In its continuing mission to advance education in equine health, the California Thoroughbred Foundation awarded scholarships to Amber McElhinney and Izabella Pendergast. The two well-qualified candidates study at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Amber plans to pursue a career in equine surgery and lameness. She has a BS in equine science from the University of New Hampshire and studied equine cardiology at the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies for her undergraduate senior honors thesis. Amber is a disaster service worker in Yolo County and treasurer for the Global Veterinary Alliance. She has completed externships with several equine clinics and gathered data for a study on PET scans of injured racehorses with Dr. Sue Stover. Amber wants to work with sport horses and treat lameness. She is especially interested in the prevention of orthopedic diseases, including concussive breakdown in racehorses.
Izabella has loved horses from an early age, when her mother helped her find a stable where she could work with the horses in exchange for riding lessons. After her Arabian Welsh pony Magic died from botulism, Izabella found her purpose in saving horses. She wants to become an equine surgeon and works as a technician in large animal surgery at the Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. She serves as co-president of the UC Davis Fracture Program Club, which provides medical and surgical care to homeless dogs and cats with fractures and helps them find homes. Izabella wants to advance the state of equine medicine, give back to the community, and help minimize carbon footprints.