NAGS bulletin: Top groom finalists

The eight finalists in the Horse & Hound Groom of the Year competition have been interviewed by judges Jane Holderness-Roddam, Jeremy Michaels and Helen Galbraith at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire.

The finalists, who are chasing the prize of a luxury holiday in London and Venice, generously donated by Grange Hotels, are:

Pamela Baker, who has worked with polo ponies, show jumpers, eventers and hunters and will be assistant stable manager at the 2004 Olympics
Caroline Dawson, dressage rider Carl Hester’s travelling groom who previously worked with show horses and hunters
Amy Ayris, show jumper Lynne van Heyningen’s groom; Georgina Hirst, an endurance groom
Jane Graham, groom to the British Paralympic dressage squad
Zanie Tanswell, head girl for Pippa Funnell until recently starting a yard with her eventing boyfriend, Chris King
Kelly-Anne Lainsbury, who has worked on many top dressage yards and is currently with Louise Spate
Marie Smith, who works at the Talland School of Equitation

Dr Knottenbelt says: “I’m delighted to accept the cheque on behalf of The Ragwort Trust. Thousands of horses die of liver damage caused by digesting ragwort and a simple blood test, which this donation will help fund, can detect the first signs, allowing horse owners to prevent further exposure to the plant. Unfortunately we cannot banish ragwort, but we can aim to increase awareness and blood-testing in order to save more horses. We owe these students a big thank you on behalf of the horses they will help to save.”