Paris 2024 - Olympic Learning

As the Team GB grooms are settling back into their normal routine and the Paralympic GB dressage grooms prepare to make new Olympic memories, we remind ourselves that being part of Team GB one day is possible, chase your dream and make it happen.

That’s exactly what BGA member Natalie Campbell did, she followed her passion and worked hard, which led to her existing role as yard manager and competition groom for dressage rider Andrew Gould.

Our colleagues at the International Grooms Association caught up with Natalie, to talk about her experience as the travelling reserve for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career so far.

“I’m 33 years old, I live in Pulborough with my amazingly supportive partner and our dog

I’ve been working in dressage for about ten years. I started properly after I finished University and didn’t know what I wanted to do next. I fell into a job on a dressage yard and the rest is history!

I lived and worked in Australia for two years just before lockdown and then settled back home for good, I've been working for Andrew for about four years."

What is Versailles like as a venue? Was it what you expected from an Olympics?

“Versailles was a stunning venue, beautiful scenery and lots of grazing area for the horses.  It wasn’t too big to get around, as long as you had a bike.

It’s a bit different from what I expected, we were stabled by discipline rather than nation, so you didn’t have the barn of GB horses all together.

Most of our time was spent behind the scenes, so you didn’t realise how many people were there until you went past the barriers into the public areas. This was nice for the horses as it meant that it felt like any other show to them in the stables and exercise arenas.”

Having teams of three with a travelling alternate combination is relatively new to the Olympics – how did you find the experience of being on site and on call?

“It was definitely very different being on site and training but not having to compete. As a groom it didn’t affect the way I care for my horse, I think it’s more difficult for the rider, having to be prepared that you might get called up.  Indie had a whale of a time just training and grazing all week!

Being able to watch and support the other three and celebrate their achievements was great.”

What are some of the challenges of being in the fourth slot, and how have you handled them?

“The most difficult thing I found was to truly feel part of the team when your horse isn’t competing. Although you want the best team to go, and I believe they did, it’s hard to be on the sidelines.  

We also had a great support team who treated and cared for him as if he was competing too.”

Are there any stand-out moments of your Olympic experience?

“Watching our teammates secure bronze medals was pretty special, and seeing pictures of snoop dog watching dressed up in dressage attire was pretty good!”

If you had to give just one tip for a groom who is dreaming of working at an Olympics one day what would it be?

“Work for a rider that you believe in, that your morals align with, and stick with it. Learn as much as you can and say yes to every opportunity. You never know what it can lead to.”

Thanks to Natalie for sharing her story and for the important role she played within the Olympic Games.  Being part of the reserve combination must be emotional at times and yet you have showed true team spirit – good job Natalie.

Thanks to our friends at the International Grooms Association for sharing this blog with us.

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