BGA MEMBER WINS HADDON TRAINING BRITISH GROOM AWARD

The BGA are delighted that once again the annual British Groom Awards are back, thanks to the generosity of sponsors Haddon Training.

This year there were two new categories; the Haddon Training British Grooms Award and the Haddon Training Team GBR Grooms Award.

BGA member Caroline Heard was the recipient of the Haddon Training British Grooms Award that was open to all grooms in the equestrian industry, with Nicola Newman being awarded the runners-up prize after the judging panel had found it difficult to split these two outstanding nominees and therefore a decision was made to award a runners-up prize.

The Haddon Training Team GBR Grooms Award was open to any groom who was part of Team GBR at the Alltech World Equestrian Games 2014 and supported any Team GBR athlete, The award went to BGA Member Jessica Errington who groomed for Harry Meade and the sadly departed Wild Lone, with Harry citing on his nomination form how Jessica had dedicated her life to Wild Lone and had handled an extremely difficult situation with huge dignity.

The awards took place on Saturday 10th January at the annual British Breeders Dinner and Awards Ceremony, organised by the British Horse Foundation, and all of the winners went along to receive their award. 

We caught up with all of the award winners to find out more.

Haddon Training British Grooms Award – Winner Caroline Heard

In winter Caroline works as a hunting groom and in summer works as a showing groom and producer.

How did you feel when you found out you were nominated for this award?
I was excited, my boss nominated me which was really nice. I feel lucky that that they even thought that and they are appreciative of the work I do.

In your opinion, what makes an award winning groom?
It’s a life style, not a job. It’s literally giving up your life. You just keep trying, the more you try and the more dedicated you are the better. You need to make yourself indispensable. If you are prepared to go the extra mile then there is always a job out there. It’s the difference between putting an extra rug on a 9pm at night rather than thinking ‘Oh they will be fine until tomorrow’.

What are you most looking forward to in 2015?
This year I have got a horse to show at county level and potentially HOYS. I also have a nice little project pony.

How were the awards?
It was an absolutely fantastic night and I met some wonderful people. People who I didn’t even know would come up and congratulate me, which was so lovely. A massive thanks to everyone for hosting the awards dinner, it was just fantastic.

Haddon Training British Grooms Award- Runner-up – Nikki Newman
Nikki has worked as a freelance groom for six years and enjoys the variety that working for a number of different people bring her.

How did you feel when you found out you were nominated for this award?
I am a freelance and my clients all got together in one big conspiracy! I didn’t find out I was nominated until I got the email saying I was runner up. I thought it was a scam to start with until one of my clients confessed what they had been up too. Being nominated does make you realise that you are appreciated and I thought it was lovely of everyone. It was a collective effort between about 10 of them and six of them even came with me to the award dinner.

In your opinion, what makes an award winning groom?
It’s not that I have done anything different to any other groom in the country. Everyone is at home in the rain, dealing with muddy fields and the cold weather, it doesn’t matter if you are an apprentice or head groom everyone is doing the job, but it’s great that grooms in general are being recognised.
Being a groom is a complete lifestyle, not just to a job, but the opportunities you get from being a groom are amazing.

What are you most looking forward to in 2015?
We have a few youngsters to do, which is my favourite thing to do and I find that really rewarding. I like the little wins, like the first day you hack out and a plastic bag flies out and they don’t freak out. I prefer those wins.

How were the awards?
The awards were so good and so interesting everyone was so passionate about why they were there. Everyone was so friendly and the speakers were brilliant.

Haddon Training Team GBR Grooms Award – Jess Errington

Jess works for British Team event rider Harry Meade.

How did you feel when you found out you were nominated for this award?
I felt very honoured to receive the award and was in total shock as I know there are so many hard working grooms out there who deserve this just as much.

In your opinion, what makes an award winning groom?
In my opinion you need to be 110% dedicated to all the horses in your care and of course your rider!, Conscientious and professional at all times whether things are going well at the time or not! 

What are you most looking forward to in 2015?
I am looking forward to getting to know and form a bond with a lovely new horse that we have and seeing our other wonderful horses progress and hopefully produce some promising results for 2015! 

How were the awards?
The awards were fantastic. We were looked after well with great speakers and I would like to say a huge thank you to Haddon Training for sponsoring the award.