California racetrack practitioner Jeff Blea, DVM, joined the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ Executive Committee as vice president during the 57^th Annual Convention in San Antonio. Dr. Blea was inducted to the office during the Nov. 21 President’s Luncheon. With the appointment, he will serve as the association’s president in 2014. 

Dr. Blea brings a wealth of insight into the ethical and policy issues affecting racetrack veterinarians to the AAEP Executive Committee. For the past 17 years, he has served as a partner at Von Bluecher, Blea and Hunkin Inc., a five-member practice that serves the Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Del Mar and Pomona racetracks. Dr. Blea concentrates his practice on musculoskeletal issues affecting racehorses and lameness diagnostics. 

Dr. Blea’s grandfather, who was a member of the last mounted United States Cavalry, taught him how to care for horses at a young age. His father introduced him to the horse racing world when he was a teen. After a short-lived career as a jockey, Dr. Blea decided to devote his career to the health of horses. He graduated from the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine with his veterinary degree in 1993. He worked as an associate in New Mexico before joining Von Blucher, Blea and Hunkin in 1994.

Dr. Blea served on the board of directors as director-at-large from 2003 to 2005. He has held seats on the Student Relations, Equine Welfare, Racing and Public Policy committees as well as numerous task forces. He provides veterinary expertise during live televised racing events as an official AAEP On Call spokesperson. He is the director of the Dolly Green Research Foundation and a former member of the Grayson Jockey Club Research Advisory Committee. In 2011, he will finish his term as president of the Southern California Equine Foundation, a non-profit organization that manages three equine hospitals at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar racetracks. 

When he’s not practicing, Dr. Blea most enjoys spending time with his wife Annie, who is also a veterinarian, and their daughters Faith and Abby. As a family, they cherish trips to Jackson Hole, Wyo. Dr. Blea’s other passions include fly fishing, western art and, of course, horse racing.

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its nearly 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry. 

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