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Home / About / What is the bga?


the British Grooms Association (BGA)British Grooms Association Logo

The BGA is the professional association for people that work with horses.

We exist to support members throughout their career as a groom, providing support, advice and education to all working in the industry and to speak up on the issues that really matter.

Our members are at the heart of everything we do and with the power of a growing membership behind us we’re able to provide an ever expanding range of tangible benefits and services that can help support grooms in their career, give peace of mind to just get on with the job as well as save money.

If you’re not a member already don’t miss out! Have a look at the wide range of services and benefits we can offer you.



History & Background

The BGA was formed in 2007  by a group of former grooms who recognised the need for a professional association to offer support, advice and education to all of those that work in our industry.

In 2010 the BGA became a member body of the British Equestrian Federation giving grooms a voice at the highest level of equine sport in the UK.

 

Who can join?

The BGA welcomes membership from all grooms who work in the UK, whatever nationality, and British grooms that are working abroad.

There is no age limit to join the BGA; all ages are welcome and our current membership ranges from 15 – 75 years old!

BGA members are from all sectors of the equestrian world including competition yards, riding schools, livery and hunt yards, polo, welfare centres and vet practices.

  It makes no difference if you are an employed groom, freelancer, working pupil or apprentice... the BGA welcomes all of those that work hands on with horses to become members of their professional association.

 


How we help employersEquestrian Employers Association Logo

The Equestrian Employers Assocation (EEA) is for anyone that employs staff in the equine industry.

With annual membership, employers can get a wide range of benefits and support for their employment of grooms and running of their business. 

 

 

How does the BGA exist?

The BGA is a non profit making Social Enterprise and its legal structure is as a Company Limited by Guarantee.

The BGA is not a Union, it is a Professional Membership Association.

The BGA was started due to a £5000 grant from the Social Entrepreneurs Charity - UnLtd. This was a fantastic opportunity to get the BGA up and running. A further £20,000 grant was won which enabled the association to grow and secure its place in the equestrian sector.

  We are lucky to have the support of a number of companies who have offered some financial backing as well as offering discounts to our members. For a full list of these companies, visit Our Sponsors.



What are the principles of membership?

As a Professional's Association, the BGA aims for it members to be recognised as industry professionals.

However, we also believe that to be viewed as professionals, members must act as professionals and so the principle of membership are as follows:

 
  • Be professional at all times and put the welfare of the horse as your priority
  • Value yourself and other members as professionals
  • Share information and experiences with other members 
  • Help other members to learn and expand their knowledge base
  • Encourage memberships from people of all backgrounds
  • Help to promote The British Grooms Association to expand and to reach everybody

 

 

 

 

 
 

What the personal accident policy covers you for:

  • Whilst at work
  • All stable duties – mucking out, grooming, washing off, turning out
  • Clipping
  • Riding – including hacking and jumping
  • Hunting
  • Lunging
  • Breaking in
  • Holding horse for a vet and other procedures
  • Travelling horses both in the UK and abroad
  • Competing in line with your job including: jumping, dressage, eventing
  • Injuries that may happen to you whilst you are teaching - but you must also be grooming as part of your duties and not be a sole instructor

What the personal accident policy doesn’t cover you for:

  • Riding in a race, point to point or team chase
  • Stunt Riding
  • Accidents occurring whilst travelling to and from work
  • Riding and competing your own horse (but you can upgrade when applying for membership to include this)
  • Public Liability – this is a separate insurance policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance
  • Care Custody and Control – this is a separate policy - the Freelance Groom Liability Insurance

If you require additional cover then please contact KBIS directly.

   GROOM  RIDER  EMPLOYER

When you are working for other people you do most of the following; muck out, turn out/catch in, tack up, groom horses, exercise Horses (including hacking, jumping and schooling), in the care of your employer/client.

 
YES

 
NO

 
NO
Predominantly ride horses for other people including schooling, exercising and competing.   
NO		  
YES
YES
 Provide grooming services for someone else either full time or on a freelance basis i.e. an employer or a client.   
YES
NO
NO
Employ staff – have an employers liability policy in your name NO NO YES
Buy and sell horses NO YES YES