SHOTTER & BYERS - Key Persons
When Mike is not working he likes to spend his spare time with his two boys, riding and coaching rugby.
Originally from West Argyll in Scotland, Jen qualified from the Royal Veterinary College in London. Post-graduation she travelled and worked in New Zealand and Argentina predominantly within the polo sphere. Jen then moved back to Oxfordshire where she spent 18 months doing general equine practice. She joined the team at Shotter and Byers in April 2019 and has a keen interest in sports horse medicine with a particular focus on polo. Outside of work, Jen enjoys riding her ponies, travelling and drinking gin.
Prior to joining Shotter & Byers in October 2021, Jess managed a well-known Equine Supplement company and brings a wealth of knowledge & experience to the team.
Away from the practice Jess spends her time with her Arab horses which her family have been breeding and competing for over 30 years.
Jess joined the Team at Shotter & Byers in January 2023. Jess has extensive veterinary receptionist experience and completed her NVQ Level 2 in racehorse breeding at the National Stud in 2009. She then went to work at Normandie Stud for 8 years, a thoroughbred stud, where she learnt a huge amount about breeding and racing.
Outside of work Jess enjoys going to the races, socialising with friends and walking her miniature dachshund, Snoopy.
Karen first joined Shotter & Byers in April 2012 and worked with us for 5 years before venturing out to extend her knowledge in equine care. We are thrilled that Karen has re-joined our Team bringing with her a wealth of new knowledge. Karen manages our pharmacy and is Veterinary Secretary to Murray Shotter, Michael Byers and Sarah Helm. When Karen is not working, she enjoys riding her ponies and looking after her chickens at home.
Michela graduated with honours from the University of Perugia in Italy when she started working in an equine hospital in Rome. After Rome, Michela decided to move to England where she worked for a busy practice in Lambourn dealing mainly with racehorses and focused on general anaesthesia. After a brief experience in Germany, Michela returned to England in June 2021 to join our Team at Shotter and Byers. Michela enjoys all aspect of equine medicine and mainly sports medicine.
In Michela's free time, she loves to travel, learn new languages and play with her puppy Bilbo.
After graduating in 1987 from Massey University in New Zealand, Murray worked in several mixed animal practices before taking a position in an equine practice in Wellington.
From there, Murray travelled to the UK to concentrate on Equine Sports Medicine before setting up Shotter & Byers Equine Veterinary Services with Michael Byers. Murray specialises in sports medicine orthopaedic work and performance horses, in particular, competitive polo ponies.
Phil has been with us for a number of years and is our main client accounts handler.
Phoebe qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, whilst studying she undertook externships at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Kentucky and at Bell Equine Clinic in Kent. After graduating Phoebe travelled to Argentina to follow her passion for polo, by playing alongside the Argentine players, and also grooming and handling the foals.
She then spent 18 months working at an Equine Practice in Dorset, in which she was participating in all areas of first opinion veterinary work, and in patient care at the clinic. Then she went on to undertake an internship at LEH. During her time here she was caring for in patients care and anaesthesia, as well as working up cases with the medical team. Phoebe joined Shotter & Byers in May 2016 and enjoys all aspects of equine practice predominantly geriatric medicine and wound therapy.
Rianna graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2021. After which, she went onto complete a rotating hospital internship with the University of Nottingham at Oakham Equine Hospital where she completed over 150 general anaesthetics, cared for the many inpatients admitted and obtained a post graduate diploma in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. During her time in practice, Rianna has developed a keen interest in Orthopedics and is looking forward to continuing her education in this sphere.
In her spare time Rianna enjoys going home to the new forest for long walks and cream teas!
Sarah completed an Animal Science Degree in 2000 with first class honours. She then decided to attend Vet school at the University of Liverpool qualifying in 2005 with credits and a distinction grade. While she was at vet school, she was awarded a prize in Large Animal Studies. Sarah previously worked in small and mixed animal practice where she was the equine assistant. Sarah has been with us since 2006 and has a particular interest in wound healing and wound management.
Sofie joined the team in November 2021 and is responsible for maintaining accounts and all aspects of credit control.
In Sofie's spare time she can be found out competing with her children who are both avid showjumpers.
Zoë graduated from the RVC in 2016 and started out in a mixed farm and equine practice in Cornwall. Having confirmed she preferred the equine side (and not so much being always covered in cow poo!) she moved back home to Sussex to complete an 18 month equine internship before starting with Shotter and Byers in August 2019. Zoë loves all aspects of sport horse medicine as well as keeping our pleasure horses happy and healthy. In her spare time Zoë loves going for long walks with the dogs, helping out on the farm at home and riding her horses.