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“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.”
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A GROOMS LIFE BLOG
As we approach the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo we caught up with seasoned Olympian and BGA Ambassador, Alan Davies, to find out why these Olympics are a little bit different. Alan Davies is #supergroom to Team GB dressage riders Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester. Alan is no stranger to representing his country; as his fourth Olympic Games approaches we spoke to Alan directly from the Team GB quarantine stables. Monday 5th July We also attended Royal Windsor Horse Show with the two Olympic horses, Gio and En Vogue, and all that was while I was trying to do final packing lists, feed orders, hay orders and get the equipment ready for a week in quarantine and three weeks in Japan! I arrived in quarantine last night, and we are here for a week. Lucy [Scudamore] is travelling with us as Carl’s nominated groom and will be arriving in the next few days. I’ve lost track of the number of Covid tests that I’ve taken in the last few weeks. Britain is on Japan’s 'red list', so it is imperative that we get it right, or we can’t go. Once we arrive in Tokyo we have to test ourselves every day, take our own temperatures and then log the data on an app. I think that will be very different and quite tough as part of the magic of the Olympics is being able to see other disciplines and sports, and meet lots of athletes at the top of their game. In terms of getting the horses prepared these Games have also had additional challenges. We’ve not had the competition preparation as we would normally, so keeping the horses on top form hasn’t been easy. With travel rules post-Brexit also changing there has been a lot of additional paperwork for the grooms, as well as additional vets visits to take bloods; on top of all the Covid tests. The run-up has been quite challenging for us all. The horses are all looking and feeling great and the riders came today to train and keep them in a routine. Once we leave our quarantine base to go to the airport we are not allowed to stop or get the horses off the horsebox until we get to the airport as it is still classed as in quarantine. We then have a 19-hour flight. We leave here Monday night and land Wednesday morning (Tokyo time). I’m feeling quite anxious doing such a big trip with the horses, but I am sure they will all cope amazingly and all of the other dressage grooms (Steph, Lucy and Stephen) will meet me in Tokyo. Now I’m in quarantine I’m really looking forward to the Olympics. I can take a big breath and enjoy the moment. This week we will focus on keeping the horses in their routine and working with everyone else in the team to ensure they are at their best and ready for their journey to Japan. Until next time, Alan
We're in quarantine
It has been quite a crazy run-up to quarantine with the NAF Five Star Winter Dressage Championships at Hartpury Equine College happening last week and several horses on the yard competing there.
Unlike previous Olympics, we have to follow very strict Covid rules. We have to stay in a bubble and not mix with other countries, so we won’t be able go anywhere or get to spend time with the other nations.
The journey
I’m the nominated groom to fly with the horses and although I have flown with horses plenty of times, three of our team of horses have never flown before.
Once we get there it is going to be a great competition with world-class riders and horses. It will be a very different atmosphere, which makes me a little nervous, but it is always such a huge honour to represent your country.
Thank you Alan. If you would like to join the BGA, and be a member of your professional association, like Alan, you can find out more here:
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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