Legacy of Excellence in Equine Veterinary Care

Specialist Equine Surgeon

& Managing Director

Lauren has a long history at ABEC, having first visited as a school student in 2004. She studied veterinary science at Sydney Uni and her first job was an internship at ABEC, during this year Christine Smith and Derek Major inspired her to become a surgeon. She moved her life to the USA for her training and she returned home to ABEC as a boarded surgeon in 2017. Lauren is passionate about all aspects of surgery (particularly arthroscopy and the upper air way), lameness and managing performance horse musculoskeletal conditions. Lauren has had a busy few years growing her family, and is excited to be leading the ABEC team into this next phase as partner and managing director!

Specialist Equine Surgeon

Christine is a Canadian graduate from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1995.  Following an internship at Texas A&M University, she trained in Equine Surgery and Lameness at the University of California, Davis, becoming a board certified surgeon in 2000. Staying on at UC Davis as a staff surgeon until the big move to Australia in 2003 to work at the University of Sydney. Fortunately for us, in 2010 she joined Agnes Banks Equine Clinic. Her clinical passions include lameness evaluation, prepurchase examinations and poor performance work-ups. She is now one of the three partners at ABEC and is looking forward to the clinics future!

Specialist Equine Surgeon

Hadley’s veterinary career also started as an intern at Agnes Banks Equine Clinic. She then worked at Canberra Equine Hospital, Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital and Charles Sturt Uni becoming a registered specialist in 2014. She now has a referral consultancy business providing surgical services to veterinarians and horses from the NT to TAS. Her particular interests are in arthroscopy, laparoscopy, standing fracture repair, lameness and working with referring vets on challenging cases. Hadley is excited to become a partner and rejoin the ABEC family. You will find her at ABEC 1-2 days a week.

Equine Veterinarian

Mark came to ABEC in 2015 having previously lived in the Hawkesbury before completing his Veterinary degree at Sydney University. He was a regular around the place as a student, and it was the perfect fit. Mark is running the reproduction side of the clinic which include all the advanced techniques. He is also a fantastic general practitioner passionate about exercise physiology, lameness and getting the best from our performance horses, having competed in Eventing for many years. Mark enjoys being involved at events as a treating or FEI vet and has been a saviour in many horse rescues in the Hawkesbury. Outside of horses Mark is sports mad, especially with anything to do with Cricket or football.

Equine Veterinarian

Tash graduated from the University of Liverpool in the UK in 2020 before undertaking a rotating internship in London. During her time here she completed a post graduate diploma in equine clinical practice and developed a keen interest in equine medicine. Tash joined the ABEC team in 2024 and has a diverse skill set from equine anaesthesia to dentistry and all things medicine. She particularly enjoys ensuring the best possible care for our hospitalised patients and is happiest when performing gastroscopes. She is currently completing a certificate to become an advanced practitioner in equine internal medicine. Outside of work you can find her training and competing in CrossFit, or up in the mountains on a hike.

Amelia grew up and went to vet school in Western Australia. After graduation she did an internship at REC Equine Specialists and gained a range of equine skills setting her up for her role here at ABEC. She is a dilegent dedicated vet who loves to learn and help your horses to highest standard. She has hit the ground running and is popular with all our clients and our team love her!!!

Veterinary Nurse

Jess a pillar of our team at ABEC. She has has been with us at ABEC for over 9 years and in this time she has done it all from stable hand, nursing, veterinary assistant, social media guru and general organiser of all things particularily our equipment. An experienced equestrian you can find her at horse shows on weekends. Many of our photos are credited to her photography skills. She has a genuine devotion and willingness to go above and beyond for ABEC and the team!! She goes by the alias Lady Whistledown.

Veterinary Nurse

Emilie is one of the original ABEC family starting here in 2011, when she gained the affectionate nickname ‘Little Em"‘. She started as a stable hand, Dr Duckworth quickly appreciated her skills, dedication and natural ability to think ahead and took her on the road as a nurse. Her attention to detail, thoroughness and calm nature see her thrive as our surgical nurse. She has attention to detail and passion for all aspect of your horse’s care and welfare. Little Em has a fantastic infectious positive attitude and can do approach to her work. With two boys at home we love having her part of the team again!

Reception and Veterinary Nurse

Judy has been the friendly face of reception for the past 6 years. She has a want to help attitude and willingness go the extra mile to help out. She is also an experienced equine nurse and jumps in to help with all the going ons around the clinic. On her days off you can find her trail riding with friends

Emily has lived in the local area for most her life. She has been a vet nurse for 4 years and the highlight for her is reproduction and sending healthy horses home after they have been treated. When not at work Emily competes interstate at the highest level in Mountain Games. She is about to embark on a trip to Europe to represent Australia in Montain Games!! We wish her all the greatest sucess. She is passionate about horses and enjoys working with them as well as riding them.

Stablehand

Tash has been with us for 8 years as a stable hand and she is a loyal and dedicated member of our team.  She is currently studying a TAFE certificate 3 in animal care and working part-time as a vet nurse in a small animal clinic. Her aim is to progress as an equine nurse and expand her knowledge about all aspects of caring for horses. She loves working and being part of a collaborative team and most of all seeing horses go home healthy and better off than when they arrived. Her passion is breeding and showing Australian Stock Horses she has four competition horses and a breeding stallion at home to keep her busy!

Horse and property manager

Tim has been with the team for 9 years now and is our everything man. He came to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience from years at Bart’s Princess Farm. From maintenance to horse handling, he can fix anything and help anywhere. We love his can do attitude and willingness… “just give me a minute” and he has it solved!! He is also responsible for random acts of kindness- like unexpectantly washing filthy cars. His weekends are spent riding and competing in camp drafting and team penning with his wife Janine, or spending time with family.

Jump mare

This wonderful mare has been with us for longer than any of our humans!! She is loved by the staff and heavily pampered. She is older now and works part time, sharing her role with Priscilla. In her spare time you can find her grazing happily in the green paddock!!!

Clinic Cat

Born in 2012 to a stray cat and rescued as a kitten by Christine. He arrived with his brother Banks. Joseph is King of the clinic, you need to check that he is not stowed away inside your float or truck before you leave!! He once ended up 300km from home and had to be brought back!

Clinic Cat

An elegant soul, a bit more reserved than Joseph. You might have to seek her out during your visit. Equally as loved, the cat treat/food storage is overflowing for this duo!