South Coast Equine Veterinary Practice – Dr Gill Rickard BVSc(hons)

Although from a non horsey family Gill started riding at age 7 because her older sister had pushed their parents into getting a pony. Gill learnt to ride and then inherited her sisters pony “Ricky”…

Ricky was not a perfect first pony.
Whenever they did jumping he either refused the fence or pig-rooted on landing.
No wonder Gill decided dressage and training was the way to go.
Successive ponies then horses carried Gill through school, and university. Each one teaching her more than she taught them.

In 1990 she took the palomino stock horse mare “Peaches and Cream” to first World Equestrian Games in  Stockholm Sweden, as part of the first ever Australian Dressage team…the team came 13th.
Since then various horses have been very important in Gill’s life, including Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, Anglo Arabs, pure bred Arabs, ponies and Andalusian’s.

Currently she is campaigning “Grandioso MG” a 10 year old bay imported Andalusian stallion, who is now competing at Grand Prix Dressage.

Gill’s working life has been first as a school teacher, then as a professional horse and rider trainer ( NCAS Level 3 specialist dressage coach) and then as a veterinarian. After spending 7 years working at Illawarra Equine Centre and learning from Repro guru David Searle, Gill offers her substantial expertise in advanced reproductive techniques to you. You can rest assured that with her own horse experience your horse will get the best attention and care from South Coast Equine Veterinary Practice.

In 2019 Gill decided to travel to Kansas, USA, to attend chiropractic school at Options for Animals, the oldest animal chiropractic teaching facility in the world. Only veterinarians and human chiropractors can attend. Following the course Gill sat and passed an exam allowing her to be registered with the IVCA.
The fabulous results achieved through chiropractic treatment, in conjunction with traditional veterinary treatment have been incredibly satisfying for Gill and have prompted her to focus on this aspect of her practice.