Hightstown, NJ – Gabrielle Dewhurst was in the fall semester of her senior year at Cornell University when she made the decision to change the direction of her life. She was a Human Development major but didn’t feel much enthusiasm for her future in the field, so when the idea of applying to vet school was put before her, she resisted the urge to think it was too late and altered course.
And she couldn’t be happier with her decision.
Gabrielle, the 26-year-old daughter of longtime harness racing trainer Dave Dewhurst, is a third-year equine veterinary student at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine and recently was named the recipient of the inaugural Dr. William H. Sweeney Memorial Scholarship. She will be formally recognized and awarded the $5,000 scholarship at the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) 71st annual convention on Sunday (Dec. 7) in Denver.
The Dr. William H. Sweeney Memorial Scholarship, managed through The Foundation for the Horse, was established in 2023 to reward a veterinary student who demonstrates academic excellence, active participation in their student AAEP chapter, and dedicated efforts toward innovation in equine practice.
“Gabrielle embodies the spirit of dedication, common sense, and innovation that defined Dr. Sweeney’s incredible career,” David Foley, AAEP and The Foundation for the Horse executive director, said in a press release. “As a third-year student, her commitment to the student AAEP chapter at the University of Georgia and her pursuit of novel diagnostic and treatment methods for equine athletes made her the standout choice for this inaugural award. We are excited to see the impact she will undoubtedly have on the future of horse health.”
As president of UGA’s student chapter of the AAEP, Gabrielle has led initiatives to expand mentorship and clinical opportunities for aspiring equine veterinarians through outreach and the development of an externship review platform, the release stated.
“This really is a blend of everything that I love – the horses, the competitiveness, the science; it all comes together in one career for me,” said Gabrielle, who competed in cross country and track throughout her high school and Cornell years. “So, this career path always made sense, but I never really gave it any value until I was a senior in college. And now I’m here.”
Gabrielle’s parents have a farm in Clinton, N.Y., less than 10 miles from Vernon Downs. Her parents wanted her to focus on school rather than horses when she headed to college, but after her freshman year at Cornell she became more immersed in racing.
“My dad kept me away from paddocking, being a groom, until after my first year of school because he wanted me to finish college. He didn’t want me to get the bug too young,” Gabrielle said with a laugh. “After my first year, I caught the bug and I was there every summer after, even before I wanted to be a vet. I just loved the horses. I loved being around the track, being at the barn. It was just always fun for me. Since my parents have a farm, even before that I was able to be around the horses without being on the track.”
Gabrielle’s increased interest in the horses also coincided with the arrival of female pacer Racine Bell, who was trained by Dave Dewhurst and earned $1.26 million over her six-year career at the races. Seven of her 42 lifetime wins came on the Grand Circuit, including the 2022 Perfect Sting Mare Pace at the Meadowlands, where she defeated reigning Horse of the Year Test Of Faith. That same season, she finished second in the final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, missing by a nose.
“Seeing Racine gave me a big spark,” Gabrielle said. “That was a wild ride. I loved that. I went with her to all her races. It was just so cool to be around that.”
Gabrielle will complete vet school in 2027 and would like to return to upstate New York to work with Standardbreds in the future.
“That’s where my passion is,” Gabrielle said. “I think it’s a huge blessing that I grew up on a farm, especially a Standardbred farm, and learned a lot about being a horseman. I came (to vet school) and had so much secondhand experience just from being a kid on the farm, it’s made it easier to conceptualize managing cases. I think that’s been a big advantage for me.
“Right from day one, I loved everything I was learning. I feel very happy with my choice. I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.”