Francesca Gorni in Riesenbeck for the FEI European Championships

If you are a regular follower of the BGA you will have seen #supergroom Francesca Gorni featured in many blogs and social posts as she is a huge supporter of the work we carry out on behalf of grooms.

Francesca has had an amazing career so far, she has been part of the British Equestrian Team several times, grooming at the highest levels for eventer Tom McEwen.

More recently, Francesca has branched out into the world of freelancing, she is currently at the FEI Dressage European Championships in Riesenbeck, with Charlotte Dujardin and Coral Ingham’s Imhotep.

We spoke with Francesca ahead of her trip to Riesenbeck.

Firstly, congratulations on making the move to freelance! How are you finding it so far?

“Thank you! I am LOVING it!”

What inspired you to make the move to freelance?

“I really enjoy competition grooming - being able to go to lots of shows around the world is awesome. Being freelance involves lots of travelling, I am really enjoying getting to know and being able to work with so many different amazing equine athletes.

You get to see lots of amazing … and not-so-amazing locations – luckily, I really enjoy driving, which there is lots of! I like a challenge, so it is awesome adapting to different teams.

Congratulations for grooming for Charlotte in Riesenbeck! What do you enjoy about being a dressage groom?

“Thank you! Yes, I feel very lucky! I still freelance groom for both disciplines. Prior to becoming an event groom, I worked for Carl and Charlotte alongside my University degree, so people often ask which I prefer! Honestly, I love them both.

The adrenaline of cross-country day is electric, and the aftercare is something I favour - being able to give them lots of TLC into the evening is a great part of the job after they have had a big day.

The precision and perfection of dressage for me is a groom’s dream. There are many overlaps of the disciplines from a groom’s perspective, but the intensity of each has a different focus.

Dressage horses are powerhouses, the sheer horsepower in these athletes is simply incredible, likened to that of a powerlifter! I am guilty of enjoying the glitz of the dressage arena for sure!”

Being a groom for 2 Olympic riders is a brilliant achievement. What has been your biggest achievement to date?

“It is quite the honour! The Olympics in Tokyo for sure was simply what dreams are made of, I’ll never forget a second of it! Surreal is certainly the best word to describe it.

I travelled to Aachen this year, alongside Alan Davies, this has to be one of my favourite achievements.”

Who has inspired you in your career as a groom?

“Alan without a doubt set that spark off for me - he put up with me as an 18-year-old following him around and asking 101 questions about everything he did, (he still has me doing that now)!

I had the pleasure of working with Anna Gentili on the eventing circuit and she opened my eyes as an event groom!”

Why did you join the BGA?

“Being part of a wider community is important in our industry - it's also a great resource of information, guidance and insurance”

Get to know Francesca - FAST FIVE QUESTIONS;

We wish Francesca and all of the grooms out in Riesenbeck the best for luck for this week!

Photo Credits:

Main photo - Francesca at Badminton 2022, taken by photographer Paul Ruffle.

Insert photo - Francesca and Alan at Badminton 2023, taken by the International Grooms Association.

Be like Francesca and join your professional association.

JOIN NOW for less than 50 pence per week.