Our Team

KEVIN DIPPERT, PhD, PAS

Owner/Director of ERC

Dr. Dippert was raised in Colden, New York where he began his interest in horses. At the age of 12, he started working on a Quarter Horse boarding and breeding farm. It was there that he gained an appreciation for broodmares and foals running and playing amongst themselves in large pastures. This early experience led the desire to get a more formal education in horse breeding.  In 1989, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Equine Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Dr. Dippert then continued his interest in this area at Colorado State University, where he focused solely on equine reproductive physiology. A Master of Science degree was received in 1991 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1995. He has been a member of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists since 1995.

Dr. Dippert established Equine Reproduction Concepts (ERC) in 1997 with the idea of offering a full array of equine reproductive services on both stallions and mares. His reproductive interests at ERC focus on stallion services, management of the embryo transfer program, transvaginal oocyte aspiration and teaching educational minicourses.

In 2015, Dr. Dippert began doing reproductive work in Kuwait, consulting with veterinarians and performing certain reproductive services.  Although he has responsibilities year-round in Virginia, he travels to the Middle East from October through February. His primary focus abroad is in performing routine management services of the stallion and mare as well as the more technical procedures such as semen freezing and embryo transfer.

Derek Vandrey, DVM

Affiliate Veterinarian

Dr. Vandrey’s interest in horses began in early childhood, encouraged by a favorite uncle who bred Arabians.  He started riding lessons at the age of 8, and amateur riding and showing became his primary hobby throughout high school.  Watching veterinarians and farriers at the barn peaked his interest in working with horses professionally.  He attended Colorado State University for his undergraduate studies with the objective of eventually attending veterinary school.   In addition to studying microbiology, Dr. Vandrey was able to take advantage of CSU’s recognized animal science programs and took multiple courses in equine science.  Living in Colorado also gave him the opportunity to work on guest ranches and volunteer at the large animal veterinary hospital at CSU in the summers.   He also worked for the Kentucky Horse Park during his college years, performing riding demonstrations and interacting with guests in an educational role at the barn of breeds.  After 3 years at the university, he was accepted into the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech, graduating as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2000.

For years, Dr. Vandrey had performed reproductive services at ERC while he was working for another clinic.  However, in 2015 he officially became a part of ERC.  His reproductive interests focus on neonatal care, mare reproductive services, subfertility management, embryo recovery and transfer, transvaginal oocyte aspiration, and assisting with educational minicourses.

Kayle Plummer, DVM

Veterinarian-in-Charge

Dr. Plummer grew up in Snellville, Georgia.  Her interest in horses started at the youthful age of 8.  She has been riding and working with horses throughout her life, focusing mostly in the hunter-jumper community.  She attended the University of Georgia for her undergraduate studies.  During this time, Dr. Plummer became the President and Captain of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Equestrian Team.  In this position, she organized several intercollegiate competitions as well as educated high school students on opportunities for competitive equestrian activities at the university level.  In 2014, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and Agriculture Education.  Two years later, she was accepted into Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, West Indies.  She then spent her last year finishing clinical rotations at Oregon State University and earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2019.

Dr. Plummer began her experience at ERC as an interning veterinarian in 2020.  She then stayed on and became veterinarian-in-charge the same year.  Her reproductive interests at ERC focus on foaling and neonatal care, mare reproductive services, subfertility management, embryo recovery and transfer, and transvaginal oocyte aspiration.