Sara Hettinger, an outstanding third-year student at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named the 2025 winner of the $5,000 E.T. Hagyard 1876 Scholarship granted by The Foundation for the Horse. This award will be formally presented during the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) 71st Annual Convention in Denver on December 7, 2025, and is presented this year in honor of the late renowned equine surgeon Dr. Robert Hunt.
Managed through The Foundation for the Horse, the E.T. Hagyard 1876 Scholarship program was endowed in 2023 to reward veterinary students who demonstrate academic excellence, active participation in their student AAEP chapter, and dedicated efforts toward innovation in equine practice.
Hettinger plans to pursue a career as an equine internist with a focus on research. Upon graduation with a veterinary degree and concurrent Master of Public Health degree, she plans to complete a one-year internship followed by a three-year large animal internal medicine residency with an equine emphasis.
Hettinger’s commitment to the field is evidenced by her four years of experience as a veterinary technician at the UF Large Animal Hospital and her achievement of the top score in the 2024 AAEP New Graduate and Student Case Study Competition.
This scholarship’s namesake, Dr. Hunt, was a celebrated equine surgeon at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. He passed away on October 9 at age 69. Dr. Hunt was widely regarded as one of the country’s finest veterinarians, treating top racehorses and stallions like Unbridled, Uncle Mo, and Arrogate. A 1984 graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, he was known for his expertise in soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, lameness, and equine podiatry.
To further honor Dr. Hunt’s legacy, the inaugural Dr. Robert Hunt Equine Surgery Career Scholarship, within the E.T. Hagyard 1876 Scholarship program, will be awarded starting in 2026. This named scholarship, made possible by a gift from Dr. Stephen O’Grady, a mentee of Dr. Hunt, will be awarded in perpetuity to a qualified veterinary student working toward an equine surgery career.
“Dr. Hunt was a giant in the veterinary profession and a mentor to so many, including me,” said Dr. O’Grady. “It is a privilege to establish this surgery scholarship in his name to ensure his commitment to excellence in equine practice continues to inspire future generations.”
In 2026, in honor of its 150th anniversary, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is launching a campaign to raise additional funds to support not only the Dr. Robert Hunt Scholarship, but additional scholarships within the E.T. Hagyard 1876 Scholarship program.
For more information about this program and other scholarships offered through The Foundation for the Horse, visit foundationforthehorse.org/impact/student-education.
About The Foundation for the Horse
Established in 1994, The Foundation for the Horse is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization transforming the lives of horses through equine veterinary education and scholarships, equine medical research, natural disaster relief, and support for working equids and horses in need around the world. As the charitable arm of the AAEP, The Foundation awards more than $1 million annually in scholarships, grants, and program support to help horses worldwide. To learn more, visit foundationforthehorse.org.
About Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
With nearly 60 veterinarians and 150 years behind it, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute is one of the oldest and largest equine veterinary practices in the world. Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the facility, located across the street from the Kentucky Horse Park, boasts superior ambulatory services, the world-renowned Davidson Surgery Center, McGee Medicine and Fertility Centers, Hagyard Laboratory, Hagyard Sports Medicine Center, and hyperbaric medicine facilities. For more information, visit hagyard.com.
