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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
- Parents
WATCH OUR VIDEO
News
Happy Team = Happy Horses
7th April 2018
“You have to give it to it get back” We caught up with Christine Shubrook, owner and Manager of Thundry Farm.
Can you tell us a little bit about your yard?
We are a livery and training yard based in Surrey. I have three people in my team, a Head Girl, one Haddon Training apprentice and another girl who has recently joined us. My team are all great. The maximum we run is 14 liveries, including my own horses. When we are at capacity we have a Saturday girl as well.
What inspired you to build your own business?
I couldn’t find anywhere to keep my own horses with the service I wanted. When I had my horses in livery I knew there was a lot of things that needed doing which didn’t get done each day. When we bought the farm we started with a few liveries and built up from there. We’ve put a lot in over 30 years.
What have been the biggest challenges you have faced so far?
If anything depresses me or makes me feel like giving up its staffing issues. Whether it’s the government putting up the NMW and limiting employers on what they can charge for rent. My girls are all worth it, but you couldn’t rent somewhere for £42 per week where we live. We do things properly and by the book but the perception to clients is that we are expensive. Sometimes people don’t appreciate the work goes on behind the scenes.
In your opinion what makes an excellent employee?
For me it’s somebody who buys into the yard. I don’t expect them to be as committed as I am, that’s my problem and I need to learn to switch off, but it is somebody though who understands we are all working hard. And also someone who is completely honest and considerate of others around them.
What are the most important elements of being a good employer?
You have to give it to it get back. You need to allow time off and respect that they have a life outside of the yard.
What is the best way to motivate a team?
Give praise where praise is due. Every now and again we take everyone out for dinner or out for the night, but there needs to be a balance of giving them their own space.
What changes to the business do you notice when you have an effective team all working well together?
Happy team = happy horses.
Christine is an EEA Member and gets all the benefits of membership. Do you belong yet?
HOW TO ARCHIVE
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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