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A GROOMS LIFE BLOG

A Mums perspective

We spoke to Natalie Gorni, #supermum to Team GB eventing groom and BGA member Francesca Gorni.

Hello BGA readers,

I’m Natalie, mum to Francesca Gorni who is the travelling groom for Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser.

As a family, we were over the moon to hear Francesca’s news about joining team GB to travel to Tokyo.

To groom for Tom, and represent Team GB, is a dream come true, made even more special on the back of such a difficult lonely year. Thank goodness that is behind us now.

I think the day the team kit arrived was surreal for Francesca and I know it will be treasured for years to come. It is all truly beautiful - well done Adidas and Ben Sherman for kitting everyone out so well.

  As a parent, it is difficult at times to see your daughter in such a manual job. 

Worrying about her seems to be my pastime, but when you see her at work, the smile on her face says it all, she is doing what she loves.

I'm pleased that the BGA exists for grooms and that they have an independent support network. 


Francesca’s Dad, Joe, her sister, Giovanna, and I enjoy going to events to watch Tom and Toledo. Catching a glimpse of Francesca is always a highlight. Sometimes they know we are there, sometimes they don’t, but it is always a great day out.

My Dad, Vin Denson, is an ex-professional cyclist, so being from a sporting background I know how important the support team are to the athletes.

I understand late nights are an important time of the day time for Francesca and I love it when she calls for a chat while she is checking the horses’ rugs and water, telling me about each character as she goes from stable to stable, before she has a goodnight cuddle with Porridge, the yard cat.

  Francesca loves her job and especially enjoys hacking with Ali McEwen, Tom’s mum.

I enjoy hearing about the owners, and about the bacon rolls and odd chilled glass of wine at the end of a busy day if they are staying over at an event.

As a Mum is reassuring to know that Francesca is a valued part of a close-knit team.


But back to the Olympic Games, myself, Joe, Giovanna, Pappy and actually the whole extended family will be glued to the TV to catch a glimpse of Francesca over the coming weeks! We are all bursting with pride and wish all our GB team many happy memories to retell over the coming years.

Natalie Gorni

Read Francesca's blog here.

Francesca is a BGA member - are you yet?

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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.

 
YES

 
NO

 
NO

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