bit loose with their droppings. Quick Fix is a paste version of the gut balancer and is very good for settling nerves - what we humans would understand as butterflies. It is very useful when travelling horses and even colic! Acid Ease contains the gut balancer along with antacids and kaolin to neutralise stomach acidity and this would be used in horses with gastric ulcers.

Protexin supports riders across the equestrian disciplines - tell us why you feel it is important to support riders like this?
Protexin Equine Premium has endorsed riders across all disciplines; the endorsed riders get a deal on products as well as free saddle cloths and other branded items. This is in return for them talking about and recommending our products. We appreciate that this is a tough industry so any support we can give riders will be a huge help, and vice versa. We don't have riders that are just looking for any form of sponsorship - we want to support those riders who are using, trusting, and believing in our products because this will come across when they are talking to others about our brand. We believe it is important to support riders at all levels of the sport.

Sol

How do you fill your free time, and do you ride yourself?
I have a horse of my own called Sol. He's a thoroughbred, rising 4 years, who I hope to event. However, I am bringing him on slowly and starting him again because he was bred to race and started young. I also enjoy keeping fit and do a fair amount of running, entering half marathons and mud obstacle runs such as Tough Mudders. And my very cute puppy, Bailey,  keeps me busy.

Protexin goody bags! (photo by Uptown Eventing)

Why did Protexin Equine get involved with the IWMT and what do you get out of your involvement?
I, on behalf of Protexin Equine, have chosen to be involved because I feel it is a great opportunity to  raise awareness of two fantastic charities. Plus, the fact it is named after Kathryn's late husband gives it a personal impact. I believe that these more personal events are better attended and there is usually a fantastic atmosphere because people are there to have fun and raise money. It takes some of the pressure of the competitive aspect for the amateur riders while still offering fantastic prizes. Of course, Protexin's involvement will create greater brand awareness too.

Bailey

I will be attending the IWMT this year and will have products with me on the day. If anyone wants to talk to me about them or purchase items then please come along and say hello. I really want to contribute to this event and raise awareness by spreading the word. 

Kathryn White is owner and director of Cathean Ltd Medical and Copy Writing Services. She is a published medical, copy and equestrian writer with a passion for creating compelling text in collaboration with her clients. Her customers include pharmaceutical, healthcare and equestrian businesses across the world.