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Why are the Olympics so special?

9th July 2024
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The Olympic Games originally started over 3000 years ago and are seen as a pivotal moment in any sportsperson’s career. The years of hard work, training, and fine-tuning their skills are finally on stage for the world to see.

In equestrian sports, we are fortunate to have numerous top-level events throughout the year, including Badminton and Burghley, the London International Horse Show, Wellington CDI3*, Hickstead, and the Royal Windsor Horse Show.  For our Para riders, there are the Summer and Winter Championships, plus the regional team events.

On top of these events, there are also the World Equestrian Games (WEG) every four years (in between the Olympic and Paralympics) and every two years, the European Championships.

The Olympics are the pinnacle of an athlete’s career, deemed more special than the European Championships and the WEG, as the Olympics is a global event that celebrates many different sports, providing the opportunity for non-equestrians to see the top horse and rider combinations competing equally together.

 

“Getting the opportunity to go to an Olympic Games is something I have only ever hoped for when I started as a groom. To get to achieve such a milestone alongside such amazing horses and people in the sport today is something I will never forget! It is a very special moment in my career.” Alison Bell, (pictured above), groom for Yasmin Ingham.

 

During the Olympics all the athletes from each sport come together – there will be over 10,000 athletes from five continents in the Olympic Village in Paris. Up to 60,000 meals will be made each day – imagine having your breakfast next to Ben Maher, Adam Peaty and Tom Daley. Or eating your evening meal with Dina Asher-Smith, Simone Biles and Ros Canter. These opportunities don’t come around very often!

 

“I think going to the Olympics is every groom's dream, I am very lucky that I have groomed at quite a few of the 5* events. We went to the Europeans last year as well as the Worlds in Pratoni the year before, but being able to add the Olympics to my CV is very exciting. I can’t wait for it to happen now but I think it will be over way too quickly!” Crisy Salmon groom for Susie Berry.

 

For many, the Olympics have been a dream since they were a small child. This special event is a shared goal from the rider and their family, to the owner of the horse, the trainers, the horse’s breeder, the grooms and everyone else involved with each horse and rider combination.

From the parents who were likely the unsung groom when the rider began riding ponies, to the groom who will be travelling with the horses to Pairs – we salute you all. Thank you for all that you do to ensure a healthy, happy horse throughout the games.

If you are as excited as us about the Olympics, check out the full Olympic equestrian schedule and the latest Paris news from British Equestrian

 

 

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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