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WHY I AM A MEMBER
“The bespoke information has been invaluable for my career and employment; I don’t feel alone anymore. I have the peace of mind knowing my income is protected with my BGA insurance.”
Jenny Hooch
BGA Member
WATCH OUR VIDEO
A GROOMS LIFE BLOG
International show jumper Jay Halim began his career working as a riding groom. We chatted to Jay to find out how he thinks that working as a groom helped to shape him and his career, and what valueable advice he can pass on to other grooms and employers. I applied for a groom/rider job at Tina and Graham Fletchers where I spent a few years learning the ropes as a groom, before getting rides of my own from owners. My business grew and I now employ three full time grooms and one part time groom. My yard consists of 20 boxes with horses at various stages of their careers. Lauren Turnbull is my head groom and usually travels with me and I don’t think I’d be able to live without her! No, not initially. I just wanted to work with horses and was happy grooming so hadn’t really considered becoming a professional rider. I would say the most valuable things that my role as a groom has taught me has been highly developed organisational skills, to be hard working and the ability to stick to a routine. As I have worked as a groom and undertaken all the tasks I understand the workload and pressures and know how I wanted to be managed and treated when I was a groom. All of my grooms do every task so there is no unnecessary hierarchy which I find to be key to a happy workforce. I like to ensure strict standards but also importantly that they leave on time and can enjoy downtime outside of work too. Communication, hard work and a sense of humour. Don’t leave any stones unturned. They need to first understand the management and running of the yard as it isn’t all about the riding. Being a horseman and understanding your horses is more than just riding them.
Being a groom made me a better employer
He now runs a successful business riding and producing horses and employs his own team of grooms.
How did you begin your career before becoming a professional rider?
Did you always have the goal of becoming a top class rider?
What are the most valuable things that you learnt from being a groom?
How has this helped you during your career and as an employer?
I have a realistic expectation of what is achievable from my team as I’ve done all the jobs associated with running a competition yard. It also helps to highlight whether the workload is too much on certain days or when some staff members aren’t bringing their A game!
What are the most important attributes for your team?
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
What advice would you give to anyone looking at making riding their career choice?
Thank you to Jay for sharing his thoughts with us.
BGA MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
BLOG ARCHIVE
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. |
|
|
|
| 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 |
The BGA is the national representative body for all
grooms working in the UK or British grooms abroad.
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