Alan Davies: Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin’s head groom on guest editing our magazine *H&H Plus*

I can’t tell you how excited I was to be asked to guest edit Horse & Hound. I’ve been reading the magazine since I was 16 and I never miss an issue – in fact, I get told off by Carl Hester for not getting on with work on a Thursday morning as I can’t do anything until I’ve had a read of it.

I’m known for my work in dressage, particularly with Valegro, but I’ve also worked in different disciplines. My favourite thing is watching the racing on a Saturday with my feet up, but I also love showjumping, showing and eventing – everything Horse & Hound encapsulates.

So after all these years in the job I felt absolutely honoured to win the groom’s award at the first Horse & Hound Awards in 2016, which is a fantastic initiative. The readers vote, so I was massively proud to win. It was an extremely exciting night at the ceremony, and I’m so proud of all the grooms who have won it since – they’re all amazing people.

People talk about “supergrooms” but they come from all parts of the industry – it’s not just the ones you see on TV at big shows. There are supergrooms doing fantastic work at riding schools, livery yards and welfare centres all over the world, which is important to recognise.

To think that being a groom has now become high profile and here I am being asked to guest edit the most famous equestrian magazine in the world – it’s fantastic. It is a huge compliment and I’m thrilled that Horse & Hound supports grooms in these ways.

Ref Horse & Hound; 30 April 2020

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