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A GROOMS LIFE BLOG
Home /Grooms life/Zoe goes to aachen

Zoe goes to Aachen

BGA team member Zoe Hargreaves stepped away from her busy role within our HQ to jet off to Aachen for a few days.

Let’s find out about her adventure.

“I was lucky enough to be invited to Aachen with my friend Janette, owner of Yasmin Ingham’s ride, Banazi du Loir.

It was my first trip to Aachen, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Aachen is like the Glastonbury of equestrian events. There is something for everyone and so many new things to discover. I was able to watch Charlotte du Jardin and Lottie Fry ride their dressage to music, which was just incredible.

Gemma Stevens was fantastic in the Ride and Drive which was so well supported in the stands from a very loud team of GB grooms!

I watched some of the biggest names in Showjumping warming up, Ludger Beerbaum and Marcus Ehning and then for Marcus to win the Grand Prix was outstanding.

It was fantastic to spend time with some of the Team GB eventing grooms, who are BGA members, everyone was so friendly and took such pride in their work - the horses were all turned out beautifully and so well cared for. The stables were immaculate and located in a nice quiet area of the event. 

Aachen really showed their appreciation for grooms by providing great facilities, the groom's lounge, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, was in the perfect location, close to the stables and was so well set up for the grooms.

It was nice seeing the grooms spending some down-time in there, and able to access drinks and snacks, including take-away options for them to fuel and rehydrate on the go.

All the grooms received goodie bags on arrival and departure – including food for their journey home.

Everyone was so friendly, the organisers, officials, and the other teams from around the world – it felt like one big family event.

Thank you to all involved in the organisation and running of Aachen, making it a truly amazing event. 

I really want to thank all the grooms who took time to talk to me, and Helen from the International Grooms Association, (IGA).

Grooms have a job that is like no other and so very important to the team – we really appreciate everything you do.

I am delighted I was able to visit such a special event and witness the well-deserved result for Yasmin and Banzai. It was wonderful hearing good friend Alison Bell, (Banzai’s super groom), being mentioned during the prize giving in the main arena too. Alison works incredibly hard and is such a lovely person too. I was touched to hear all the grooms being included within the prize givings, such a wonderful display of appreciation for the hard work and dedication they give to the team.

Huge well done to Team GB for coming third in the Nations cup.

I really can’t wait to go back to Aachen!"

Zoe

 

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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