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Home /Grooms life/We have arrived at the europeans

We have arrived at the Europeans

18th August 2019
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#supergroom BGA Ambassador Alan Davies, Team GBR groom to Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester, blogs from the FEI European Championships.

Saturday 17th August

Team GB are all safely installed at the European Championships in Rotterdam.

We all arrived yesterday (Friday) and the horses are settling in well.

I drove Carl and Charlotte’s two horses (Del and Freeby) with Lucy Scudamore, to Dover where we met up with Steph Sharples, who was driving Gareth’s horse Briolinca.

We managed to get on the same ferry (we couldn’t get the train as it was fully booked with tourists!). We then drove in convoy up to Rotterdam. We hit some traffic in Antwerp but that’s normal on a Friday!

Luckily we were some of the first to arrive as they have got quite a complicated system for unloading.

As this show is on the edge of the city in a park the logistics for stabling, unloading and parking can be a nightmare.

We had to go to the parking area first and check in, then we drove to the stable area to unload the horses, feed and equipment. As we are here for eight days there is a lot of ‘stuff’.

There is only space for about 10 lorries at the stables so everything has to be unloaded really quickly.

Thankfully Team GB had sent out a team of helpers so everyone lent a hand. Claire James who looks after Lottie Fry’s horse had arrived before us (she only had an hour drive as they live in Breda) helped out as well.

Luckily I had Lucy with me; she works for us at home and knows the horses so I could leave her looking after Del and Freeby while I then drove the lorry back across town to the parking area.

I then got a lift back over to the stables to get everything sorted. It is so nice to be able to breathe a sigh of relief when you can see the horses are relaxed and happy and the stables are set up!

We’ve got two spare stables to use as tack rooms and one spare one with all the feed and hay in.

There’s also a lot of bikes, everything is so spread out here everyone needs one. And it is Holland after all where everyone bikes!

Today has been a nice relaxed day. The riders arrived and had a ride and were pleased with all of the horses. We have explored the layout of the show ground and even managed to go to the famous pancake house for some lunch!

It’s strange to think this is my ninth Championship with Carl and Charlotte and my eighteenth one that I have attended over the years.

Each one has been very special for varying reasons, but even after all these years of grooming it is still exciting to be representing Team GB with horses that you have nurtured and cared for.

This is the second big championship for Del and Freeby and I am so proud of them.

Fingers crossed for a good show! I’ll catch up with you all soon.

Alan

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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

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Predominantly ride horses for other people including schooling, exercising and competing.   
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