Meet Diane - one of our longest standing members, living in Florida

We caught up with Diane Bueckhanon who has been a BGA member since we began!

Tell us a little about yourself.

At the grand old age of 60 years old I have been around horses since I was six years old. Originally from Bolton, Lancashire I moved to Orlando, Florida in 1985.

The original plan was to stay for maybe 2 years and then return home however that plan was axed as soon as I met my future husband.

I now have a beautiful daughter and granddaughter who also share my passion for horses although I think my granddaughter prefers ice skating now!

How did you become involved with horses?

My first sit on a horse was on holiday in Devon when I was six years old, my poor mum was definitely not horsey, but I kept disappearing to the riding stables down the road from my Aunt’s house where we were staying.

I would appear every morning and end up grooming the ponies and learning how to muck out. The lady who owned the stables was quite horrified that a six-year-old was wandering around on her own, but mum soon sorted things in her usual brilliant way and I learned to ride that week.

My mum saw the love I had for horses and soon found me a riding stables to go to, Whittle Hill Farm became my second home and I never looked back.

What field do you work in?

Currently I freelance for my friend Hilda Donahue. We have travelled to many places together over our 30-year friendship.

Hilda is currently campaigning a lovely Andalusian in Dressage along with her talented Arabian who has done everything including a 100-mile endurance ride, that was an interesting grooming experience not for the faint-hearted!

I also own a 25-year-old Oldenburg who is happily retired at a friend’s barn.

What is it like being a groom in Florida?

Florida is a great place to live. However, the summers sometimes are unbearable and every year I hear myself screaming I’m moving back to England!

Usually from May to September, not much can be done in the horse world after 8am until around 7pm as it is just too hot. We must be very careful the horses do not overheat; the weather can go up to 110 degrees F with the humidity so lots of creative ways are developed to ensure our horses safety.

Then there are the hurricanes! Luckily, we are more inland, but some big storms have come through. Saying that, September to May there are lots of competitions to go to, a new facility just opened its doors called Terra Nova, which is a beautiful show ground. Their facility is state of the art and much detail has gone into it for the welfare of the horses and grooms.

We also have World Equestrian Centre on our doorstep with all the wow features including indoor arenas, so year-round competitions can be held there.

How did you hear about the BGA?

I first heard about the BGA when it was first developed through an article in Horse and Hound, I was one of the first to sign up.

What do you enjoy about your BGA membership?

I am very proud of being a member of the BGA. I am constantly using all the tools available to me. I was sad I couldn’t make it to Pro Groom School last year, Alan Davies is my hero!

The articles in the magazine are extremely helpful and especially for grooms in the UK, the insurance offered is vital.

I would recommend the BGA to international grooms. I proudly wear my hat and jacket (weather permitting!) and whenever I can I give details to fellow Brits that I meet at horse shows to get them to sign up.

Get to know Diane:

Chocolate or crisps?

Definitely prawn cocktail crisps which I order from Amazon on a regular basis!!

Cocktails or wine?

Cocktails are my favourite, I never turn down a good Gin and Tonic!

Beach or City?

Living in Florida the beach is a great place to relax, well for about 5 minutes then you start to cook! Then you have to find a good beach bar to hang out and listen to music.

Movie or Book?

I think maybe both movies and books. I love to go watch a good movie and I am also an avid reader. I always have a good murder mystery at hand.

Dogs or Cats?

I am more of a dog person. My current partner in crime is Watson, a German shepherd mix, with we think, a border collie as he keeps herding the grandchild whenever he can! Especially when she is splashing around in the pool and he thinks she’s drowning, he switches to search and rescue mode and she has to be out of that pool in five seconds!!

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