The BGA is increasingly concerned about the responsibility placed on grooms concerning what the horses in their care eat and the risks of disqualification from naturally occurring prohibited substances in feed.

Unprecedented unity by the equestrian industry has led to the successful bid for a new equine groom apprenticeship from the government under their new Trailblazers scheme. The Member Bodies of the British Equestrian Federation, including the British Grooms Association, the British Horse Racing Authority, equestrian charities, The Household Cavalry and The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery as well as representatives from polo and hunting have aligned to become part of the steering group, facilitated by Trent Park Equestrian Centre, to set the standard of this new apprenticeship scheme.  

In the recent case of HMRC v. Holmescales Riding Centre 2014, the EAT held that a riding school’s trainees were in reality ordinary employees and not apprentices. Accordingly, the trainees were entitled to receive the National Minimum Wage applicable to employees rather than the lesser rate of NMW applicable to apprentices.

Haddon Training has just announced its sponsorship of the British Grooms Awards. Last presented in 2009, these two esteemed awards have been revitalised with fantastic prizes for the winning grooms, and presentations being made at the prestigious British Breeders’ Awards Dinner early in January 2015.

The 5^th November can be momentous for many reasons but for the horses in our care it can mean stress and worry. The British Grooms Association has these top tips.