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WATCH OUR VIDEO
As we approach the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo we caught up with BGA Ambassador, Alan Davies, for the next instalment of his Olympic blog. We spoke to Alan from the Team GBR quarantine stables as he prepares for the long journey to Tokyo. In quarantine the horses have mostly been hacking and cantering around the gallop track in preparation for their journey. As the nominated flying groom, I will be the only Team GBR dressage groom on the flight so I have been talking to the others to find out what their horses like and dislike, and what is normal and abnormal for them. Lucy will be there as well so as soon as the horses are settled I can get some sleep!
We are travelling to Tokyo
12th July 2021
Alan Davies is Head Groom to Team GB dressage riders Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester.
Monday 12th July
It has been really peaceful in quarantine, which has been very welcome and allowed me to recharge the batteries before the excitement of the Olympic Games. Carl and Charlotte have been here to ride, but then returned home as Charlotte has been competing with some of the up and coming young ones.
The horses are enjoying having individual attention and the place is so nice and calm. The horses are very relaxed, which is so important before a big event.
Now we are counting down the last few hours before we leave, so in between chatting to the BGA, Lucy (Scudamore) and I are busy packing and re-packing.
Lucy works with me at Carl and Charlotte’s and it is her first Olympics Games, so she is really excited. This is my fourth Games and while I am really looking forward to it, I think that the excitement will really start once I deliver the horses safely in Tokyo.
Among the excitement, we must decide what equipment needs to go back to our yard and what needs to come with us to Tokyo. I have endless lists to ensure that nothing gets forgotten and to make sure that the horses have everything they need for each stage of the journey.
I’m slightly anxious about all the new regulations for travelling horses into Europe, and then into Japan, and then all the Covid regulations on top of that, but once I am there I will relax and really enjoy it.
Care of horses on the flight
Travelling with the horses is a big pressure and responsibility. The riders and the grooms are handing their horses over to me to travel to Europe to the airport, and then for an 18-hour flight. That is a long time without any communication.
My job on the flight is to try and keep the horses calm, relaxed and hydrated. I keep their eating regime as close to normal as possible, which is a challenge because of the difference in time zones. I keep a close eye on their temperature to make sure that they don’t get too hot or too cold.
There are usually between 20-30 horses on a flight and each groom normally has 4-5 horses to look after, but we all help each other.
Hopefully, if the horses all travel well, as soon as we land in Tokyo we can unload them, and transport them to the venue where the other grooms will be waiting with everything ready.
The event grooms have all arrived in quarantine and look like they are enjoying themselves! We are not allowed to mix with them yet, but we have waved from a distance. They are on the other side of the property and the horses are completely separate from ours to meet the strict regulations in quarantine.
We all can’t wait to get out there and for all disciplines to be able to mix. I love the sport of eventing and I think the event grooms are amazing.
I’m delighted for Team GBR eventing groom Fran Gorni whose blog I read earlier. I’ve known her since she was a kid and she used to come and ride for us when she was at Hartpury College. To think that she is in charge of Toledo and going to her first Olympics makes me so very proud.
There is a great atmosphere between the Team GBR dressage grooms who have all been working together. As a team, it is so important that we all support each other. It is difficult for the grooms who are with the reserve horses, but everyone has been so helpful to each other and bonded well.
It is lovely to know that most of the Team GB grooms are BGA members.
There are so many younger grooms coming into our industry now who probably can’t even remember a time before the BGA existed and things were very different!
Hopefully, you will all take a moment to find out more about the association and its support for all grooms - whatever you do.
The next time we speak I will be in Tokyo,
Alan
Read Alan’s last blog here.
If, like Alan, you would like to become a BGA member, have a look at our membership options.
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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