McGonnell & Gillatt
Equine Veterinary Practice Ltd
24 hour telephone: 01488 657575

Andrew McGonnell MVB, Cert EM (Stud Med) MRCVS

Andrew qualified in August 1990 from Dublin University. Having started work in such exotic places as Anglesey and Glasgow he spent a year in Melbourne and then came to the UK for a 6 month locum on his way back to Ireland. 14 years later he is still here!

He gained his experience in equine practice at Liphook Equine Hospital and then at O’Gorman’s in Newbury. He started the practice in August 2003.

Although Andrew’s post graduate qualifications and area of specialist interest is Stud Medicine, he enjoys all areas of equine work and is very pleased that the practice encompasses all types - from much loved pony to international competition horse.

Outside of work Andrew enjoys spending time with wife Sarah and four children Alice, Ben, Tom and Clare.

Richard Gillatt BVSc MRCVS

Richard grew up on the family farm in Lincolnshire and has been involved with horses all his life from his time in the local pony Club (where his mother is still District Commissioner!) to assisting his sister with her racehorses. Richard qualified from Bristol University in 1993.

After a period in a mixed practice in Cheshire he decided to concentrate on horses and joined the Equine Veterinary Hospital Arundel, West Sussex in 1997. He spent a year at The Milbourn Equine Veterinary Hospital, Ashford, Kent before joining the Ridgeway Veterinary Group at Valley Equine Hospital, Lambourn in 2000 and remained there until joining Andrew in February 2005, becoming a partner in 2006. Although Richard enjoys all aspects of equine practice, he has a particular interest in conditions causing poor performance in the competition horse, especially those affecting the neck, back and pelvis.

Richard lives near Lambourn with his wife Nicky, daughter Emily and Molly the dog who is often seen keeping Richard company in his car. Outside work he enjoys playing golf, squash and acting as groom for his wife when she takes her horse competing!.

Gudrun Wallis Mag.med.vet MRCVS

Gudrun graduated from Vienna, Austria in 2003 and moved to England straight away. She worked initially in a mixed practice in Yorkshire but her first love has always been horses and it wasn't long before she was working with them full time. After the 2007 stud season in Ireland she moved down to Berkshire to locum with McGonnell and Gillatt for 2 months. Gudrun then went travelling for 6 months. She joined us in April 2008 on a permanent basis, and has been with us since.

With any free time available, Gudrun is mostly riding her horse, but she also enjoys playing her violin, singing in the choir, walking in the Lake District and at the first fall of snow will almost certainly be found on a snowboard!

Kate Bandey BVM&S Cert EP MRCVS

Kate grew up near Kingsclere and has been involved with horses since a young age. She qualified from The Royal Dick Veterinary College at Edinburgh University in 2001 and started out her veterinary profession in mixed practice on the Yorkshire Moors. The cold Yorkshire winter became too much for her so she moved south to the Liphook Equine Hospital to pursue her interest in equine veterinary medicine. After an eighteen month internship, followed by 5 months skiing in Verbier, she joined Stable Close Equine Practice in Winchester. She worked there until 2008, gaining her Certificate in Equine Practice in 2007.

The desire to travel then took over, so she headed first to Australia (working at Wyong Equine Clinic in New South Wales), then New Zealand (working at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Massey University). She returned to the UK in October 2009 and got married to Richard in December 2009 and their son Jasper was born in May 2011. Richard and her ride-out for various racehorse trainers in their free time and are currently training their own horse to run in point-to-points. Kate has a Jack Russell Terrier called Archie who often accompanies her on calls. Kate joined us on 1st January 2010.

Ellen Harris BVSc BSc MRCVS

Ellen graduated from Liverpool in 2004 and went immediately into mixed practice in Worcestershire for nearly 4 years, where her specialisation became increasingly equine, whilst still enjoying the odd calving, caesarean, and some small animal surgery.

In 2008 she spent 2 months working for SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) in Morocco with working horses, donkeys and mules, where her interest in wound management and everything gorey was fully utilised! A short period as an equine locum then lead her to Scott Dunns, where she worked for 2 years. She emigrated further west in November 2010 to join the McGonnell and Gillatt team. Whilst particularly enjoying the challenge of orthopaedic cases, she also has a special interest in laminitis and geriatrics.

When not at work, Ellen is either on a horse, or out running with her border terrorist Kiwi and has recently entered her first marathon for April 2011. She is also an addicted skier, and enjoys sailing for summer holidays.

Claire O'Meara MVB MRCVS

Claire graduated from University College Dublin in 2005, since then she has worked in equine practice both here in the UK and in her native Ireland.

Most recently she worked at Coach House Vets, Ball Hill, Newbury.

Claire enjoys all aspects of equine work but has a particular interest in Stud Medicine and Internal Medicine.

In her spare time, Claire enjoys riding various horses and is a keen runner having recently run the Reading Half Marathon. This year she is also enjoying following the progress of her beloved Avoce Alibi (Sherlock) who she sold last year and who is being evented by William Fox-Pitt this season. Claire joined us on March 28th 2011.

Rachel Tucker BSc B Vet Med MRCVS

Rachel qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in 2005. Whilst a student she spent an extra year studying at Guy’s Hospital, London to gain a BSc(hons) degree in radiological sciences, fuelling her current interest in diagnostic imaging, including X-rays, ultrasound, scintigraphy (bone scan) and MRI.

After her studies, Rachel spent two years in Cornwall in mixed practice, where she combined a varied job with a spot of surfing. A period working as a locum provided a wealth of experience and a few anecdotes, before she undertook the highly regarded internship program at the Liphook Equine Hospital. Time working within a busy hospital allowed Rachel to further develop her interest in lameness examination, poor performance cases and diagnostic imaging.  Another spell as a locum followed, taking her to treat equines in Norfolk and Surrey, as well as an introduction to McGonnell and Gillatt in the summer of 2010. The experience must have been positive, as she has returned to us this spring to join the team, along with her Battersea dog, Meg.

Rachel has written educational articles on colic and has presented research at the annual congress of the British Equine Vet. Association. Her study into fetlock annular ligament surgery was awarded the Sam Hignett prize in 2010.

Rachel has an equestrian background having owned horses and competed BSJA. Her father is a farrier and has instilled a keen interest in horses’ feet.  Outside work Rachel loves to head west for windsurfing, surfing and the occasional cream tea!

Fiona Boyne - Practice Manager

Fiona joined us as Practice Manager in November 2010 having previous worked for Jennie Loristan-Clarke at Catherston Stud. Fiona hails from Scotland originally moving down south in 1998 to take up a position as Stud Secretary at Catherston where she enjoyed a hands on role especially during foaling when she foaled down up to 30 mares a season.

Fiona started her career as a Civil Servant before returning in the early 80's to her first love of horses as Event Groom and Head Girl for Drumbeg Equine Rehabilitation Centre. Fiona has covered all aspects of equine sports including Hunting, Driving and Dressage.

Fiona has a brood mare and eventer of her own. In her spare time Fiona enjoys nothing more than Dog Agility with her collie Robbie or cooking for friends.

 

Sarah Mercer - Practice Administrator

Sarah joined us in November 2005 having previously worked for an international healthcare company, she too has over twenty years working experience and particularly enjoys the varied aspect of her job.

Sarah grew up on the family farm near Newbury riding a succession of horses and taking part in pony and riding club activities. Her father was a top jockey so Sarah’s knowledge of racing is extensive. Sarah has two children, Amy and Josh and they live in Hermitage with their Jack Russell dogs and two cats.

Ali Morgan – Practice Administrator

Following a career in the hospitality and advertising industries in London and Dubai, Ali returned to her roots in the country to fulfil a lifelong ambition and train for her BHS teaching qualifications. Having freelanced since 2000 Ali joined the practice in December 2006 as a part time member of the team giving her the chance to combine ‘a proper job’ working in the horsey world with some teaching and competing.

Ali shares her life with Glenn, her New Zealand born husband and their son Oliver and Spaniel Kea, who also sees herself as a valued member of the McGonnell and Gillatt team either greeting clients when they visit, curled up in the corner of the office or shredding all the waste paper in everyone’s bins!

Carol Dunford – Practice Administrator

Carol joined us in April 2009 as a part time member of the team. Carol lives with her husband Nick and daughters Laura and Gemma in Long Parish where she helps run their arable farm, fishing lakes and her own livery yard.

Carol has had horses in her life since she could walk, her main passion is eventing, but has decided to go down the safer route of dressage. She hopes to take her 16.2 hh Irish Sports Horse Chloe to Prix St George level in the future. Carol represented her Riding Club in the National Horse Trials Championships twice and Dressage Championships in Lincolnshire. Carol is also a qualified fitness instructor. Other hobbies include running, singing and drama.

 

Lillie Beever

Lillie only joined us as a full-time vet in 2007, but tragically died in a train crash in June '07 whilst on holiday in Sardinia with her boyfriend.

She is sorely missed by all at the practice, her clients and her friends & family.