Report on the WEVA Intermediate Meeting, Segovia, Spain, 5-7th May, 2011

This meeting was held in the beautiful and historic city of Segovia, North West of Madrid, in a conference centre attached to the Parador de Segovia. The parador has stunning views of the aqueduct, cathedral and castle in this wonderful old Roman city. The meeting was attended by over 120 veterinary surgeons from Spain and Portugal, and WEVA sponsored 3 speakers, Fernando Canonici, Anne Courouce-Malblanc and Tim Greet. There were also other invited speakers from Spain, Portugal, France and Germany, plus a number of the delegates from Spain and Portugal presented short communications. The meeting extended for 2 1/2 days and was basically devoted to clinical aspects of equine practice. The topics were very diverse, including discussion of the use of stem cells, various surgical techniques, exercise physiology and behavioural issues.

The standard of lectures was high and the delegates seemed to enjoy the presentations, asking many questions. The meeting was officially opened by Excelentisima Senora Dr Silvia Clemente, Councillor of the Ministry of Agriculture of Castilla y Leon. She gave a very upbeat speech welcoming the multinational group of equine veterinary surgeons to her region. She pointed out how important was the development of new equestrian business in this area of Spain with very high unemployment. There were many discussions about repeating this most successful format, perhaps creating the idea of an annual Iberian equine meeting. The area would also make an ideal location for a full WEVA Congress at some future date.

Tim Greet
President of WEVA