Celebrating showjumping grooms

As the showjumping in well underway in Paris we are celebrating the jumping grooms with an interview with David Honnet, long-term groom for Scott Brash.

We spoke to David ahead of him heading back to his home country for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Tell us about yourself

“I am David Honnet, a 36-year-old French (traitor) groom.  I have been working with horses since I was 16. I finished school at 17, which I sometimes regret, but may go back to it one day.

I have worked for Scott for eight years now, which is a dream come true! But being based in the UK has been a nightmare since Brexit!”

How did you start working with horses?

“I started with horses because my father was an amateur rider, it was his hobby. He took me and my brother with him to the riding school; my brother managed to escape but I got the horsey bug and I have been hooked ever since.”

How are you feeling about the Olympics?

“This is my second Olympics as I went to Tokyo.  I am super excited this time as it is my home country and the 2020 Games was a bit weird with the pandemic!”

Was it exciting going to the kitting out day?

“Kitting out held in Birmingham was such fun, I am not the most exciting person when it comes to clothes and fashion. The problem for me is that I now have way too many clothes to fit in my apartment!”

Do you have a team mascot?

“Our team mascot is Otis Charlotte’s dog. (Charlotte Attwell, Joe Stockdale's groom).Otis is the best dog ever; so pretty and very well trained.”

One piece of advice for grooms heading to future Olympics?

“Once you have developed a good system throughout other events don’t change it for the Olympics, consistency is key with horses.”

What animal would you compare yourself to and why?

“It is hard to be compared to an animal, maybe a dog because I like food, I can sleep anywhere, and I like to be stroked!”

Would you rather...

Be chased by a zombie or be chased by a bear? "I'd rather be chased by zombies; with all the "walking dead" I have watched, I feel I have solid training!"

Live in space or under the sea? "Live in space, I will leave the sea to my best friend who is a seafarer."

Have a one-minute conversation with future you or the past you? "One minute with the past me, to tell me to care more about the persons that I will lose."

Communicate telepathically or be able to speak all languages? "Be able to speak all the languages."

Have fingers for toes or toes for fingers? "Err that has to be fingers for toes."

Many thanks to David for speaking with us to celebrate this fantastic career choice.  

Make sure you aren't missing out on the action in Paris, check out our guide of where to watch. 

Main photo image: David and Hello Mr President, courtesy of Elli Birch at Boots and Hooves Photography.