Meet the team

Matthew graduated with honours from Liverpool in 2010 and subsequently undertook a two-year internship at Newmarket Equine Hospital where he developed an interest in Orthopaedics and Diagnostic Imaging. Following a brief spell as a locum vet in Cheshire, he returned to Newmarket as the Diagnostic Imaging Assistant at Rossdales where he focused his attention on advanced imaging modalities (MRI and CT) and furthered his knowledge of Equine Orthopaedics. He then worked for a year in Melbourne, Australia undertaking horses-in-training work and diagnostic lameness investigations.

Matthew moved to Minster in 2016 and is mainly involved with racehorses and pre-purchase examinations. Matthew is an Advanced Practitioner and completed a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) in 2023. He has published peer-reviewed literature in veterinary journals. When not working Matthew enjoys keeping fit, fishing, walking his lurchers and occasionally riding out for racehorse trainers.

After graduation from Barcelona University in 2009, Pol travelled to North America for a few months visiting renowned equine hospitals. He then undertook a one year internship at a surgical referral hospital in Canada. After this, he moved to Dubai for a few months, focusing mainly on the lameness of endurance horses. He moved to the UK in 2014 and worked in Lambourn, Berkshire for a year focusing on racehorse and sport horse work.

Pol joined the Minster Equine Veterinary Practice in May 2015. His main interests are racing, surgery and sports medicine, including lameness, gait analysis and diagnostic imaging. In 2020 he became an RCVS Certificate holder in Advanced Veterinary Practice in Equine Surgery (Orthopaedics). Outside of work, you can find Pol hiking, rock climbing or walking his beloved Border Collie, Anek.

After graduating from the University of Liverpool, Katherine spent some time volunteering as a vet in the Cook Islands, treating a huge variety of animals. Katherine joined the Minster Equine Veterinary Clinic in 2015 as part of our twelve month Internship Programme, working with our hospital caseload alongside our experienced vets, consisting largely of advanced lameness and orthopaedic surgery as well as medicine cases. Katherine has broad experience of all types of medical and surgical patient care, anaesthesia and pain management. Katherine joined the team as an Ambulatory Vet upon finishing a successful internship and is responsible for a large volume of cases.

In addition Katherine is an official measurer for the JMB, and carries out riding school inspections on behalf of the council. Katherine is also the clinical coach for our two veterinary nurse students. Katherine has a particular interest in medicine cases, and has completed the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice and passed her exam in Equine Internal Medicine in 2023. Outside of work Katherine enjoys riding her horse Minstral and spending time walking her two dogs, Hetty and Percy.

Tessa graduated in 2020 from Utrecht University in the Netherlands. During her study, she went to Australia and New Zealand to obtain more experience. After graduating, Tessa undertook a rotating internship at a large equine hospital in Germany. In March 2022 she joined the Minster Equine team as part of our New Graduate Programme. Her main interests lie in reproductive medicine, medical cases, foals and dentistry. Outside of work Tessa enjoys hiking, travelling and salsa dancing.

George graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2023, and can be found working primarily from our Malton branch. During his studies he undertook placements across the thoroughbred industry on training yards, studs and practices with a large racing thoroughbred caseload, as well as externships within two large equine hospitals. He joined Minster in August 2023 on the New Graduate program, and sees a unique caseload spanning racehorses to leisure ponies, and the occasional miniature, which he thoroughly enjoys.

Although presently trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible in his first year of practice, his primary interests are of course thoroughbred practice, especially imaging, orthopaedics and respiratory disease, as well as dentistry. Away from work George is a keen cyclist, runner and hiker, and spends numerous hours in the kitchen imagining he is a chef.

Evie joined the practice in December 2016. Her main interests are in surgical cases and she thoroughly enjoys the peri-operative care and sense of fulfilment she gets from working with those patients. Evie has recently been enrolled on an equine Veterinary Nursing Diploma, and spends a few weeks each year at the Vet Partners nursing school based at Liphook Equine Hospital, in addition to studying on the job. In her spare time Evie has two of her own horses that she competes with locally in ROR classes and dressage, as well as a tiny Shetland pony called Barry who she nursed back to health after he was admitted into the Minster Equine Clinic close to death.

Becky joined the Minster Equine team in February 2022. She studied at Hartpury University and gained a BTEC Level 3 Horse Management extended diploma (Equitation). Becky is also a freelance groom and equine sports and rehabilitation massage therapist in addition to her role at Minster, winning the Equestrian Business Awards “Groom of the Year 2021”. Becky has recently been enrolled on an equine Veterinary Nursing Diploma and spends a few weeks each year at the VetPartners Nursing School at Liphook Equine Hospital, in addition to studying on the job. Outside of work Becky owns and competes her horse, Razzle, a Welsh Section D. She is hoping to do some hunter trials, working hunter and an unaffiliated one-day event in the future.

Georgina started with us in September 2022 as one of our veterinary nursing assistants. Coming from a background of working within the emergency services; Georgie is a paramount member of the team when looking after in-clinic cases and helping the vets out on the road. Georgie has ridden for most of her life and can be found riding her horse Paleo or looking after her childhood pony fudge in her spare time.

Abbie has been part of the team here at Minster since 2011. She is well known in the Malton area, having worked in racing and is also a receptionist at the Malton branch. Outside of work Abbie is kept busy looking after her daughter Matilda and walking Teabag, her Cocker x Lab, who is full of energy. Abbie has a flock of pedigree Suffolk sheep which she successfully shows in the summer at the country shows. Abbie works 2 days a week out on the road assisting our vets and 3 mornings a week at our Malton branch in the reception.

Naomi joined Minster in January 2024 as our Practice Manager. She comes from a background of equine nutrition and managing equine retail stores. As well as owning her own horses, Naomi has worked in various types of yards whilst being a freelance groom. Whilst spending a year in New Zealand, Naomi worked for a breaking and pre-training racehorse yard as well as grooming for a dressage competition site.

In her spare time, Naomi enjoys cross country and arena eventing with her two horses Cassio and Strider. In addition she can be found walking one of her three Jack Russell terriers, one of which can often be found in the office waiting to greet friendly clients.

Helen joined the practice in June 1994 when it was still a mixed practice at Salisbury Road. As the decision was made to develop the Equine Department further, Helen moved to Poppleton and took up the position as Office Manager. She assumes responsibility for the day-to-day organisation and administration of the Equine Department, and also works at the Malton branch to offer cover as and when needed. Helen used to hunt regularly with the York and Ainsty South, and still regularly follows the Middleton hounds. She is a keen skier, has recently taken up cycling and also loves spending time in her garden.

Paige joined us in February 2024 and is our new Receptionist. Paige comes from a background of working with racehorses and in customer service. She has also worked on a variety of yards, including a livery yard in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Paige is thrilled to be joining the team, as she has always had an interest in the veterinary industry.

Outside of work, Paige enjoys spending time with her horse Tom, who she used to compete British Dressage and show jumping with. Tom is now semi-retired and enjoying a quieter life. She also enjoys a day out at a point to point!

Mandy has been our groom at the Poppleton clinic for almost two decades! She arrives at 7am everyday on her bike and is responsible for all of the yard and husbandry duties of the in-patients. This includes mucking out, grooming, yard maintenance and cleaning. Mandy is a crucial part of the team. Before coming to Minster, Mandy worked at a large thoroughbred stud as a groom and handler. Outside of work she has a large collection of pets and can usually be found looking after her 9 horses, 2 ferrets and a neurotic oriental cat. She used to compete successfully in endurance racing, but now enjoys a more relaxed pace hacking around Poppleton.