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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
- Your Career
- Freelancing
- BGA Training
- Healthy Yard Healthy Horses
- Transporting horses
- Brexit
- Safe workplace
- Student zone
- Member Discounts
- BG Magazine
- International Grooms Association
- BGA CV Creator
- Horse groom training
- Where to Train
- BGA E Learning
- Career choices
- Change to Racing
- First Aid training for grooms
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WATCH OUR VIDEO
News
Two employers on NMW underpayment list
10th November 2025
Two equestrian employers have been included in the latest list of UK employers found to have underpaid staff the National Minimum Wage (NMW) between 2016 and 2022.
The list, published by the Department for Business and Trade, names nearly 500 businesses across a range of industries.
The published data covers historic underpayments identified following investigations by HMRC and does not necessarily reflect current practices.
| Name | Trading Name | Arrears | No of Workers | Arrears Period |
| Mr James D Oakden & Mrs Frances I Hay Smith | Dunbog Farm | £28,379.95 | 7 | 2016 - 2019 |
| Mr James D Oakden & Mrs Sarah Oakden | Dunbog Farm | £3191.72 | 2 | 2019 - 2020 |
| Ms Kimberley McGuiness | Sunshine Riding School | £644.82 | 7 | 2022 - 2022 |
The BGA contacted both employers, but they declined to comment.
Good Employment Matters
The British Grooms Association (BGA) is committed to raising awareness of employment rights and responsibilities within the industry and is on hand to support grooms in understanding the NMW.
Common causes of underpayment of the NMW often include errors relating to:
- Unpaid overtime
- Incorrect apprenticeship rates
- Overcharging for accommodation
- Change in age rates
If you're a BGA member and think you might be underpaid you can check your wages using our Guide to the National Minimum Wage.
BGA says
“The equestrian world is complex, and sometimes mistakes happen. What’s important is that wage underpayments are put right and lessons learned. Every groom deserves to be paid legally for every hour they work.”
Lucy Katan MBE, BGA Executive Director
The BGA’s sister organisation, The Equestrian Employers Association (EEA), offers a range of resources, guidance, smart online tools and a series of videos from the HMRC to help equestrian employers stay compliant.
The EEA also offers further support and a NMW Compliance helpline for employers through its partnership with the Fair Pay Hub.
Paying the correct NMW rate for every hour worked is not a choice; it is the law and failure to comply can be costly. Grooms who are paid incorrectly can report their employer to the HMRC.
Join the BGA today
Be part of your professional Association and access discounted insurance, online tools and templates, training, mental health support and much more.
BGA Membership options
NEWS ARCHIVE
- 2025 (25 ENTRIES)
- 2024 (70 ENTRIES)
- 2023 (73 ENTRIES)
- 2022 (44 ENTRIES)
- 2021 (35 ENTRIES)
- 2020 (54 ENTRIES)
- 2019 (90 ENTRIES)
- 2018 (92 ENTRIES)
- 2017 (67 ENTRIES)
- 2016 (42 ENTRIES)
- 2015 (26 ENTRIES)
- 2014 (24 ENTRIES)
- 2013 (1 ENTRIES)
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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