The Final consists of each of the 4 finalists presenting their thesis to the judging panel followed by questions.

The final presentations are open to the public and members of the academic community. Following the four presentations, the judges will withdraw for final deliberations whilst the audience has the opportunity to ask their own questions of the finalists.

The winner will be announced at the end of the event with a trophy and cash prize being awarded.

The search for the winner of the Equine Thesis of the Year Award, recognising academic excellence in undergraduate study, takes a step closer as four finalists are announced. The strong contenders have each made it through the preliminary judging round and will now present their thesis to a panel of judges during an online event on Sunday 25 October.

One student thesis was received per entry from universities and colleges offering equine-related degree courses across the UK and Ireland, with the following making it into the finals:

● Royal Veterinary College – Victoria O’Hara. Thesis: Use of commercial ELISA for deduction of myostatin protein in equine serum and the examination of an MSTN gene promoter SINE insertion mutation in vivo.

● University Centre Sparsholt – Rachel Smith. Thesis: The Effect of breast support on 3D relative breast displacement and upper body muscle activity in female horse riders on an equine simulator.

● Aberystwyth University – Daniela Amiouny. Thesis: The effects of night light and bedding depth on equine sleep and memory consolidation.

● Bishop Burton College – Nina Robinson. Thesis: A preliminary report of the pressure present beneath bitless and bitted bridles and the effect on equine locomotion.

The BETA Equine Thesis of the Year finals will run from 1 to 4.30pm and are open to both the public and members of the academic community.

Once the finalists have presented their work and the judges retire to consider each thesis, there will be the opportunity for members of the audience to pose questions. The winner and runner-up will be announced at the end of the event.