A career for a lifetime

To celebrate National Careers Week, we caught up with long term BGA member, Kay Sparrow, to discuss her varied experience over the years, to highlight how being a groom can provide career opportunities for a lifetime.

Did you know; the BGA provides lots of guidance for training, employment and freelance grooms, take a look at our career options guide.

Kay began her equestrian career in 1982 at her local riding school in Norfolk. After spending a year as a working pupil, Kay decided to embark on a career with event horses.

Starting a career as a groom

“After leaving the riding school I spend the next thirteen years working on various family yards learning how to prepare, manage and train the horses to a high level, grooming both at home and at competitions. I also had some opportunities to compete too”.

Freelance trainer

“I’d become increasingly interested in training, particularly ‘problem horses’, and then had the opportunity to set up my own yard and business, (in Suffolk), offering remedial training. I enrolled on a number of courses with Intelligent Horsemanship to further my skills in this area. I continued to offer training along with freelance grooming services.”

Yard manger & assistant trainer 

“After moving to Devon, in 2011 a chance meeting led to a job offer with Classical Seat Trainer, Author and founder of Enlightened Equitation, Heather Moffett. I became Yard Manager and Assistant Trainer until redundancy in 2018.

This was a real opportunity to advance both my own knowledge and riding, help teach working students and participate in various courses and demos. During my time at Heather’s, I attained an Enlightened Equitation Teacher’s accreditation.

I am extremely proud to be only one of four teachers to be awarded a Level Four (advanced) certificate.”

Teaching, training & therapy

“I now focus on teaching and schooling on a freelance basis, (having taught on & off all my career). I am also a qualified Scenar pain management therapist (qualified in 2018).”

Would you return to grooming?

“Working with horses takes a physical toll, I don’t think my back would take it anymore! I also enjoy being my own boss and love the independence of being self-employed, not to mention the pleasure it brings seeing my pupils and their horses develop in their partnerships.”

Away from work, how do spend your downtime?

“The different aspects to my business always keeps me busy. When I am not working, I enjoy the continued training with my own horse, (now 23yrs), from racehorse to classical dressage horse.”

What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting a career with horses?

“Competition grooming taught me to be extremely well organised and I take pride in working to a high standard. Over the years I tried to learn as much as possible from each yard I worked on. So I would advise that working with horses is a lifestyle choice as well, work hard, pay attention and learn as much as you can from every yard or job you are in, as the skills learnt can help you in the future.”

Thanks Kay, for taking the time to chat about your career development and show that being a groom can provide many happy years of working within the industry.

Transferrable skills learnt working with horses provides career opportunities for a lifetime. 

Freelance groom, employed groom or equine student on work placement, whatever you do, the BGA is here for you.

Join 1000’s of other grooms and belong to your professional association.

If you would like to become a BGA member, have a look at our membership options, from as little as 49 pence per week. 

BGA MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS