ProRodeo Sports News - Oct.4, 2019

Nominees for 2019 award announced Best vets honored TOP VETERINARIANS

BY SCOTT DORENKAMP T he Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is proud to announce and recognize the finalists for the 2019 PRCA Veterinarian of the Year Award. Created in 2010 to spotlight and honor veterinarians who have dedicated time, talent and effort to the health and welfare of rodeo livestock, this award allows the opportunity to give back to these deserving individuals. Membership of the PRCA nominate a veterinarian whom they feel has shown extraordinary commitment to the health and welfare of rodeo livestock. Nominations are then considered by a review and selection

committee comprised of industry experts and advocates who carefully reviews each nominee’s specific contributions to the health and welfare of rodeo livestock. Additional criteria including the extent of involvement in the sport of rodeo and community involvement also are considered by the committee. The recipient of the 2019 PRCA Veterinarian of the Year Award will be announced in mid-October and will be honored at the PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, Dec. 4. The following six distinguished veterinarians have been selected as finalists.

DR. BENJAMIN ESPY San Antonio Nominated by Kacee Willbanks Colletti Espy, a life member of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, began volunteering at the San Antonio Livestock Show & Rodeo in 1997. While maintaining and continually improving the operating procedures regarding livestock movement, transportation and conveyance at the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, more than 60,000 animals move on and off the grounds during the 18-day run and under Espy’s

Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association’s Food Animal Practitioner of the Year has a “never say never” attitude about working on anything that comes through his door. Gilsleider is a board member of the Tri-County C.A.S.A., Birthright, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He also serves on the board of the Claremore Chamber of Commerce.

DR. CHRIS RAY Bozeman, Mont.

Nominated by Brian and Lisa Anderson/Copper Spring Ranch A recognized Equine Sports Medicine Surgeon, Ray has dedicated his life to the health, well-being, soundness and longevity of the rodeo competitive horse. With the clinical focus of prevention, rehabilitation and soundness in the future, clientele of Ray’s include many past and present world champions of the PRCA andWPRA. Ray is known not only for his professionalism and DR. HEATHER SCHNEIDER Hudson, Iowa Nominated by Cheyenne Frontier Days Schneider’s passion for rodeo began long before becoming the exclusive arena veterinarian at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2010. Over the course of her tenure with Cheyenne Frontier Days, Schneider has filled numerous rolls including Contestant Committee Member,

Espy

watchful eye. With a passion for higher education, Espy works as an adviser to the students who receive the Veterinary School Scholarships through San Antonio Livestock Exposition. Espy also serves as a member of the PRCA LivestockWelfare Committee.

Ray

DR. ED GILSLEIDER Claremore, Okla. Nominated by Linda Caffey, Will Rogers Stampede secretary

compassion while working with livestock and their owners, but also as an individual who puts the needs of livestock before his own personal time and financial gain.

Gilsleider has been the on-call veterinarian for the past 15 years at the Will Rogers Stampede in Claremore, Okla. He and his family are at each performance, and he is available to contestants and the stock contractor 24-7 during the week of the rodeo. A pioneer in several orthopedic procedures to correct leg deformities in ratites (ostriches, emu and rhea), Gilsleider has transferred

Gilleider

these techniques to other species, including equines and bovines. He is a published author and lectures in the United States and abroad. The 2016

Schneider

ProRodeo Sports News 10/4/2019

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