My weekend as a driving groom

BGA member and Ambassador, driving groom Mandy Elder blogs from the National Carriage Driving Championships.

Friday - dressage day for us.

Today started as all days start. The ponies were turn out in their turnout area, the stables were mucked and got ready for later.

Then it was then back to walking the Obstacle. There are a lot of options in each obstacle so all of the options were looked at again and decisions made.

Like all grooms we pride ourselves in our turnout of the horses and they compete plaited. Our team of four were looking very smart and we put hoods and rugs on so they could go back out to grass as Callum and I wanted to go and see section B.

We set off on electric bikes to see section B which can be walked before hand. There are 26 compulsory flags and eight obstacles over 8km. Once we are happy we know where they all we head back and walk the Obstacles again.

It was a race back to get the horses ready for dressage. The harness was put on and checked over. With a team there is not far off 100 buckles so this does take a bit of time!

We all changed into our dressage clothes, for Callum and I, it was bowler hats, black trousers and jackets white shirts and red ties. As driving grooms we are a part of the competition and ride on the carriage alongside our driver.

The wind was really strong and Dressage was a challenge. The competitor before had the dressage boards, blown away.

Our job in dressage is to sit still on the carriage, not talk, but be ready in case we need to jump off if something is not able to be controlled by the driver.

For us the markers stayed in place, our hats stayed on. The ponies stayed in the area and Callum and I were happy not to have to jump into action.

After the ponies were washed off it was time for a big cup of tea, followed by a marathon briefing, a prize giving and finally enjoying some time with our friends.

Saturday – it’s Marathon day.

Sunday – it’s cones day.

For us it was the end of the event yesterday, but for everyone else the day starts as normal with horse’s daily care been sorted.

The plaiting is done by the grooms while the drivers walk the course. As grooms you can not walk the course, but you can talk to the driver. We do try and find the time to watch from the side where the driver will be. There are around 20 sets to drive though so that’s a lot or learning from the side lines.

Grooms have to be turned out as they were in dressage and the horses are normally put in a presentation carriage, or a three phase vehicle. If this vehicle is used the wheels have to go wider for dressage and cones narrower for marathon, to comply with rules.

As a groom you have to be good at using spanners. Part of the job is making sure the wheels are right for each phase, as well as fitting lamps and numbers for cones and dressage to.

After so many days, it is a challenge to keep going!

After the cones the class go back in for presentation. The grooms go to the horses head and get them to stand as rosettes are handed out. There is then a lap of honour.
When the competition is over its time for the packing up. The stables that are on the lorry come down, the carriage is loaded and there is endless equipment. We really do talk the kitchen sink and everything on the yard!

Then it's the drive home. Sometimes I really don't know how we do it! For a lot of us it’s back to work the next day. The horses have a day off but everything needs unpacking, cleaning and getting ready for the next time

For all of us, we actually can't wait to do it all over again.

I hope you have enjoyed my blog.

Mandy

Read Mandy's previous blog here.

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