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Francesca Gorni in Riesenbeck for the FEI European Championships

6th September 2023
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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.

 

When freelancing working closely with the home teams is so important, ensuring you have a good discussion with each horse’s home groom is essential before you leave for a show, as they know them best! Getting to know the character of each horse is fun and I love a big personality!”

 

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;

 

 

Chocolate or crisps?

"Chocolate!!"

City or beach?

"Beach"

Cocktails or wine?

"Rum Punch"

Movie or book?

"Movie"

Hack or jump?

"A good old hack!"

 

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.

 

Why Join the BGA?

As a BGA member you will enjoy discounted insurance policies, education, and support. Join us to discover more and be part of a community of grooms, just like you.

 

JOIN NOW for less than 50 pence per week.

 

 



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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