Horses help B.C. student make jump from show ring to vet school

Although she initially rode and competed in the western disciplines, Westman began competing in both western and English disciplines as a teenager. Within a couple of years, she was competing exclusively on the hunter-jumper circuit.

While she had many special equine partners over her competitive career, Westman’s favourite was Laredo, an appaloosa gelding that she purchased with her mom’s help at the age of 11.

“He [Laredo] took me from the small local shows all the way to Spruce Meadows and was the first horse I ever won a class on,” says Westman.

During high school, she moved from her home community of Charlie Lake, B.C., to Vancouver Island to attend Queen Margaret’s School (QMS) and participate in its equestrian program.

“Some highlights from my junior career with QMS include showing in Thermal, Calif., with the school’s team and competing in the hunter derbies and CET [Canadian Equestrian Team] medals at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, B.C,” she says.

In Westman’s senior high school year, she began grooming and clipping for QMS — eventually acting as the school’s head show groom. As well, various other barns and private clients relied on her skills in preparing equine athletes for competition. She also worked as a stable hand at several barns on Vancouver Island, and she began coaching for several clients — including members of the Hilltop Saddle Club, a riding program started by her mother.

Westman eventually groomed for riders from an Oregon show barn as they travelled the show circuit. While grooming gave her the chance to reconnect with her “horse show family,” the position offered the opportunity for her to observe and learn from some amazing trainers. It also gave her the chance to groom some high-level horses competing in Grand Prix shows (highest level of show jumping).

Over the years, Westman helped to rehabilitate horses that had been injured, and she had the opportunity to observe equine sports medicine and equine veterinarians at work. While she found all their work interesting, she was particularly intrigued by the way the clinicians tailored their rehabilitation protocol on a horse-by-horse basis.

Although a career in veterinary medicine had always been in the back of Westman’s mind, she was reluctant to commit to the career until she had almost completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Victoria.

“My lifelong interest in vet med and the shortage of veterinary professionals was what ultimately solidified my decision to apply [to veterinary school],” says Westman.

“The veterinarians in my area are fantastic, but they’re exceptionally busy as there are too few vets for the number of animals requiring veterinary care.”

To gain a better understanding of the veterinary profession, Westman began volunteering at Dawson Creek Veterinary Clinic and at North Peace Veterinary Clinic, both mixed animal veterinary clinics in northern B.C.

Westman experienced both large and small animal cases as well as the challenges of operating and managing a veterinary clinic, and she appreciated the support and encouragement that she received from the veterinarians and staff at both clinics.

Although Westman has taken a hiatus from competing in equine events, she’s remained active in the industry and plans to continue her involvement in the future. She knows it will be a balancing act, but she’s also brought her six-year-old mare to Saskatoon with her.

When Westman considers her future veterinary career, she wants to keep her options open as she considers every potential pathway that a veterinary career can follow.

“I am incredibly grateful to be here, and I appreciate all the support in this journey from my friends, family and coworkers,” says Westman. “I’m just looking forward to the journey and the learning that the next four years will entail.”