Dr Ruth Foster

What years were you at Waimate High School and what roles did you have?

I attended WHS from 2003 to 2007. During that time, I represented the school in numerous sports, played oboe in the orchestra, and performed in Drama Club productions such as ‘One Day at a Time’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz’. In 2007 I was Arts Prefect.

What have you done since leaving Waimate High School?

2008- Telford Rural Polytechnic

2010- American School of Equine Dentistry

2009-2012 I worked in the Bay of Plenty, riding/grooming in a show jumping yard as well as doing equine dentistry part time.

In 2012, I moved to the UK to pursue my riding ambitions, where I produced/competed young sport horses at a number of yards, and groomed up to five eventing, including Burghley.

In 2016, I started at Nottingham University studying Veterinary Medicine for 6 years, graduating with Honours last June.

I gained a Bachelor of Veterinary Medical Sciences, a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and a Bachelor of Veterinary Surgery and I am a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

What are you doing now?

I now work as an Equine Vet for an ambulatory practice in the East Midlands, covering all aspects of veterinary work, attending to rescue and companion ponies up to Olympic horses. We have all the modern technology allowing us clinical freedom and the ability to work cases in the field.

In my spare time I play rugby for Long Eaton, who are currently unbeaten since 2021, having back-to-back league wins and promotions as well as winning the NLD County Championship this season.

I enjoy tramping and travelling in the UK and Europe and have recently taken up climbing Munroe’s which are hills higher than 3000 feet in Scotland. So far, I have bagged 28 so only have 254 to go!

What are your best memories of Waimate High School?

There were always opportunities at WHS, sporting, academic or cultural if you dared seek them. Staff were always willing to go the extra mile to help support my ambitions and for that I’m forever grateful.