Our Expert Equine Veterinary Surgeons
At Priors Farm Equine Veterinary Surgery, our team of highly experienced equine vets is dedicated to providing exceptional veterinary care for horses across Sussex. With a passion for equine health and a commitment to clinical excellence, our vets offer a comprehensive range of services, from routine check-ups and vaccinations to advanced diagnostics, lameness investigations, and emergency care.
Each of our veterinary surgeons brings a wealth of expertise in equine medicine and surgery, ensuring that every horse receives the highest standard of treatment. Whether attending to horses on-site or working from our equine clinic in Forest Row, our vets are always focused on delivering trusted, compassionate, and professional care.
With decades of combined experience, our team is proud to support the local equestrian community, helping owners keep their horses healthy, sound, and performing at their best.
Duncan D. Harrison BVSc, CertEM(IntMed), MRCVS.
Owner/Director/Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
After qualifying from Bristol in 2000 he moved to Aberdeenshire joining a mixed practice but concentrating mainly on the equine side. In 2001 he joined a large specialised equine practice in Essex. This very busy practice enabled experience to be gained in all areas of equine veterinary medicine. He gained the certificate in Equine Internal Medicine in 2005. His interests lie firmly in the countryside where he enjoys flyfishing and shooting. He also likes to occasionally hack out when the weather is good! He joined Priors Farm in 2004.
Ben J.N. Chilvers BVMS, CertEM(IntMed), MRCVS.
Owner/Director/Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
Ben qualified from Glasgow in 1997 and started working life at the Herriot practice in North Yorkshire working with a wide variety of animals. In 2000 he took up a two year clinical scholarship in the equine department at Glasgow University Vet School. After gaining the RCVS certificate in equine internal medicine in 2002 he went on to locum at a variety of specialised horse practices in the UK as well as spending time working in the USA. When not working he can usually be found kite surfing on the south coast and trying to persuade his family to join him. He joined Priors Farm in 2004.
Florice A. Cole-Fontayn BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
Florice graduated from the University of Liverpool in July 2019 and joined Priors Farm in September 2019. Having been a keen and competent horsewoman since a young age, Florice always knew she wanted to be an equine vet. As a student she spent time working with the veterinary surgeons at the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and at Rossdales Equine Hospital allowing her to learn a huge amount about all aspects of equine veterinary work. At the end of her university degree, Florice spent one month in The Gambia working at The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust getting invaluable practical experience working up and making treatment protocols for her own patients. Florice is particularly interested in sports horse medicine and lameness workups. In her free time, Florice enjoys walking her two lurchers, playing polo or having a game of squash!
Sally N Hall BSC(HONS) MAVET MB MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
Sally graduated from Cambridge in 1999 and then completed a Junior Clinical Training Scholarship at the Royal Veterinary College Equine Hospital.
She has worked in Sussex ever since as a 1st and 2nd opinion practitioner. Whilst enjoying vettings through to care of the elderly horse, she has accompanied many people on their complete journey of horse ownership over the last 21 years. She is known to many for her holistic, pragmatic approach.
Sally enjoys kayaking and tennis with her son in between helping run her family butchery business in Lindfield and she hopes soon she’ll find time for another chestnut mare!! “
Sarah Davidson BVMS CertAVP MRCVS.
Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
Emily Bishop BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
Emily joined us in the Summer of 2022 after graduating from the University of Bristol. Having grown up in Sussex Emily is familiar with the area and always wanted to work here after qualifying.
Emily particularly enjoys ambulatory work and has a keen interest in Internal Medicine.
Always enthusiastic about sharing knowledge, Emily writes for our social media pages and organises events and talks throughout the year including those for young riders and local Pony Club groups and schools.
When not in work you can usually find Emily outside adventuring with her animals, baking banana bread for the office or casting a new project onto her knitting needles.
Katya Firth BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
Katya graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022 and has since gained valuable experience within the veterinary field. She began her veterinary career as an equine intern in Shropshire, before moving to a busy, mixed practice in Suffolk working with farm and companion animals as well as horses. She then travelled to Australia to undertake a hospital-based equine internship with a strong focus on reproduction, which gave her a solid foundation in equine surgery, medicine and reproduction. Upon returning to the UK she joined the Priors Farm team in November 2024. Katya is committed to continuing to pursue her interests in internal medicine and reproduction. Outside of work, she enjoys playing (very amateur!) polo, training for triathlons and trying to keep up with her spaniel, Ringo, on long walks
Our Dedicated Support Team
At Priors Farm Equine Veterinary Surgery, our support staff play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of our practice. From handling client inquiries to assisting with equine care, our office manager, receptionists, and nurses work tirelessly behind the scenes to provide outstanding service to both our clients and their horses.
Whether you’re calling to book an appointment, request advice, or arrange an emergency visit, our friendly and knowledgeable reception team is always ready to help. Meanwhile, our highly skilled equine nurses provide essential support to our veterinary surgeons, ensuring the highest standards of patient care.
Their dedication, experience, and passion for equine health make them an integral part of the Priors Farm team, allowing us to deliver exceptional veterinary care across Sussex.
Sacha Brown
Practice Manager
Find Out More
Sacha joined us in 2008 and brought with her a wealth of experience having previously worked for another equine practice. She is the familiar friendly voice on the end of the phone and here to help you with your appointments. She keeps 20 brood mares and when these are not occupying her time she enjoys spending time in her immaculate garden.
Jessica Copsey
Receptionist
Find Out More
Jess joined Priors Farm in March 2025. Before this she has worked at a 5* Event yard for 5 years, been a freelance groom alongside transporting horses to different competitions across the UK to groom. In her spare time, Jess really enjoys being active including running, walking, and going to the gym with lots of delicious food in between.
Jess Walters
Insurance handler and Receptionist
Find Out More
Jess joined in February 2025 in reception and handles the insurance claims. Before starting at Priors she worked at all different yards and did a small amount of equine rehabilitation, as well as working at bars and social media for a tyre company!
In her spare time she enjoys riding and going on dog walks as well as going out for food with her boyfriend who both love trying all different places and often go to London for food.
Rosina Scales
Nurse
Find Out More
Rosina joined Priors Farm as a receptionist in July 2018. Rosina previously worked as cabin crew and for the Ambulance service answering the emergency 999 line. In her spare time Rosina enjoys riding her horse and going to local jumping clinics.
Dedicated Out of Hours Equine Veterinary Team
At Priors Farm Equine Veterinary Surgery, we understand that equine emergencies can happen at any time. That’s why our out-of-hours team is available 24/7 to provide urgent veterinary care for horses across Sussex. Whether it’s colic, lameness, injuries, or foaling complications, our experienced equine vets are always on hand to respond quickly and effectively.
With extensive expertise in emergency equine medicine, our out-of-hours equine vets are fully equipped to assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of urgent conditions—either at your yard or at our purpose-built equine clinic in Forest Row.
When your horse needs emergency care, you can trust our dedicated team to provide the highest standard of veterinary support—day or night.
Call Us Anytime: 01342 822081 – 24/7 Emergency Equine Vet Service
Ian Bellis BVM&S Cert AVP(ESO) MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
Ian qualified from Edinburgh in June 2006 and has been working with horses ever since – first in the New Forest, then at a Hospital in Sussex and latterly in East Sussex. He worked at the Olympics in 2012 as part of the Vet Team. He passed his orthopaedic surgery certificate in 2015.
Rosemarie Abbott
Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
Rosemarie graduated from Cambridge in 2011 and has worked in ambulatory equine practice ever since. She spent a few years working in the north east then returned to Sussex and in August 2021 joined the Equicall team. Rosemarie continues to be based in Sussex but also provides remote cover in other regions. Outside of work Rosemarie has nearly finished renovating her house (the garden is next) and likes to explore the country side with her cocker spaniel.
Heather Rea BVetMed Cert AVP MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
Heather grew up in a farming family in East Sussex and was a member of the local pony club. She graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2008. After spending a year in South Devon working in mixed practice she moved back to Sussex to work in specialist Equine practice where she has worked ever since. In 2018 she achieved the RVCS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice.
She has 2 young daughters and enjoys riding with them and taking them to local pony club events.
James Hopkins BVSc Cert AVP(ESO) MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
James qualified from Sydney in January 2007 and worked in ambulatory practice in Australia. On returning to the UK he completed an internship at House and Jackson in Essex. He has been an ambulatory vet in East Sussex since then. He also passed his orthopaedic surgery certificate in 2015.
Matt Smith BVetMed CertES(Orth) Dipl.ECVS MRCVS
Consultant Veterinary Surgeon
Find Out More
Matt graduated with honours from the Royal Veterinary College, London, in 2001. He undertook a 2-year surgical internship at Reynolds House Referrals, Greenwood Ellis and Partners in Newmarket, before entering a 3 year residency training programme in Equine Surgery at The Royal Veterinary College. Matt obtained the RCVS certificate in Equine Surgery (Orthopaedics) in 2004 and the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS) diploma in equine surgery in 2007. He is recognised by both the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a specialist in Equine Surgery.
After completing his surgical residency in 2006, Matt returned to work for the referrals department of Greenwood Ellis & Partners and is interested in all areas of equine surgery, but with particular interest in minimally invasive surgery, including arthroscopy and laparoscopy, fracture repair and colic surgery. He has published 10 articles in peer reviewed scientific journals on subjects including endoscopic surgery techniques, use of mesenchymal stem cells in equine tendonitis, bone cysts and colic. Matt has also presented on these and other topics, at many national and international meetings across Europe, and received awards in 2004 and 2006 from the European College of Veterinary Surgeons for presentations given. He has written review articles in the veterinary press by invitation. In addition to his clinical work, Matt has also maintained an active role in undergraduate teaching, regularly delivering lectures and small group teaching sessions. Since 2006, Matt has been a Special Lecturer in Equine Surgery at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham.