The Equine Clinic contributed to the preparation of the sport horse Finka for the Endurance European Championship for Young Riders & Juniors, where Finka and her rider Agnes Annimäe finished 15th, making them the highest-placed Estonian pair. The veterinarians combine their work in supporting the welfare of sport horses with clinical practice and the practical training of future veterinarians.
The European Championships took place in Jullianges, France. Endurance riding is one of the most demanding equestrian disciplines, placing significant demands on the horse’s body. Successful performance over long distances requires not only exceptional fitness but also careful monitoring of the horse’s health and appropriate veterinary support. Equine welfare is central to endurance riding, and horses undergo regular veterinary checks throughout the competition to determine whether they are fit to continue safely.
Finka’s participation in the European championship is a good example of the teamwork behind a successful equine athlete. Alongside the rider and trainer, veterinarians, farriers and other specialists work together to safeguard the horse’s health, welfare and performance. The EMÜ Equine Clinic contributes to this work by providing health assessments, treatment and veterinary advice for sport horses.
Working with equine athletes also plays an important role in veterinary education. During their clinical training, veterinary students have the opportunity to participate in equine examinations and treatment and to gain practical insight into equine sports medicine. This allows students to connect the knowledge acquired during their studies with real clinical cases and gain hands-on experience in supporting the health and welfare of sport horses.
Finka’s result continues the recent international success story of Estonian endurance riding. In 2025, Katriin Kalle and the Estonian Sport Horse Kotkas represented Estonia at the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors in Romania. The EMÜ Equine Clinic also contributed to Kotkas’s veterinary care and preparation. This year’s performance by Finka and Agnes Annimäe further demonstrates the strong level of Estonian endurance riding and gives the university an opportunity to combine high-quality clinical veterinary care with the practical training of future veterinarians.
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