A graduate of the University Centre Bishop Burton’s (UCBB) Equine department, Lauren Wain, has been selected as a finalist for the British Equestrian Trade Association’s (BETA’s) Equine Thesis of the Year prize.
Developed by BETA in the late 1990s, the competition recognizes equine undergraduate achievements. The competition invites higher education institutions that offer equine degree-level programs to submit one entry, and this is the second consecutive year that a UCBB student has been selected as a finalist.
University Centre has chosen Lauren’s thesis entitled ‘An investigation into the influence of balance and proprioceptive pads on equine posture and kinematics’ as the best thesis in the Equine faculty.
After graduating with a BSc (Hons) Equine Therapy and Rehabilitation, Lauren from Heanor, Derbyshire, was thrilled to learn her thesis had been nominated. She commented “It was a bit of a surprise to discover that my thesis had been chosen to enter the competition, but such an honour. I am excited to have been selected as a finalist.”
A demonstration of Sure Foot equine stability pads by guest lecturer Donna Barker inspired Lauren’s thesis. She became intrigued by the similarities between equine wobble boards and canine wobble boards, an area with a wealth of research attached to it, which offered a fantastic comparison.
“Balance and posture are a real interest of mine and I intend to specialise in balance and stability training in the future,” said Lauren. “My thesis has helped me to explore a personal passion, whilst also developing skills and understanding I will be able to use as an equine practitioner. It’s been lovely to be able to work on a project that will fill a research gap within the equine sector and be of use to other professionals.”
She continued “I gathered so much material that I am now taking my research a stage further studying towards an MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy focusing on how posture can provide insight into emotional and behavioural traits.”
In the year ahead, Lauren hopes to publish in peer-reviewed science journals on horses and take part in various conferences to share what she has learned. As part of Sure Foot’s product development, Wendy Murdoch uses her research as well.
Rebecca Brassington the academic lead for Equine said “We are absolutely thrilled to have another of our students’ hard work recognised by this prestigious competition. Lauren has a real passion for her vocation and research. When considering candidates for entry she immediately sprung to mind, as I have been continually impressed with her dedication and commitment. I can’t wait to see the results of her continued research and to see her receive recognition by becoming published. I am confident that this is the start of a very successful career.”
A number of prestigious universities will be judging Lauren’s thesis as well. Liz Benwell, editor of leading trade magazine Equestrian Trade News, Dr Danica Pollard-Dee, a British Horse Society independent consultant and researcher, Dr Katie Lee, equine nutritionist, and Dr Georgina Crossman, owner of GK Crossman Consultancy, will judge each finalist’s work.
BETA Executive Director Claire Williams said “There is some incredibly impressive work taking place and some exciting and diverse ideas coming through – all of which bode well for the future of our industry. We are really looking forward to finding out more about the theses and discovering who is crowned winner. We wish the students and their universities the very best of luck and congratulate them on making it this far.”
The judging will take place on Sunday 29 October during an online event starting at 2pm, which is open to all.