My Pony Europeans

We caught up with BGA member and freelance groom Liz Walsh ahead of the FEI Pony European Championships at Bishop Burton, East Yorkshire, from 8-12 August 2018.

“Having been a groom for many years I got married and had a little girl and needed to find the balance between work and family life, so I went freelance and set up Hooves 'n' Homes.

I’m lucky enough to have been involved in the grooming side of the Youth and Young Rider Teams for a number of years now, and this week I’m at Bishop Burton as Team GBR Stable Manager. It’s great that British Dressage have asked me to come with their squad and it’s always an honour and a privilege.

I arrived early this morning, ahead of all of the squad so that I could make up the stables with Bedmax shavings before they all arrived late morning. I work with the home grooms who have come to the show, I help where I can and make sure that the horses are turned out perfectly. I’m here to help to take a bit of strain off the riders, and the parents and help ensure that everything runs smoothly.

I always like to stay onsite so that I can get to the horses quickly if there is a problem. As Bishop Burton is a college I have a student room to stay in, although I have been known to sleep in a tent when the accommodation is a bit further away, so that I’m still onsite and not relying on anyone to give me a lift.

The dressage competition gets underway on Thursday and I’m not apprehensive about anything. I’m the most laid back person in the world, so I’m just excited for them all.

I’m most looking forward to seeing the girls in training and see how much focus and drive they have. I love seeing how much they progress and watch their mindset develop. I’m proud to be here supporting them.”

The team (in alphabetical order):

Megan Barratt (16) from Banbury, Oxon riding Susan Barratt’s Valido’s Starlight (bay, gelding, 14.2hh, 14yrs, Valido x Capri Moon)
Isobel Lickley (14) from Albrighton, Staffordshire riding Rob and Nicola Lickley’s Valido’s Sunshine (bay, mare, 14.1hh, 15yrs, s. Valido)
Annabella Pidgley (13) from Windsor, Berkshire riding Sarah Pidgely’s Ine (chestnut, mare, 14.1hh, 11yrs, Constantin x Handryk)
Sophie Taylor (15) from Preston, Lancashire riding her own George Clooney B.S. (grey, gelding, 14.1hh, 7yrs, s. Caesar 171)

Reserves:
Holly Kerslake (14) from Lifton, Devon riding her own Valhallas Zorro (black, stallion, 14.1hh, 9yrs, s. Valhallas Lord Matrafal)
Olivia Wrennall (16) from Burnham, Buckinghamshire riding her own Donna Schuflo (bay, mare, 14.2hh, 10yrs, Don Schufro x Florett AS)

We look forward to catching up with Liz following the GBR team tests to find out how she has been getting on.

If you’d like to join the BGA like Liz click on the link

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