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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
GROOMS JOB BOARD
Yard Manager Wanted - September 2024
Surrey
Sector Riding School
Search all the latest grooms jobs
WATCH OUR VIDEO
A GROOMS LIFE BLOG
We caught up with BGA member Amelia Jay Sanderson after she was crowned winner of the Horse & Hound Groom of the Year Award 2020. Tell us a little about yourself I love the summers with all of the competition preparation but clipping season is definitely my favourite! What does it mean to be nominated for and win such a prestigious award? How did you feel when you found out you had won? Fortunately I was at home on my own when I opened this email because the tears of joy came flooding in and my emotions were so high. I shared the moment of joy with my little pup Nala as I picked her up and cuddled her. It felt like the longest month of my life trying to keep it top secret before Horse & Hound made the official announcement in December. The official release date was amazing and I can’t thank all my family, friends and clients enough for their support. I even had so much support from fellow grooms and followers on my social media that I had never met before! So I would just like to personally take this opportunity to give the biggest thanks to every single person who voted for me, you have made me one very happy groom. The BGA has really helped support my equine business by providing exceptional support online on how to start a business, which insurances to take and keeping us grooms updated with all the current pandemic information.
We chat to H&H Groom of the Year Award winner
I am a 24 year old freelance groom based in Northumberland. I am an avid horse lover and have been around horses all of my life, I was still in my pushchair when my mum used to ride around me, so I have always had an eye for the equine industry.
At the age of 16 I received a scholarship to go to The Talland School of Equitation where I completed my BHS stage 1 & 2 exams.
After my 17th birthday, I went on to complete an eventing season with Nicola Wilson, which I thoroughly enjoyed and leant so much about the competition world. After leaving Nicola’s, I worked at D&D Armstrong’s racing yard for 3 years.
At a very early stage in my career I had witnessed varying aspects of the equine industry from dressage horses, eventers and racers and was able to see how they all differed. These important years were where I learned many of my skills after working with such a wide range of horses.
At 22 years old I set up my own freelance grooming business Prestige Equine and I have never looked back. I thoroughly enjoy being able to work with so many clients and seeing them progress in the equine in industry is what I am passionate about.
Being nominated for the Absorbine Horse & Hound Groom of the Year Award meant so much to me knowing I had so much support behind my business. When I received the news that I had been nominated and shortlisted in the top 4, I was speechless and in my eyes I was already a winner as it was such an achievement being up there with some amazing international grooms.
I can remember my brother messaging me to ask if I had received any news, so I checked my email and to my surprise I had been sent an email by H&H days prior informing me I had won!
What advice would you give to other people looking at setting up their own business?
The BGA has really helped support my equine business by providing exceptional support online on how to start a business, which insurances to take and keeping us grooms updated with all the current pandemic information. For anyone wanting to start a grooming business please sign up to the BGA, they take you step by step on what you need.
Support
For anyone wanting to start a grooming business please sign up to the BGA, they take you step by step through what you need.
Finally, support other grooms! We are one big community and always happy to help one another. I have made so many friends and learnt so much. I could not thank them all enough for helping me get to where I am today.
A big thank you Amelia and well done from the BGA team on winning the award.
If, like Amelia, you would like to become and BGA member, have a look at how we can support you.
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.
MEMBERS OF:
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