Dr. Tim Mair Receives AAEP’s Sage Kester Lifetime Achievement Award

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) presented its 2025 Sage Kester Lifetime Achievement Award to Tim Mair, BVSc, PhD, DEIM, DESTS, DECEIM, AssocECVDI, FRCVS, for the extraordinary breadth and depth of his contributions to equine veterinary medicine through clinical practice, clinical research, scholarly publications, continuing education, teaching and mentorship.  

Created in 2025 through the merger of the similarly intentioned Sage Kester Beyond the Call and Distinguished Life Member awards, the Sage Kester Lifetime Achievement Award honors an AAEP member for significant contributions to the AAEP and/or profession of equine veterinary medicine throughout the course of their career. Dr. Mair accepted his award Dec. 9 during the President’s Luncheon at the AAEP’s 71st Annual Convention in Denver, Colo. 

A 1980 veterinary graduate of the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, Dr. Mair is senior veterinary surgeon at Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic in Kent, England, and longtime editor of the peer-reviewed journal Equine Veterinary Education. He is a recognized specialist of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in both Equine Internal Medicine and Equine Soft Tissue Surgery as well as a founding diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine.  

Following several years as the Wellcome Trust Lecturer in Equine Medicine at University of Bristol and a stint in mixed practice, Dr. Mair joined Bell Equine in 1992 and became a partner in 1995. As leader of the practice’s hospital services, he pioneered use of standing MRI while also driving advancements in colic surgery and the medical and surgical management of neoplasia.  

While maintaining a full-time case load at Bell Equine, Dr. Mair has served as editor of Equine Veterinary Education since 1996, after serving as assistant editor for five years prior. He additionally served as assistant editor of Equine Veterinary Journal from 1995–2011 and as a referee for over 15 peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Mair has authored 250 peer-reviewed articles, served as editor or co-editor of 10 textbooks, contributed 30 chapters in additional textbooks, and delivered more than 330 lectures and presentations at scientific conferences and continuing education meetings. In addition, he’s been a key member of the committee organizing the triennial International Equine Colic Symposium as well as a driving force behind establishment of the INCISE international colic surgery audit and registry.  

His influential and enduring mentorship includes roles as longtime supervisor of Bell Equine’s residency, intern and extern programs; advisor/supervisor for residency programs for the European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons, Equine Internal Medicine and Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging; and external examiner for veterinary and graduate students at the Royal Veterinary College and University of Bristol.  

“The dedication Tim has shown over the course of his career to improving the care and knowledge of the equine patient, while simultaneously giving generously of his time and energy to train the next generation of veterinarians and specialists while also constantly contributing to the advancement of equine research has the kind of tremendous global impact deserving of this honor,” said his nominator, Dr. Whitney Ozment.  

About AAEP 

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, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 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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