The California Thoroughbred Foundation, in its continuing mission to advance education in equine health, awarded scholarships to Megan Elcombe and Silke Hoffmann. The two candidates study at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
Megan Elcombe
Megan, also selected to receive The Jockey Club Scholarship, is president of the UC Davis veterinary school class of 2024. She received her bachelor’s degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and pursued her master’s in animal science at Southern Illinois University. While at Southern Illinois, she assisted with research on folliculogenesis in mares and new reproductive technologies and also conducted a project on common respiratory and musculoskeletal systems in performance horses. Megan served an internship with a Western Kentucky clinic that specializes in lameness, which solidified her interest in equine sports medicine. Upon graduation, she plans to join a private practice that serves Golden Gate Fields and has served externships with regulatory and private practice veterinarians at Golden Gate.
Silke Hoffman
Silke, also the recipient of The Jockey Club Vision Scholarship, attended Cal Poly Pomona prior to studying at Davis and said that “my early experiences as an adolescent rider fueled my particular passion for horses.” She has a special interest in equine reproduction and neonatal inter medicine and for two years worked as an ambulatory technician at an equine practice while completing her undergraduate studies. Her externships have included working with Rood and Riddle in Kentucky, and during her first summer of veterinary school she led a project on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the NSAID grapiprant in horses. Silke has presented at several veterinary conferences and plans to practice in California, Washington, or Colorado upon graduation.