The Team

Simon qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 1980 having achieved the prize for equine surgery. He joined the Scott Dunn &Ward Practice where he developed his surgical interest under the tutelage of Tony Ward and his ongoing enthusiasm for competition horses under the direction of Peter Scott Dunn, the longest serving Olympic Team Veterinary Surgeon.
Simon then moved to the Tortington Equine Practice in Arundel to expand his knowledge and experience of racing under the guidance of the late Mike Ashton, a well renowned racing vet and respected ‘leg man’.
On returning to Berkshire, Simon developed the Racing branch of the practice, becoming senior veterinary surgeon at the three London tracks, Kempton Park, Sandown Park and Epsom Downs as well as joining the veterinary panel at Ascot. He became veterinary adviser to the Racecourse Association giving him a place on the BHA Veterinary Committee, of which he is the longest serving member. From this position he has been instrumental in helping to develop the horse welfare strategy, is an ambassador for the BHA and has recently been elected to the new Horse Welfare Board.
Simon holds various other noteworthy appointments including founding member of the Association of Racecourse Vets, Veterinary Advisor to City Racing, and chair of the Guards Polo Club Welfare Committee.’

Upon completing his Veterinary degree at the University of Liverpool, Luke began working at Newmarket Equine Hospital within the ambulatory team. He has since practiced in both racing and stud medicine, under the tutelage of some of the most respected stud and racing vets in the UK, within large thoroughbred racing yards and stud farms in Newmarket.

Luke has undertaken two southern hemisphere seasons in New Zealand, working for large thoroughbred studs as a resident vet. Here, along with his experience in the UK, Luke developed a passion for studwork and gained invaluable experience with routine breeding of mares, issues associated with stallions and neonatal care on an even larger scale.

Having a keen interest in all aspects of thoroughbred practice Luke has developed a particular interest in studwork and sales.

As well as carrying out sales work in the UK, he continues to head to the southern hemisphere over the sales seasons to carry out routine radiographic screening and video endoscopy of yearlings for pre-purchase examinations.

Niall completed his Veterinary degree at University College Dublin in Ireland before spending two years working in mixed and equine practice in Ireland and the UK. Coming from a strong equine background in Ireland, where his family have bred and owned Thoroughbred racehorses, showjumpers and ponies, Niall decided to pursue his passion for Equine Veterinary and travel to Australia to work in the stud and racing industry.

Niall spent four years working with some of the leading racehorse trainers, eventers and showjumpers across Australia and worked with winning trainers of the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup. Niall developed a particular interest in lameness and respiratory disorders of the equine athlete in the southern hemisphere and used this time to improve his skills and experience in lameness evaluation, diagnostic imaging and rehabilitation of racehorses and sport horses.  

He joined the team at Berkshire Equine in September 2021 and is keen to use his experience to provide a high quality and friendly service to all out clients in Berkshire and the surrounding counties.

Charlotte graduated from the Royal Veterinary College of London and after a short spell in first opinion ambulatory practice undertook a 13 month internship in Shropshire with a high thoroughbred breeding caseload. During this time Charlotte developed her anaesthesia, lameness and ultrasonography skills. After returning to ambulatory work in Shropshire for a further 6 months, Charlotte moved down to the home counties where she spent time gaining experience as an ambulatory and clinic based vet.

Having grown up around top level competition dressage horses, Charlotte gained a keen interest in sports horse medicine. She is passionate about maximsing and maintaining the performance of competition horses of all disciplines. This, alongside reproductive work, is now Charlotte’s main focus. She has a particular soft spot for foals and neonatal care.

Charlotte joined the Berkshire Equine team in June 2023.

Maria has grown up around and worked with horses from a young age and thoroughly enjoys it. Between her and her family they have several horses to keep them busy! For a long time Maria has wanted to get back to working in the equine industry, and the role with our team felt like the perfect opportunity. Maria started working for Berkshire Equine in July 2023 and is excited to be part of the team.