BGA Grooms are WINNERS

We were absolutely delighted to see so many BGA members nominated for the Equestrian Business Awards.

Congratulations to our members Aimee Reeves (Aimee Reeves Equestrian Services), Nikki Baxter (Baxter Equine Services) and Sarah Hynes (Sarah Hynes Equine Services) for being AMAZING finalists.

A massive congratulations to BGA member Emma Cornish of Elite Equine Care for taking the lead and winning the ‘2023 Groom of the Year’ category.

To celebrate Emma’s achievement, we dug a little deeper into the person behind the award.

Where it all began

Despite growing up on one of the smaller Channel Islands, within a non-horsey environment, Emma has always been horse mad. As a child the only thing she wanted was to work with horses when she grew up.

After leaving school at 16 years old, Emma left home to begin her journey becoming a live in groom at a riding school/livery/competition yard in Warwickshire. By the time Emma was 18 years old she had completed the BHSAI qualification and went on to spend quite a few years teaching on the same yard, before moving towards the southwest. After moving locations, Emma continued her passion and worked mainly with eventers/competition horses alongside teaching.

Emma is hugely experienced within the industry, she volunteered and worked at some of the top competitions around the world. The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics were her first volunteer role, working with the farriers within the veterinary team.

Later Emma progressed to Forge Manager at Rio 2016 and describes the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as ‘fairly epic’. Emma also volunteered at two World Equestrian Games, eventing European Championships and her first 5* event at Pau in October, where she was over-seeing the cooling and recovery post cross country.

There is no end to Emma’s talents, she completed the FEI Veterinary Technician exam earlier this year.

“I've really enjoyed my rehabilitation work, working for a rescue charity, mentoring and more recently Practice Manager for an Equine Clinic.”

Time for change

Covid changed many people’s lives and for Emma, this period created an opportunity to re-evaluate her life journey and concentrate on what is important.

“As much as I loved her job, I was spending a fair bit of time behind my desk, on the phone and huge amounts of paperwork. I wasn't getting any younger and in my mid 40's I felt time was not necessarily on my side, if I wanted to 'get back out' and work with horses again in a physical way. I felt it was a now or never chance, so I went for it!”

A new adventure

Emma launched her business, Elite Equine Care, at the start of 2023 offering bespoke individual care packages to both private and commercial clients. The business has been a positive and successful change, and she hasn’t looked back since!

“I honestly get a huge amount of satisfaction out of the work I do. My clients are truly wonderful, and I love working with all the horses. Being active must be a good thing and as long as I'm dressed correctly, I also love being out in all weathers, (maybe a bit less rain and mud would be nice!).

I am very proud to be able to support my clients and they have a huge amount of trust in me, that is quite special to me.”

The Awards

“Being nominated by my clients for the Equestrian Business Awards was just amazing, I had no idea I'd made such a difference and was so appreciated.

Hearing my name read out as the winner was very surreal, I really was quite shocked, it still hasn't quite sink in yet!2

Advice for other grooms

“Work hard, have high standards, know your worth and don't sell yourself short. Invest in yourself and always continue to learn, take advantage of the fantastic free online portals, (FEI Campus is one I use regularly). There are lots of opportunities out there, don't be afraid to put yourself forward for them, you never know where it will lead! My motto is: Be the best you can be.”

Be like Emma and all these amazing BGA grooms nominated for the Equestrian Business Awards - join your Professional Association; the organisation that supports, represents, and champions the career of all grooms. As a BGA member you will enjoy discounted insurance policies, education, career advice and support. 

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