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WHY I AM A MEMBER
“The bespoke information has been invaluable for my career and employment; I don’t feel alone anymore. I have the peace of mind knowing my income is protected with my BGA insurance.”
Jenny Hooch
BGA Member
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Apprentice Groom at Calvert Exmoor Equestrian
Devon
Sector Riding School
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A GROOMS LIFE BLOG
Accidents happen all the time, even to the most experienced equestrians, they happen to everyone and normally when least expected. Occasionally after an accident, it is possible for injuries to go undiagnosed for some time, and that is exactly what happened to long-term BGA member, Matthew Glentworth. Matthew started riding at the age of four years old and while his brother quickly gave up, Matthew was hooked and knew horses were going to be his future. Although Matthew grew up in a non-horsey family, his father had a passion for horse racing, which kickstarted Matthew’s career when he left school at 16 years old to work for Sophie Hawk, where Matthew did some racing and point-to-point. “At 18 years old, I went to be a working pupil for the Tuckers for 18 months, after which I went to work for Zara Tindall during 2008-2009 and then went back to the Tuckers in 2010. I am now the yard manager for Angela Tucker and I occasionally go along to help out at competitions. I have been lucky enough to groom at both London and Tokyo Olympic games.” It doesn’t matter how experienced you are – accidents happen! Matthew is sharing his story to highlight how quickly life can change by having an accident. “I went to cross country on the Monday and unfortunately, I had a fall, it wasn’t even a bad fall, it was a plain cross-country fence, but I hit the deck. I was cleared by the medical team, but I was still in a lot of pain, even though I was on strong pain relief. I was transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where the excellent medical team operated - a bone graft was taken from my hip to rebuild my neck. I was in the hospital for five days then I spent three and a half months in a fixed neck brace. British Eventing Support Trust helped me along the way and was able to get me into Oaksey House for physio. It is really important to understand that even if you have lots of experience and you are riding ‘sensible’ horses or jumping simple fences it is always possible to have an accident. I was unlucky to break my neck in the fall, but I feel lucky to have recovered and be back at work – things could have been much worse.” “I am so grateful for the insurance I have with my BGA membership, without it six months off work would have been even more stressful. I am pleased to say making a claim was so easy to deal with – KBIS couldn’t have made the process any easier. As soon as they had the facts, the money was in my account. It was brilliant.” Thanks to Matthew for sharing his story and if you haven't already, make sure you have suitable insurance to protect you, incase you have an accident. Fortunately in this case Matthew had suitable personal accident insurance in place to provide a weekly income while he was unable to work - Matthew had this insurance as part of his BGA membership! Matthew had six months off work, if you couldn’t work, could you pay your bills? Not sure which insurance is right for you? Visit the membership options section of our website for more information. Alternatively you can contact contact Fi, our Membership Manager, on 07590 258907 or membership@britishgrooms.org.uk. Freelance groom, employed groom or equine student on work placement - whatever you do, the BGA is here for you and your insurance needs. The BGA has the best grooms insurance for all who work with horses. Join 1000’s of other grooms and belong to your professional association.
I didn't realise I had broken my neck!
About Matthew
Matthew’s Accident
By Thursday I couldn't lift my head off the pillow so I went to Swindon Hospital, where they realised my neck was broken!
It has taken about six months for me to fully recover and get back to work.
Insurance took the pressure off
INSURANCE IS A MUST
ARE YOU INSURED?
British Grooms and Equestrian Employers Group is an Introducer Appointed Representative of KBIS Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 300861). Registered Address: 6th Floor, One America Square, 17 Crosswall, London EC3N 2LB. Registered in England and Wales. (Company No. 02208091).
BLOG ARCHIVE
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. |
|
|
|
| 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 |
The BGA is the national representative body for all
grooms working in the UK or British grooms abroad.
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