Now set to graduate with a BSc in Equine Bioveterinary Science from University Centre Reaseheath, Kirsty’s journey reflects her drive to overcome challenges and contribute to pioneering animal treatments.

“Growing up, I was always determined to work with animals in one way or another,” she says. “I wasn’t from a horse background, but like most kids, I begged to be able to ride.”

Early riding lessons at a local centre eventually evolved into loaning horses and by the time she started at college, she owned her first horse, Lucky. “He was a bit of a handful, but he’s still with me now, at home with my other horses,” she says. She also spent evenings volunteering with a local Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) centre, an experience that boosted her confidence and set her on a path that would eventually lead her to University Centre Reaseheath.

Kirsty initially pursued Animal Management at Coleg Cambria’s Northop campus, where her passion for equine science took hold.

“During my first year, I decided that horses were the only species for me, so I switched to equine management.” But in her second year, COVID hit, disrupting her studies and her plans. “I was convinced university wasn’t for me,” she admits, “even though academically I knew I was capable. A lack of confidence stopped me from applying.”

A year working in her local Co-op turned out to be a turning point. “The job at Co-op was one of the best things that’s ever happened to me,” she says. “It massively boosted my self-confidence and my communication skills around people I didn’t know. By the time I began my degree, I’d built the confidence I needed to succeed.”

In less than a year, she became part of the store’s management team, just as she prepared to join UCR’s Equine Bioveterinary Science degree programme. Once at UCR, Kirsty embraced her studies, but her final year was marked by personal challenges, including family health issues and her own struggles with mental health.

“One of the best things I did was actually confide in a lecturer,” she reflects. “I know many students will be put off by this, but I received so much support from that one conversation that I wouldn’t have got otherwise.”

Balancing her studies with a part-time job helped her stay grounded, but she credits her Shetland colt with keeping her focused. “Having a hobby away from everything personally kept me happy, balanced, and pushing forward. University is mentally taxing, so having a hobby – whatever it is – is vitally important.”

As she pursued her degree, Kirsty’s academic interests evolved. “At first, I thought I’d go into therapies, as my horses had suffered so many injuries that I practically had a friendship with the vet,” she laughs. “But as I gained knowledge, I realised that a hands-off horse role was more my style.”

Her dissertation project, a study of helminth infections in the Carneddau Mountain Ponies of North Wales, proved to be a defining experience.

“It was long hours in the freezing cold with a lot of driving, but working with such a minimally researched population was a fantastic opportunity. It deepened my love for lab work, which is a huge part of my current career.”

This field research culminated in an opportunity to present her findings at the Alltech Hartpury Student Conference. “When I applied, I didn’t think for one minute that I’d be selected,” she says. “Years prior, this would have been my worst nightmare, but I absolutely loved the experience.” She credits the opportunity with helping her build the confidence to take on new challenges in her field and hopes to present at other conferences in the future.

Her success at UCR, combined with her hands-on industry experience and growing confidence, led her to a role at the Veterinary Tissue Bank in Chirk, a unique facility where she works with stem cells and develops tissue products to save animal lives.