Dr. Dan Humphrey
MA VetMB MRCVS
Dan graduated from University of Cambridge in 1999 and has since been in dedicated equine practice. He completed a surgical internship in Newmarket (UK) followed by periods of equine practice in Sussex and Dorset. He returned to Newmarket for further experience in thoroughbred racing and breeding before leaving for Hong Kong. At the Hong Kong Jockey Club Dan was the Senior Equestrian Vet where he was closely involved with the racehorse retraining program both in HK and mainland China. He was also responsible for quarantine and international runners during the carnival periods and he was the vet for successful Hong Kong teams at the Asian and China National Games. Dan arrived in the Adelaide Hills in 2012 and following a short period of practice, he established an independent ambulatory equine clinic which he operated for over 4 years prior to merging with HorsemedSA. Dan has an interest in all aspects of equine practice, particularly evaluation and treatment of lameness in performance horses and pre-purchase examinations.
Dr. Michael Taylor
BVSc (Hons), BVM&S, MACVSc (Equine Surgery)
Michael graduated with a degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland in 2007, as the Dux of his year. He then returned home to South Australia, to the Morphettville Equine Clinic where he developed a strong interest in racehorse and performance horse work. Michael completed his examinations to become a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Science in Equine Surgery. He then moved to the Ballarat Equine Clinic, to provide hospital and ambulatory services to both racetrack and performance/pleasure clients. During this time, Michael worked for multiple leading Thoroughbred and Standardbred trainers, and continued to develop his interests in lameness, poor performance and airway conditions. Michael has now returned to South Australia as one of our directors based at Horsemed Hills in Echunga. Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time his family and fishing when he gets the chance.
Dr. Ruth Taylor
BSc (Hons), BVM&S, MANZCVS (Equine Medicine)
Ruth graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a Veterinary degree (with distinction) and an honours degree in Veterinary Science. She then undertook an equine internship before working as an associate for nearly ten years at one of the largest equine primary opinion and referral hospitals in Australia. During this time, Ruth published research into equine tendon injuries, and received the Reginald Pascoe Prize for clinical research. Ruth passed her examinations to be awarded Membership to the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in the subject of Equine Medicine, and this remains one of her main interests in equine practice. She also has extensive experience as a stud veterinarian, and enjoys advanced equine reproduction and performance horse work, as well as teaching students. Outside of work, Ruth is a keen eventer with her off the track horse, having previously competed up to 2* level.
Dr. Elke Beynon
BSc, DVM
Elke graduted from the University of Adelaide vet school before leaving SA and undertaking an intensive equine internship with our friends and colleagues at South Eastern Equine Hospital in Victoria. South Eastern is one of the biggest equine hospitals in Victoria with multiple specialists on site as well as a busy primary opinion and reproductive caseload.
Elke’s professional areas of interest include surgery, medicine (particularly neonatal medicine), lameness and reproduction. She is particularly keen to take her membership examinations (additional post gradate qualifications) in the future, as many of our vets have done.
Like so many horse vets, Elke grew up loving horses and enjoys working with them on a daily basis. Outside of work Elke can be found travelling, cooking, hiking, reading or trail riding.
Dr. Kyra Wilhelm
BSc, DVM
Dr Kyra is a local, growing up in Strathalbyn. She rode a lot as a kid, going to Strathalbyn then Mountain pony clubs before transitioning into dressage. Nowadays, she enjoys trail riding when she can.
Dr Kyra was part of the first cohort of students to graduate from Adelaide university, then stayed on to complete an internship before moving to Canberra for 4 years. She moved home to SA in 2019 and has been in and around the Hills ever since. She has a passion for equine dentistry and medicine, and has completed significant post graduate training in dentistry.
Outside of work, she enjoys pilates, bike riding, swimming, doing scent work with her black labrador Fleur, doing crochet, adding to (and enjoying) her wine and gin collection, and spending time with her partner, family and friends.
We’re thrilled to have Dr Kyra as a talented and experienced addition to our team!
Dr. Charlotte McNeece
BSc, DVM
Charlotte graduated from the University of Adelaide and has been dedicated to a career in equine veterinary practice. Charlotte has a keen interest in performance horses, dentistry and lameness work. With a love for all things horses, Charlotte fills their spare time with anything from trail riding, eventing, hunting and recently had their first start in endurance. Being born and bred in Adelaide, they know their way around the Hills, and now lives in Mount Barker with their partner, cat Fidget and two horses Rose and Keely.
Dr. Jacqui McLeod
Dr Jacqui graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2013 and has spent the majority of that time working with horses. She completed an equine internship at University of Adelaide’s Equine Health and Performance in 2015, then spent 2 years in the UK working as a locum.
After returning to Australia, she re-joined the team at Roseworthy before moving into private practice. Jacqui has a particular interest in stud work and advanced equine reproduction, however still enjoys all aspects of equine work.
Outside of work Jacqui can be found exploring South Australia, especially the wineries , hiking destinations and beaches with her dog Ollie.
Laura Jenzen
MBA, GradDip BA, GradCert BA
Laura is our CEO, she has an MBA with the University of South Australia, an Advanced Certificate of Accounting and has worked interstate and overseas. She has held senior management roles in the medical, legal, disability and travel industries and loves streamlining businesses. Laura loves horses and loves working with the Morphettville and Echunga teams.
Support Staff
Lauren Stojakovic
Lauren Stojakovic is our other equine vet nurse in the Hills clinic, and also assists in the office when she’s not nursing. Lauren is an experienced and competent horsewoman having been around horses in a professional capacity for most of her entire career, as well as having experience as a small animal vet nurse. Lauren is best known for being one of the only female jockeys to ever have won a Group One race – an achievement born from years of hard work and dedication.
In her spare time Lauren is still actively involved with racing and training horses and ponies, and looking after her property with her partner.
Brooke Walsh
Brooke Walsh is our practice manager at the Hills clinic. Many of our clients will know Brooke as the friendly face in the office – not only does she keep our vets organized, she also runs everything behind the scenes. Brooke’s background as a human nurse means her communication and clinical knowledge is excellent, and she also has business management experience, having run her own real estate business and working in horse racing management previously.
Brooke is also a passionate horsewoman, being a successful dressage rider as well as breeding thoroughbreds and warmbloods and owning racehorses.
Temiera Page
Temiera grew up through pony club and competing at grass roots dressage, and went on to work in a huge range of roles across the equine industry. She has done trackwork, strapping, TB breeding and yearling sales work, Camp drafting and barrels and worked in the USA for several international/Olympic showjumpers, eventers and dressage riders.
Temiera has taken to being an equine vet nurse like a duck to water and is thoroughly enjoying her new challenge. In between work she is still a keen rider with her TBs who she focuses on correct dressage basics and pleasure riding.
Molly Liphuyzen
Molly is an SA local who started her career as an equine vet nurse after working on a station and feedlot in NSW. Molly loves competing in campdrafting and polocrosse, and in her spare time runs her own performance horse stud.
Molly has a passion for both equine and bovine reproduction work, and will be a familiar point of contact for most of our breeding clients. Her understanding of the intricacies of equine reproduction, along with her personal experience of the highs and lows horse breeding, make her a wonderful addition to our team.
Tennielle Kerr
Tennielle brings a wealth of horse husbandry and handling experience to the clinic, having completed a certificate II in Equine studies in 2018 and previously working at local performance horse stables, agistments and a TB Stud. She also has great customer service experience from working at the Port Elliot bakery (and we all know how hectic that place can get!).
Outside of work Tennielle actively competes in eventing, showjumping and dressage, having ridden since the age of 3. She has always wanted to become an equine vet nurse and is excited to be embarking on her chosen career.
Ella Brinkworth
Ella has loved horses since she can remember (despite no one else in her family being particularly horsey – so many of us can relate to this) and has always been keen to follow a vet nursing career.
Ella has plenty of horse industry experience, intially working in a tourism business looking after the ponies, and since leaving school has worked for the Cahill Racing team, gaining invaluable experience caring for and handling thoroughbreds.
Outside of work Ella has her own OTTB mare and also rides and competes for other owners.
Ellen Young
Ellen joins the Hills Veterinary nursing team, with a glowing CV and plethora of experience, having made the move from Tasmania to SA with her new partner. Ellen has been vet nursing for over 3 years, doing primarily equine nursing in a mixed practice in Tassie. She has wide and varied experience having done everything from reception duties to looking after intensive care patients.
Ellen is also studying a Veterinary technology degree at Charles Sturt University to further her career development, and loves any opportunity to increase her knowledge and skills. She loves the varied work in equine practice, whilst maintaining special interests in equine reproduction, foal medicine and performance horses.
Outside of work, Ellen is enjoying exploring the flavours of SA, being a food and wine lover. She also hopes to get involved with the SA Polocrosse scene as she gets settled.