The 2021 Equine Science Society Virtual Symposium is just a few months away! As you prepare for what is sure to be yet another fantastic gathering, we encourage you to check the conference website for updates on the program, registration information, presentation guidelines, and other virtual symposium information.

Registration for the 2021 Virtual ESS Symposium Is Open!
Those who wish to attend the symposium have the option of mailing in a registration form or registering online. Register for the meeting before May 20 and receive a discount on your registration fees. If you have not already renewed your two-year ESS membership fees, you can do so at the time of registration.

This Virtual Symposium presents a special opportunity for a much broader audience to participate in ESS. We hope to see a greater number of international participants and graduate and undergraduate students. The virtual format makes the overall cost to attend much less expensive. This is a fantastic opportunity for faculty to inspire their best undergraduate students by offering to pay for their attendance.

Seeking Bids for Future ESS Symposia
Interested in hosting a future ESS meeting? The Board of Directors is currently accepting bids for the 2025 ESS Symposium. For more information, email ess@assochq.org.

Have You Paid Your Membership Fees?
If you have not yet renewed your membership fees, or would like to become a member, visit the main ESS website to access the secure online FASS payment center (https://www.equinescience.org). Note that membership includes a substantial discount on the cost of registration for the 2021 ESS Symposium, so renew today!

We hope to see you online in June 2021, and in Texas in 2023!

Pat Harris
ESS 2021 Program Chair and Vice President

Dear Colleagues,

I write this update regarding our 2021 Symposium with mixed emotions. The Board of Directors and Executive committee have unanimously decided that due to the ongoing COVID circumstances we will move the 2021 ESS Symposium to a virtual format. We remain fully committed to working with the local Texas A&M organizing committee on an in-person symposium in 2023.

This decision was made after extensive data gathering, communication, and discussion. Feedback from ESS members and discussions in the Executive, Local Arrangements, and Program committees all contributed to our final decision. Contributing factors included inability of members to travel, challenges completing research, and uncertainty regarding the safety and capabilities of in-person gatherings at the 2021 Symposium.

I expect that the Virtual 2021 ESS Symposium will occur at the beginning of June. Members should look for further communication with specific details from the Program Committee over the coming months. Pat Harris, our Vice-President and Symposium Program Chair, has communicated plans for a robust and valuable virtual symposium with oral and poster presentations, invited speakers, networking opportunities, and our traditional general business meeting. Pat will be coordinating the efforts of many ESS members who have already communicated their support in making the 2021 Symposium a success. I am particularly excited about the opportunity this virtual symposium may present to individuals who have previously not participated in ESS. We hope to see a larger national and international participation this coming year!

I am confident that many of our members share my desire for a face-to-face ESS symposium. I'm disappointed that I have to wait a bit longer for what is sure to be bigger and better in Texas! But, I've also seen and heard the enthusiasm from our Program Committee and Board of Directors for conducting a high quality virtual symposium, and I am confident there are opportunities for ESS in this new venture.

My best regards to all of you over the coming Holiday Season!

Burt Staniar
President of the Equine Science Society