PG . 23
PROFESSIONAL EVENT APPOINTMENTS
• 2000 Olympics – Assistant Veterinarian - Show Jumping & Three-Day Event competition .
• 2001 Melbourne & 2017 Sydney – World Cup Polo – Chief Vet & Horse Welfare Officer .
• Al has been appointed Senior Equine Vet at Sydney Royal Easter Show under the RT Hon Mark Schembri Esq . at various times .
1989 - 2010 ELLERSTON
Offered the Senior Veterinarian position at Ellerston to look after Kerry Packer ’ s 700 horses and 11,000 head of cattle on 5 properties , a gentleman ’ s handshake sealed the deal , and Kerry ’ s brief to Al was , ‘ No one bats a thousand , son .’ He expected the best one could do . Then , the Packer family were still enjoying their Quarter Horse operation , managed by Fred Johnson , with notable AQHA stallions being Cuttabars Colonel Q-15686 and Isle B San Q-2840 .
‘ We built a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic ,’ Al recalls . ‘ Kerry named it the Onassis Hilton , after his favourite polo mare , and produced international polo ponies through ET that competed in the British Open Polo to win three times and also played in the Argentine Open . Ellerston was an exceptional home for myself , Shelley , and our son , Will , and daughter , Sarah .’
Dr . Al Simson
___________________________________
‘ Dad is passionate about what he does , and each year , attends National and World Veterinary Conferences to increase his knowledge and modernise his abilities . He not only has a great love for learning and horses , but for all animals really .’
Al ’ s daughter , Sarah Bailey
___________________________________
While Al is proud of what he ’ s achieved , he feels extremely privileged and grateful for working with different Vets from overseas and throughout Australia . Many vets have interned with Al , wanting to expand their knowledge and skills , and have since gone on to continue a career in repro work .
‘ During breeding season ,’ Al explains . ‘ We have students from different veterinary universities intern here , and I enjoy teaching them . It ’ s important for our profession to
2024 AQHA YEARBOOK ~ MAY / JUNE ISSUE