Kent Allen
Dr. Kent Allen received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri in 1979 and has been practicing equine medicine ever since. Dr. Allen opened Virginia Equine Imaging in 1996 after selling Arizona Equine Medical and Surgical Center. Virginia Equine Imaging became one of the first privately owned and operated equine diagnostic imaging specialty clinics in the world. During his transition from Arizona to Virginia, Dr. Allen served as the Veterinary Services Manager at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, acquiring the title of Arizona Equine Practitioner of the year.
Dr. Allen has served as Chairman of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Veterinary Committee, the USEF Drug and Medication Committee, the Medication Sub Committee and List Committee for the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). He has served as Vice Chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee twice, plus has been a member of the USEF and United States Eventing Association Boards. Dr. Allen is currently President, Executive Director and board member of the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP) and is a certified member.
He served as the FEI Foreign Veterinary Delegate for the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada; the 2000 Olympic Games at Sydney; and the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Dr. Allen was also the 2010 Lexington, Kentucky, World Equestrian Games Veterinary Services Manager.
Dr. Allen continues to see patients and share knowledge with veterinary interns and clients on a day-to-day basis, striving to further himself and the equine industry both in his local community and around the world.
Board of Directors
H.J. (Erik) Bergman
Graduated in 1996 at the Ghent University, Belgium. He did his residency in equine reproduction and obstetrics at the Faculty of Ghent and became a diplomate of the European College of Animal Reproduction in 2003.
Erik was co-founder of Lingehoeve Diergeneeskunde, an equine referral practice in The Netherlands, and has mainly been involved in equine orthopedics and imaging. He was one of the first ISELP certified members in 2008 and is a member of the ISELP Board of Directors since 2009. In 2010 Erik is recognized by the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging as an Associated Member-Large Animals.
In 2015 Erik was co-founder of the Sporthorse Medical Diagnostic Centre -SMDC- in Heesch, The Netherlands. This center is focused on the highest quality in equine orthopedics with a multidisciplinary approach. Important values of this center are quality, teamspirit and a good working environment. In 2019 SMDC joined the Altano-gruppe, a group of leading equine clinics and practices in West-Europe.
Erik is well-known for his many lectures and presentation on (inter)national and ISELP conferences all over the world during the last two decades.
Board of Directors
Will French
Dr. French is a 5th generation Colorado native and grew up in Fort Collins. He started riding as a small child in both English and Western disciplines. After high school, he worked on guest ranches during summers and pursued a bachelor’s degree in Equine Science at Colorado State University.
While at Colorado State University, Dr. French competed on the horse judging team, was a teacher’s assistant for packing and outfitting, and completed research in Equine Reproduction. Dr. French was admitted to Colorado State University’s Veterinary School where his passion for the horse was furthered. After veterinary school, Dr. French completed his internship at Littleton Equine Medical Center, rotating through surgery, emergency and field services.
Dr. French has been an Associate Veterinarian with LEqMC since 2012. He has completed further certification in Veterinary Medical Acupuncture and Veterinary Chiropractic. Dr. French enjoys using integrative therapies, including cold laser, on a daily basis. Dr. French has started a series of advanced lameness courses including ultrasound for enhanced diagnostic imaging. His goal is to help the equine athlete reach their full potential.
Dr. French and his wife, Dr. Dietz enjoy spending their free time together along with their horses and dog Jasper. He loves spending time outdoors in the beauty of Colorado – preferably on horseback. Dr. French also enjoys playing the cello.
Board of Directors
Aude-Gaëlle Heitzmann-Ziégler
Dr Aude-Gaëlle Heitzmann-Ziégler graduated from Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort in 2001. Dr. Heitzmann completed her Internship at Maisons-Alfort/CIRALE. She then completed her three-year Residency with Professor Jean-Marie Denoix at CIRALE and ended as a specialist in locomotor pathology. In 2005 she began her career at Clinique Vétérinaire de Grosbois (near Paris). She is now a practice partner. In 2010 she completed and passed her Certification with ISELP. Currently, she is working as a practitioner specialized in lameness examinations and diagnostic imaging in this clinic. She occasionally teaches courses to students and French vets about locomotor pathology of horses. She is involved in show jumping competition as a FEI vet delegate. She obtained a French diploma of cinesiology, physiotherapy and equine rehabilitation in 2018.
Board of Directors
Russ Peterson
A native of Santa Barbara, CA, Russ earned his Bachelor of Science from Claremont College, Master of Science, Animal Nutrition from UC Davis, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis in 1978.
In 1979, Russ founded Peninsula Equine, a 2-man Thoroughbred/Quarterhorse Racing and Sport Horse practice, which quickly grew to be solely a Sport Horse practice within two years. Since it’s inception, cutting edge diagnostics and therapeutics have been a core principle of Peninsula Equine. In that spirit, Russ was active as a founder and board member of the Association of Equine Sports Medicine in 1984 and was a founding member of ISELP (International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology) in 2006, is Certified in ISELP, serves a Secretary on the BOD, and continues to both host annual ISELP Modules at PEMC and instruct at ISELP meetings both nationally and internationally. Russ constructed the current Peninsula Equine Medical Center facility on the Portola Valley Training Center site in 1993. Although he practices almost exclusively sports medicine now, Russ perpetuates a desire to offer clients only the best services available by selecting a team of vets and staff to offer complete care for our patients, from wellness care to the most complex medical and surgical cases. In 2017, Dr Peterson achieved diplomacy in the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) and his interests focus upon regenerative medicine, advanced diagnostic imaging, and rehabilitation.
In 2019, Peninsula Equine Inc merged with Steinbeck Country Equine Inc to form Steinbeck-Peninsula Equine Clinics. This merger combined our two full service equine hospitals, along with their ambulatory divisions, resulting in a diverse staff of DVMs with Diplomates in Surgery, Internal Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Certificates in Acupuncture and Chiropractics. Dr Peterson continues to serve on multiple advisory boards including the California Equine Medications Monitoring Committee (EMMC) and the California Veterinary Licensing Exam Committee as well as several non-profit and equitarian organizations. Outside of equine medicine, Russ is an avid racecar driver, competitive sailor, ex-rugby player and fan, and a proud Grandfather of seven!
Board of Directors
Barbara Riccio
Dr. Riccio graduated in veterinary medicine from the University of Milan (Italy) in 1995. She subsequently completed one-year fellowship at the Equine Clinic of the Ecole Vétérinaire d'Alfort (France) and then from September 2000 to August 2001, she worked as a clinician at the CIRALE (Centre d’Imagerie et de Recherche sur les Affections Locomotrices Equines, Normandy, France). She worked as a private consultant in equine orthopaedics, mainly on tendons and joint ultrasonography, and from 2001 to 2008 as a clinician at the equine section of the Veterinary School of Perugia (Italy). In 2006, she completed an international PhD in Equine Science (University of Perugia and University of Paris Val-de-Marne) under the supervision of Prof Jean-Marie Denoix. She has been invited speaker at several national and international meetings and the main teacher in many equine ultrasound courses.
In 2014, she became an ISELP certified specialist, in 2017 a diplomate of ACVSMR and in 2019 a diplomate of ECVSMR. Currently, she is working as a practitioner specialized in lameness examinations, diagnostic imaging and rehabilitation in her private practice and in the Equine Hospital of the Veterinary School of Turin (Italy).
Board of Directors
Kurt Selberg
Kurt Selberg is a North Idaho native; where his family owned a quarter horse ranch. After completing his doctorate in veterinary medicine from Washington State University, he completed an equine sports medicine internship at Virginia Equine Imaging in Middleburg, VA. He received his training in diagnostic imaging from Colorado State University and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiologists. Following his residency he completed fellowship in advanced imaging with training from Colorado State University and from Musculoskeletal Radiologists in Fort Collins, CO. He was an Assistant Professor of equine diagnostic imaging at the University of Georgia for 4 years before returning to an equine diagnostic imaging position at Colorado State University in September of 2016. His area of interest is the equine athlete and musculoskeletal diagnostic imaging. Dr. Selberg is a certified member and lecturer at many of the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology continuing education events. He is also an FEI treating veterinarian. Most recently, he was the on site imaging consultant for the 2018 World Equestrian Games and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Aside from radiology, he also enjoys skiing , jiu jitsu, fishing, spending time with good friends and family, his lovely wife Katie and 2 children, and two yellow dogs.