These awards represent the very best in equine related projects taking place in universities and colleges throughout the UK. Now in its eleventh year, the award, sponsored by Merial Animal Health, is made by the Royal Agricultural Society of England each year to recognise outstanding academic achievement in the equestrian field and to showcase the best academic research to the equestrian industry.

Brian Warren, Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, comments: "The horse is taking an ever-more important role in rural Britain – as a leisure pursuit for many hundreds of thousands of people, in sport and for landowners who are diversifying their businesses by moving into livery and other horse related activities. This award is a great way of giving recognition to the future thought-leaders in the sector and we hope it also encourages other academic institutions and their students to continue in their valuable work."

The five shortlisted theses are:

• Holly Claridge, Royal Veterinary College: The 3D anatomy of the cervical articular process joint in the horse
• Ann Clausen, Writtle College: Analysis of the trait scoring data in Futurity Evaluations (2005-2008) for young sport horses
• Sarah Craighill, Hadlow College: An investigation to establish if there is a relationship between the orientation of the distal and middle phalanx and injury to the structures of the distal limb in the horse
• James Daly, University of Limerick: Analysis of Career Length and Performance in Irish National Hunt Horses
• Lucy Docker, Harper Adams University College: The use of Heart rate Monitors as an Aid in Assessing Racehorse Fitness

Shortlisted students will now have to defend their thesis to a panel of judges, including the editor of Horse & Rider magazine Alison Bridge, and the 2006 winner Rachel Kay. The winner, to be announced on Friday 13th November, will receive a cash prize, trophy and membership to the Royal Agricultural Society. They will also have the opportunity to present their thesis to the National Equine Forum in March.

Final day judge Dr Emma Batson from Merial Animal Health says: “Research and development is key to our business so it's very satisfying to see that the innovative spirit remains strong within the UK's academic institutions. The quality of entrants this year has been excellent and there is some very valuable work taking place that deserves a great deal of respect and recognition.

“We’re looking forward to meeting the finalists, but I’m sure it’s going to be a challenge to select an overall winner!"