On 29–30 May, the Rutja Endurance Ride & Estonian Championship 2026 took place at Arma Riding Farm in Haljala Parish, Lääne-Virumaa. As one of the most important endurance riding events in the Baltic region, the competition offered veterinarians and students from the Estonian University of Life Sciences valuable hands-on experience in equine sports medicine and veterinary control procedures.
Representing the EMÜ Equine Clinic were veterinarians Felipe Corrêa, Michaela Brokešová and Monika Ungurytė. They were joined by first-year veterinary students Triinu Leito, Aira Elliise Sepp and Tuuli Pokkmets, all members of Hyraco, the veterinary students’ association.
Throughout the event, the students observed veterinary inspections, horse welfare assessments and the monitoring procedures used to ensure that horses remain fit to continue competing. Exposure to an international equestrian competition allowed them to connect theoretical knowledge from their studies with practical clinical observations and gain insight into the diverse career opportunities available within equine veterinary medicine.
The event also provided valuable professional development opportunities for the attending veterinarians. Working alongside colleagues from Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria enabled the exchange of knowledge in endurance medicine and helped strengthen international professional networks.
“Events like these give students the opportunity to see how veterinary medicine works in a real-world environment from the very beginning of their studies. At the same time, they introduce the diverse opportunities available within equine veterinary medicine and encourage future veterinarians to pursue this field,” said Felipe Corrêa, Chief Veterinarian of the Equine Clinic.
Editor:
Communications specialist
Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences
Administration of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences
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