NAGS Club bulletin: 20 February

• Students can findout about the latest veterinary opinions on recent equine science developments at BEVA’s annual congress in Birmingham from 10-13 September.Topics covered will include orthopaedics, dermatology, cardiology, colic and infectious diseases. The business side of equine practice management, dentistry and insurance will also be discussed.A social programme is also planned, so book early to secure your place at the welcome party, annual dinner and Greyhound racing.For further information, write to: BEVA, 5 Finlay Street, London, SW6 4HE, e-mail: info@beva.org.uk or visit www.beva.org.uk
• Duchy College in Cornwall has created a new course and qualification inequine behaviour. The foundation degree course will combine the theory behind equine behaviour with practical skills to prepare students for training youngsters and retraining “problem” horses.Click here to read more about the course.

Students can quiz the professionals at Sandown’s Horse and Country Fair, where the organisers have lined up a panel of leading equestrian personalities for demonstrations and questions.

Horse & Hound columnist Pammy Hutton will be in action with some of her top horses, event riders Matt Ryan and Robert Lemieux will discuss how to negotiate corners and arrowheads,and show jumper James Fisher will explain how to place a horse at a fence.

Other big names include behaviourist Pat Parelli, Canadian “horse whisperer” Dan Franklin, holistic practitioner Cathy Tindall and Western rider David Lloyd.

The fair will be held on 12-13 April in the Exhibition Centre at Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey. For advance tickets at £7 (tel: 08700 115007) or book online at www.horseandcountryfair.co.uk/tickets

Become a member

Membership of NAGS is free to all bona fide grooms and students. Benefits include: Horse & Hound subscription at £1 per copy, £3 discount voucher on a sack of Blue Chip Dynamic, 10% discount on Splash Equestrian equipment and clothing, no P&P charges from Equestrian Vision mail order and eligibility for NAGS-only competitions and offers.

If you are interested in becoming a member write to: NAGS, Room 2018, Kings Reach Tower, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LS (tel: 020 7261 6993), or e-mail: nags@ipcmedia.com

And remember, the club is open to all students, not just those studying for an equine qualification.