Dressage-News

LEXINGTON, Kentuky, Feb. 24, 2017–Dr. Christina “Cricket” Russillo has been appointed the U.S. Equestrian dressage team veterinarian, succeeding Dr. Rick Mitchell who served as team vet for 14 years.

Dr. Russillo graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2001. She completed a one-year Internship in large animal medicine and surgery at the Texas A & M College of Veterinary Medicine where she decided to focus on the elite sport horse.

For 13 years, Dr. Russillo She was a senior associate veterinarian at Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown, Connecticut for 13 years concentrated on on top-level dressage and show jumping horses. She has served as U.S. team vet for both dressage and jumping on many occasions. She worked at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. In June, 2015, she joined Virginia Equine Imaging as a senior associate. She relocates to Wellington in winter.

“I am excited for the opportunity to support The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team,” Dr. Russillo said. “I have had the chance to help in smaller roles in the past and have always enjoyed working closely with the incredible people and athletes that are a part of this sport. I am honored that I have earned the trust of such a talented group and will work earnestly to support our team.”

Dr. Rick Mitchell has spent 25 years as an official veterinarian to dressage or show jumping teams.

“It has been a great run,” he said. “I learned a lot, met a lot of great people and horses, and feel as though I made a good contribution to the USEF effort internationally and at home.

“It is time to move on and do some other things. I will still be involved with USEF while serving with the American Horse Council, and I will focus more attention on work for the American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation. I will now have the opportunity to spend some summers at home with my practice and, hopefully, my family. I hand the reins over to a very capable, younger veterinarian who worked in my practice for 13 years.”