On Thursday, September 13, we caught up with Emily Sandler-Burtness, DVM, who is president of the FEI Veterinary Commission 2, which covers eventing, para-dressage and driving. She was accompanied by Sonia Wittreck, of France, who is a veterinary delegate for the FEI Veterinary Commission 2.
Sandler-Burtness is the owner of Pacific Coast Equine Veterinary Services. She has a private practice in Southern California primarily involved with sport horse medicine. She graduated from Colorado State University’s vet school in 2000, completed a surgical internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky, and eventually set up practice in Southern California.
Sandler-Burtness has worked at multiple FEI events in her career, including the 2017 World Cup in Omaha; as a delegate at the Bolivarian Games last November in Bogota, Columbia; the CSIO Nations Cup in Xalapa, Mexico, in early 2018; and the CSI-W in Vancouver, Canada, just before WEG Tryon 2018.
Wittreck has worked for 20 years as an FEI veterinarian and a vet for the French Federation in driving, vaulting and para-dressage. She currently spends part of her time attending to sport horses, and she also does some educational work for Boehringer Ingelheim.
Wittreck grew up with jumping and driving horses at home. She said she has always loved equine medicine—”It is my passion!”
When asked about the potential for inclement weather during the FEI WEG Tryon 2018 games, Sandler-Burtness said there are multiple contingency plans for whatever the weather does.
Both veterinarians said they are happy to be involved in the WEG Tryon 2018 competition. “We are here for the health and welfare of the horses,” said Wittreck.
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