After retiring from the Taupō Veterinary Centre, Tony Parson’s “official sideline” has brought him international success.
Tony Parsons has become one of only six vets in the world to be FEI Level 4 qualified in all of our disciplines. Last year, as one of twenty-seven FEI vets in New Zealand, Tony was the first to achieve Level 4 certification in Endurance, while also certified at Level 3 in Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. Now he has also fulfilled the requirements to qualify as Level 4 Official Veterinarian Level 4 for Jumping, Eventing and Dressage (includes Para-equestrian).
“I think it’s great that a Kiwi has reached this level, especially for Eventing. I probably spend as much time at CCIs (FEI Eventing) as I do at CEI’s (FEI Endurance) so it’s good to get that recognition,” he says.
Tony has been the Foreign Vet Delegate at two Asian Games now, which run Eventing, Jumping and Dressage.
“The standard of competition and the competitiveness is right up there with many of the horses and riders based in Europe. Asia includes the Middle East, where the Show Jumping standard is very high, and the Veterinary Standards at these Competitions are second to none. I also think it’s an indication that the FEI do recognise that Officials in New Zealand are doing the job and are included in the sport worldwide,” he says.
Tony’s journey caps off a long-standing history of veterinary work, which began in the late 1980s. Coming from a sheep and cattle farm in Wairarapa, he began attending to horses under the guidance of Wallie Niederer. He moved to Taupō in 1997 and has been an official vet for ESNZ since 1994.
Tony retired from his practice in 2020, but his official ‘sideline’ has continued.
For insights from behind the stethoscope Tony is also on ESNZ Podcasts on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ai8CjGazURSfLs479JchC