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Equine vets honoured at awards
Steve Goody presents Mac Johnston with the BEVA Equine Welfare Award
BEVA ceremony recognises veterinary excellence

Eight equine vets were recognised for their contribution to welfare, research and equine veterinary medicine as a whole at the prestigious BEVA Awards on September 12.

The awards were presented at this year's BEVA Congress in seven categories. Professor AM "Mac" Johnston was first awarded the BEVA Equine Welfare Award, for his contribution to the welfare of horses in the Scottish Highlands.

Alongside his role as lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), Prof Johnston provided much-needed help and advice to local people and vets in the Highlands, and has become a renowned authority in public health.

This year's Richard Hartley Clinical Award went to Dr Alan Nixon of Cornell University for his research on subchondral cysts, while Nikki Van Der Vekens was honoured for her paper,
"Atrial natriuretic peptides detect cardiac dilatation".

After being given the best travel report by a recipient of the Queen Mother Student Travel Award, Adele Williams was awarded the BEVA Trust Queen Mother Award for her report on her visit to SPANA in Mali, West Africa last year.

Co-authors Benjamin Jacklin, of the RVC, and Ian Wright, from Newmarket Equine Hospital, were recognised for their contribution to both the BEVA and Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ).

This award is granted for papers that add significantly to scientific knowledge and either influence or improve equine clinical practice.

Finally, Graham Capper, who is the senior enforcement officer for Wrexham Trading Standards, was awarded the BEVA Trust/FVE Equine Transport Enforcement Award.

Graham has actively worked to improve enforcement of the current transport regulations across the UK, bringing together the different agencies involved and developing standard operating procedures.

A further award for the best clinical research presentation from general equine practice will be presented to the winner after the BEVA Congress.

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BSAVA partners with BVA Live 2026

News Story 1
 BSAVA is to partner with BVA Live (11-12 June 2026) to champion clinical research.

The organisation will be supporting BVA Live's Clinical Abstracts programme, showcasing selected abstracts of veterinary research throughout the event.

The clinical abstracts can be on any small animal veterinary subject, and must be based on research undertaken in industry, practice or academia. Abstracts can be presented in poster or oral formats.

Submissions will open on 15th December 2025, and close on 6th March 2026. You can register interest here

Click here for more...
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Nominations open for RCVS and VN Council elections

The nomination period for the 2026 RCVS Council and VN Council elections is now open, with three veterinary surgeon seats and two veterinary nurse seats available.

Prospective candidates can download an information pack and nomination form from the RCVS website. Individuals can nominate themselves for the elections, with the results to be announced in the spring.

Clare Paget, the recently appointed RCVS Registrar and elections returning officer, said: "If you want to play your part in influencing and moulding how the professions are regulated, and making key decisions on matters of great importance to your peers, the public and animal health and welfare, please consider standing for RCVS Council or VN Council next year."

Nominations close at 5pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026.