The case of a curious horse who failed a drug test after his groom shared a drink with him is a reminder to equestrians of contamination risks posed by everyday items.

Gladiador VV, an 11-year-old gelding, tested positive for caffeine, theophylline and paraxanthine at an endurance competition at Punta del Este in Uruguay in November 2025. He was there with the aim of qualifying for the endurance World Championships but was disqualified owing to the failed test. The FEI Tribunal released its decision on the case on 13 October.

All three substances are classed as controlled medications, which means they have a place in veterinary medicine, but may not be in a horse’s system during a competition. Caffeine is a stimulant and theophylline makes breathing easier, and they can be direct metabolites of each other. Paraxanthine is a mental stimulant and can also be a metabolite of caffeine.

The horse’s rider, Sofía Fernández, proposed that accidental contamination by yerba mate – an everyday, natural drink made by brewing dried leaves and stems of a type of holly with hot or cold water – was “the most plausible explanation”.

Ms Fernández said that the substances detected and their metabolic profile were consistent with those found in plants, and pointed to yerba mate which contains caffeine and small amounts of theophylline.

She said yerba mate is a common drink and was regularly consumed by the groom who looked after the horse. She suggested that it was stored and handled near the stabling area so there could have been accidental contamination of feed, water or equipment.

A statement from the groom, who has apologised to the rider, said he would feed the horses in their paddocks at the end of the day and stay until they finished eating. He added that the horse was curious and would approach him while he drank, and lick the yerba mate.

“On some occasions he deliberately put used yerba mate in the horse’s feed trough, as a reward and to occupy the horse after feeding, because the horse appeared to enjoy it,” added the statement.

The groom estimated that he probably gave the horse a handful of yerba mate about seven times in the month leading up to the competition, including twice the week before, as a reward after training.

“The FEI consulted with their FEI’s pharmacokinetic expert, Dr Stuart Paine, and he confirmed that ‘the observed results are plausible from the administration of yerba mate a few days before the sample was taken’,” states the Tribunal report.

The FEI noted that yerba mate is a “recognised cultural practice in Uruguay and an everyday natural drink”, adding that it “carries no labelling warnings that would normally prompt the [person responsible – Ms Fernández] or groom to check for prohibited substances”.

The FEI’s submission continued that the groom’s decision to feed used yerba mate to the horse “was unexpected”, but that he “admitted his error proactively and transparently”.

“He was deeply apologetic, fully cooperative, and unaware of the potential doping consequences,” stated the FEI, adding that “the facts show no intention to enhance performance or to deliberately administer a controlled medication”.

The Tribunal ruled that the rider “bore no significant fault or negligence”. She was suspended for three months, back-dated to July 2026, and fined 3,000CHF (£2,730).

Following the outcome of the tribunal, International Grooms Association executive director Lucy Katan told H&H: “Cases like this remind us that contamination can happen to anyone around a competition horse. A drink left in the wrong place or a supplement with unclear ingredients can put results and reputations at risk.

“Grooms are on the front line of horse care, making practical anti-doping education essential. That’s why the IGA, in partnership with the FEI, developed International Groom Clean (IGC).

“IGC helps equestrians understand the consequences of unwitting mistakes and how to prevent accidental contamination.”

Test your knowledge

NB: This quiz is not intended to be a comprehensive list of feeds that can and can’t be given to horses. For more information on prohibited substances, check out the FEI's Clean Sport hub for horses.

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An HMRC dispute over grooms’ accommodation has highlighted the need for businesses to be aware of the complexities surrounding national minimum wage (NMW) rules.

Coach Rebecca Cowderoy has spoken out after she believed she was following the correct procedure around NMW and staff accommodation – but was found to have incurred NMW arrears owing to confusion around the HMRC accommodation offset rate.

When staff accommodation is provided and the charge meets or is below the offset rate, an employer may deduct this from an employee’s wage for rent. The accommodation charge can also be kept separate so the employee receives their full wage then pays the employer the offset amount, or rent if the amount is lower. If the accommodation costs more than the offset rate, this excess results in the worker’s wage falling below NWM, so the employer must increase the wage to ensure NMW is paid.

In 2021 Rebecca rented property for staff as she did not have accommodation at her yard. She charged only what she was paying on rent, and covered all bills. At the time the weekly offset rate was £58.52 and Rebecca unknowingly accrued £4,179.44 NMW arrears over 12 months relating to one employee.

Having been one of multiple equestrian employers named on the Government’s recent NMW penalty list, Rebecca hopes to make others aware of the complexities around accommodation.

“I was paying NMW or above. I wasn’t trying to get around NMW,” Rebecca told H&H. “I was trying to provide them with somewhere decent to live. I wanted them to have somewhere clean, warm and comfortable – not make money from housing them.”

Rebecca believes the offset rate – which rises annually and is currently £77.60 – is too low.

“This raises a question; is the offset realistic for employers who are trying to provide decent accommodation?” she said.

“Unless you expect someone to share with three or four people or live in a static caravan, it simply wasn’t realistic in my circumstances. The whole experience was incredibly expensive and upsetting, and it has made me realise how important it is to understand how the rules work. What may seem like a perfectly reasonable arrangement can have serious financial consequences.”

Trainer Lucinda Russell – who employs 60 staff, all of whom are paid above minimum wage – was another to be named on the NMW list. Lucinda told H&H the £2,158.39 arrears related to two jockeys and was the result of an error made between October 2023 and 2024 relating to deductions for staff accommodation for one, and livery for the other. The matter has been resolved.

Jodie Seddon, a partner at Aria Grace Law CIC, told H&H: “Under HMRC rules the standard of staff accommodation provided is not relevant to the amount of offset that employers can withhold from salaries; it is a fixed amount, adjusted annually alongside NMW.

“It is great to see more equestrian employers trying to put in place proper arrangements, but we would always encourage people to seek professional advice at the outset – the expense is minimal by comparison with the potential penalties for errors.”

Dan Martin of chartered accountants Ellacotts told H&H accommodation arrangements in many cases are “genuinely generous”.

“The difficulty for the equestrian sector is that generosity is no defence. Layer on other complications, unpaid time at shows, early starts and late nights, travelling days, keep for a groom’s horse, apprentice rates and birthday rate changes, and it becomes easy to fall below the line without any intent to underpay,” he said.

“The employers who end up on the list are rarely the bad actors. They are usually small, well-meaning businesses running payroll without specialist support.”

Mr Martin added that the most common misconception his firm sees is the “belief that if rent is invoiced separately, or paid out of the groom’s bank account, it sits outside payroll and NMW calculation”.

“If the yard owns or rents the cottage, flat or caravan, or if living on site is tied to the job, the offset applies regardless of how the rent is collected. Employers who believe they have structured around the problem are often the ones who get caught,” he said.

Confusion also arises over utility bills, which must be factored into the total accommodation charge under the offset rules. Mr Martin said only charges that are “genuinely optional” fall outside, though these are still tested under ordinary NMW deduction rules.

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Attitudes to and conditions for the equestrian workforce are changing for the better – but there are still “serious concerns”, especially for those in on-the-job training roles.

A recent British Grooms Association (BGA) survey “demonstrates an urgent need for some equestrian employers to stop ignoring employment legislation and offer only legal terms and conditions”, BGA CEO Lucy Katan said.

The survey, of “working pupils”, apprentices and other grooms in training, found that 72% work over 40 hours per week, 64% have no written contract, 67% are not given payslips and 77% do not get their statutory holiday entitlement. More than half are not paid at least the national minimum wage (NMW).

“The findings highlight an urgent need for the equestrian industry to come together to improve standards and understanding around on-the-job training,” the survey report concludes. “Employers, parents and young people themselves all have a role to play in ensuring they receive proper training alongside the employment rights and protections they are legally entitled to.”

The report also states, as has been said before, that the term “working pupil” must be reconsidered as this is not a legally accepted term and training may not be in lieu of paying the NMW.

“While employers may legitimately provide training alongside employment, training cannot generally be offered in place of wages, and workers should not bear training costs in a way that causes their pay to fall below the NMW,” the report states.

“To avoid this, employers must not deduct training costs from pay, and workers should be provided with a separate invoice for any training charges payable to their employer. These findings may therefore warrant closer scrutiny by enforcement bodies to determine whether employment and pay arrangements comply with NMW legislation.”

Awareness of the law

Ms Katan said overall there is greater awareness of the law, and she believes the situation is changing for the better, citing the fact that since she set up the Equestrian Employers Association, this has helped create 5,500 contracts for staff.

“Do we hear of the same number of ‘working pupil’ positions as historically? No,” she told H&H.

“But the ones bringing people in and giving them training in return for the wage, or some kind of mishmash; are those poor employment? Yes.”

Ms Katan praised recent moves to raise grooms’ profile, such as at the World Championships.

“Progress is being made; groom recognition is much better than it was,” she said.

“But we have to make sure our industry is only a place of good employment. That’s it.”

Have your say

The results were revealed as a the equestrian workforce is encouraged to have its say.

British Equestrian is working with Hartpury University to “build a clearer picture of the people who keep the equestrian sector running, and the challenges and opportunities they face”.

The survey will consider issues such as recruitment, retention and training.

Hartpury director of research Jane Williams said: “By combining our robust research expertise with meaningful engagement across one of our specialist industries, we’ll create the evidence to inform workforce development and help build a more sustainable, inclusive sector.”

There are surveys for paid workers and volunteers.

● Do you work in the industry; what have your experiences been? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

The World Championships on the hallowed grounds of Aachen were a tremendous success for everyone involved.

With 65 nations represented, a live broadcast audience of 12.8 million, half a million spectators attending and an incredible reach of 106.2 million across FEI social and digital channels, the allure of horse sport was proven. It was a glorious feeling for all the disciplines that our sport is alive and well, and as popular as ever with spectators.

The importance of LA Olympic and Paralympic qualification cannot
be underestimated.

The excitement of the cross-country, Harry Charles’ individual showjumping bronze, the amazing freestyles, our para riders’ individual medals and their Paralympic qualification, not to mention the eventers’ team gold, individual silver and bronze – it’s hard to think of a more amazing few weeks for British equestrianism.

I find championships slightly stressful, but although we were a little
way off gold, we were very happy with our team silver. Lottie Fry was, for me and many, the obvious winner and world champion. Lottie’s story is one of resilience and strength of character.

To win double gold four years ago, then after a dip in performance over the last two seasons come back with improved piaffe and pirouettes – and style of riding – goes to show what a great partnership can do to get better. That’s impressive.

The draw still seems to play a big part in the marking. I honestly think if Becky Moody had been in my slot in the freestyle (second-last to go) she should and would have got the bronze.

I knew from the moment I got on Fame that I was in for a hairy ride. Every time he spooked, I could hear the crowd’s oohs and aahs more than my David Bowie music. How I ended up in the right place was a miracle!

Now we’ve qualified for LA some of the older horses will have to be really well managed. Of course, there could be a changing of the guard. But it just shows why the selectors’ job is so important.

Anti-doping education for grooms

The human dynamo that is Lucy Katan was awarded her MBE by The King in July this year to add to her many awards over 20 years of working so hard for grooms as founder of the British Grooms Association and executive director of the International Grooms Association (IGA).

This year Lucy lead the launch of the first dedicated anti-doping education course created specifically for grooms: International Groom Clean. Developed with the support and content approval of the FEI and available in English, French, Spanish and German, the course provides accessible, practical online education to help grooms understand and navigate FEI Clean Sport requirements.

Explaining why the course was developed and why it is so important, Lucy recalled: “Back in 2001, I was a young groom at the European Championships in Germany. In the stables, I saw one of the more experienced grooms applying a liniment to his horse, and I heard a rider ask, ‘Is that safe for doping?’

“I didn’t realise until then how easily I could have made a mistake with serious consequences for my rider, the horse’s owner and the British team I was part of, and that has stayed with me.”

While cheating is quite rare, mistakes are prominent due to a lack of knowledge. As she used to work as a testing officer for UK Anti-Doping and became an educator for the agency, Lucy is ideally placed to have instigated the initiative.

I have advised all my staff to take the course. We place such a huge amount of trust in our amazing grooms and this short course on the IGA website will help all grooms avoid unwitting mistakes. Students, parents, owners and anyone else involved in FEI competition may take the course by joining the IGA. Non-grooms are welcome too and will become associate members.

● What can be done to stop drawn order from influencing dressage marks? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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Paige Watson, groom to Max Warburton’s Deerpairc Revelry, has won this year’s Spillers groom’s prize at the 2026 Defender Burghley Horse Trials – and a £1,000 cheque to go with it.

“Technically it’s £1,100,” Paige corrects, laughing. “You get an extra £100 if your horse starts cross-country as well.”

Asked how she’ll spend it, she adds: “I’ll probably do something sensible, like pay off a credit card. That’s the adult move, isn’t it? Sorry, boring. I should go on a big spending spree!”

Purple shampoo and no shortcuts

Ask Paige her secret on keeping Deerpairc Revelry’s striking grey coat so clean and there’s no hesitation. “Purple shampoo is my best friend – I have a five-litre drum of it, just for him.

“He gets a bath probably twice a day when he’s here. At home, he’s actually really dirty, but at a show he keeps himself quite clean.

“But as a groom, there are no shortcuts. Don’t ever think there’s an easy way to do something, or that it’d be quicker if you skipped a bit. That’s when you get caught out.

“You just have to be on it all the time and do everything as best you can. That’s all that matters. That and baby oil – I love baby oil.”

She was presented with the award after this morning’s (7 September) pre-showjumping trot-up, for which she had an early start. “I started at about half five this morning – it’s a lot of icing, walking about, making sure they look okay,” she explains.

“The priority is that they’re sound and ready for the trot-up, and then you can start to titivate, get them clean, do all that. Quick bath, plait him, and it’s an hour and a half, maybe – not too bad.”

Deerpairc Revelry – as so often seems to be the case with greys – doesn’t always cooperate once he’s presentable. “He’s already rolled in his rug this morning – covered in shavings. He’ll have to have another bath. I’ve just accepted now that he has a bath in the morning and one at lunchtime.”

A six-year partnership, and a horse with character

Paige has groomed for Max Warburton for six years, part of a grooming career now stretching back around a decade. “Before Max, I worked for Matt Heath and Ben Hobday,” she says. “I worked at a tack shop, and I was a hunt groom for a while too – but nothing non-horsey.”

Horses have been a constant since childhood. “I’ve had them since I was about five. Always horses. Nothing else has ever really interested me.”

Deerpairc Revelry, she says, is full of contradictions. “He’s a funny character – quite quirky, can be a bit of a handful. He gets very lit up by clapping, especially anything behind him, so he’s a bit worried about that.

“But he’s very easy in a lot of senses too. Apart from digging holes in his stable, he’s a really lovely boy. I’m just very lucky to have a horse like him, taking me to cool places like this.”

For all the glamour of a Burghley week, cross-country day itself sounds like something to be endured rather than enjoyed. “Sick. Very sick,” Paige says of how she feels watching Deerpairc Revelry go round – the 12-year-old stallion went clear with 14.8 time-faults.

“It's very non-verbal in the stables on a Saturday morning – not a lot of talking. You want them to do well, but first and foremost, you just want them to come home. You spend day in, day out with these horses, and regardless of the result, you just want them safe and sound.”

Recognition, and advice for the next generation

The prize itself means something beyond the money, Paige says. “It's nicer just for the recognition, I think. We’re behind the scenes most of the time – the horses turn up, the riders are sat on their backs doing all the hard work, and we’re just there in the background.

“I definitely don’t expect £1,000 prizes all the time! I don’t think any groom really goes to a show expecting it. We don’t do it for the money. We do it for the love of the horses we look after.

“If you’re lucky enough to come to places like this, it’s a privilege – you never get bored of it.”

She’s honest about the less romantic side of the job too. “You might think you’re just picking up poo every day – day in, day out. But there comes a point where you think, actually, maybe it was worth all the 2am starts and 10pm finishes. Then you feel quite lucky.”

Despite the long hours and the nerves watching her charges compete, she adds that she wouldn’t choose anything else: “I don't think there’s any other career for me.”

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We’re probably all guilty of carrying a stereotypical image of a groom as a young person – it’s a tough physical job, requiring plenty of energy, and in many cases, national and international travel. Mags Hill, groom to Simon Grieve at this week’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials defies that stereotype.

Mags is 67 years old and she’s worked with horses for 50 years.

“I was born into the hunting fraternity, because my dad was a huntsman in Devon. So we were brought up with horses and hounds. I used to ride my dad’s hunter when when I was a little nipper and play cowboys and Indians with my brother,” says Mags.

Mags was a serious runner in her teenage years.

“I used to run for the county. I was an 800m runner and I could do that in under two minutes,” she says.

“I quite enjoyed that until I damaged my knee when I was 16 and that put an end to that career. They said I could have surgery, but I thought, ‘Well, what’s the point? It’ll only give me another six months and then it’s going to be back to where it was.’ So I picked horses back up and came back into this world.”

Mags started helping with the hunt at weekends and then was employed there full-time when she left school.

Over her five decades working with horses, she’s covered a huge range of areas – thoroughbred studs, racing, hunt groom (“I worked at one of the famous hunts of the world for 17 seasons, under my sister, who was head groom, but perhaps I shouldn’t say which pack”), point-to-pointing and showing.

“I used to ride, but I don’t ride any more because I broke my leg quite badly in two places in two separate incidents,” she says. “I’ve got a metal plate with screws in and screws in my foot attached to the plate. The surgeon said, ‘If you have another fall Mags, you will lose your foot.’ So the decision’s made for you. But I’ve got my foot and I’m here. I can still work, I can still run around after Simon.”

Mags Hill, groom to Simon Grieve: ‘Going to events is like a mini holiday’

Working for Simon is Mags’ first job in eventing and she has been with him for 14 years. She works in a team of three on the yard, with her daughter Amanda Singer and Brooke Rodwell. Amanda has two children, six-month-old Matilda and three-year-old Stanley.

Mags has already hit the shops at Burghley: “Amanda says, ‘Mum, don’t buy anything’, but you can’t come to these places and not buy something for the grandkids. They’ve got loads of toys, so I bought them a sweatshirt each.”

Brooke and Amanda go to the one-day events with Simon, while Mags’ role is to look after the yard on those days – plaiting, bathing and preparing horses for the next day’s competition – and then to travel to stay-away fixtures.

She says: “It gets me away from the yard, because I’m there all the time and I live there too. Coming away is like having a little mini holiday, isn’t it? That’s what we say when Simon and I get in the lorry, ‘Oh we’re off on a mini holiday again.’

“I’ve been around quite a lot of places with Simon. Ballindenisk, Pau and my favourite is Le Lion, for the young horse championships – it’s lovely there and everything is so relaxed.”

Mags says she has always been competitive, whether in running, racing or now in eventing. She doesn’t get nervous.

“I love to watch – I’ll watch on the screen for cross-country,” she says. “In racing, you go to the paddock with the horse. You lead it up. You put the jockey on. You let it go, and it comes back, and it’s more or less the same here. You put him on, you send him off, he comes back. It’s not that much more difficult.

“I don’t walk the course any more. I used to, when I was younger, but I’m getting older now, it’s a long way round and it’s quite hilly. My little legs get tired.”

Mags says Simon’s ride Autograf (Buster) can be a bit more grumpy when he’s fit and knows where he is, but it’s clear he has plenty of respect for his tiny groom.

“We were going back down the ski run here earlier in the week,” she says, indicating the slope out of the collecting ring, “and I said to Buster, ‘I don’t want to be going down here on my bottom, Buster’ because it was slippery, and Buster really slowed down and was very good. Sometimes he just marches off with me, but he does listen.”

Mags and I are speaking on Friday evening at Burghley. Her plan for today, cross-country day, was to feed Buster at 7am, muck out, take him for a walk, give him a few hours to chill out and then start to get him ready for his 1.05pm start time.

After cross-country, Brooke and Amanda will be there to help Mags and they’ll stick to the same routine as last year, when Simon had a great round to finish 18th. Mags will lead Buster for the critical post cross-country minutes and the others will be in charge of washing off.

“Everybody knows what job they’re doing tomorrow and if they don’t I’ll shout at them,” she says.

Mags emphasises that increasing recognition for grooms in the industry is a positive move, recognising the long hours they put in to support riders and owners.

“Sometimes you just need a little bit of love yourself, if that’s what you can call it – Simon does that. He brings breakfast in most mornings and when we go away, I don’t have to buy anything, he buys it all,” she says.

Mags’ favourite memories

Mags picks out three favourite memories from her many years’ experience.

“We were doing a hound parade at the Royal Show and Concorde flew over. We had a picture of the hounds and hunt staff in the middle of the arena and Concorde above them. I think the picture made the front cover of the Horse & Hound,” she says (we’re working on the fact checking here…).

“And then we went to Chatsworth to parade there and we had seven packs of foxhounds, four packs of beagles, three sets of basset hounds, all in the arena at the same time. We were trying to keep that lot all separate to do each parade, then at the end they all went in the middle and we put them in one lorry.

“Then we had to sort them all out and that was quite funny. We still ended up with some of somebody else’s hounds and the huntsman had to ring up the neighbouring packs to come and pick up their hounds.”

Finally, Mags talks about the fact Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s successful National Hunt horses Colonius and Isle Of Man retired to go hunting with the pack she worked for.

“We were very privileged that she sent them to us, privileged to look after and ride them,” she says.

“And she came to see us all – she took the time to talk to every single one of us on the establishment and she even shook hands with the children, which they thought was lovely. How many people have that privilege to meet the Queen Mum?”

After all Mags’ experience, she surely knows how to manage riders as well as horses. Her top tip if Simon’s ever in a bad mood? Give him an hour to calm down “and then I’ll take him a biscuit”.

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Ruth Asquith is groom to Katie Magee’s Treworra – known at home as Wilf – at this year’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials.

“He’s everything you want in a horse,” she says. “Tall, dark, handsome, talented and sweet. He’s a gentleman, and he’s very easy on the ground – that just makes all the difference.”

But grooming is something she nearly walked away from for good.

Ruth spent almost eight years as head girl for Nicola Wilson, right up until Nicola’s life-changing fall at Badminton in 2022.

“I adored Nik, and I adored those horses – they were my entire universe,” Ruth says.

“When she had her accident, there was the initial ‘Oh my goodness, is she going to live?’ – that’s awful. But then it’s the aftermath. Watching all the horses go, one by one – it was the right thing, but that was devastating. It nearly destroyed me.

“I lost my job and everything I loved in one fell swoop. You move out, and all of a sudden – who are you without the horses? Who are you without Nic? They’re everything.

“There were three of us who’d worked there a really long time – we were a little family unit, and then all of a sudden we were torn apart.

“You know, the first thing I’d do in the morning was go out and kiss those horses. And on a night, doing late checks – I was the only person who lived there in the end – and I would go around and give them all their nighttime kiss and cuddle. I was so invested in them, and it was so hard to say goodbye.”

What carried her through, she says, was watching how Nicola herself responded during her recovery.

“She was so strong – always having a positive attitude. If something went wrong, it was, ‘We move on, tomorrow’s a new day.’

“She never felt sorry for herself. That helped, because then we were all like that – we just tried to make the best of it as we could.”

Rebuilding and finding balance

After Nicola’s accident, Ruth went to America to work for rider Gabby Dickerson. When she came back, she decided it was time to step away from grooming altogether.

“I said, ‘I’m not grooming anymore, that’s it. I'm going back into vet nursing and I'm going to have more of a normal life.’”

Two weeks later, Katie called. “She asked if I’d mind coming to help out – and that was nearly two years ago now, and I’m still there.”

These days Ruth splits her time: four days a week in equine veterinary work, two with Katie. “I love the way she works. I think we’re quite similar in our mindsets – both hardworking, quite calm people. You just get on with it – very much how Nicola works too, to be honest.”

The experience with Nicola has reshaped what she actually wants from the sport and how she approaches it.

“I have a very different perspective now from what I used to have,” she says. “I always adored the horses, and the thing that used to upset me most was other people being disappointed in them. But now, as long as they come home safe, I’m just grateful to be here. I try to enjoy every second of it.”

She still keeps half an eye on the horses she once cared for – like JL Dublin, who Nicola fell from and is now ridden by Tom McEwen – but from a distance.

“I follow their careers,” she says. “It’s hard – you take on a new horse, the last thing you want is the old groom hanging around. But I follow them from afar. I always keep an eye on their results, and I always want them to do really well.”

On what advice she’d offer those considering a career in grooming, she adds: “Your enthusiasm is way more important than your knowledge level. If you’re willing to learn, that’s the key – and loving the horses, no matter what.”

She’s quick to credit the friendships that have carried her through the harder times, naming fellow grooms Amy Phillips, Jess Mackey and Chloe Fry. “It’s a small world and when the chips are down, those are the people you need. It’s important to have a balance in life. It really is.”

Asked about her hopes for Burghley, Ruth keeps it simple. “Honestly, I just want them to come back safe and sound on Sunday. We’ll have a good time regardless – but we all know what he’s capable of, and it would be lovely for Katie to be up there. She deserves it – he deserves it.”

• To stay up to date with the latest news and reports throughout Defender Burghley Horse Trials, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website and enjoy our Burghley live news service throughout the event

Jess Elliott, groom to Austin O’Connor at this year’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials, says his ride Sixmilewater is known at home as Buster – but she’s nicknamed him Buster The Bull.

“I gave him that nickname because he is full of it. He’s got character. At the trot-up yesterday, he was towing me round, running about,” she says.

That said, the 12-year-old by OBOS Quality 004 has matured since his first five-star at Burghley last year.

“He was a little bit fruity last year and this year, he knows when he’s going to do something and he just switches. You can walk him hand grazing and he’s quite chill sometimes. And then when he knows he’s going to do something, he flicks and he’s a completely different character.”

Jess started working for Austin in August 2025 and is his head girl. She came to Burghley last year with Buster and then went to Mars Badminton Horse Trials with him in May this year.

She says: “He just keeps getting better every time and he’s stronger. Fitness-wise, in his canter work, we’ve got him exactly where we would want to be.

“On his last prep runs, Austin has put him up the gears a bit more and asked more of him, and he just keeps going. Sometimes he’s a bit of a bull and takes the rein and Austin’s like, ‘Whoa’, so we need just to keep between the flags and we’ll be fine.”

Jess Elliott: from eventing to showjumping and back

Jess, 27, is from Ayrshire originally. She had horses herself when she was growing up and then started working for Padraig McCarthy and his wife Lucy, initially combining grooming with riding, then moving more towards the grooming side.

“They were looking for a head person, and I fell into the role, learning on the job. I did working hunters, so I had that background of tidiness and I could plait,” she says.

After four years with the McCarthys’, Jess was Piggy March’s head girl for a year.

She says: “Pigs is amazing and the whole team at Maidwell were brilliant. But Piggy was slowing down a little bit with her eventing, and I was keen to keep going and be busy. An opportunity with Ben Maher came along.”

Jess spent eight months with the British showjumping star, experiencing the constant travelling of the showjumping lifestyle.

“My first week was London International and then I moved to Florida for four months. Then I came home from Wellington, had one week off for my birthday, went into quarantine in Germany, and flew to Shanghai for the Global Champions Tour,” she says.

Jess says she learnt much about the finer details of travelling horses and grooming tricks from the showjumping circuit. In return, she transferred her knowledge such as making ice pockets for horses legs with tubigrips.

She says: “I put it on when we were in Cannes and Ben was like, ‘What is this?’ And I was like, ‘Oh, it’s just what we use in eventing, I thought I could try it out’, and he was like, ‘Oh, that’s a great idea.’”

Grooming ambitions

Jess has groomed at championships, including the Pratoni World Championships with Padraig McCarthy, but didn’t go to the recent worlds in Aachen with Austin because his top horse Colorado Blue (“Salty”) is always groomed by Fran Denning at events.

However, she was in Aachen for the weekend because she goes out with Chinese rider Alex Hua Tian, so she attended to support him.

Her ambitions in grooming are to go to an Olympics – she’s gunning for Austin to be selected for Los Angeles 2028 – and to fly with horses.

What does she enjoy about her job?

“I love being with the horses – I really know my horses now. At Burghley last year I didn’t know Buster well, but getting a connection with them and just being able to take them to places like this is crazy,” she says, indicating Burghley House in the background.

“Whether it’s eventing or showjumping, we’re so lucky to come and look at that view. I’m really good friends with all the grooms, so you’ve got a group of you all together.”

Groom Jess Elliott also says Austin O’Connor is “a good egg and his heart is always in the right place”.

“He’s a great person to work for and he’s very fair. I am scared to ride sometimes because we’ve got the Ridgeway up the back of the yard and if you fall off, the horses can go for miles, so he puts me down for lungeing – he takes into consideration that I don’t want to ride all the time,” says Jess, who also says Austin helps make it possible for her to see Alex.

“And he’s great with the horses and with his kids, Wilf and Alfie – on the yard, there’s always a family atmosphere.”

With Austin’s dressage at 11.42am tomorrow, it will be a early start for Jess.

She says: “Buster will have a good lunge and a session with Tracie Robinson – she’s brilliant and gets the best out of Austin and Buster. Because Buster is quite buzzy, him being out of the stable is better – in the mornings I’ll take him for a good graze or walk, then it’s a lunge or a little ride.

“It’s just keeping his mind ticking over, always having him thinking, otherwise he gets a little bit crazy in his head. You have to get the adrenalin up and then down and manage that. Then hopefully by the time you go to the test, you’ve managed the levels so the adrenalin spike isn’t crazy.”

• To stay up to date with the latest news and reports throughout Defender Burghley Horse Trials, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website and enjoy our Burghley live news service throughout the event

Absorbine Groom of the Year 2026

Honouring the dedication, skill and sheer effort and love of horses this individual displays in the care of their charges day and night.

Behind the scenes, grooms are the linchpins of every yard, whether away at competitions or a vital cog at home. We celebrate their work in the annual Horse & Hound Awards.

The shortlist

Jess is in her 19th season with event rider Harry Meade.

“We’ve had some great results. There’s so many highs and lows within the sport, so when the high days happen it makes it all worth it,” says Jess.

For anyone hoping to make it in the industry, Jess advises always to ask questions.

“You can never stop learning,” she says. “I was young when I started with Harry and I absorbed as much as I could. You can start from the bottom and work your way up, which is what I did. I always knew I wanted to be a head groom for a top rider and I think if you work hard, you can get anywhere in life.”

Ellie has worked for showing producer Katie Jerram-Hunnable since 2018.

“I was meant to go into engineering at university, but I loved horses and wanted to try that first. I joined Katie and never left,” says Ellie. “I love the connection you make with the horses, especially when we have them from a young age and you see them go all the way through.”

Ellie has no regrets about her career path.

“If you’re interested in horses, I think you’ve got to give it a try. You have to be open-minded and find the place you fit. I was very lucky at Katie’s as I adored the yard and what they stand for.”

Adam joined event rider Tom McEwen in 2018.

“I do it because I love the horses, the sport and the people that come with it. I don’t really see it as a job, it’s more like a way of life.

“I enjoy going to different places. The World Championships in Aachen were incredible, but every year is a highlight,” says Adam.

Adam’s advice to others is to learn from lots of different people.

“When you’re starting out it’s important to gain as many different experiences as you can to find out what works for you. Then you can build your own system. I always say there’s no such thing as a silly question.”

Beth is in her third season with the South Devon Hunt.

“Every season I’m learning more and growing,” she says. “I enjoy working with the hounds and getting the horses ready, then seeing them out doing what they love.

“It’s hard work, but when you go out hunting it makes it all worth it. Last year we went up to the VWH for a joint meet and it was great to see how different their country is.”

There are opportunities to gain qualifications as a groom and Beth completed an apprenticeship through the British Hound Sports Association.

“I got to meet new people my own age that enjoy the same things as I do,” she says.

Previous winners of the Groom of the Year award

Previous winners of this award include:

• 2025: Kim Masson, competition groom for Becky Moody during annual leave from her full-time job in marketing
• 2024: Jackie Potts, groom to William Fox-Pitt for over 30 years
• 2023: Lucy Scudamore, groom to Carl Hester
• 2022: Ruth Asquith, Nicola Wilson’s head groom, who joined her team in March 2016
• 2021: Tilly Hughes, groom to Laura Collett and was her travelling groom for the Tokyo Games
• 2020: Amelia Jay Sanderson, freelance groom
• 2019: Amy Phillips, groom to Piggy French
• 2018: Jane Felton, groom to Jonty Evans
• 2017: E-J Eldridge, yard manager at Stallions AI breeding station
• 2016: Alan Davies, groom to Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin

About the Horse & Hound Awards 2026

The Horse & Hound Awards are celebrating their 11th year, being held in partnership with NAF and Agria.

As ever, the Horse & Hound Awards winners will be nominated and voted for by you, with the exception of the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award, which is decided by a Horse & Hound panel. We intend to recognise both the big names who have made 2026 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses, at every level.

The winners will be revealed at a glittering ceremony at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire on 25 November, where some 300 people, including heroes of the summer’s World Championships, will gather to enjoy a glamorous evening of champagne, winner reveals, BAFTA-style speeches and dancing.

“The plaiting is very different for showjumpers… I did learn how to do jumper plaits from TikTok!” says Georgie Driver, travelling head groom for Gemma Stevens.

Even before arriving at Mars Badminton Horse Trials this week, Georgie had had a busy seven months since joining Gemma’s team last October.

She travelled to the Sunshine Tour with her showjumpers in both the autumn and February, as well as accompanying her event horses to Kronenberg and one-day events such as Thoresby, where Gemma won the Lycetts Grantham Cup.

Georgie grew up quite near Badminton and before joining Gemma’s team she worked for eventer Kat Raybould.

Badminton final scores

She said: “Obviously when you’re younger, you’re always like, ‘I want to ride’, but then I was like actually, ‘No, I don’t want to ride’. But I never wanted to go to uni, I was desperate to work with horses as soon as I could. I literally moved to Kat the day after I finished my A levels.”

What attracted Georgie to grooming?

“I think it’s the love of the horses. I like seeing how you get them and then they go on,” she said. “I’m quite competitive, so I like seeing them do well.

“It’s obviously so much pressure for the riders, so it’s nice to be that person with the horse where it’s nice and quiet and they can trust you. You get such a nice relationship with the horses when you go away.”

Like fellow Badminton groom Meigs Rutherford, Georgie mentions that time management is essential to be a good groom.

“I think you have to be really organised. Also, the riders are under so much pressure, so you’ve got to make sure the horse never feels that pressure,” she said.

Georgie is the head travelling groom for Gemma Stevens’ team of both showjumpers and eventers, while others take the responsibility for riding and running the yard at home.

“We’ve got a really good group of girls at home who have been so helpful for me coming into a new team – they’ve told me everything I need to know about the horses,” she said. “It works really well. We can get home from an event and have two days at home and be gone again and know that everything’s OK.”

Georgie’s charge this week is Christopher and Lisa Stone’s Chilli Knight (Alfie), the winner of the 2021 Bicton Horse Trials five-star.

“He’s very cheeky – he’s an easy horse look after, but he knows what he wants,” she said.

“I have got stuck on the lawn multiple times this week, because he wants to stay there and eat grass all day. I tricked him on Friday morning with some treats, but he’s definitely not going to fall for that again. He doesn’t make Gemma’s life easy at times, but he’s pretty special.”

Georgie has actually spent more time with Gemma’s small string of showjumpers than her eventers since joining because of their two trips to the Sunshine Tour in Spain.

“When you go eventing, it’s like a family and you seem to know everybody, whereas jumping is more like a business,” she said, joking that the jumps in pure showjumping warm-ups are too high for her to reach as she is quite short.

“Generally we look after the showjumpers pretty much the same,” she added. “They have a different fitness regime because they’ve got to be able to go and perform for a short amount of time, while these guys have got to be able to go and run across country for stupid amounts of time.

“I still graze the showjumpers for hours when there’s time – I spend my life watching horses eat grass!”

Georgie says the busy lifestyle with a lot of travelling suits her.

“I’m not very good at sitting still, so it works quite well. I don’t know what my own bed is, but that’s fine,” she said.

And how does she keep her energy levels up?

“Good snacks! And I’m quite good at napping.”

How to watch and listen to Badminton Horse Trials

To watch Badminton Horse Trials live or via catch up, including the trot-ups, from the comfort of your home anywhere in the world, you need a 2026 Badminton TV Pass. Badminton TV is once again powered by ClipMyHorse.TV, but you do not need a full ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to watch – you can just subscribe to Badminton TV for £22.99. Go to badminton-horse.tv to sign up. If you are already a ClipMyHorse.TV premium member, Badminton TV is included in your subscription. Also check out the Badminton app, which provides free live results and much more this year. Sign up for Badminton Plus membership for £4.99 to access the live Radio Badminton broadcast and receive exclusive offers from on-site exhibitors. Search for Badminton Horse Trials in your app store.

Enjoy the best of Badminton with Horse & Hound

To ensure you keep up to date with all the breaking news, behind the scenes insight, and the best of the action throughout Badminton Horse Trials with no limits on how much you can read, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website from as little as £1 a week. Sign up now. And don’t miss our bumper 28-page magazine report on Badminton, including in-depth analysis and exclusive comments from top names, in the issue of Horse & Hound dated 14 May.

You may also be interested in:

‘They treat their horses as horses and not like glass animals’: Cassie Sanger’s groom Meigs Rutherford on learning from Ros Canter’s yard

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials live from anywhere in the world

What time does your favourite start? Badminton cross-country times released

Fancy a peek at this year’s Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course? Of course you do!

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

When a rider packs up and moves across the world, sometimes a groom uproots their life to go with them. And so it was for Meigs Rutherford, groom to the US’s Cassie Sanger, the youngest rider at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials this week.

Cassie, 21, and her team of horses have been based with double Badminton and Burghley winner Ros Canter for a year.

“We’ve learned an immense amount from being there,” Meigs told H&H. “It’s been really helpful to see how they treat their horses as horses and not like glass animals or such. That’s meant we can take the pressure off the horses and not be so worried about them looking perfect every day.”

Meigs previously worked for US-based British rider – and now top trainer – Leslie Law. She had a mare she competed at grassroots level.

Badminton final scores

“I ended up retiring her and took a break for a couple months,” she explained. “Then Cassie was looking for somebody to help her part time – she was riding with Leslie at the time – so I took over part-time working for her. Once she left Leslie’s, we transitioned to me being full-time and managing everything.”

Meigs has now been working for Cassie for about four years.

“I do go back and forth a bit to the States to visit my family and take care of some things at home and then I come back. I love it,” she said.

Meigs said she finds Ros’s system very horse friendly, which really suits Cassie’s Badminton ride Redfield Fyre (“Yogi”).

“He is kind of a finicky horse, so it’s really worked out for him to be out 24/7 and just be a horse,” said Meigs.

Cassie has a team of six horses at Ros’s, including four-star ride Fernhill Zoro, three-star horses Mt Luxaan and Never Enough, plus two younger ones.

Meigs says she finds eventing here different in many ways.

She said: “But I think the biggest is that here, it’s not as over the top for everything – you do dressage on grass and usually at home it would be on a surface, and the same for showjumping.”

Cassie’s ride this week, Redfield Fyre, is a 13-year-old who has already finished in the top 20 at Kentucky Three-Day Event and Burghley Horse Trials.

“He’s a funny horse,” said Meigs. “He’s super, super sweet, but he doesn’t show it to everybody, and he’s brave as a lion, until he sees something that catches him off guard and he’s like, ‘What was that?’”

Cassie and Meigs came to Badminton two years ago to watch cross-country, but otherwise this is their first time at the event.

“I know Cassie and Yogi are going to have a blast on Saturday – he’s definitely a cross-country horse. It’s what he’s here for. But I just hope they have a great ride and have fun,” said Meigs.

“I don’t get super nervous for cross-country now with him and I can definitely watch. Sometimes I get a little more nervous about showjumping because it’s not our strongest phase, but he’s been really coming along and I just hope that it comes out on Sunday.”

Cassie is stabled next to Ros, in a block that also includes Alex Bragg and Quindiva. Experienced event groom Sarah Charnley is looking after Ros’s double Badminton winner Lordships Graffalo again this week.

“Sarah and I are like a married couple. We pick on each other, but we’re there for each other,” said Meigs.

And what qualities does Meigs Rutherford think make a great groom?

She replied: “I think there’s a bunch of different things, but I think the ability to have time management is big and then also just being able to accept the pressure from the rider and if they get short or snappy with you, you just have to understand that it’s just in the moment.”

How to watch and listen to Badminton Horse Trials

To watch Badminton Horse Trials live or via catch up, including the trot-ups, from the comfort of your home anywhere in the world, you need a 2026 Badminton TV Pass. Badminton TV is once again powered by ClipMyHorse.TV, but you do not need a full ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to watch – you can just subscribe to Badminton TV for £22.99. Go to badminton-horse.tv to sign up. If you are already a ClipMyHorse.TV premium member, Badminton TV is included in your subscription. Also check out the Badminton app, which provides free live results and much more this year. Sign up for Badminton Plus membership for £4.99 to access the live Radio Badminton broadcast and receive exclusive offers from on-site exhibitors. Search for Badminton Horse Trials in your app store.

Enjoy the best of Badminton with Horse & Hound

To ensure you keep up to date with all the breaking news, behind the scenes insight, and the best of the action throughout Badminton Horse Trials with no limits on how much you can read, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website from as little as £1 a week. Sign up now. And don’t miss our bumper 28-page magazine report on Badminton, including in-depth analysis and exclusive comments from top names, in the issue of Horse & Hound dated 14 May.

You may also be interested in:

‘She proves correct training does develop a horse’: US rider holds Badminton dressage lead overnight

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials live from anywhere in the world

‘It’s mean to make us jump that ditch five times!’ Gemma Stevens, Harry Meade and Bubby Upton react to Badminton cross-country course

Horse & Hound’s exclusive Badminton 2026 form guide, featuring every horse and rider

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

One of the leading fancies for Thursday’s Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is the Emma Lavelle-trained gelding Ma Shantou.

The seven-year-old son of Shantou is a huge character on the yard and is looked after by devoted groom Libby Alvis, who told us all about the brilliant “Mash”, as he is known at home.

Ma Shantou in the Stayers’ Hurdle: ‘He loves a squeal and a buck’

Ma Shantou has won three of his last four hurdle races, all round Cheltenham. He arrives at the Festival as one of the leading fancies for the championship race on day three, the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. It was Ma Shantou’s dominant success in the Cleeve Hurdle in January that really stamped him as a contender for the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Trainer Emma Lavelle won the Stayers’ Hurdle in 2019 with hurdling hero Paisley Park, but the two horses are chalk and cheese to look at. Ma Shantou may only be small, but he has all the heart to win, says groom Libby Alvis, who joined the Wiltshire stables in September. Keep a look out for Libby’s nails, which are decorated to match the red, white and blue silks of owners, the Mighty Acorn Stables.

“He’s been my ride since day one,” says Libby. “Luckily he kind of fell into my lap and we clicked instantly.

“I was told to watch out because he can throw a buck here and he can do this and that and I thought, ‘Yeah, whatever, he’s harmless – look at the size of him! But I soon found out that Mash is a very happy boy!

“Anyone can get on him and he’ll be a very good boy, then I’ll get on him the next day and he’s squealing, grunting and he’s happy again.”

‘He has a pony personality’

According to Libby, she and Mash are so well matched because “we both have very childish personalities”.

“He’ll squeal and then I’ll squeal louder,” she says. “Daryl Jacob recently came to do a piece on him and I said ‘He’s going to squeal here and buck here’ and he totally showed me up – he was foot perfect.”

In the stable, Mash is cheeky and he loves attention.

“He has a pony personality,” says Libby. “He’ll have a play with you as well.

“He’s totally predictable though – we have the same routine every single day. He knows and I know exactly what’s coming next.”

Neck tickles are top priority

Harry Cobden is booked to ride Ma Shantou in the Stayers’ Hurdle but Libby does all the riding on him at home.

“He is so fun to ride,” she says. “He’s one of those horses that when you get on them they just grow in height because of their personality.

“You’ll be happy hacking along and then all of a sudden you’re doing a piece of work and he is then 16.3hh, and you’re like, what, where did he come from?

“At home, you wouldn’t know how good he is, though. Mash only does what Mash needs to do and then he’ll step it up when he has to, but he’s smart. He doesn’t ever overdo it.

“I didn’t know quite how good he would be when I arrived here,” she continues. “He had obviously had a few wins, but I didn’t know quite how good he’d be until I worked him on the grass – out of nowhere he just came out of a shell and I just thought, wow!”

At the races, Libby’s trick is to lead him round while giving him “little tickles on his neck and saying his name, just saying things to him”.

“He loves it, he thrives off it,” she explains. “He just loves being hyped up, he loves having a fan base.

“So I’ll do that for a bit, then they tell me I have to trot him up and I’m like, oh, no and he’ll have his little squeal and a buck. There’s absolutely no malice in him. He’s just so happy all the time.”

Ma Shantou and King’s Threshold at the Cheltenham Festival: ‘It’s going to be fun!’

Libby Alvis was hoping to have a relatively quiet free days in the build-up to Thursday’s big race, when it will all become very busy. As well as Mash, she looks after King’s Threshold, who runs in the 5.20pm race on Thursday, the Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup of amateur jockeys, with Harry Swan riding.

“I’ve got lots of hyping to do, but it’s going to be really good fun,” she says. “Mash will need my attention more than Threshold – Mash likes to be the centre of attention and he likes to be told he’s a good boy. But he’s feeling very, very well so I’m just trying to keep a lid on him – and me!”

Ma Shantou runs in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at 3.20pm on Thursday 12 March. You can enjoy the bumper magazine report from the Cheltenham Festival in H&H magazine, which hits the shops on Thursday 19 March.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Cheltenham day 4 tips from racing experts, including some cracking outsiders and ‘a great each-way bet’ in the Gold Cup

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Cheltenham Gold Cup confirmed runners and riders for 2026 after a late withdrawal

How to watch Cheltenham Festival 2026 live from anywhere in the world on Gold Cup Day

Behind the stable door with The Jukebox Man: ‘He’s proved himself in the Champions League’

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Catherine Waterfall spoke to individuals currently working as freelance grooms, and Bethany Stone caught up with Lucy Katan of the British Grooms Association for the essential information

Wondering how to become a freelance groom? The idea of being your own boss is appealing to many, and the freedom to choose your hours, clients and rates sounds liberating on the face of it.

Rachel, a 34-year-old former senior manager in the corporate world, decided to become a freelance groom in 2018, giving up her lucrative career for a brave new lifestyle. “I love the variety. Instead of doing the same thing day in, day out, I have a whole pool of clients, which keeps the job fresh,” she tells H&H.

Cheshire-based Rachel says her high-paying corporate job was “amazing”, but it wasn’t making her happy. “My daughter was three and I was missing all these milestones,” she explains.

“So I quit. My husband asked: ‘What are you going to do?’ I said, ‘I’ll play with ponies for a bit,’” she laughs.

Rachel worked for a livery yard for a year to improve her fitness and then started attending competitions with a local event rider to “get my eye back in”.

“Everything has grown at an enormous rate – it’s just been incredible,” she says. “I’ve been fortunate, as a lot of my work has come naturally through networking and word of mouth, so talking to people is a skill you have to develop.

What is a freelance groom?

According to Lucy Katan, executive director of the British Grooms Association (BGA), a freelance groom is self-employed, and essentially their own boss. They:

• Choose their clients and the services they offer
• Set their own rates and negotiate terms
• Submit invoices and manage their own business finances
• Are responsible for paying their own tax and national insurance (NI) via HMRC self assessment
• Must provide or pay for their own insurance
• Can work for multiple clients

Self-employed grooms are not entitled to employee rights such as:

• Statutory sick pay
• Holiday pay
• Maternity/paternity leave
• Employer pension contributions

What insurance do I need to be a freelance groom?

Good insurance cover is a must, and should include public liability, which protects against claims made by third parties who suffer an injury or property damage due to a freelancer’s negligence.

As well as public liability cover, Lucy recommends:

• Care, custody and control cover – animal-specific clauses that protect you if a horse in your care is injured or dies due to your negligence
• Personal accident insurance – essential since freelancers don’t get statutory sick pay and accidents do happen with horses

How much do freelance grooms charge?

While rates of pay vary depending on experience, services provided and distance travelled, the average for working at a local yard is around £15 per hour, whereas competition grooms charge an average of £25 per hour.

“A lot of people think going freelance means charging more, but every extra cost becomes your responsibility – sick days, holidays, equipment, transport. You have to build everything into your bottom line,” Rachel warns.

Becoming a freelance groom: what is the reality of the job?

Many grooms take the plunge into a freelance career are happy to swap job security for more independence, as is the case for 31-year-old Becca Nicholson.

“I decided to go freelance to have more flexibility and a healthier work-life balance,” she says. “Before, I’d never be able to switch off and would feel guilty taking holidays or time out. So it was time to think of myself.”

But while freelancers have the freedom to choose, the work isn’t easier. “Any competition day is generally long – averaging about 12 hours,” Becca adds. “So you must be prepared for early starts and late finishes.”

Variety is a huge part of a groom’s life. “I’ve worked for Andrew Downes for nearly six years, but I also have a showjumping client who only uses me twice a year,” says Rachel. “I love joining Team [Harry] Meade for their five-stars each year, and some jobs are one-offs.”

Rachel adds that it’s important to be flexible, and slot into whatever team you’re working with. “Being personable and willing to listen is vital,” she adds. “You have to be a sponge as there’s no ‘your way’.

“One of the ongoing challenges is ensuring that invoices get paid,” she continues. “Being upfront about costs, payment terms and what you expect from clients makes all the difference.

“The resources on the BGA website are brilliant for people who are just starting out, and communication really is key.”

Tax and finances for freelance grooms

Insurance isn’t the only cost to a self-employed groom. “There are accounting and bookkeeping costs if you choose professional help, as well as time spent on marketing, admin and client relations,” says Lucy. “You may also have the cost of a work uniform and equipment, such as clippers, to think about.”

While employers pay through pay-as-you-earn (PAYE), which deducts NI and tax automatically, and provide statutory benefits such as sick pay and a pension, self employed grooms are responsible for this themselves.

“You must register with HMRC as self-employed (usually as a sole trader) if your freelance grooming income exceeds HMRC thresholds,” says Lucy.

“Once registered, you file a self assessment tax return yearly and pay income tax and NI on profits.

“If your turnover rises above the VAT threshold (which is high at £90,000), VAT registration becomes relevant — but most sole-trader grooms are below that.

“If you earn less than a set amount, you may not need to register right away – and HMRC’s thresholds change – but the safe rule of thumb is to register before you send your first invoices once you expect to earn significant income.”

Lucy emphasises the importance of tracking your finances, which includes:

• Filing tax returns/self assessments on time
• Holding a separate business bank account
• Setting aside money for tax and NI contributions

How can I make my business a success?

Paperwork and finances are a big part of how to become a freelance groom, but not all. “Hard work, passion and having a professional, friendly nature go a long way and get you noticed,” says Becca.

“I love meeting people, getting to know how different riders do things and learning,” Rachel adds. “Building a confidential and trusting relationship is essential as they need to feel they can rely on you completely.”

In practical terms, Lucy says freelance grooms can build their brand by listing themselves in relevant directories, such as the BGA freelance grooms directory.

“Using client agreements and having insurance shows clients you’re serious,” she adds.

She also recommends standardising your business process with clear booking terms and cancellation policies, as well as implementing formal quotes and invoicing.

She also advises joining an industry body. “BGA membership gives you insurance deals, contracts and marketing tools and professional credibility,” she adds.

Be aware of false self-employment

“False self-employment is a huge problem within our industry,” says Lucy. “We speak to grooms on a weekly basis who have been told that they are self-employed, when the reality is that they should be an employed member of staff.”

If a client starts treating you like an employee, they might:

• Set fixed hours
• Dictate your rate of pay
• Not allow you to work for others

Lucy says it is wise to stop and reassess the situation. Steps you can take include:

• Review your client agreement and clarify your status
• Assert your independence (you decide your hours, negotiate terms, take on other clients)
• If the situation doesn’t change, consider renegotiating your role as a proper employee or politely walking away
• If necessary, get advice from the BGA or Citizens Advice

Employment law can be complicated, so it is well worth seeking professional advice. “A groom is never, ever told that they are self-employed or freelance – it’s a decision that an individual will make themselves as they are setting up their own business,” Lucy adds.

“HMRC can reclassify you as an employee, forcing back-payments of tax and NI and meaning statutory rights should have applied — this can be costly for both you and your client/employer.

“If unsure whether you are falsely self-employed, you can use HRMC’s employment status checker or contact the BGA for advice.”

Visit HMRC’s self-employment hub or britishgrooms.org.uk and join today for more information.

• Enjoyed reading this? For more expert advice from equestrian professionals, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Hannah Chowen, travelling groom for Piggy March, has the responsibility of looking after the only stallion on the British team this week at the Agria Blenheim European Championships.

“He’s a real-life unicorn, gorgeous in every way,” said Hannah of Jayne McGivern’s Halo. “You wouldn’t really know that he’s a stallion because he’s so well mannered and behaved, so you could almost get a bit complacent. You do always just need to be switched on so that everyone is aware and you’re aware of who’s around you.”

Hannah added: “This time of year is usually quite good for Halo – it’s not like mares are coming into season like they do at the start of the season.”

When she takes Halo out grazing, Hannah tries to keep him away from everyone else.

She said: “I also try and find some quite good grass that not too many other people have been on, because otherwise he spends a lot of the time just sniffing, just trying to follow the scents of everyone else, and you want him to eat! So it’s just managing that, but we’re very fortunate. He is very good, as easy as they can be at this level.”

Halo is also a grey, so Hannah said there’s “a lot of purple shampoo used to keep him very white”.

“He will use his muck as a pillow sometimes,” she said. “He used to be really tidy, as stallions generally are in their boxes. But the last couple seasons, I definitely think he’s got a bit more casual and he likes to have a good roll. It makes my job a little bit harder, but we don’t mind. It’s all part of it.”

Hannah is from New Zealand and moved over to Britain around three-and-a-half years ago, working for Jesse and Georgie Campbell originally. She is in her third season working as a groom for Piggy March, having originally been a home groom and rider.

She explained: “Then this season, she asked if I would do her travelling for her, so I’ve taken on that role and we’ve had a pretty exciting year. I was the number two for travelling before, so I’d go along if there were three or more horses, so I’d had a taster of it and knew the drills, so it was quite an easy role to slip into.

“Obviously being a home rider groom is still just as important. But it is nice to come and be among it on the day and see your ponies perform and support Pig.”

Hannah loves to watch Halo and Piggy perform.

“I always have a really good feeling with him. I always feel very confident, that they’re safe and they’re a great team. They know each other so well now – she’s had the ride on him for quite some time. It’s really exciting that he’s got to this stage. Hopefully there are many more cool things that he will be doing with us.”

Three of the grooms on the British squad, which runs in partnership with Agria, are new to championships, including Hannah, while three are old hands.

“We’re very lucky – the British team are amazing, even at your normal events. They’re always around to support us in the wash downs and so on,” said Hannah. “This week there’s just a bit more camaraderie and it’s nice to feel at the heart of something.

“And if you ever need anything at all, there’s always someone to help. Obviously we all know each other from the circuit and it’s a great opportunity for us grooms to kind of bounce off each other and know that we’ve got that support from the more experienced grooms as well.”

Hannah said that her role as groom for Piggy March makes her feel that “my little Hannah would be so proud to see what I’m doing now – this was her dream”.

“I just love being a part of it all, being among any elite level live performance, and to feel like you’re taking part and contributing,” she said.

Asked the most challenging part of her job, she said: “I don’t think there’s anything challenging in a negative way, because challenges are good. I think it’s just working under the pressure. You work long hours and it’s making sure that you look after yourself and the horses and being that athlete manager, to be at your best at all times so that you’re always well prepared.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from the Blenheim Europeans, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘I didn’t realise the cross-country jumps were so big!’ – meet Bubby Upton’s groom Kirsty Campbell, who’s switched sports from showjumping to eventing

How to watch the European Eventing Championships at Blenheim live, wherever you are

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An extraordinary record: we salute the rider contesting her 30th senior eventing championship this week at Blenheim

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Kirsty Campbell, groom to Bubby Upton and her ride Its Cooley Time at this week’s Agria Blenheim European Championships, has only worked for the British event rider since last November, having been in the showjumping world before that.

“Showjumping is more relaxed. In eventing, with the three different phases, you’ve got to be a lot more on it,” she says. “Showjumping was quite chill – if you’re a little bit late it doesn’t really matter, but here you’ve got to be on time. So it’s harder, but I do think it’s more rewarding.”

Kirsty was born in Scotland, but grew up in New Zealand. She worked for the Gredleys on the thoroughbred stud side before moving across to Tim Gredley’s showjumping yard, where she groomed for stable jockey Joe Clayton.

“Joe taught me a lot – he’s an amazing rider and amazing with the horses. Then Bubby sent me a message on Instagram, because she had heard Joe was leaving, so we had a conversation. We got on really well, so I thought I’d give it a go,” she says.

“I’ve only just learned how to sew plaits and do quarter marks! But I love it. It’s my favourite job so far, I’m so happy. And Bubby’s amazing, she’s been very patient with me.”

Kirsty’s charge this week is the Bramham Horse Trials winner Its Cooley Time, known as “Finn”.

She says: “He’s so easy, chilled and happy to be here. He loves to go for a walk around and he’s so nosey – he likes to see what’s going on. He’s such a lovely horse to work with and I’m very lucky to be able to look after him.”

Finn spends a lot of time in the field at home, so Kirsty tries to replicate that at competitions.

“I try get him out as much as possible. I’ll give him an hour at lunch to rest and have some some feed and chill out because horses need their time to be left alone as well. But he likes being active,” she says.

With Finn being grey, washing is likely to be a big part of Kirsty’s week.

“He’s been quite clean so far! But normally he loves rolling in a hole of mud so I’m sure he’ll do that before his dressage tomorrow, which is a bit stressful. He likes being muddy.”

Kirsty can ride and does some hacking out, but looking after the horses from the ground and then seeing them excel with Bubby is more her style.

Asked what is most rewarding about her role as groom for Bubby Upton, Kirsty says: “Just watching the horses do their thing. Bubby works so hard with them and then to be able to see them go out and perform and see how happy Bubby is after she’s done a test or a round is so rewarding. When you put so much work into making them look great and do all the hard work, then to see the end result is just amazing.”

Kirsty had a shock when she walked the course at Burghley Horse Trials earlier in September.

She says: “It never looks as big on screen, so I didn’t realise how big the cross-country jumps were, so after that, I’m very nervous about watching the cross-country. I love the dressage and the showjumping.

“I’d like to walk the course here – we always say we’ll do it afterwards but there isn’t time so we have to do it before, but if I walk it I probably won’t watch it.”

She adds that the British camp has been very welcoming, saying: “Everyone’s so helpful. I ask so many silly questions, but everyone’s there to help you and look after you, so you feel at home.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from the Blenheim Europeans, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

How to watch the European Eventing Championships at Blenheim live, wherever you are

Yasmin Ingham kicks off British effort at Blenheim Europeans: ‘I’m not riding a big, flashy horse, so it’s gaining those small margins’

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Bubby Upton shares her insight on adapting your riding as horses change over time

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This year’s Defender Burghley groom’s prize recipient says she owes much of her success to her mum and fellow groom, Jess Elliott.

Francesca Denning, who looks after The Salty Syndicate’s Colorado Blue at events, won the SPILLERS Horse Care prize. However, on Saturday (6 September) she had another important duty away from the cross-country course.

“It was my best friend’s wedding on the Saturday,” she says. “I had to travel two hours away, and my mum and Jess, who grooms Austin’s other ride Sixmilewater, stepped in.”

Francesca says Salty, ridden into second place by Austin O’Connor, could not have been in safer hands. “Jess is super experienced. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

“My mum’s been to Badminton with me and knows how I do things, and we’re lucky to have Tim O’Hagen, the Irish team vet, with us.”

Francesca’s day job is working and riding for Jane O’Donald.

“I’m lucky that Jane lets me go off for a couple of weeks of the year to look after Salty at the big shows,” she says.

“I used to work for Austin when I first came out of university, and we’ve been friends ever since.

“I was lucky that when he went to Tokyo 2020, he asked me if I wanted to go and groom for him, and since then I’ve done all the shows with Salty, including the Paris Olympics, where it was a totally different atmosphere to Tokyo with the crowds.”

Burghley groom’s prize: caring for a crowd-favourite horse

He has talent in spades, but Salty is also the perfect gent. Francesca says he’s a pleasure to care for at a five-star.

“Salty loves being out for grazing, so I try to keep him out of his stable as much as possible,” she says. “He’s a really chilled character and so sweet, I just go in and do what I need to do.

“I do have to drag him down to the wash bay, though. You can tell he’s thinking “not again”, being a grey! But it’s a real pleasure to come and look after him, because he’s such a nice person. It makes it that much more enjoyable.”

The crowds know 16-year-old Salty well. Plus, as a head-turning grey, you can hardly miss Francesca’s handiwork.

“He’ll come out at the trot-up and the crowds will start laughing at him because he’s just Mr Cool. You see some horses get really lit up, but he’s like ‘whatever, I know what I’m doing, I’ve been here enough times now!’ and he struts his stuff.”

Francesca, who rides at two-star herself with her own and Jane O’Donald’s Rossa Seven, says she’s succeeded if Austin is free to maintain a clear head.

“The main thing I want to do is make it so Austin doesn’t have to think about anything but getting on his horse and riding. I don’t feel pressure from Austin or the team. As long as I’ve got the horse ready at the time we discussed, I’ve done my job – and the team generally is so supportive and relaxed.”

Francesca says the pair’s runner-up placing was their hard work behind the scenes “shining through”.

“Austin worked so hard on his dressage, and it paid off.

“It’s a special partnership,” she continues. “Everyone can see they have a great bond and know each other inside out, and they really come into their own on cross-country day.”

Francesca drove to Austin and wife Amy’s base in Didcot, Oxfordshire, after Burghley to “put Salty to bed.”

“It was so good to see him and Buster (Sixmilewater) having a roll and a well-deserved rest the next day.”

For Francesca, winning the Burghley groom’s prize is “amazing,” but she’s quick to share the success with Team O’Connor.

“Really, I can’t take all the credit,” she concludes. “It was a big team effort with my mum and Jess. And the team at home, who manage Salty every day, are the ones who had him looking in great condition out there. That’s all down to them.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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It was at a Welsh riding school where Jade Roberts’ love of horses first blossomed. David Doel’s groom is caring for Galileo Nieuwmoed at Mars Badminton Horse Trials this week – a horse she has seen grow from a youngster into a powerful globe-trotting five-star stalwart.

“There was a riding school probably a 10 minute walk from where I come from in north Wales,” says Jade, who comes from a non-horsey background.

“I persuaded my parents to let me have a half-hour lesson on a Saturday, which then turned into me working there all day for a lesson – then it became a weekend thing, and I just completely fell in love with it. I was hooked straight away.

“I went to college and did a national diploma in horse management and started grooming from there.”

On finishing college, Jade went straight to France to work for a big stud, before moving into eventing, which has always had a special place in her heart.

Badminton final scores

“I’m going into my sixth year of working for David,” she says. “I originally did four years as travelling head girl, then went away and spent a couple of years for the Prices, did some travelling, and then came back. I started freelancing and David said, ‘Would you like your job back?’ So I’ve been back full-time since December 2023.”

She adds: “I was there when Galileo Nieuwmoed first came to us. He’s quite boisterous, but he does actually have quite a soft side. Sometimes I’ll find, if I’ve mucked him out, he’ll follow me around the stable and want to cuddle – but he won’t let anyone else see it; it’s on his terms.

“If he wants attention and you’re walking past the stable, he’ll almost try to nip you from behind, not get hold of you, just a little tease. He can be a handful to deal with, but he’s so cool.”

Jade Roberts: “I love watching the partnership grow”

David has previously spoken to H&H about how his now strong partnership with Galileo Nieuwmoed did not start with love at first sight.

Jade recalls how the horse just kept on stepping up to the task at hand, rising through the levels until she found herself watching him here at Badminton in 2022.

“I watched him showjump and I had tears streaming from my eyes, it was amazing to watch the partnership grow,” she says. “It’s really good to be back working with him and to know him and just keep growing the bond.

“We went to Maryland last year – that’s probably the most surreal place we’ve been to, Luhmühlen, and I actually took him down to Pau for a CCI3*-S, that was great – it was his first proper, big [overseas] event.”

Jade Roberts on Badminton Horse Trials

She adds that it is “always amazing” to be here at Badminton.

“We try and keep his routine as much the same as possible,” she says. “He can be quite a handful. If I try and bring him in from grazing and he’s not finished, he does get quite boisterous and tries to bite my knees! But otherwise, once he’s settled down, he’s quite easy to do.

“My favourite part of being a groom is growing the bond with the horses and figuring out their personalities – what they like, what they don’t like, and then watching them being produced up the levels.

“Watching them go from a four-year-old to being part of the ‘A-team’ is amazing. [Being a groom] is unbelievable, it’s a surreal experience – horses have taken me to some extremely cool places that I wouldn’t have been to otherwise.”

How to watch Badminton Horse Trials

If you want to watch the live action from Badminton Horse Trials from the comfort of your home, wherever you are in the world, you will need to subscribe to Badminton TV. This year, Badminton TV has teamed up with ClipMyHorse.TV, but you do not need a full ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to watch Badminton – you can just subscribe to Badminton TV for £21.99. Go to clipmyhorse.tv/en_GB/badminton to subscribe or to activate your account as an existing Badminton TV subscriber. If you are already a ClipMyHorse.TV premium member, Badminton TV is included in your subscription. As part of Badminton TV, you can enjoy the documentary programme Legends and Legacy, a fly-on-the-wall insight into the 2024 event and preview of 2025.

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‘We’re delighted to bring loyal readers this benefit’: H&H magazine subscribers get free website access

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The subject of recognising and rewarding showjumping grooms has come to the fore after equine shampoo in the form of a gift voucher was offered at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) last year, as part of a prize for each winning groom.

In her exclusive H&H column, British rider Jodie Hall-McAteer said she was pleased to see grooms recognised at HOYS by having their names read out and receiving a photo of the occasion, calling it a “massive step forward” – but that the nature of the prize seemed “tone-deaf”.

“Shampoo is something that should be provided by your employer and it would have been more appropriate to offer something the grooms themselves would appreciate,” she said.

Paul Drew, who has been head show groom for leading British showjumper Tim Gredley for five years, said the HOYS incident made him feel “aggrieved” on behalf of those who received the shampoo.

“I know it’s difficult for shows as they don’t have unlimited funds, but if they’re going to offer prizes to grooms it should be something for the person, not their job,” he told H&H. “It’s definitely not just HOYS though, it’s nearly every show, where recognising grooms feels like an afterthought.

“I don’t know what the answer is for HOYS, and we’ll probably end up back with nothing, which is also fine because at least you know what to expect, but we’d really appreciate a cash prize or restaurant voucher – something grooms can use for themselves, not that they need for their horse.”

HOYS event director Emma Wardell said, “HOYS is passionate about not only commending the work of our riders. We understand grooms are an integral part of the foundations of equestrian sport and together we wanted to use the opportunity to show recognition of their importance.

“We recognise the immense value sponsorship brings, and when a partner aligns with our values, we do our utmost to provide them with an opportunity to showcase their products or services through exciting prizes or coveted experiences. CleanRound specialises in biosecurity; the prize of a gift voucher reflected this and in addition we presented a prestigious bottle of champagne.

“The support from sponsors is fundamental to the success of HOYS, and we aim to provide an incredible experience to every patron of the show, inclusive of our valued grooms.”

Paul, who travels all over the world with Tim’s horses, said the new Longines League of Nations (LLN) shows are head and shoulders above the rest for recognising and rewarding grooms on the international circuit; winning grooms are also invited to the podium to receive their prizes.

“We received a goodie bag at every LLN show, and a lovely backpack from the final in Barcelona,” he said.

The LLN final in Barcelona is one of a growing number of shows where grooms’ names are added to class starts list, and streaming services often do similar.

The GC Playoffs and Super Grand Prix, the finale of the Longines Global Champions Tour, have taken it to the next level, devoting a significant portion of the prize-giving ceremony to grooms as well as horses, and presenting each with a trophy.

“That just shows it can be done really well, but sometimes it feels we’re taking a step backwards instead of forwards,” said Paul. “A lot of grooms do things themselves – getting involved behind the scenes with shows and things like that.”

Irish international rider Cian O’Connor, via his company Karlswood, sponsored a €10,000 competition for international grooms at last year’s RDS Dublin Horse Show “in recognition of the expert and vital work grooms provide to the horse industry and equestrian sport”.

But while the top-level international shows are leading the way, Britain’s national circuit has a lot of catching up to do, says Nat Tinworth, long-time groom to Guy Williams.

“Things definitely are improving when it comes to recognising grooms. I wasn’t too bothered about what happened at HOYS; I can see why some people weren’t too impressed, but I’m always happy with a bit of shampoo for the horses,” she said. “A cash prize would always be nice though, because then you can buy what you want, which makes it more personal.

“It’s definitely better at bigger international shows; Hickstead is brilliant and presents grooms’ prizes for the top three at their big shows. But I don’t think I’ve ever been to a national show where they’ve given out grooms’ prizes.”

That could be about to change, if Kelsall Hill’s recent winter classic is anything to go by. The winning groom in each class at the January show was presented with a £50 cash prize, which was very well received.

Meg Watson, from the Cheshire venue’s show team, told H&H the initiative “stemmed from a desire to recognise the hard work and dedication of grooms, who are truly the backbone of our sport”.

“[Organiser] Mike Florence came up with the idea, which was enthusiastically supported by our sponsors, Millring Horseboxes,” she said. “Millring Horseboxes wanted to show their appreciation for both riders and grooms, acknowledging the crucial role they play in making every event happen seamlessly.

“The response was overwhelmingly positive – both riders and grooms were thrilled with the gesture, it really created a buzz, and it was fabulous to get the grooms into the arena for a picture and be involved in the action. It was wonderful to see the joy and recognition it brought to the grooms, who are so often the unsung heroes of the equestrian world.”

Which venues are stepping up and giving grooms the recognition they deserve? What more can we do to reward grooms? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Olympic showjumping champion Christian Kukuk’s travelling groom Sofie Karlsson has been working with the German rider for nine years and is one of the most respected grooms on the international circuit. So what are Sofie’s horse care tips?

Sofie was born in Sweden and has ridden all her life but moved to Holland after she left school.

“I realised that further south in Europe, the sport is bigger and more established,” she says. “It was always a dream of mine to move abroad, so when I left school, I moved to Holland and was there for a year and a half.

“I then moved to Ludger Beerbaum’s stables, where Christian was based, and I have been there ever since.”

She says she has learnt that “less is more” when it comes to the careful management of these equine athletes.

“You have to do a lot of work, but I think the horses are usually happiest when we keep it simple,” she explains. “We try not to do too much around them and let them be horses. Hopefully, this helps them be in good shape for the competition.

“Additionally, when the rider is feeling good, the horses feel this and feel good themselves. They react to the energy of the people around them. Success feeds success, so sometimes when one horse starts to become successful, the rest of the horses improve as well.”

Sofie Karlsson’s horse care tips: “I still learn every day from the grooms around me”

Sofie’s top tip for aspiring grooms is “watch and learn as you go”.

“I still learn every day from the other grooms around me,” she says. “It is a tough job but you get to experience things that not many other people get to experience. I remember when I was sitting in the crowds at horse shows, I never imagined that I would be part of anything like this.”

Among her charges are Christian’s gold medal-winning partner Checker 47, his recent CHI Geneva winner Chageorge, who she describes as “very talented” with a “promising future”, his London Global Champions Tour runner-up Just Be Gentle and Tokyo Olympic stallion Mumbai. She describes stable star Checker 47 as “a very strong personality”.

“He doesn’t like it when it gets very crowded around him,” she says. “He really relies on one or two people.”

The 11-year-old mare Just Be Gentle can be quite spooky and is another “strong character”.

“She is very independent,” says Sofie. “She is so in her world that she does not really let people in.”

A passion for horses – and Bayern Munich!

Sofie attributes much of Christian Kukuk’s success in the ring to hard work behind the scenes.

“He is very committed to the horses,” she reveals. “It is his only passion, apart from FC Bayern Munich!

“He is extremely focused on and dedicated to his career. He has been able to learn from Ludger Beerbaum and his advice has been invaluable. However, I think he would have been successful anyway.”

Life on the road as an international showjumping groom can be hectic, but Sofie says she enjoys attending the Majors, including the forthcoming Dutch Masters, CHIO Aachen, Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament and CHI Geneva.

“The Majors are incredible – they always go a step further and do extra to ensure that everything is great for the grooms, riders, and horses,” she says. “These are also the shows with the most history and they have such long traditions. All of the organisers ensure that every little detail is as good as it can be for us and the horses, and this makes a big difference.

“As Christian is German, the CHIO Aachen is something very special. In general, when we get to these shows, it feels different. It is truly a unique feeling when you are around these arenas.”

With thanks to Rolex Grand Slam.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Jodie Hall McAteer: ‘Why appreciating our grooms is key – we can’t do it without them’

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Equestrian bosses across the industry are being urged to take part in Give Your Staff a Pizza Day today (22 November).

As an annual initiative to round off its good employment week (18-22 November), the Equestrian Employers Association promotes this “tasty celebration as a simple yet deliciously fun way of rewarding grooms for their hard work and dedication”.

“The idea is simple: treat your team to pizza as a way of saying thank you,” an EEA spokesperson said.

“This small act of recognition can have a big impact on workplace morale, helping grooms and all equestrian employees to feel valued and creating a positive work environment.”

EEA chief executive Lucy Katan said taking time to recognise the hard work of staff is essential.

“Staff are the backbone of every business,” she said. “A gesture like providing pizza might seem small, but it shows your team that their hard work is noticed and appreciated.”

The EEA’s sister organisation the British Grooms Association added: “Today is all about recognising the great work that grooms do every day.

“Happy Give Your Staff a Pizza Day to all the fantastic yards who embrace good employment and have already told us they’ll be taking part.”

Training provider Haddon Training backed the call, saying small acts to show appreciation can go a long way to help boost morale and show staff they are valued.

The EEA’s Good Employment Week is an initiative “aimed at championing fair, professional, kind and compliant employment practices across the equestrian industry”.

“This important campaign highlights the importance of creating positive, supportive and legally compliant workplaces that attract and retain talented grooms,” an EEA spokesperson said.

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A pizza box for a hat and other things the horse world is talking about

Nick Skelton and Piggy March urge bosses: give your staff a pizza!

“Surely nobody needs any persuading to enjoy a pizza together?!”

‘Your love and care is priceless’: more than 1,000 say thank you to hard-working grooms

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Grooms at World Horse Welfare have received more than 1,000 messages of support as part of an initiative by the charity to celebrate its hard-working yard staff.

World Horse Welfare asked supporters to secretly send in messages for its 46 grooms, which would be read out to them. A video showing staff reading some of the messages was shared yesterday (15 November).

For example, “Keep going, your love and care is priceless and I thank you for everything you do for these wonderful beings” and “your love, dedication and patience […] is so precious and saves many lives”.

The charity is now marking the date as World Horse Welfare’s Groom Appreciation Day.

“One of the most challenging day-to-day experiences as a groom at World Horse Welfare is having to accept that there will be some ongoing long-term effects of neglect on horses, no matter how well cared for, after their arrival,” said Kathryn Coombes, who has been a groom at Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Snetterton, Norfolk for more than two years.

“But it is very rewarding to know you are having a positive impact on the horses’ lives.”

Abi Tuckwell, a senior groom at Belwade Farm in Aberdeenshire, added: “I came to the farm as a groom in July 2015, I must love the place as I have been here nearly 10 years!

“All of us love the horses we care for and when things go wrong, we really feel it, as this isn’t just a job for us. If we didn’t love them all, we wouldn’t be working here to try and make a difference.”

Tony Tyler, deputy chief executive at World Horse Welfare, said that anyone who has worked or works with horses will understand the daily challenges they face, especially during the winter months.

“For our grooms it can be particularly hard work with horses and ponies that have been neglected, mistreated and poorly handled,” said Mr Tyler.

“We felt their investment in the welfare of these horses, ponies, donkeys and the occasional mule is something to be celebrated.”

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British showjumper Jodie Hall McAteer on appreciation for grooms and getting her mojo back after a disappointing time at Dublin

I was recently invited to speak at the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) annual conference about my upbringing in a riding school. One of the subjects I touched on was the problem of attracting staff to the industry, not just at the elite level, but also at grassroots level, in riding schools and show centres.

They are one of the entry points for involvement in the sport, and where people learn to uphold the necessary standards of behaviour. We live in an era of greater scrutiny and we all need people around us that we can trust.

It’s really important that we value our staff, are respectful to them and make them feel a part of something, because keeping the show on the road is a real team effort.

Conditions at shows have improved for grooms and it’s good to see them being better recognised. Now, at the Nations Cup final, the groom’s name is displayed when horses go in the ring and written on the start list.

At bigger shows, they are usually provided with meal vouchers for breakfast, lunch and dinner, which used to just be for riders. However, there’s still a lot more to be done as it’s a demanding job.

I was pleased to see grooms being recognised at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) recently. When I won the accumulator, my groom Kristina Ribicic was called into the ring, and she received a photo, which is a massive step forward.

Given this progress, I was surprised to discover the grooms’ prize at HOYS was a year’s supply of shampoo for the horses.

While it was nice they were being acknowledged, it did seem tone-deaf. Shampoo is something that should be provided by your employer and it would have been more appropriate to offer something the grooms themselves would appreciate.

Time for an upgrade?

I spoke to Graham Fletcher at HOYS, who mentioned what a huge show it used to be and how comparatively empty the seats now looked.

HOYS still has a great buzz about it and it’s a week I always look forward to but it does need support.

Julien Anquetin, who won the grand prix, was the only international rider who made the trip. He said it could easily have been a four-star or five-star show. He had a great weekend, paid his way and made it worthwhile, but for most continental riders, Brexit has really impacted cost-effectiveness. Riders just won’t make the journey for a three-star.

HOYS has the scope to be both bigger and better, so perhaps there is the opportunity to upgrade – which all comes down to funding and sponsorship for the organisers.

Time to regroup

I am currently competing in Spain with some of the younger horses who have had less opportunity to jump this year.

Since I moved back home from Holland, I have probably doubled the amount of horses on my list and it’s sometimes hard striking a balance between being competitive with the more established horses and producing the younger ones.

I’ve been trying to develop my own system and it is a learning curve. I didn’t have the best time at Dublin this year and it knocked my confidence going to bigger shows and not having a result.

I focused on some smaller shows during the summer to get my mojo back and regroup, and HOYS was my first big date back.

It can be hard with horses going from hero to zero and I learned to stop checking my ranking, which had dropped 150 places. All that matters is still being able to get into some nice shows while we develop a strong system and are patient with the next generation of horses coming through.

● What more can be done to recognise the value of grooms? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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Poor working conditions are linked to anxiety and depression within the equestrian workforce, according to a new survey by an industry body.

An online survey by the British Grooms Association (BGA), which ran in October and was then independently analysed, revealed the human impact of poor working conditions for grooms in the industry.

The survey report concluded that its results reveal “the serious impact poor employment practices have on the mental health and wellbeing of grooms in the equestrian industry.”

“The survey findings point to a clear answer to the core question; yes, poor employment practices, such as unpaid work, lack of contracts, unsafe conditions and excessive hours, are linked to high levels of anxiety, depression and burnout among workers,” it stated.

“These conditions not only harm individuals but also destabilise and threaten the industry, contributing to high turnover, dissatisfaction, and a sense of vulnerability among the grooms who responded.”

It added that by “prioritising fair employment practices and mental health support, the industry has an opportunity to reduce stigma and foster a healthier, more supportive environment for its workforce”.

“Encouragingly, good employment practices, where they exist, can make a positive difference,” stated the report’s conclusion.

“Grooms who feel valued, supported, and safe report greater job satisfaction and improved wellbeing. Expanding these positive practices industry-wide is not just an ideal but a necessity and a legal, moral and ethical obligation. Taking these steps can foster a healthier, more resilient workforce, ultimately benefiting grooms, the horses they care for and the wider industry.”

A total of 551 people completed the survey and respondents come from a cross-section of the industry. The largest groups that took part work in livery yards (15.25%), eventing (13.61%) and various freelance or private yard roles (14.34%).

More than 63% of the respondents are aged between 18 to 35, and nearly 62% are BGA members.

A total of 91% of respondents believed that poor employment can greatly affect mental health and wellbeing, with 65% reporting experiencing anxiety and 58% describing feeling miserable.

More than half reported feeling depressed, which the report states is “likely linked to the ongoing stress and exploitation that many workers face”.

Only 11% of respondents reported no emotional impact from their work.

“Ignoring the employment and mental health issues highlighted by this survey not only harms individual grooms but also risks wider consequences for the equestrian industry as a whole,” added the report.

“Poor mental health among workers can lead to high turnover, increased absenteeism, and decreased productivity. These outcomes create a cycle where understaffed teams face even more intense workloads, exacerbating stress and mental health challenges.

“This self-perpetuating issue underlines the economic and operational costs of not addressing worker wellbeing, making a proactive approach to employment practices a matter of sustainability for the industry.”

On the flip side, the majority (59.67%) of respondents also reported that they had experienced good employment conditions, which made them feel valued and safe.

“This is significant, as it shows that fair practices, such as reasonable working hours and respectful treatment, foster higher job satisfaction, loyalty and mental wellbeing among employees,” added the report.

“Many respondents noted that positive employment experiences contributed to their decision to stay in the industry, demonstrating how supportive work environments encourage retention and contribute to a more stable workforce. This finding highlights the impact of employers who prioritise safety, fairness, and employee well-being on long-term retention.”

The report also said that responses showed that where good employment practices are in place, they contribute positively to employee morale.

“[This suggests] that an industry-wide commitment to fair practices could improve the overall quality of work life. Addressing systemic challenges could further extend these positive outcomes, helping create a more inclusive and supportive work culture industry-wide,” it stated.

The survey was analysed by Simone Sear, who has an MA in health research – specialising in organising health and wellbeing – and spent 15 years overseeing the development and delivery of Racing Welfare’s wellbeing services.

“The quantitative survey results reveal significant issues with employment conditions among grooms, reflecting high rates of breaches of employment rights alongside negative mental health impacts,” said Ms Sear.

“There is a strong connection between poor employment practices in the equestrian industry and adverse mental health outcomes for grooms. Wage-related issues, unsafe conditions, and excessive workloads contribute to high levels of anxiety, depression, and anger, suggesting systemic issues rather than isolated cases.”

BGA executive director Lucy Katan added that the association wanted to explore the potential link between poor employment and poor mental health in grooms.

“The results are not surprising to us as we receive a volume of calls stating the synergy, but they are shocking and a stain on our industry,” she said.

“Integrity is critical at this moment in time. We simply must urgently stamp out these illegal practices that are far too commonplace and will, before long, put our sector in the public spotlight, again.”

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French showjumper Kevin Staut has had leading groom Mathilde Schmidt by his side for the past three years, looking after some of his top horses including Dialou Blue PS, Visconti Du Telman and Beau De Laubry Z.

Here she shares some of her top horsey tips, mantras and trade secrets in her role as an international showjumping groom.

“I always wanted to work with horses in the sport but I did not know how to start out,” explains Mathilde. “There was a large school in France where we could learn about the different careers in the sport – I did a course specifically designed for aspiring grooms. At the end of my time at this school, my professor spoke to me as he knew about a vacancy at Kevin Staut’s stables. I went there to try it out and I have been working for him for around three years.”

According to Mathilde, moments like Kevin’s victory in this year’s Rolex Grand Prix of Dinard riding the 11-year-old Beau De Laubry Z in front of their home crowd in France, has been just one of the highlights.

“The horse gave everything to Kevin and that is when the magic really happens,” she says. “It was particularly special to win in front of our home crowd – it is a memory that I will cherish for a long time.

“[The Majors] are some of the best shows in the world – everything is excellent from the stables to the arenas,” she adds. “It makes our job as grooms much easier when the facilities are designed for the horses and this is definitely the case at the four Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping Majors. It means that the horses are relaxed so they can fully focus on the classes.

“When they enter the arena, it is a very special feeling. I always have a huge rush of adrenaline – the atmosphere at those shows is like nothing else and the crowds are electric. It is an amazing feeling competing there, especially when you have good results.”

“Horses are like humans” says Mathilde Schmidt

Mathilde says the most challenging part of the job is dealing with the pressure, but the key is to form close partnerships with all the horses she looks after.

“They are like humans and these relationships are very important to them,” she explains. “It is essential for the horses that they have routine so that they know when it is time to work and time to rest. Each horse is an individual and therefore they have their own unique qualities and personalities. You need to know each horse by heart for them to be as successful as possible.

“I try to keep the pressure outside of the stable for the horses so they stay relaxed before the competition. Of course, as you get tacked up and go to the warm-up the pressure builds, but there is not too much you can do about that. When they enter the ring, I start shaking from beginning to end, so the video is not the best!”

“The horses give Kevin Staut all their heart in the ring”

It is Kevin Staut’s love for his horses that makes him so successful, reckons Mathilde.

“He is really hard working, both at home and at the shows,” she reveals. “He is dedicated to the sport and his horses. He gives them everything and they in return give him all their heart in the ring.”

Spending so much time on the road, Mathilde says her priority is to make sure each horse enjoys an easy and comfortable journey.

“Travelling can be tiring for them,” she explains. “We try to make sure that the drive is smooth, they are at a good temperature, that they have enough hay and that we make regular stops.

“When we arrive at the show, the most important part is to make their stables as nice as possible so that they are able to fully relax and rest.”

Mathilde nominates the Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament, which she travelled to for the first time in September, as one of her favourite shows, for “the place, the experience, the classes, the history”.

“Everything is sensational,” she says, adding that “travelling to the other side of the world is something else”.

“It was like a dream,” she says. “As grooms, we have a really tight community, so getting to experience these moments with your friends makes them even better.”

Mathilde’s final horsey mantra she would pass on to any aspiring groom is to “believe in yourself no matter the situation – it is the mantra I have with some of my friends.”

With thanks to Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping.

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The equestrian industry is facing “the perfect storm” as minimum rates of pay will rise further than predicted next spring.

Businesses face soaring wage bills on top of the well-documented ongoing issues, including high interest rates and increased pressure on everyone’s finances.

There are also concerns that some in the industry have failed to move with the times over the years – they have been warned that non-compliance with the law is not an option and that HMRC is cracking down.

The living wage – the minimum rate of pay for people aged 21 and over – will rise from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour in April. The rate for 18- to 20-year-olds will increase from £8.60 to £10, as part of the phased move to a single hourly rate. Apprentices’ minimum wage will be boosted from £6.40 to £7.55.

This will mean those on low incomes will have significant pay rises. But there are serious concerns about what this will mean for businesses’ viability, and if it may lead to a rise in false self-employment, and a narrowing gap in wage progression between less and more experienced staff.

Equestrian Employers Association president Tullis Matson told H&H he is “really concerned” about the effects.

Mr Matson stressed that the workforce in the equestrian industry needs to be properly paid, and that businesses will need to reflect on where to find the money.

“It’s like the perfect storm for the industry, which is quite worrying,” he said. “This really is a tricky time for the equine industry. We will fight our way through, but I worry about the impact on certain businesses and individuals.”

He added: “The belt is already tight and it can’t go any tighter.”

National Insurance (NI) contributions for employers will rise from 13.8% to 15% on workers’ earnings. The threshold at which employers start to pay NI will change from £9,100 per year to £5,000 per year, for each employee. But the employment allowance – the amount employers can claim back from their NI bill – will increase from £5,000 to £10,000.

British Grooms Association chief executive Lucy Katan warned that the equestrian industry is already behind when it comes to good employment, so the impact of this budget will be keenly felt.

“My advice, as I’ve said before, is that the entire industry has to reduce its hours,” she told H&H, adding that for many, these rises will not be sustainable.

“By bringing it down to a 40-hour week, you reduce the impact substantially.”

She added: “They’re investing in HMRC, so we are going to see many more investigations – and targeted investigations – and our industry is already flagged. If you are an employer that is not adhering to the national minimum wage, you are going to get found out.”

What’s the difference?

Rough examples based on a 50-hour working week (wages alone, not including increased pension contributions or NI, so overall totals will be higher).

Age 21, living wage (£11.44/hr rising to £12.21/hr):

• Current: £29,744
• From April: £31,746

Age 19, minimum wage (£8.60/hr rising to £10/hr):

• Current: £22,360
• From April: £26,000

Example yard: two workers over 21, one 19-year-old, one apprentice:

• Current: £98,488
• From April: £109,122
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After Germany’s success in the inaugural Longines League of Nations Final in Barcelona, Spain, team rider Richard Vogel credited his groom Felicia Wallin for his double clear performance with the stallion United Touch S.

Richard and the Untouched x Lux Z 12-year-old were one of only four faultless performances on Sunday (6 October) and their contribution helped to seal a momentous win for the German side. But, with Richard having been competing in North America in recent weeks, the fitness, training work and preparations with United Touch S ahead of Barcelona has all fallen to Felicia, who has worked with Richard for the past four years.

“I have to thank Felicia. She actually had him mostly in training since the Paris Olympics,” says Richard, ranked number 10 in the world.

“We gave United a bit of time off then we did Spruce Meadows and then he had another bit of time off. So since Spruce, I wasn’t riding him or around him much because I was competing in America.

“She took over his training and clearly did a pretty good job! So I guess we have to keep it that way now. The plan works! She rides him very well. Normally, I’m the one that does the flatwork that is more educating for him, which is also important. She’s the one that goes in the forest with him and gives him a happy time – it’s very important to have the right balance there.

“But since I was away for two weeks, I said to her that not only should she be riding in the forest, but could she also do the work in between – and she did it very well!”

German showjumper Richard Vogel: “We’re very happy to have Felicia by our side”

Richard explains how Felicia is a vital member of his team at his yard near Marburg in central Germany.

“I’m very glad to have her by my side and the horses are very happy to have her by their side,” he says. “Felicia did some showjumping in her youth but realised where she’s extra good is in the care of the horses. We’re a young team – she is 24 and I am 27 – and we are heading in the same direction; we have high hopes for the future.”

Richard describes United and Felicia as being devoted to each other.

“If United could pick between me and Felicia, he would always go to Felicia – not that he doesn’t like me, but their bond is very special,” he says.

Felicia and Germany’s other winning team grooms, Sofie Karlsson, Heidemarie Jaeckel, Ulla Uusitalo and Johanna Klare were all presented with special awards during the prize giving ceremony in Barcelona (pictured, above).

Daniel Coyle’s mare Legacy: “She’s like a pony at home,” says groom Francesca Garavelli

Another groom taking the spotlight at the Longines League of Nations Final in Barcelona was Francesca Garavelli, who looks after the great mare Legacy, owned by Ariel Grange and ridden by Daniel Coyle. She led the 14-year-old mare in to receive the award for the best horse of the season for her performances during the Longines League of Nations series.

“She’s unbelievable, the simplest horse to look after, she does it with all of her heart,” says Francesca. “Legacy is just the boss. I’ve never met a horse like this.

“She’s like a pony at home – she’s in the paddock all day, she enjoys grass as much as possible. You can do anything with her.”

Daniel and Legacy also shared the €200,000 bonus for jumping a double clear in Barcelona and Francesca says she loves watching the pair in action in the ring.

“Legacy always puts in such a good performance – she tries her hardest every time,” says Francesca, who joined Daniel Coyle’s team shortly before the Paris Olympics. “She’s a bit lazy to ride at home but she’s clever – she’s saving her energy. Home is her relaxing time.”

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Mental health in the workplace has come into the spotlight again, as equestrians are encouraged to seek support and talk to each other.

Workplace mental health is the theme of the World Federation for Mental Health’s annual World Mental Health Day today (10 October). The charity said that 15% of UK workers are estimated to have a mental health condition, 875,000 suffered from work-related stress, depression and anxiety in 2022/23 and the fifth most common reason for sickness absence from work is mental health.

“There are many things that contribute to a mentally healthy workplace, from providing staff training on mental health to tackling discrimination and bullying. Importantly, a mentally healthy workplace supports open conversations about mental health,” said a spokesperson for the charity.

Equestrian Employers Association president Tullis Matson told H&H that ensuring workplaces meet good employment requirements not only provides compliance with legal obligations, but can help in managing mental health issues at work.

“By following good employment practice, such as providing employees with contracts and adhering to national minimum wage amounts, stress and anxiety at work can be reduced for both employees and employers,” he said.

“As an employer, you also have a responsibility to operate with an open door and listening management approach. I ensure that my team understand who their line manager is, as well as how seriously we take mental wellbeing, and within our staff handbook our processes are clear in relation to this.

“Both these actions significantly benefit the atmosphere at our establishment and assist with creating a calmer and happier environment.”

Mental health is a key talking point in the veterinary industry, and the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has updated its mental health online resources, which include podcasts, continuing professional development resources and advice on preventing injuries at work and eating healthily.

BEVA council member Sophie Eaden told H&H vets can experience “big extremes, emotionally and mentally” during their working day.

“You can go from putting down an elderly pony to a vetting. Ultimately, you’re in the car on your own, so you really have to have quite a lot of resilience to navigate those emotionally and mentally challenging situations and then be able to compose yourself and be prepared for the next call,” she said.

“I think we dismiss that quite a lot as a profession because it’s just what we’ve always done and what we always do, and sometimes we don’t necessarily recognise the toll it’s taking. We hope that by sharing these resources, BEVA members have got things they can turn to when things are feeling a bit challenging and piling up.”

Mental health charity Riders Minds is encouraging the equestrian community to “share a cup of tea and talk” on World Mental Health Day, in a campaign to “inspire to ask, care and talk to those around them”.

Riders Minds chair and founder Victoria Wright said: “There is so much time in the horse world spent talking about one another rather than to each other. It’s time to change that and unite. Let’s have conversations on the yard that discuss ideas and are positive.

“Take the time to ask how others are doing today and be the reason they smile and you smile too. Life is too short to waste time with negativity, it’s down to us personally to create positivity.”

The charity also encourages people to “ask twice”, if they suspect someone might be struggling with their mental health.

“The simple act of asking again, with interest, can help someone to open up for the first time,” added a Riders Minds spokesperson.

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Adam Short has been a top-level eventing groom for eight years, but he says the Paris Olympics, where he looked after Tom McEwen’s team gold medallist JL Dublin, was when his friends from home finally started to appreciate what he does.

“They were watching TV or seeing pictures and thinking, ‘Oh, he’s actually doing something with his life – I don’t get what it is, but wow, it’s good, because he’s at the Olympics.’ It was a bit of an eye-0pener for them,” he says, grinning as he revisits the Paris memories five weeks after the Games.

Life has been busy for Adam since he returned – it’s been a non-stop whirl of other events, plus he’s been in demand for media interviews.

“I’ve got a big mouth – I find talking too easy,” he smiles. “But it’s really nice to be able to share the experience with other people and I have an unusual story because I came from a riding school and I’m very much still in touch with them.

“The riding school is Stepney Bank Stables, it’s in the middle of Newcastle and it’s a charity too. It’s showing the young people who are there now what is achievable. I’m always so grateful for them and where I started. It’s nice that I can now give back to them and return what they gave me when I was young.”

Adam says the Paris experience was different to the previous year’s championship, the Europeans, as there were only four British grooms at the Olympics compared to six at Haras du Pin.

He says: “It felt really close knit and like a family vibe. We all get along so well and it was the perfect group of people. We also spent quite a lot of time with the support team – Liz Brown the vet, Vicky Spalding the physio, Greig Elliott the farrier, Dickie Waygood and Chris Bartle [performance manager and coach].

“The Olympics is really serious but we had a lot of fun as well, so it was just doing what I normally do, but with a smile on my face and treasuring every moment.”

The eventing grooms all stayed in a hotel five minutes cycle ride from the stables, which Adam said created a great communal atmosphere among the grooms of different nationalities. Their meals were provided there free, there was a bar and one night they had a grooms’ party. The Brits also went to the Olympic Village to take photos with the Olympic rings once the competition was over.

“When I stood by the Olympic rings and went in the food hall, that really opened my eyes up that this is the real deal,” Adam says.

Adam’s charge JL Dublin, owned by Jo and James Lambert and Deirdre Johnston, loves an atmosphere and is easy to look after.

“He’s perfect in every way. You take him for a walk and he doesn’t drag you around and he eats all his food. You say action time and he performs, you say chill time and he chills out.”

Adam is still in touch with Ruth Asquith, who looked after “Dubs” when he was ridden by Nicola Wilson.

He explains: “It was really helpful that when he first came to ours, she gave us three or four pages of notes saying everything about him. If I had any questions or concerns, I was on the phone to her – she knows him like the back of her hand – and now every time we go somewhere, I get a good luck message or I’ll let her know what we’re doing.”

The highlight of being a groom at the Paris Olympics for Adam Short was standing in the arena for the medal ceremony, which he describes as “the most surreal thing I’ve ever experienced”.

“The noise was incredible – so many people, clapping, stomping their feet, the cheers. I had goosebumps from head to toe and from the minute I walked in, I was beaming. It was like when Adele steps out on stage. Our horses just stood so perfectly, soaking it all in,” he says.

This week, Adam is at the Defender Burghley Horse Trials grooming for Tom and CHF Cooliser (Eliza), as he did when she was 12th here in 2022.

“When I loaded her to come here, she kind of stopped for a minute and looked and said, ‘No one else?’ And I said yes, all the attention for you. She’s just so precious.”

Tom McEwen is currently advertising for more staff – “it’s always good to have fresh blood and young people that want to learn, and more experienced people with different opinions,” says Adam – and Adam is ambitious to continue his career with more championships, including the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

He says: “Now Paris is finished, you forget about the run-up, which is not always a very nice time. You don’t find out until the last minute you’re selected, and then you’re wrapping your horse in cotton wool. Dubs is a really solid, sound horse, but anything can happen. So the run-up is not always the most relaxing time. But when you go and you have a successful time, you forget about all that, and you’re thinking about the next one.

“Paris would definitely be a big standout in my career and I’d love to do other Games, and keep carrying on doing all these Badmintons, Burghleys, championships for as long as I can, because that’s what puts fire in my belly, what I enjoy.”

• To stay up-to-date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also be interested in:

Meet Tom McEwen’s groom Adam Short: ‘People think we’re pony patters, but we’re athlete managers’

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How to watch Burghley Horse Trials 2025 live streams and on TV wherever you are

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Grooms at the 2024 RDS Dublin Horse Show have the chance to win cash prizes of €10,000 (£8,457) in total, in recognition of their “expert and vital work”.

Irish Olympic medallist Cian O’Connor’s Karlswood base is sponsoring the competition, for international grooms, at the CSIO5* event (14-18 August).

“The RDS is delighted to facilitate the novel and generous initiative, which highlights the important role that grooms play within the industry,” a spokesperson for the society said.

Former international grooms Jimmy Doyle and Marie Yorke will assess the turnout of horses competing in the Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes, the Nations Cup and the Dublin Stakes. There will be €5,000 for the winner, €3,000 for second place and €1,000 for third.

Cian said: “This competition is about ensuring good horsemanship remains at the core of everything we do and rewarding those who do it best. Finding good quality staff is one of the major challenges facing our industry presently.

“Grooms who excel at their work must be acknowledged and rewarded and there is no place better to do it than at the RDS Dublin Horse Show. While it is undoubtedly a very fulfilling profession for those with a passion for horses, grooming also offers many possibilities for those with a good work ethic and who are interested in professional progression. Our two judges are a case in point, they both dedicated many years and excelled in the profession.”

Show director Pat Hanly said the RDS is delighted to welcome the initiative.

“It highlights the importance of the groom in the success of any rider or stable,” he said.

“It is the grooms, and the background team who provide the detailed care and ensure the day-to-day wellbeing of the horses. For many it is a labour of love, the hours can be long, the work is physical and the attention to detail required is vital.

“It is the riders and horses that most often get the limelight and the glory, so it’s wonderful to see the grooms rewarded for a job well done.”

The presentation to the winning grooms will take place at 2pm in the main arena on the Sunday of the show.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Jenny Ellis, former elite groom for John Whitaker, Geoff Billington and Richard Davison and also supported Britain’s para dressage team at Beijing 2008

“I remember a funny incident taking horses on a plane to Las Vegas for the World Cup in 2000. It was the oldest plane you’ve ever seen. They built a ramp to get the horses in that I can only describe as something you’d walk up into a chicken coop.

“Once we were on and had worked out how to build the crates around the horses, I asked where the emergency chutes were and was told there weren’t any. I saw the pilot had his golf clubs with him so I thought he must be optimistic we were going to get there at least.

“I was travelling with Tez Harrison, who worked for John Whitaker for 18 years. Some people were standing or sitting on the floor but there were a few seats, and Tez and I sat together. As we took off we realised the seats hadn’t been strapped in, and we shot to the back of the plane.”

Jenny checked on the horses, who were fine, and was able to walk around and chat to the flight engineer, pilot and navigator up front. “The pilot had to stand up and shuffle round so we could get to the loo,” she recalls.

They stopped in Newfoundland to refuel.

“There was no water on the plane so we had to go across the runway and get it in buckets,” says Jenny. “The flight engineer came down and we were chatting away. I asked what was coming out the engines, and he got animated saying it was aviation fuel. Someone had a cigarette on, so we got that out quick, and the fire engines came. All the foam they were spraying went into the horses’ area – we went back into the plane looking like abominable snowmen trying to get the foam off them.”

The route home was a little less eventful, though no less disconcerting.

“I saw the crew in a bar in Vegas and said, ‘We’ll be loading at midday, is there any chance of air-con to cool it down before we load the horses?’ The engineer said, ‘That’s a great idea.’ So they did it. But then we were all on board and waiting for ages – I was joking they’d forgotten to fill it up with diesel. There we were, sat out on a runway in the desert, with the horses sweating while the plane refuelled.

“As we got near Ostend, Belgium, I went up and asked how long until we land and the pilot said, ‘We’re just looking for the airport.’

“We often say the grooms today work so hard and the horses are on the plane a lot, but they aren’t on planes like that now — on one flight Tez had to plug up the holes in the walls.”

Rachel Tolley — groom to former five-star event rider Tina Cook

“I was glad to see the back of long-format eventing. That used to be horrific,” she recalls, remembering one occasion where Tina was riding Captain Christy at Pau. “The steeplechase was a country mile away, they’d gone off on the chase, my shuttle hadn’t appeared, and you always had to weigh up if it was quicker to run or wait for the next shuttle.

“You had to take so much spare stuff with you it was like carrying another horse. I ran the whole way, but by the time I got back I’d missed the whole of the 10-minute box preparations, Tina was coming into the finish, and I thought I was going to pass out.

“The kids who do it today wouldn’t know what hit them. At the time we complained about them changing the format, but I don’t know how we did it.”

Talking to a number of elite grooms about the challenges they have faced around major events, the logistics of travel feature heavily. Rachel remembers a trip to Boekelo in 2007.

“Miners Frolic [Henry] had been second at Blenheim, but selectors weren’t interested in him for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 unless he gained more experience,” she says. “He was fit and well, so we took him to Boekelo. We thought we’d be clever and take him by himself, then an hour into the journey we got stuck in a road block. The police car chase had passed us by.

“Our lorry then broke down, and we had Tina’s young daughter with us, so there we were stuck on the side of the shut road with a two-year-old child and a horse who didn’t like being on his own. The breakdown service came but we were seven hours late for the boat.

“However, Henry went on to finish third, and then selectors wanted him as an Olympic horse, where he won double bronze.”

Alan Davies — former full-time groom to Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin

“At the World Games in Stockholm in 1990 the lorries were parked way out of town and grooms had accommodation in town, so we had bikes to get from the showground to the hotels. We were all assigned keys at random for bikes with locking systems, and I walked out to find I’d been allotted the brightest pink bike you’ve ever seen. I was the laughing stock, but I loved cycling round Stockholm on my luminous pink bike.

“Then when we were in Rio in 2016, a bunch of grooms tried to get to the beach to have lunch one day and I stayed back, which was lucky because they got stuck in traffic and they were gone for about four hours. I ended up feeding several nations’ horses that day – the other grooms were completely freaking out stuck out in fog.”

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Grooms at shows across Europe have been observing silences and wearing black armbands in memory of “icon” Jenny Ducoffre.

H&H reported last month that Jenny, the long-standing groom of Belgian showjumper Jos Verlooy and a much-loved figure on the circuit, had died aged 44.

“Jenny’s death hit hard,” said a spokesperson for online resource and community HorseGrooms.

“This is evident from the many initiatives taken by various grooms and horse show organisations on the international circuit.

“She won several awards, including last year during Indoor Friesland in the Netherlands and previously in Hickstead, Great Britain, because of her excellent care for the horses and because she was always willing to help others. The younger and less experienced grooms saw her as an example and their ‘show mum’.”

In St Gallen, a minute’s silence was observed before the vet check, in Le Touquet it was on the Thursday morning in the main arena, before competition got under way. At the St Tropex leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour, almost all grooms wore something black.

“After requests from several grooms to ‘do something together’ for Jenny and her family, the international grooms’ platform HorseGrooms has started an online condolence register, or memorial page, where anyone who wants to can share a memory of Jenny or leave a message for her family,” the HorseGrooms spokesperson said.

“Thanks to a financial contribution from Enviro Equine & Pet, an international company in supplements and care products for horses, all memories and messages will be collected and printed in a book that will be sent to the family in a few weeks.”

• Go to the online memorial page

HorseGrooms also cited its online mental health resources for anyone needing support; others are available via the Riders Minds website.

You might also be interested in:

‘A dear colleague and true friend’: equestrian world mourns much-loved groom, aged 44

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The showjumping world is mourning groom Jenny Ducoffre, “whose love for horses and unwavering commitment touched everyone around her”.

Jenny, 44, was the long-standing groom of Belgian showjumper Jos Verlooy and a much-loved figure on the circuit.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Jenny Ducoffre, a beloved and dedicated groom. For over 10 years, Jenny devoted herself to the wellbeing of the horses and the successes of Jos Verlooy and Eurohorse,” said a spokesman for Jos.

“Her dedication, love for the horses and tireless efforts left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her. Her loss is deeply felt by us all.”

The spokesman added that the team will remember Jenny “as a dear colleague and a true friend”.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to her family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Jenny. You will be greatly missed.”

Many in the showjumping community have paid tribute to Jenny, who won the Horse Health horsemastership trophy at Hickstead in 2019, given to a groom who impressed the panel of judges with their standards of care.

A spokesman for the Longines Global Champions Tour said they are “shocked and saddened”, and described Jenny as a “beloved member of our extended Global Champions family”.

“Jenny’s passionate and dedicated soul whose love for horses and unwavering commitment to those she groomed for touched everyone around her. Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her,” he said.

“We will for ever cherish the memories and the positive impact she had on our sport. Rest in peace, Jenny. You will be deeply missed and always remembered.”

A spokesman for the International Grooms Association (IGA) said everyone at the IGA is “deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Jenny”.

“Grooms are a tight community and we know how deeply affected by this terrible news many of you will be,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with Jenny and all the many people who knew and loved her.”

For anyone in the industry looking for confidential support, visit IGA or Riders Minds.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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There is no way to last in equestrian sport without a deep love for horses, says the new chairman of directors of the International Grooms Association (IGA).

The IGA said it was “very proud” to welcome John Madden to the role, as an “important sign of its growth”.

John, who is married to top US showjumper Beezie Madden, started as a groom and moved into an assistant trainer role. He started John Madden Sales in 1984 and has coached riders and horses to championship level, as well as holding a variety of roles for US Equestrian and serving as FEI jumping director and vice-president.

IGA executive director Lucy Katan said: “I am so pleased to welcome John Madden to sit as chairman of our board. He brings such a wealth of knowledge and experience, and has always recognised the vital need for international horse sport to be more forward thinking and open to adaptation.

“As the IGA enters its third year I feel this appointment is an important signal of our growth; and shows that the voice of the international grooms is being taken seriously at the very highest levels. Having such a well-respected figure standing alongside us to represent the grooms is another great step forward in bringing positive development for FEI grooms around the world.”

John said it was his love for horses that led him to equestrian sport, “much like most grooms I meet and work with”.

“This sport and the horses demand so much of all of us, and our grooms deserve a strong organisation looking out for their best interests,” he said.

“Ultimately, everything we do to improve conditions and education for our grooms betters the lives of our horses, which every horse person can agree is an admirable goal. I am honoured to serve as chairman of the International Grooms Association and be working with Lucy Katan and her associates to continue their mission.”

The IGA was founded in 2022, when a memorandum of understanding was signed with the FEI, to be the voice of international grooms.

John said he accepted the role as, having been a groom, he knows the sport would not exist without grooms’ “hard work and diligent care”.

“The grooms deserve a strong organisation like the IGA looking out for their best interests,” he said.

Asked what makes a great groom, he added: “First – you have to love the horses. There is no way to last in this sport without that love; it drives you to continue on the hard days. The second most important quality is a thirst for knowledge, a true desire to continue to learn and improve. Clark Shipley, who was a groom for us for decades before his death from cancer in 2020, used to talk about how much he picked up on the road just from keeping his eyes open.

“He had so much experience, but what made him a great groom was that he never thought he knew it all. He wanted to keep learning, keep getting better. That, and he had a great sense of humour, which is also important on the long, hard days.”

John said changes that need to be made for grooms include “reasonable” schedules, time off, a good team to help and a living wage that allows them to save for the future.

“I think most riders and owners would agree they want the same, but the demands of the sport and the needs of the horses often lead people to stray towards unreasonable expectations,” he said. “I hope we can work to keep improving conditions for grooms in terms of schedules and working conditions so the best of the best can stay in this industry without burning out.”

You might also be interested in:

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

When the Roger Varian-trained filly Elmalka swooped from last to first to win the recent 1000 Guineas at Newmarket under jockey Silvestre De Sousa, the loudest cheers on the track were coming from the filly’s devoted groom Kerry Humphries.

“I lost my voice!” she says of that “really special day”.

“I was over the moon and so proud of her and the way she did it – she was out the back most of the way then flew home, it was brilliant. When she started getting closer, we started jumping and cheering. Then when she crossed the line in front, we all ended up hugging each other.”

Kerry says the emotions flowed as she led Elmalka back to the winner’s enclosure.

“I couldn’t stop shaking. These special days are why you work in racing and you don’t win a Classic every day, so it makes it all worthwhile. You’ve got to enjoy every moment and make the most of it.”

Kerry Humphries: family ties

Kerry has looked after Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum’s Kingman filly since Elmalka arrived on the Newmarket yard last year, jumping at the chance having previously looked after her older half-sister Madaara.

“Madaara was a very big horse whereas Elmalka’s really small – they’re complete opposites,” says Kerry of the daughters of Selkirk mare Nahrain, who gave Roger Varian his first Group One winner back in 2011.

“Elmalka is really sweet, she loves a cuddle, her polos, her carrots and her apples, but she has a bit of sass about her at the same time!

“Sometimes when you’re brushing her over she’ll throw a leg out at you, or when you’re washing her off – she keeps you on your toes! But on the whole, she’s really sweet.”

In the run-up to the Classic race, the signs were there that Elmalka might well out-run her odds of 33/1 on just her third racecourse appearance.

“She is ridden at home every day by Beth Dixon, who has ridden her from her early days and adores Elmalka. On the day before the Guineas she actually ran off the end of the canter with her – she’s never done anything like that before so we said she’s definitely in good order!” says Kerry. “We were confident she’d run a good race anyway. She’s a tough filly and we always knew she’d be doing her best late on. It was amazing to watch.”

A twist of fate: “It was right on my doorstep”

Kerry was brought up around horses as her mum had a horse, but she only came into racing by chance.

“My dad is a roofer and had been working on the roof of the Northern Racing College in Doncaster,” recalls Kerry. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I left school and he said how about applying there. Growing up, my mum and dad would take my brother and me racing quite regularly, so I had an interest in it, but I didn’t know the racing college existed, even though it was right on my doorstep.”

Kerry has now been working for leading trainer Roger Varian for the past 10 years and met her “absolute world” One Pekan on her first day there, crediting the horse for helping her deal with the grief of losing her mother unexpectedly in 2021.

After dual Epsom winner One Pekan retired from the track in 2017, Kerry jumped at the chance to take on the racehorse whom she adored. The devoted duo have been enjoying showjumping, cross-country and pleasure rides – and “he’s still a monkey!” she says.

“Last Sunday I noticed everyone posting lovely pictures of their pristine horses in showing classes and so on, when I’d taken mine on a 10-mile pleasure ride and five minutes in, he’d got down and rolled in the mud with me!” she laughs. “He’s 14, yet still does things like that!”

Riding a former racehorse without a bridle

So close is their bond however, that Kerry can ride her former racehorse One Pekan at home without a bridle.

“I don’t know what was going through my head, but one day I thought I’d take my bridle off and canter round without it and he was brilliant,” she says of the Retraining of Racehorses personality of the year finalist. “He listens so well to my voice – I can lunge him without a lunge line and I can get him to walk, trot and canter round in a circle just through my voice.

“But if I take him out cantering in the fields, he doesn’t listen to me at all!”

Talking about the joy of owning a former racehorse, Kerry explains: “I’ve looked after Pekan from my first day working at Roger Varian’s, so we’ve gone through the whole process of working together within the racing industry to me giving him a home after racing. He is such a character and very quirky, I adore him.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Grooms have come back under the spotlight as it is discussed whether recent campaigns are having an impact on the challenges in the industry.

Researchers from the Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands aimed to determine whether four initiatives, the formation of the International Grooms Association (IGA), recognition at the 2022 World Championships, the #ChampionsAsOne campaign and the FEI best groom award, were “perceived by grooms as addressing prevalent barriers that currently prevent them staying in the industry”.

More than 1,300 grooms took part in a survey, 54% of which had left the industry. Among the findings, 52.3% of participants had heard of some of the initiatives but not all, formation of the IGA was the “most impactful” initiative, but when asked about the personal impact of the initiatives 58.5% chose “none”.

Co-author Susanna Ole told H&H the paper investigated what the industry’s “real issues” are, and whether the initiatives “actually tackled those”. She added that in the survey grooms highlighted the need for better remuneration, reasonable workload and improved work-life balance, and that future interventions need to tackle these areas.

“The World Championships in Herning and #ChampionsAsOne were one-time marketing campaigns,” she said. “While they may have improved the visibility of the grooms to the public, they did very little to address the fundamental issues in the industry. The same goes for the FEI award, which has been around for many years now, yet hasn’t affected any real change.”

But Ms Ole said the IGA can be considered “the only one with the potential to make a difference” by being in a position to lobby on “important topics” such as pay and working conditions.

IGA founder Lucy Katan told H&H any research is “always interesting”, but highlighted that as 54% of participants are former grooms they may not have experienced the initiatives that have taken place in the last two years.

Ms Ole agreed that assuming that many of the former groom participants left the industry before 2022 it would be “more difficult for them to feel the impact of the initiatives on a personal level” – but that the work results in “interesting data”, which will be used in future research.

Ms Katan believes there have been some “really significant improvements in the industry, certainly at shows with greater budgets”.

“The IGA is working on rule changes with the FEI grooms’ consultative group that might affect grooms, representing their voice,” she said, adding that a key factor in changing the industry is focusing on “good employment”.

“Change takes time. We must reward and recognise grooms in the public domain, hence the FEI grooms’ award and show graphics at the 2022 World Championships, but grooms themselves must engage in the process. They have a professional association in the IGA, and they should belong and use their voice to make change happen.”

An FEI spokesman told H&H that “influencing the working conditions of individual grooms globally presents a significant challenge” and the FEI has “approached this with a sense of realism”.

“We understand the limitations of our scope and through the establishment of the IGA, we have focused our efforts on areas where we can exert influence and affect meaningful change. While we are aware that more can be done, the FEI and the IGA cannot single-handedly resolve all the challenges faced by grooms,” he said.

“The current staffing crisis and finding solutions to the underlying issues that prevent grooms from staying in the industry necessitate a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, and depends on the full commitment and cooperation of national federations and authorities, as well as the athletes who employ these grooms.”

The spokesman added that through existing initiatives the FEI is “confident that these efforts will serve as powerful incentives for driving the change at national level”.

“While there is a collective responsibility to strive for improvements, it is imperative that grooms also actively engage in existing processes and use the tools available to them to advocate for change within their profession,” he said.

Sean Vard, long-term groom to Swiss showjumper Martin Fuchs and IGA representative, told H&H he has seen positive changes in the industry, but described it as a long process that needs to “start at the bottom”.

He added that some shows with big budgets, such as those at the World Equestrian Center in Florida or Rolex events “really set a standard” and grooms are “spoiled with the facilities” – but that generally speaking at some lower-level and lower-budget shows, organisers “do what is requested by the FEI and that’s provide the basic care, which often enough is not acceptable”.

Mr Vard said the initiatives, such as grooms’ names being displayed on television at the 2022 World Championships, are “a nice honour” and “really appreciated”, but that “realistically, we want better conditions at the shows”.

“It is happening, but it’s a very slow process – with the exception of the shows that go above and beyond,” he said. “We need also to look down the line at conditions like payment, contracts, and standards – and this is what the IGA is pushing for. It takes time but I’m hoping it is going in the right direction.”

You might also be interested in:

Equestrian businesses among those investigated for underpaying staff

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Agreement means grooms’ voices will be heard at the top of the sport

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Super groom Josefine Eliasson has been working for US showjumper Jessica Springsteen for the past eight years. She now follows the global international circuit with the Olympic silver medallist, looking after Jessica’s top horses including Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve and Hungry Heart.

“In the beginning, I was based at her home yard and I rode a bit,” says Josie. “But for the past six years, I have travelled the world with her and her horses as her show groom.”

Swedish-born Josie started riding when she was five or six and fell in love with horses.

“When I was slightly older, I had a nice young horse that I competed in Sweden,” she says. “The owner of the stables where I kept my horse competed regularly including in the national young horse championships and I would go with her and groom for her.

“I soon realised that I really enjoyed grooming and she was always very encouraging. She would say that I was very good at it and I remembered all of the important small details. I then went to visit a friend of mine, who at the time was working with horses in Switzerland,” she continues. “After only about two days, I knew it was what I wanted to do, so I asked if she knew anyone who needed help at their stables. That is when I got a job with Romain Duguet – I still had my horse, but I managed to lease her out, and I packed my bags for Switzerland as a permanent move.”

“Jessica Springsteen’s Olympic horse Don Juan is special”

After a year, Josie returned to Sweden, intending to get her HGV driving licence, but that’s when the job with Jessica Springsteen came up and she’s been looking after her talented string of showjumpers ever since.

“Our most special horse is Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve [pictured, below], Jessica’s Olympic Games horse,” says Josie. “I have an incredible bond with him. You spend so much time alone with your championship horses that you get to know them in a different way. As a groom, you always tell yourself you have a special bond with your horse, but I really think we do. For example, when I walk into the stable he will whinny for me but he doesn’t do that with a random person. He is very important to me – I am very emotional when it comes to him. He is a stallion, but he is the nicest stallion I have ever handled.

“Whenever I film Don [Juan Van De Donkhoeve] in the ring, I always seem to be giving my commentary of the round, telling him ‘You can do it!’” she reveals.

“Hungry Heart is another of our top horses who is competing at five-star level. He is 12 and has the biggest character in the stables. He is like a dog, you can play with him. I always joke that I think I could teach him to sit if I really tried. He is a very funny horse. We have a couple of other younger horses who are very exciting, I think the future is looking good.”

“You are always learning – listen to those with more experience”

Having now worked with Jessica Springsteen for eight years, Josie’s key piece of advice to grooms is to “listen to those who have more experience”.

“What I love about this profession is that you are always learning new things,” she says. “This is for two reasons – because the sport is evolving, as well as the fact that every single person has their own systems and techniques. Ask more questions – that is how you learn.

“I would also say do not be afraid. A lot of people are comfortable about where they are working, but they are not as happy as they could be. Of course, it is scary to try something new and to make a big change in your life, but it is so important to find the right place for you. You also have to love horses – as a groom, you have to work such long hours and there is a lot of travelling – but if you love horses it is the best job in the world.”

She also underlines the importance of knowing and understanding your horses.

“This way, you can notice the small signs that something might be wrong,” she explains. “The earlier you can see an issue, the more able you are to help them with whatever they need. It can be easier to spot this with your championship horses as you spend so much time with them and you get to know their habits so well, so you can see the smallest changes in their behaviour and do something about it before it becomes an issue.

“I think everyone has their own unique superstitions when it comes to the more important classes. No matter what, I always tell my rider to have fun, and I give the horse a little pat. Of course, during the bigger classes, I do this quietly so I do not interrupt my rider’s concentration and focus – but I still do it.”

Josie tries to ensure each of Jessica Springsteen’s horses keeps their routine as much as possible when they’re at shows.

“I think that the horse takes comfort from that,” she says. “Of course, at the bigger competitions, you will use things such as massage blankets more but I try to keep it as simple as possible and let them be horses.

“We try to work backward from a specific competition or goal to ensure that we have planned the best possible schedule for that individual horse. If we know that a horse jumps better during their second week of competition, then we will make sure that it competes two weeks in a row.”

“The best career you can have,” says Jessica Springsteen’s groom Josie Eliasson

As well as the big championships, Josie Eliasson and Jessica Springsteen travel to some of the biggest shows in the world including the Rolex Grand Slam and she says CHI Geneva is her favourite indoor show.

“The Rolex Grand Slam has had such an incredible impact on the sport,” she says. “It is the one thing that every rider aims for. Of course to win a Major and to become the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender is amazing, but I think it is a huge privilege for riders to even be competing at these shows – they are the most prestigious in the world. To compete or even just be at a venue such as the CHIO Aachen or The Dutch Masters is incredibly special. They really increase the levels of visibility of the sports. It is always great to watch the highest level of sport, and this is what the sporting Majors provide. They provide a chance to win something beyond the normal competitions, such as the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. I think that even a non-equestrian fan would find this exciting to watch.”

Josie has launched her own online platform connecting grooms with riders.

“I did, and still do, get a lot of people asking about good staff and good jobs,” she explains about setting up Yeehaw. “There are so many good grooms and employers out there but it is hard to match them together. I wanted to create a platform where everyone would be able to see the opportunities available.

“It is not a hard industry to get into because there are so many jobs, but what is hard is finding the right place,” she offers. “Another goal is to try to raise the industry standards for grooms – to ensure that their working conditions are improved.

“Having a good grooming job makes you want to do it forever. But if in your first job you are not treated well then it can very quickly kill your interest in continuing in the business, even if you are very good at it. I just want to make sure that people get the best jobs because to me this is the best career you can have.”

With thanks to Rolex Grand Slam.

You might also be interested in:

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Carl Hester: ‘It’s time our industry stepped up to offer tangible rewards for grooms’

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Jessica Springsteen teams up with high-profile equestrian fashion brand

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The investigation of equestrian businesses among those that had fallen foul of national minimum wage (NMW) legislation is an important reminder of the law.

Five equestrian employers were included in a list published by the Government, of more than 500 businesses that had been found to have breached the law. The businesses have since paid back what they owed to their staff, the Government confirmed, and have faced financial penalties of up to 200% of their underpayments. The HMRC investigations concluded between 2015 and 2023.

Kevin Hollinrake, the minister for enterprise, markets and small business, said employees deserve to “get paid properly for the hard work they put in”.

“While the majority of businesses already do the right thing and pay their staff what they are owed, today’s announcement sends a message to the minority who aren’t – that there are repercussions to undercutting hard work from their staff,” he said.

The Government acknowledged that not all underpayment of the minimum wage is intentional, with which equestrian business advisor Claire King agrees.

“I have worked with a number of riders over the years that have had NMW investigations and sadly, while the most obvious area everyone thinks of is not paying workers for the hours they have worked, there are other areas that you can get tripped up on that you may not realise mean you are not paying the NMW,” she told H&H. “Riders and businesses should be aware of the pitfalls.”

These can include deducting more than the legal maximum offset for accommodation, or deducting from pay for livery or training, she explained, adding that employers should also check staff members’ dates of birth to ensure they are paying the correct amount for their age range.

H&H has reported that the NMW is increasing again on 1 April, so employers will need to know exactly how much staff should be paid.

Tullis Matson, president of the Equestrian Employers Association, told H&H: “Even though not all cases of non-compliance of the NMW is intentional, it is important to raise awareness of the consequences of not doing so, and having your name in the public domain is one of them. The upcoming rise of the NMW and [national living wage] NLW is going to be significant for equestrian employers, and it is therefore important that they understand their legal requirements.

“The focus will be on compliance, and it is noted that HMRC has been clear that the equestrian sector is of particular interest. It is the employer’s strict responsibility and liability to be compliant to the NMW and I urge them to do so to protect their business and livelihood.”

Patricia Rice, independent commissioner of the Low Pay Commission, said: “Since its introduction nearly 25 years ago, the NMW has played a vital role in protecting the earnings of the lowest-paid workers in the UK. At a time when the cost of living is rising, it is more important than ever that these workers receive the pay to which they are entitled.

“NMW underpayment not only cheats workers of their rightful due, it leaves compliant firms undercut by those who do not abide by the law. By naming the firms responsible for significant underpayment, we raise awareness of the nature and the scale of underpayment and encourage all employers to ensure that they fully comply with the law.”

You might also be interested in:

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Nominations are now closed for the 20th Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, which “celebrate and recognise the remarkable dedication and commitment of those working at the grassroots of horseracing. These hard-working employees provide the best possible care to our horses and people”.

Generous Godolphin sponsorship provides £128,500 in prize money for the six categories.

Results are in February next year and it got me wondering. It’s lovely to have a medal, trophy or mantelpiece decoration – and we’re very proud our own Lucy Scudamore was voted Groom of the Year at the recent Horse & Hound Awards. However, isn’t it time the horse sport industry stepped up to provide a similar tangible reward?

These diligent staff members devote so much love, knowledge and detail to caring for our horses and making it happen for all of our riders and owners.

Looking back at Riesenbeck and ahead to Paris

Looking back over this year, the highlight was obviously our team gold in Riesenbeck. With three scores over 80% in the grand prix special, this bodes well for next year’s Paris Olympics where the special will determine the team medals. Some horses and even riders are more suited to the special than the grand prix, so it’s exciting we have these types of horses for next year.

A highlight, too, were the simply wonderful facilities at Riesenbeck. It can be very difficult to get horses to relax at shows compared to home, due to the atmosphere and different surroundings. Riesenbeck, however, was a triumph for horses’ wellbeing at a championship. There was plenty of grazing, large, airy stables and excellent surfaces maintained by the Martin Collins team. And the stewarding was methodical, down to earth and conducted by stewards you felt were horsemen and women themselves. Let’s hope this is the future, as Riesenbeck has set a high standard.

An enchanting experience

Talking of gold medallists, I am always in awe of what Valegro can do for others. His appearance at the British Dressage National Convention was simply magical. I can’t imagine in my lifetime that there will ever be another horse who is so adored and who adores his public back in equal measure.

Also, the content at the convention was wonderful and seemed to cater for most levels – bravo to all of the presenters!

I have just returned from the London International at the ExCeL, slightly the worse for wear from lovely celebrations after Imhotep and Charlotte’s win, and it’s safe to say this iconic show has settled into its new home, although nothing could quite replace Olympia’s magical atmosphere and stately surroundings.

A change of venue can take years to feel comfortable for riders, spectators and organisers, but Simon Brooks-Ward and his team delivered another enchanting experience for dressage lovers, and Richard Davison as consultant pulls the whole thing together with aplomb.

Another well done to the show and grooms’ liaison Jenny Ellis for the “grab and go” food in the grooms’ lounge, in addition to the meal vouchers provided. Fuel on the go for busy days is something the International Grooms Association would like to see as normal at all shows.

Seeing Anne and Gertjan van Olst awarded British Equestrian Medals of Honour was lovely. As they live in the Netherlands, it would be very easy to forget the huge amount they contribute to dressage in Britain. That’s not only producing Lottie Fry and the great horses she rides for them, but the influence of their exceptionally successful breeding programme, which brings us back to Valegro.

I am looking forward to our traditional Boxing Day ride where I hack him around the local villages. It reminds me every year of why we love horses. I will be mulling over this year’s adventures and next year’s journey ahead in a very relaxed way, so on that note, I wish you all, and your horses, a very merry Christmas.

● How can the horse industry do more to support and reward grooms? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future edition of Horse & Hound magazine

• This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 14 December, 2023

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Experts have come together to take a cross-industry look at how to solve staff shortages across Europe.

The European Horse Network, a not-for-profit support organisation, hosted a webinar on “challenges and opportunities and how to attract a young workforce in the equestrian industry” on 28 November. It brought together research and top speakers including equine vet Lucy Grieve and founder of the British and international grooms associations, Lucy Katan.

How to tap into what drives people, practical ways of avoiding physical burnout, and why the sustainability of the equestrian world – economically as much as in other ways – is critical to attracting future workers, were all on the table.

Economist Lumi Drozzin and Minna Peltonen, the Finnish equestrian federation’s sustainability officer and business development specialist, presented findings from recent research in the country.

Two standout points were how young workers are value-driven when it comes to careers, and, at the other end of the spectrum, that physical injury is one of the leading reasons for early retirement.

“Young workers value continuous learning, innovation and meaningful work. They appreciate environments where they are encouraged to try new things, and where their mental wellbeing is prioritised,” said Ms Peltonen.

“I think one of the biggest issues that we actually can influence is that young people, who will be our future workforce, make more value-based decisions [including] concerning their work life.”

She added that the future of the equine industry depends on sustainability, in terms of economics, social issues, horse welfare, nature and the climate.

The day-to-day value of embracing technology to lighten people’s physical loads and reduce employee fatigue where possible was also stressed.

“It’s not just something to enhance to attract people, but I also think it’s a horse wellbeing question as well,” said Ms Peltonen. “Because when we free time from doing hard manual labour, we can use that time for the benefit of the horses or enhance the horses’ wellbeing.”

Ms Drozzin added: “Physical injuries and needing to step away from the field is currently one of the three top reasons to retire before your retirement age. So adopting digital solutions and technologies in order to make work easier would really benefit the whole agricultural sector.”

Ms Katan highlighted continued issues she has seen with non-compliance of employment laws and the shrinking pool of people wanting to undertake physical work. She also noted that when “good employment is embraced”, it has a positive effect throughout the “spider’s web” of workplace issues.

“The simple fact is that the employment position should be the same as in any other sector, by adhering to the law,” she said.

“We must clean up our industry – that’s worldwide. Every place of employment should be under the banner of good employment. We shouldn’t be thinking, ‘Will they get a contract? Will they get paid correctly?’. The advice is there, but it’s being ignored, especially in the competition sector.”

Agro-economic engineer Emma Humbert presented a new employer rating system by French firm Équi-Ressources. This will grade yards based on criteria including wages, how far in advance rotas are drawn up, time-off allowances, what technology is available to make the job easier, employee interviews, and much more. The hope is that it gives validation to good employers, transparency to the industry and also acts as an incentive.

Ms Grieve shared insight into the picture in the equine veterinary world, sharing eye-opening statistics from a recent British Equine Veterinary Association survey, as well as the wider international industry.

“In terms of our recruitment in the UK, we have over 50% [of practices] struggling to recruit new graduate veterinarians and 77% of practices are reporting struggling to recruit experienced vets, which is a major problem,” she said. “That shows us that people are leaving the profession later on in their careers, taking the experience they’ve gained with them.

“Fifteen percent of practices have struggled to recruit trainee nurses and 45% have struggled to recruit experienced nurses. They’re quite shocking statistics.”

It is a problem the veterinary industry is trying to solve from multiple angles worldwide: encouraging school pupils to think about it as a career, pointing to students the “very good” sides to specialising in equine, and educating clients on being respectful.

“One tagline we came up with was that we’re trying to make the work fit the workforce, not the workforce fit the work,” Ms Grieve said. “We’re trying to get practices, clients and the whole industry to understand that we need to try to be flexible, to allow those workforce members to be able to carry out their job satisfactorily.”

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Bullied groom speaks up on job that was ‘killing’ a colleague as study finds illegal employment rife

‘We let the horses be themselves’: top tips and insight from an international groom

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

More than half equestrian staff still do not have contracts, research has found – as one groom said the situation at her last job was “killing” a colleague.

The British Grooms Association (BGA) and Equestrian Employers Association (EEA) found that a “deeply concerning” 55% of grooms have no written contracts of employment, in a recent survey released to mark its 2023 Good Employment Week (20–26 November).

The BGA and EEA’s campaign for the week is focused on employers and staff “putting their hands up” if they do not fulfil the legal requirement of having a contract.

A spokesman for the associations said the statistic “demonstrates that the equestrian industry remains a place where too many yards are ignoring the most basic employment legislation”.

“Staggeringly, 75% of those in part-time or zero-hours positions also said they do not have a written contract. This is a stark figure and the BGA and EEA are using Good Employment Week 2023 to inform employers and employees to wise up.”

BGA and EEA executive director Lucy Katan said the survey shows the industry has a long way to go before it is a place of good employment.

“The first question HMRC asks when conducting an investigation is evidence of the written contract,” she said. “By not having one, employers are putting their hands up to adhering to non-compliance. The lack of a written contract is often a red flag for other employment issues within the workplace.

“More than 4,000 contracts have been produced using the EEA contract creator online tool, so why are so many employers putting their businesses at risk when an affordable solution exists? I think we are past the point of saying employers aren’t aware that it is a legal requirement!”

H&H spoke to one groom who did not have a contract and had been in her job since last May. She said it was the bullying, from another employee and her employer, that finally made her leave this month, having had advice from the BGA. She wanted to speak up in the hope her story might help others.

“They put up an ad for a new groom before I left, and what terrifies me is that they will do the same thing to someone else,” she said.

The groom said the bullying from the other employee was relentless and she was put on anti-anxiety medication, but when she told her boss about it, she was told to “grow a pair and deal with it”. She said when she resigned, her employer told her she would never work in the industry again.

“It was shocking,” she said. “I was bullied at school so I know what it is, but had never experienced it as an adult in the workplace.”

The girl said she was taking home £1,400 per month for working weeks of 70-plus hours. Her mother told H&H she looked into her payslips and wages after the job had finished and found huge discrepancies; some months her pension had been paid, some months it had not.

“I looked into her national insurance contributions and going by them, she was being paid about £9,000 per month – which she definitely wasn’t!” the mother said. “I asked a friend what it meant and she said it looks like they’ve told HMRC she was earning more than she was so they could claim it back. I’ve shopped them to HMRC and filed a constructive dismissal claim. My solicitor says they’ll likely settle out of court but it’s not the money. I want a formal apology; you can’t treat people like that.

“She’s home now but she’s skin and bone, looks like she hasn’t eaten for months. It’s been horrific.”

The groom added that she has secured another job and will not start it until a contract is signed.

“As much as I didn’t get on with the other groom, when I had to pick her off the floor in floods of tears, I told her the job would make her ill, and I wasn’t going to be in a position where it made me ill too. She was 80% of the reason I left, but I could see the job was killing her and the bosses didn’t care.”

You might also be interested in:

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‘Without staff, we have no business’: change needed to ensure a sustainable workforce

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

High-flying British showjumper Harry Charles’ groom Georgia Ellwood has been part of the hugely successful Heathcroft Farm team for four years. As show groom, she has established herself as a key part of Harry’s success at some of the biggest shows on the international circuit, travelling to the likes of the Tokyo Olympics, the Rolex Majors, European and World Championships, and World Cups.

Georgia, who was recognised at last month’s British Showjumping awards as groom of the year, took some time out of her busy schedule to chat about her role looking after nine horses in Harry’s string.

“They are all different ages and have different levels of experience,” Georgia explains of her charges. “Romeo 88 and Balou Du Reventon are our older and more experienced horses. Balou du Reventon is an absolute gem – he is the yard’s favourite at the moment. He is a stallion but does not act so at all – he is so sweet. We call him the old grandpa of the yard.

“On the other hand, Romeo 88 is more of a handful than Balou. He is quite grumpy but can also be very affectionate at the same time. He wants the attention, then once he has it he changes his mind.”

According to Georgia, one of her favourite younger horses is rising star Sherlock, a Belgium-bred 10-year-old son of Bisquet Balou VD Mispelaere.

“He is the most lovable little thing that you could ever come across,” she reveals. “He is cheeky and very sweet, and he gives everything when he is in the ring which is so nice to see. I am sure that Harry would agree with me that he is a little trooper.”

She describes Malcolm Pyrah’s home-bred eight-year-old Dunroe Quality, known at home as Bandit, as “very special”.

“He is incredibly scopey – he is like a spring,” she says. “He is very cool but comes with some challenges. He loves to test me on the ground, but he becomes a different horse when Harry rides him. He is one of the best young horses that I have ever seen. I am hoping that in the future he will continue to develop, and I really think he will be something very special to the sport of showjumping.

“All the horses have different characteristics; you definitely have to spend some one-on-one time with them to get to know them.”

Georgia Ellwood: ‘A lovely yard to be a part of’

Georgia describes being part of Harry Charles’s hugely successful team, based at Heathcroft Farm in Hampshire, as “truly exciting”.

“At Heathcroft Farm we are part of the family, not just a groom,” she says. “Peter Charles trusts us and that means a lot to us. He is extremely involved in the yard but at the same time, he likes us to have our independence. It is a lovely yard to be a part of. The family is amazing to us, which helps us love our jobs. They are just so nice to be around.”

During her time as Harry Charles’ groom, Georgia has accompanied the world’s leading under-25 rider to some of the biggest competitions in the world, including flying the British flag at the Rolex Majors, Tokyo Olympics, European and World Championships, Nations Cups and World Cups.

“I have noticed a significant difference in his riding,” she says. “He is such a chilled person to be around. At the same time, when he is at the bigger shows, he wants to do well and so he sometimes places pressure on himself. I try to remain calm and quiet to help him out.

“Harry is a perfectionist and after working here it is clear to me how hard he works. He is one of the hardest-working riders that I have ever seen. He wants it so much.”

Georgia describes being recognised by British Showjumping as groom of the year as “amazing”.

“It was great to be recognised – we all put in so much hard work and the hours are long, so having that recognition meant the world to me,” she says.

“When I first started in the sport, there was a division between the riders and grooms. Whenever a rider won a class, the spotlight was placed on the rider, the horse, and the owner. But in the past year or two, the grooms have come to be recognised. This is great and makes a difference.

“We work so hard behind the scenes,” she adds. “There are so many people in the teams behind each of the riders and their horses, including trainers, farriers, vets, and business managers, and everyone’s role is vital, as we work in a team sport.”

Georgia has always been interested in horses and competed through her childhood.

“As I got older, I began to recognise that I was probably not as good as some of the other young riders, so I decided to switch to grooming and I got a job when I was 15 mucking out stables,” she says. “It escalated quite quickly for me to my first full-time job as a show groom.

“I enjoyed the fact that I was still part of a team and got to ride,” she adds. “Being around a rider who competes at the top shows definitely gives you a buzz. My advice for the younger generation is that being a groom is hard work and it is tiring. But when something clicks and goes right, it is just an unimaginable feeling. Just keep working hard and the results will show.”

Life as Harry Charles’ groom: ‘I was immensely proud’

The best parts of the job, says Georgia, are winning, and working with and learning about new horses, “watching them develop”.

“When they get older and they jump in their first grand prix, it’s a lovely feeling,” she says. “I definitely feel proud to be part of this.

“I really enjoy attending the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping Majors as they are so well organised,” adds Georgia. “They have not just thought of the riders, but they also focus on the wellbeing of the horses. As a groom, this is so important for us. The grooms are treated and viewed the same way as riders, and that is one of the nicest things. The atmosphere at the Majors is incredible. CHIO Aachen is one of my favourite shows to attend. The Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping Majors are definitely some of the best shows in the world.”

Georgia underlines the “significant effect” the Rolex Grand Slam has had on the sport.

“It has opened doors for young riders and grooms, and provided access to different types of venues,” she says of the “amazing” events, which have “raised the level” of the sport.

“They are so well organised and hosted in great locations. The Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping Majors have had a significant impact on the grooms – they have really recognised us and enabled us to have a say on things.”

Looking back on the past few years, Georgia says she has so many proud memories, but Harry’s bronze medal-winning performance at last year’s world showjumping championships stands out.

“Harry jumped an amazing clear round on the final day to secure the medal,” remembers Georgia. “Another highlight was the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on the first day when Harry jumped clear. I was immensely proud.”

Georgia describes the grooms’ community as “extremely close”.

“We are a big friendship group,” she says. “We see each other week in and week out so you form great friendships. It is a nice community of people.

“It is a very supportive atmosphere as well – if you need help or are struggling, someone will come and help you,” she adds. “There is not a bad person in the grooming community. We are all very lucky that we have one another and that we support each other as it can get slightly overwhelming at some points.”

With thanks to Rolex Grand Slam.

You might also be interested in:

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Showjumping groom Kerry Finch has one of the most coveted jobs in showjumping as she has been John Whitaker’s travelling groom for the past five years.

She and John have recently returned from Calgary in Canada, where John was in action at the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament, one of the most prestigious events in the showjumping calendar. Kerry was looking after John’s three top horses Equine America Unick Du Francport, Sharid and Green Grass.

“We flew over to Calgary after competing at the Brussels Stephex Masters in Belgium,” explains Kerry. “We stayed with Helena Stormanns in Eschweiler for five days after Stephex, before travelling on to Canada.

“My journey to the airport only took an hour which was great – I arrived there at 3am to check on the horses before they flew. After that, I travelled from Brussels to Paris to catch our flight to Calgary, and we arrived two-and-a-half hours before the horses landed to ensure that everything was OK.”

Kerry describes 15-year-old gelding Equine America Unick du Francport, a son of Zandor and with whom John Whitaker helped Great Britain secure Nations Cup victory at Hickstead this summer (pictured above), as “very special in his own way and very quiet”.

“You cannot be sharp around him, you have to remain quiet as he is quite a sensitive horse in that respect,” reveals Kerry. “At the same time, he knows what he wants, and does what he wants. If you are hand-grazing him and he sees a spot of grass that he wants, he will head there and will not go where you want him to until he gets his way. Otherwise he is a really easy horse to look after.”

“A gold medallist when it comes to sleeping”: says John Whitaker’s groom Kerry Finch

Frank’s travelling companion Sharid is “another lovely horse”, who is “a gold medallist when it comes to sleeping”.

“They know each other really well and have a habit of whinnying after each other, but they do not stress out if one has left the stable,” says Kerry. “You know that something is not right when Sharid does not go back to bed after breakfast to sleep!”

Kerry’s trick to settling the “sharp” Sharid when John gets on board is to have lots of treats at the ready.

“He has become so used to this routine that now he just stands there looking at me whilst expecting a treat,” says Kerry. “Horses learn very quickly.”

Meanwhile Lynne Barker’s Luidam son, Green Grass, who is usually ridden by Paul Barker but is often “borrowed” by John for the big shows, loves food and rolling.

“All the horses are lovely. They all have different personalities,” says Kerry. “They are spoilt really!”

Kerry previously worked for John’s brother Michael Whitaker for 13 years and Billy Twomey for six years. She originally joined John Whitaker’s team as a freelance groom for one month, but “never left”.

“It is really easy working for John; everything is really old school and simple,” she explains. “If you find a bridle that works for a horse, you do not change it. My horse has had the same bridle for the past three-and-a-half years – that is how it works. Things are simple, and if there is a problem we just deal with it. We are not into having horses treated every six weeks, but if they need treatment, they will receive it.”

“John Whitaker never stops – but he’ll always find time for an autograph”

Kerry says that 68-year-old John Whitaker never stops – even when he is back at home.

“He is up in the morning tacking up his own horses and riding them,” says Kerry. “Afterwards, he looks after the cows and the hay on the farm, or anything that needs mending or fixing on the farm. He is really humble; nothing goes to his head. If anyone approaches him for an autograph, he will always stop and talk to them for five minutes. It is never too much for him.”

She puts John’s longevity in the sport down to “not giving up – he just keeps going”.

“There is no determination to outprove anyone or anything – it is just the way he is,” says Kerry. “He is someone that gets on with it, and who continually keeps going. I think the day he stops will be the day that the world does not have a John Whitaker. Age does not define him!

“Five years ago, John bought Equine America Unick Du Francport who was quite the character,” she adds. “He was difficult and would stop and spin when things upset him. John did not have a grand prix horse at that time, Argento was at the end of his career, so we were not entering the big competitions.

“It was two years of grafting, doing all the tours and the county shows in order for Equine America Unick Du Francport to settle down. John was determined and kept going until the penny dropped. If you look at them now, they are unstoppable. In the past few years, they have formed quite the partnership.”

According to Kerry, the grooms and horses enjoy excellent facilities at major shows such as Spruce Meadows, which has spacious stables and paddocks that they can turn the horses out in, while everything is “incredibly clean and tidy”.

“There is no other show that can compare to the CSIO Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament in the world,” she says. “CHIO Aachen is an incredible show that is brilliant to attend, but Spruce Meadows enters a whole new level.

“They also provide shuttle services for the grooms which makes life easier. The organisers have provided areas where we can hand-walk the horses and we are not restricted to certain areas. The facilities are just top-class. There is no other show in the world that will go above and beyond what they do,” says Kerry, who also cites CHI Geneva as a “beautiful indoor show”.

Life as a groom: “a supportive community”

The Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament is always run in September, meaning visitors and organisers need to be prepared for all weathers.

“I have attended the show in the past when it has snowed and straight away they began shovelling the show by hand,” remembers Kerry. “In 2005 it rained for two weeks straight – I have never seen anything like it. They were proactive by pumping water off the main rings.

“The ground held up so well, so we were able to still jump on it. When you have a problem they sort it – it is truly one of my favourite shows! All of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors go above and beyond. They set up areas where the grooms can get coffee and other similar things as well, and if there is a problem they do everything they can to help solve it.”

According to Kerry, overall the grooms are a “supportive community” and in Spruce Meadows the grooms arranged together what time to get the shuttle to do the night checks.

“Some people only have one horse and they are always happy to help out those who have a few!” reveals Kerry, who has been working as a groom for 30 years.

“It is the simple things that are important. For example, I asked someone to help me during the Nations Cup parade. Everyone is really helpful, and this is very important in the grooming industry.

“A lot of people come into it for the money, but it is important to be passionate for the job and not look at the hours involved,” stresses Kerry. “It is as difficult as it sounds – you are there for the horses. It is a way of life and not just a job.”

Kerry emphasises that grooms need to put their heart and soul into the job “for it to be done properly”.

“It is not easy!” she says. “You cannot think that you are better than anybody else. The mantra should be that if you do not know, you should ask for help. A lot of younger grooms that come in today, do not want to take advice from the older grooms – but they should be like a sponge learning from everyone around them. I learnt from doing exactly this. The first time I flew to Spruce Meadows, I had never flown with horses before. I was only 20 and I learnt from all of the other grooms around me.”

Kerry is also quick to stress the importance of the whole team involved with John Whitaker.

“There is definitely a strong team aspect, as without everybody pulling together and doing their job, we would not be successful,” she explains. “It is vital for every team member to constantly coordinate with one another to ensure that everyone is kept in the loop. Everyone plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and wellbeing of these horses; it is not just the people who attend the shows, it’s also everyone that remains at home.”

With thanks to Rolex Grand Slam.

You may also like to read…

‘I do not view this as a job, it’s a way of life and I love it’: Behind the scenes with Joe Stockdale’s groom Charlotte Attwell

The best job, ‘the time of my life’: meet the British grooms at the European Showjumping Championships

‘I wanted to change the bit, Dad said just ride better!’ Special horse delivers dream win in $3m grand prix

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Amy Akehurst may only work as a groom in her holidays, but she was the crowned the winner of the Peden Bloodstock horse care prize at this year’s Defender Burghley Horse Trials. This accolade goes to the groom of the best-cared-for horse, in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

Amy Akehurst was taking care of Tom Crisp’s Liberty And Glory, a 16-year-old mare known at home as Lori, who finished 14th.

“I kind of feel like I stole the prize from everyone else who does it full-time!” laughs Amy, who worked full-time for Tom, who sportingly pretended to swim in the Badminton Lake following his fall there this year, for six years before becoming a student vet nurse in 2020. “I use my holiday to groom for Tom and Lori – I did Burghley last year and Badminton this year. I go back for the mare and the Crisps are a lovely family.”

Amy, who also won the Badminton grooms’ prize in 2019, says she “knew nothing” about working as a competition groom at the highest level when she first started working for Tom.

“I groomed for him at my first international at Houghton in May 2016 and prior to going I Googled everything and made step-by-step notes, from how to put studs in, how to plait and how to do quarter marks,” she laughs. “That Houghton was one of Lori’s first international events and I’ve been her groom at every international she’s done since, so I know her well.”

Amy says Lori, who is a home-bred born on the USA’s Independence Day, hence her competition name, is “a handful”.

“She‘s buzzy to start with at shows, but she gets better as the week goes on and spends a lot of time sleeping. She definitely knows when she’s at a big event, she’s got her chill time and she’s got her spotlight time,” explains Amy of the mare, who is owned by Tom’s parents-in-law, Patricia and Robin Balfour, and his wife Sophie. “When I take her out hand-grazing, it’s more a case of her taking me – she knows where she wants to go and then she takes me back to the stable when she’s bored. She doesn’t like being tied up, she doesn’t like being told what to do, so everything one way or another has to be her idea.”

Unsurprisingly, as Lori is an intelligent mare, she now associates Amy with going to big events.

“I went into Tom’s yard before Burghley to pack the lorry and popped to see Lori. Tom and I got her out to see how she was looking and Tom rode her,” she explains. “Tom said ‘She’s going to be wild now that she’s seen you’. Later on she was absolutely buzzing and I apologised as her seeing me had made her excited!”

Amy, whose prize consisted of a bottle of Pol Roger champagne and £500, says that she struggles with nerves watching Tom and Lori tackle five-star cross-country courses.

“I never used to get so nervous and I used to just enjoy it. I cried during their entire Burghley round last year and this year my teeth were chattering and my arms were shaking. But Lori always goes above and beyond in her performances.”

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Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound has a team of reporters covering all the Burghley action. To keep reading on our website after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription. Visit horseandhound.co.uk/join to buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com for a combined magazine and website subscription. If you are already a magazine subscriber, the cost to upgrade your subscription to include full website access is minimal – call 0330 333 1113 to find out more.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The best job, the best year, and the time of your life.

H&H spoke to three of the British team grooms at the European Showjumping Championships, about snacks and singing – “or squawking!” – in the lorry, mothering riders, and the highs and lows of what is a way of life, rather than just a job.

Lindsay Decottignies, Paul Drew and Georgia Ellwood are grooms to Samuel Hutton, Tim Gredley and Harry Charles respectively,

“It gets to you sometimes, when you’re not having a great run and stuff like that, it does get to you,” said Georgia. “I’m a bit ‘What are we doing?’ But then when it comes good, and it all works out – for a groom, it’s got to be tiring or sometimes you don’t get on with the rider – but looking at it from where we are, it is the best job.”

The grooms and the horses – Oak Grove’s Laith (Laith), Medoc De Toxandria (Medoc or Doc) and Casquo Blue (Casper), arrived in Milan last Sunday, after a three-day drive from England for Paul and Medoc, and shorter trips for the others who were already on the Continent.

All three praised the British Equestrian (BEF) team and system, which meant the stables were all ready for their occupants, complete with full bedding, drapes and Union Flags.

“British Equestrian have got us all double stables so the horses have got loads of room,” Paul said. “We’re probably the only team that’s got that, which is quite nice. I think the others are jealous!”

Apart from the British set-up, which includes the BEF vet, farrier and physio who work with the riders’ teams at home, the championship experience is different in many ways. Georgia is a veteran of such events, but it is a first for Paul.

“The main thing for me is how much time there is,” he said. “I’m not used to going to a show with one horse; the class starts at 1pm, and normally we’ve done four before then!”

But the routine is kept as normal as possible; the horses will be fed, walked out and hand-grazed in the mornings.

“You have to keep everything pretty much normal. You can’t be changing stuff just because it’s a championships,” said Georgia. “Obviously for us it’s a little bit different, but I quite like sitting in my chair!”

And the grooms are being well looked after in Milan.

“I find things are getting a bit better because they’re starting to appreciate the grooms more; there are more options,” Georgia said. “At some shows, you’re like an outsider. Here is quite nice because we’ve got everything we need; they provided the hotel for us, the shuttles, the food is really nice, there’s even like a snack bar in the stables – there are TVs in there if you want to watch the class.”

The grooms described their charges; Laith, who can scream like the stallion he is at home, but is “like a pony” at a show, and loves his grass, Doc, “the most laid-back horse I’ve ever known”, who lies down to sleep at 9pm and gets up at 7am, and Casper, who spends a lot of time asleep, but comes out “like a kangaroo”.

“When he’s out of the stable, I can’t keep up with him,” Georgia added. “I need to go to the gym more often!”

And of course it’s not just about the horses, it’s the riders too; the grooms said they have to get on with the riders they work for, as a less-good relationship could transmit to the horse, and make sure they’re as ready for the ring as their equine partners.

“I get a bit nervous, but I don’t let him see that,” Georgia said. “I know when he’s not nervous, I can just relax a bit. But when I find him a little bit nervous, I just stay quiet and let him do his thing. He knows what he’s supposed to do and he’s got everything that he needs.”

She added: “I get the ‘George’ and I know a question is coming; ‘George, where’s my tie? George, where’s my jacket? George, where are my boots?’!

“You’ve got to get on with them as if there’s no relationship there, there’s no chance of anything working. You have to appreciate each other and have respect for each other to be able to do this job.”

Paul agreed: “I have to find all Tim’s clothes, his jacket and tie, boots and hat; I bring all that or it would never get here!”

And after the medals have been decided and the jumps cleared, the grooms will be setting off on the long drive home – Georgia for 24 hours’ rest before she heads back to the Continent for another show.

But both she and Paul said they like the driving side.

“I love driving. I’ve got a really nice truck, with a nice bed and a shower and kitchen, and we pull over to give the horses hay and water, and it’s all booked in advance so we know where we are at the end of each day,” Paul said. And the snacks are the best bit of the drive.”

Georgia agreed, adding that singing along to the tunes is also a major part of the trucking experience.

“I feel like I’m Beyonce in that truck,” she said. “It’s not singing, it’s squawking, I’m quite glad the horses can’t hear!”

Georgia said she loves going to shows, at all levels; seeing the horses progress from early outings makes her appreciate the top-level success all the more.

Other highlights are of course the wins, and the good rounds, and although the hours are long, they love what they do.

“This is not a job, it’s a lifestyle for a groom,” Georgia said. “Because you dedicate so much to them; the rider, the team, the horses, that is your life. We don’t really go out, you have to organise your life around what you’re doing here. But I wouldn’t change it.”

“If you win a class – when we won the Nations Cup at Hickstead, that was one of the best days of my life,” Paul added.

“When you’re kids, you go to the riding school and help; I started on a Saturday afternoon for your one ride every month. But I think once you decide you’re going to do it, and you’re going to do it properly, I don’t think ‘I’ve worked 64 hours today’ or whatever.

“It’s a great way of life. I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve done this job for nearly 40 years, on and off, and I’m having the time of my life. This is one of the best years I’ve had, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”

You might also be interested in:

‘He’s a different animal from yesterday’: British rider reveals what transformed his performance on day two of Europeans

A returning hero, rising stars and the Olympic champion: meet the British team horses, showjumpers and grooms for the Europeans

‘It’s incredible’: meet the top showjumper who sleeps 20 hours a day and loves bananas

Absorbine Groom of the Year 2023

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound has a team of reporters covering all the European showjumping action. To keep reading on our website after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription. Visit horseandhound.co.uk/join to buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com for a combined magazine and website subscription. If you are already a magazine subscriber, the cost to upgrade your subscription to include full website access is minimal – call 0330 333 1113 to find out more.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Chloe Whitelam, groom to Tom Jackson at this week’s European Eventing Championships, says the only bad thing about looking after Capels Hollow Drift is his colour.

“He’s so easy – such a good boy,” says Chloe, mentioning that owners Patricia Davenport, Milly Simmie and Sarah Webb have had “Walshy” from a foal.

“They looked after him at the start and he’s definitely got that cheeky character in that he’s used to all the attention, he knows that he’s the big boy on the yard, and the most important, he’s so easy and so cuddly.

“His issue is he’s grey. But to be fair, as far as greys go – I’m going to touch on wood – he’s not too dirty. I bath him every morning just to go hand grazing, but he could be a lot worse than he is. But yes, he has learnt to love a nice bathtime!”

Chloe says Walshy loves the big occasions.

“He loves a show, but a little open intermediate at home, he’s not bothered. But you bring him to something like this or Badminton, he loves it. He knows it’s somewhere important when all of his important friends come.

“He just perks up a bit and that’s a good thing because he’s so chilled out and relaxed. He needs the big occasion. He really laps up all the fuss, especially a week like this when he’s the only one – I’m here for his every need and he loves it. And he loves the crowds and all his owners come and support him. Tom’s family and Sabrina’s [Tom’s wife] dad is here. He knows that they’re all here for him.”

How Chloe became Tom Jackson’s groom

Chloe is from Sussex and her parents are not horsey.

“It was my auntie who bought me a little ride around the countryside for my second birthday,” she says. “It was like, ‘You’re not having a pony until you can drive and look after it’, but I always knew I was going to work with horses.”

Chloe attended Brinsbury College and then spent four years working in racing for Nick Gifford, Tina Cook’s brother, before taking a job with Izzy Taylor last year and then moving to be a groom for Tom Jackson at the start of November 2022.

“I enjoyed the four seasons I did in racing and I learned a lot, but long term it wasn’t what I wanted to do,” she reflects. “I definitely was more interested in the eventing – I always watched the eventing anyway and I got to know Tina and Isabelle Cook – so when it was time for a change, I was like, right, go and do that.”

Chloe always enjoyed the riding side and wasn’t sure if she wanted to focus more on that, but as soon as she started to travel as a groom, she knew that was what she wanted to do. She says it is “good fun” working as a groom for Tom Jackson.

“We’ve got a nice team of girls at home and everyone has their role in the yard and the horses are lovely. We’ve got a really nice set-up with a nice barn and loads of space. Most of us live on site and we all get on – it’s just a nice team atmosphere.”

Chloe said the team were “buzzing” when they found out Tom had been selected to make his senior championship debut and she is finding the British team atmosphere supportive.

“I didn’t really know what to expect, to be honest. I knew most of the grooms anyway, just from seeing them around, and they’ve kind of given me an idea of what to expect. I know Liz [Brown] anyway, because she’s our vet at home, but team training was the first time I’d met Dickie [Waygood, performance manager] and that lot.

“It was like, ‘Oh here we are, all the top riders’ – just trying to keep up with them all, all the other grooms, they’ve done it a lot. So it’s quite nice to have them around for support as well. We’ve got our plan and what we do and we stick to that, but it’s also nice to have everyone else’s support. And it’s very teamy in the fact that everyone’s here to support each other and we’re all here as a team.”

Tom and Capels Hollow Drift kick off their European Championships campaign in the dressage on Friday, at 3.42pm local time (2.42pm British time).

Horse & Hound has a team of reporters covering all the action at the Europeans in Haras du Pin. To keep reading on our website after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription. Visit horseandhound.co.uk/join to buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com/XHH-brandsite for a combined magazine and website subscription. If you are already a magazine subscriber, the cost to upgrade your subscription to include full website access is minimal – call 0330 333 1113 to find out more.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Grooms having to drink from hosepipes is “totally wrong”, it has been emphasised, and it is the duty of the equestrian community to ensure all staff have access to safe drinking water.

This is the message from the International Grooms Association (IGA) as it launches its new “Hydrated happy grooms” campaign, to highlight the issue of people working through dehydration at FEI events.

“The two key issues for grooms were proximity of drinking water sources to the stables and pricing – during a busy day some grooms do not have time to leave the stable area, and they cannot afford showground prices for bottled water,” an IGA spokesman said.

The campaign is aimed at encouraging show organisers and venues to provide “hydration stations” in stable areas and beside arenas.

“In places where the tap water is safe to drink, organisers should ensure grooms are aware of this and provide cups so grooms are able to take advantage of the supply,” the spokesman said, adding that the gold standard will be for shows that provide reusable cups or bottles to be filled at the hydration stations.

IGA executive director Lucy Katan said: “One of the key findings of last year’s IGA member voice survey was the problems caused for grooms when there is no drinking water in the stables. In 2023 it is totally wrong for grooms to consider dehydration ‘just a reality’ or to be drinking from washbay hosepipes.

“The impact and risks of dehydration are well known – and anyone who left a horse without water would be rightly deplored. If horse sport is to maintain a positive social licence, surely we must consider the welfare of those people whose role is to ensure the welfare of the horse.

“It is the duty of the equestrian community to support grooms in their work by ensuring they are able to quickly access drinking water.”

The spokesman said the IGA works with shows to recognise grooms’ contribution, such as with prizes, but that practical measures such as this “can make a material difference to the groom’s working day but also their overall health and happiness”.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Showjumping super groom David Honnet, 35, has been working for British Olympic showjumper Scott Brash for seven years. He joined the Scotsman from Irish showjumper Cameron Hanley. Scott Brash’s groom, David, travels all over the world looking after Scott’s horses and most recently was at CHIO Aachen, Germany, where Scott and Hello Jefferson helped Great Britain to a second-place finish in the Nations Cup.

Speaking from Aachen, David explained the journey involved with three horses from Scott’s yard in Sussex.

“I travelled with the horses on Sunday morning, we left the yard and took the ferry – in total it was a 10-hour trip,” says David. “The trip went well, but since Brexit, everything takes a bit longer with the paperwork and checks. I got here to Aachen pretty late, and the show vets were really helpful.

“All the horses travelled well, they are all really used to it. Hello Jefferson has been everywhere in the world, so it was no problem for him. Hello Mango is also a very good traveller; she was in Spain for the beginning of the year, so she has done a few long trips. Hello Valentino is also a very good traveller.”

David’s advice if you find yourself with a horse who doesn’t travel well, is to “break it down, don’t do long days”.

“Only do small journeys, never more than 600 kilometres at a time if the horse is bad at travelling,” he explains. “If possible, I would travel through the night – it is always quicker and smoother. You usually do not experience as much traffic or get stuck on the roads, so if it suits your plan and the person driving is able to drive through the night, I would definitely recommend that.”

Scott’s top horse Hello Jefferson is in “really good shape” according to David, while nine-year-old Hello Valentino is still gaining experience and baby of the pack, eight-year-old Hello Mango, is “going to be a superstar for sure!”

“She had a very good beginning to the year in Spain, then we gave her a bit of a break to try to get an embryo from her, but it didn’t work, so she is back and feeling fresh and jumping well,” says David. “At only eight-years-old, she’s one for the future.”

Scott Brash’s groom David Honnet: “Safety first is key”

Facilities for grooms are improving all the time and Aachen, says David, is one of the best.

“My main concern when I get to shows is always safety first, and here everything is very safe and comfortable for the horses,” he says. “I have been to Aachen a number of times and there are always little improvements and the attention to detail for the horses is incredible. This morning I noticed a new wash bay and it’s things like this that make the show great.

“I have to say it’s the Sunday afternoon in Calgary and Aachen that have the most amazing feeling,” he says of some of the best shows in the world. “Then when you go clear, it is incredible – it is only an afternoon, but it feels like a week, there is so much emotion. It is really very special! Both Spruce Meadows and Aachen have two rounds and a jump-off, so those two grands prix feel really unique, there is so much emotion.

“Geneva and ‘s-Hertogenbosch are also incredible grands prix. CHI Geneva is the last big event of the year, so you want to finish on a high. The Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final adds to the prestige of the show.

“The grooms are a small and close community. Obviously, you cannot like everyone, and you need a strong character to do this job as there are a lot of big characters, but once you’ve got your friends, everybody helps each other. Once you find people you trust, you can ask them if you are struggling or if you need advice, like ‘how should I do that’ or, ‘what should I do if I have this problem’. I have been doing this job for years, but I remember at the beginning of the year I went to ask for advice from another groom because I had a difficult horse I needed help with, and that is what is so great about this community.”

David on being Scott’s groom: “We are both calm people”

Scott is well known for being the only rider to have won the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping and, although David wasn’t working for Scott at that time, he was watching on the sofa “hoping for him to win it”.

“At the time I had no idea I was going to work for him one day,” says David. “In 2016, when he once again won the CP International, presented by Rolex, in Calgary, we were watching at home with his mother and we went crazy when he won. Scott and I are both calm people and there is rarely any tension. We have some very sharp horses, and so the cooler you stay the better it is for the horses, they don’t need you to put any stress on them.”

Of the team behind Scott’s success, David says they all trust each other and that’s what makes them so strong.

“Within the team, you need so much quality and skill – I have some, Scott has some, and then the people at home do as well,” he reveals. “Our team trusts each other and this probably is what makes the difference.”

Another secret to their success? Treats!

“It’s something that is common to all the groom and horses – we all give them treats when they come out of the ring, so that is something that I always have in the bag,” he says. “There is no lucky charm, they just need a treat when they come out.”

With thanks to Rolex.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Denise Moriarty has been head groom for top US showjumper Kent Farrington for 11 years and she has developed a wealth of knowledge in her role. She takes us behind-the-scenes to reveal some insights into her globetrotting career as a showjumping groom, as well as sharing plenty of top tips.

“We know each other so well,” Denise says of her working relationship with the world number 11. “Kent is very good at involving us all in every step of the horse’s journey – he wants us to understand why he is doing something. For example, if he is trying a new bridle or bit, he shares his feeling as a rider with us so that we can better understand. There is a lot of communication and trust.”

Speaking about the huge amount of travelling she does with the horses between America and Europe, she says: “We like to make sure that they are extremely fit so that they can handle the travelling and recover quickly after the journey. For example, before CHI Geneva, we would fly and land in Europe on the Monday before the show. They would then trot-up on Tuesday, with their first class taking place on Thursday. The biggest thing during their transportation is to make sure that they stay calm, and that they are eating and drinking properly. We try to make the experience enjoyable for them.

“I fly with the horses and honestly, it is much nicer to fly with them than on a normal commercial flight,” she reveals. “You do not have to queue or wait for the stewards to come around with food and drinks – you can just help yourself. With the permission of the pilot, we can walk around and go and check on our horses, which is really nice. Each of the planes that we fly on is different, for example Qatar Airways has a huge upstairs area for us, but some of the domestic flights are a lot smaller and we sit on the jump seats – but these flights are only a couple of hours, so it is okay.”

“It helps them understand there is nothing to worry about”

If Denise has a horse that does not like to travel or is new to it, she will try pair them to travel with a more experienced and laid-back horse.

“[The inexperienced horse] can learn and feed off the more experienced horse’s energy,” she explains. “If an anxious horse sees the other horse not reacting, it calms them down and helps them to understand that there is nothing to worry about.

“I also like to make sure that everything is laid out for them properly – so the ramp is safe, and the partition is open – I try to make sure that everything is totally clear to them. It is important that their first travelling experiences are positive; sometimes we will use earplugs to take away the sharpness and help it be an enjoyable experience. I have found that if they have a good experience the first couple of times, then they will be good travellers in the future.”

Denise says a lot of the horses she looks after in Kent Farrington’s barn are “big characters”.

“But we like this, and we let them be themselves – they are all very different,” she says. “Creedance is just happy about everything, and is excited about every day, even though most of his days are the same. He loves getting his halter on and going out for a ride or a jump.

“Landon is very much the same way. He is excited to do his work, but he can be a bit cheeky and become quite stallion-like at the shows, even though he is not one! For the most part, they are great horses – of course, they have their little quirks just like people do, but they are sweet horses.”

“What these horses do for us is unreal”

Talking about the showjumping Majors – The Dutch Masters, the forthcoming CHIO Aachen (23 June-2 July), Spruce Meadows Masters and CHI Geneva – Denise says it is the “prestige and respect” that sets these events apart.

“You get all of the best horses and riders competing there and the facilities for everyone including the grooms are incredible,” she reveals. “They are the best of the best.

“The shows are held in venues where everyone who attends understands horses and has a connection with them. The crowds’ involvement and all of the hype and energy that they create add to the unique atmospheres. You just don’t see that at other shows.

“I have always loved CHI Geneva – it is one of the pinnacles of our year,” says Denise. “The atmosphere at CHIO Aachen is just unbelievable and the size of the fences at Spruce Meadows makes it such an incredible competition. Then, the Dutch Masters is filled with such knowledgeable horse people and the staff there are amazing. Each of the four shows have something so unique and special about them.”

Among a glittering list of career achievements, Kent Farrington won a double of Rolex grands prix with the brilliant recently retired mare Gazelle, now 17, at Aachen in 2019, two years after landing the equivalent at CHI Geneva.

“Gazelle was amazing, she just kept on fighting and wanting to win,” she recalls. “To watch your rider and the horse that you look after everyday win – it is something words can’t describe.

“With Gazelle, we try to keep everything the same,” she adds. “She will let Kent know once he gets on whether she is in a winning mood – he will be able to feel it. As long as everything works out, then it is normally a good day.

“We have had Gazelle since she was seven-years-old and so we have built her up into the horse that she is today, seen her grow, and watched her highs and lows,” Denise explains. “To look back at her win at CHIO Aachen, and to remember watching her jumping three of the biggest and testing rounds in the sport, and to still see her fight to clear the last fence and gallop to the finish line, wanting to win as much as Kent did, was amazing.

“It was an incredible feeling – what these horses do for us is just unreal. That win meant a lot. Of course, watching Kent and Voyeur win the team silver medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio was another incredible moment.”

Showjumping groom’s top tip: ‘Watch and learn’

Denise describes the favourite part of her role as a showjumping groom as “just being with the horses”, but she considers herself very lucky to get to work outside all day.

“We are always moving, which is great because we are active and healthy,” she says, adding that the best part of the job is “getting to go to some of the nicest places in the world”.

“There is always a chance just to take a deep breath and appreciate what you do,” Denise says. “For me, the travelling is the hardest part – there can be a lot of long days and it can be quite tiring, but it is just part of the job.”

She says grooms coming into the profession need to “watch and learn”.

“You must also have a passion for horses and love what you do,” she says. “Even now, I still watch other grooms and how they do different things or how they deal with a difficult horse – you always keep learning in this job.

“It is a great industry to be in – I have made lifelong friends from all over the world. You just have to leave yourself open to be social and take all the opportunities that you can.

“We are all in this job for the same reason – we love the horses,” she concludes. “We all share the same passion and we all work hard. A lot of my friends who are grooms have been with their riders for a long time, so it is like a small family on the road together. There is always someone that you can call to get advice from. Someone is always willing to help – it is a great community to be a part of.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

With two exquisite winning horses through to the LeMieux Royal Windsor hunter championship, show horse extraordinaire Robert Walker had a difficult decision to make. Which one would he ride through the gates of the Castle Arena in an attempt to win the title for the fifth time on the trot?

In the end, he passed Jill Day’s top lightweight MHS Morning Master’s reins to his long-term groom, 23-year-old Aimee Stunt, while he chose to pilot Jill’s Greenhall Treasure Island, the horse who had clinched top honours in the middleweight class.

But Robert, admittedly very competitive, was to be beaten by his student, as Aimee and “TJ” were called forward to lift the crown.

TJ, an eight-year-old by Quidam, is no stranger to the victory lap. As a three-year-old, he won the supreme in-hand final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and has since been carefully produced by Robert and his team to be one of the circuit’s most consistent novice contenders.

“He won at Windsor as a four-year-old and he’s always taken so many titles throughout the season, but the big shows have never been our aim with him; this is his time now and I hope this will be his year,” said Robert, who retired his legendary lightweight View Point from the show ring after he was supreme at HOYS in 2022.

TJ has enjoyed two outings prior to Windsor this season, picking up early HOYS and Royal International (RIHS) tickets.

Aimee, who has been based with Robert for four seasons, was riding in the Castle Arena for the first time during her career.

“TJ is such a kind horse,” said Aimee, who last won at Windsor riding a 153cm show hunter pony. “Riding him in the championship was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Greenhall Treasure Island (Larry), an Island Commander seven-year-old, has also stood champion on both of his previous outings this season, at UK Ponies and Horses spring classic and BSPS Area 1A respectively.

“My wife, Sarah, told me which one to ride in the championship,” laughed Robert. “But the little horse [TJ] has gone exceptionally well all day; he deserved it. Larry had a little spook in the championship, too, but that’s just horses for you sometimes.

“Aimee is a really great rider; she has a natural feel and she’s so keen to learn”

“I was slightly nervous ahead of Windsor this year; the pressure was on to win this one again,” added Robert, who won the Royal Windsor hunter championship four years running with View Point.

Second placed middleweight, Liz Prowting’s Bloomfield Eloquence, ridden by Loraine Homer, stepped up his game and was called forward to take section reserve.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Kitty King’s groom Chloe Fry is set for a washer woman’s weekend at Badminton Horse Trials, presented by Mars Equestrian, as she bids to keep Vendredi Biats brilliant white coat immaculately clean.

“He spends a lot of time under the shower,” says Chloe, who is at the Gloucestershire event for the third time with the grey gelding. “I’ll bath him first thing in the morning, to get rid of the stable stains. And then if he gets hot working with Kitty, I’ll wash him again.

“From winter onwards, I wash his tail all the time, every day. I’m a perfectionist, and I want him to look perfect.”

The French-bred gelding, known as Froggy, is now 14 years old. He kept remnants of his dark grey coat into his early teens, but he is now snowy white.

Badminton final scores

“This is the first year I’ve had to use white thread to plait his mane and tail,” says Chloe. “He used to have a black mane and tail and black legs – now they’re completely white I’ve had to step up my game! But at least he’s a silvery grey, which helps.”

“He says, ‘Oi, I want a scratch!’”

Froggy has settled well into his Badminton stable, which is just to the right of the clock tower.

“He can see other horses, which he likes, and he knows exactly where he is and he’s very happy about it,” says Chloe of her charge, who was seventh here last year. “At home he has Charmer the Shetland to keep him company in the field, but he’s fine without him. And Charmer loves it when he’s away – as Froggy nips him and stops him eating the lush grass.”

Froggy is definitely a character – “he’s beautiful and he knows it”.

“He’s very cheeky and unties himself regularly,” Chloe says. “He’ll nip you too, but always with his ears pricked. And then he’ll put his top lip up like he’s smiling.

“His favourite thing is a good old scratch. I found out he loves his shoulder being scratched once when I was brushing him and he started smiling. When I stopped, he nudged me and now he follows me round the stable, walking into me, saying ‘Oi, I want a scratch!’. He loves it.”

“I watch through my fingers,” says Kitty King’s groom

As for the main event, Chloe has mixed emotions once her job is done preparing him.

“I always feel so privileged that I’m here to look after him and Kitty, but I do get very nervous watching him. I feel pride, especially like at Burghley when he went into the lead after dressage. I force myself to watch – the dressage is fine, the showjumping I can watch through my fingers, but I can only half watch the cross-country. It’s easier to watch it back when it’s over!”

Vendredi Biats has been top 10 in his past two five-stars and two European Championships, and already has a win on his card this season. Not just a pretty face.

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now