Jess tells her story

Following a great response to the article in the latest issue of British Grooms Magazine which is mailed to all BGA members, we share Jess's full story (which sadly we had to chop a little to fit on the magazine page). We are sure you will agree that it really is a tragic sad tale, but shows how much passion a groom will have for the horses in their care and their riders...

Eventing Team GB rider Harry Meade hit the headlines in 2014 with the tragic loss of his top horse, Wild Lone, who publically collapsed and died following his cross country ride at the World Equestrian Games. Alongside Harry his groom, Jess Errington, was also catapulted into the media, and what happened next made you proud to be a groom.

The minutes, hours and days which followed must have been unthinkable and harrowing, and yet it was this time that Jess, and Harry, showed such strength and unity to capture the hearts of many.

Jess tells us her story about being a groom

“I have always loved horses since a young age. Not coming from a typical horsey family I went to Knighton House in Dorset, and Stonar in Wiltshire, where this love for horses developed even more over the years. I learnt a lot at Stonar. I never had my own ponies but was able to look after and ride the school ones and I had one in particular that I had total care of for the three years that I was there. I loved having the responsibility and loved riding and learning too. I joined Harry in 2008 after gaining a lot of experience with Tim Stockdale and Jeanette Brakewell during work placements that I had to do during my college years at Kingston Maurward in Dorset. It was whilst at Jeanette's that I realised that I loved eventing and was desperate to become a head groom for a top rider. I wanted to be the person behind the scenes washing off the horse after Badminton XC. I never thought I would ever be good enough for this though.

I arrived at Harry's and was planning on being there for a year with my horse and getting as much experience as possible. 2008 came to an end and I had never left but the horse had! Realistically I knew that I was never going to be a good enough rider to compete well so I thought I would try and do the next best thing and work for someone that was! I did a fair bit of riding in the early years but as I got more responsibility with the running of the yard I felt my time was better spent on the ground dealing with the yard and Harry's horses.

I was very lucky to be able to hack out Wild Lone (Alf) whilst Harry could not ride over the winter of 2013 [Harry broke and dislocated both of his elbows in a Rotational fall, whilst competing, in August 2013].  Harry never let anyone on him so this was a real honour as he wasn't easy but I knew him so well that he knew he couldn't dream of messing about with me on board!

Harry and I have a very good working relationship; we are good friends and have known each other for a long time so know exactly how each other want things done. I know his little ways and vice versa. I think it is so important to know your rider inside out otherwise I feel that I personally couldn’t do my job properly. He sometimes doesn't even have to say anything and I know what he wants. I would like to say I can nearly read his mind, but not quite! 

I have huge respect for him, the Meades are pretty much family to me and especially in these last 18 months or so I am extremely proud of him. After Harry's accident I was terrified but knew that I had to keep the yard running and the horses ticking over. It was a tough time and the not knowing whether he would be alright was just the worst, but I'm a pretty optimistic person and knew that I had to be positive and strong for him and the rest of the family. When he said he was going to Badminton I was of course thinking to myself you’re absolutely mad, but remained positive and loyal and kept pretty quiet actually about the whole thing! I knew that he would be on an incredible horse which he had faith in and he would be looked after well! 

The result of Badminton was just the highlight of my career so far [Harry and Alf finished third]. It was a very emotional week as Alf performed so well all week and tried so hard in all three phases. I had a gut Instinct at the beginning of the week when we arrived that he was going to do well. I didn't tell anyone apart from Yogi Breisner just before Alf entered into the show jumping arena. I just knew that he would jump well and I had always believed in them both. When we walked into prize giving, with Alf's eyes popping out of his head and a lunge line attached to him, I felt unbelievably proud of them both and realised that although we hadn't won it my dream had come true of looking after such an amazing horse.

I take huge pride in learning that I had helped Harry and Alf get to where they had got too. He was a very complicated horse to look after, very high maintenance and rather annoying to most people! You had to have a lot of patience and he had to gain your trust before you could go near him let alone tack him up. Having to stand on a crate each time to put a bridle on and twitch him to plait him was just very few of his complex ways. I have always loved sharp and complicated horses with huge personalities and he certainly had all of that. He was far from your average normal horse. 

We got the call up for WEG and I couldn't believe it. My horse, that I had looked after and known from a 6 year old and seen progress over the years, was going to be performing for his country. Wow! I was just so happy for Harry and I felt so proud to be able to be a part of that. 

Although what happened at WEG was extremely tragic I have no regrets and loved every second of it until that tragic afternoon. Alf was on amazing form and being really well behaved. As most people will know on the circuit he wasn't the quietest and liked to bang his door rather a lot keeping everyone awake through the night! I had to get up very early most mornings and feed before any other grooms did at three days to prevent him from getting wound up and banging the stable door down! But at WEG I think he knew he had to be on his best behaviour as he was somewhere special. 

At three days I tend to be quite focused and quiet. I do get nervous at the big ones but also very excited. At WEG I had all day to wait on XC day as we were last on to go in our team. I kept myself busy by helping with cooling off the other rider’s horses etc. I had faith in Harry and Alf and knew that they were both there for a reason and that they would do our team proud! 

I always started Alf XC and god am I glad that I did, seeing that was the last time I was going to talk to him quietly towards the start box trying to keep him calm and see him properly. I feel that In the future at big events even if the horse is good I would like to start my horse each time.  As I am writing this I have tears running down my face and it's still so hard but I sent him out of the start box doing what he loved. I was just so proud knowing that I looked after in my biased opinion the best XC horse in the world, and work with one of the best XC riders on top. 

As always Alf came back full of running making it look so incredibly easy and most importantly he looked so happy with his ears pricked, he looked like he could go round again. In that moment as he crossed the line I felt like a proud mother and it was probably one of the happiest moments of my life. Within about 15mins it was the worst moment of my life with what felt like my whole world had just fallen apart with my best friend who I loved so dearly on the floor within minutes, peaceful but not moving and looking so helpless. 

I layed by his side, telling him that I was extremely proud of him and how amazing he was. I just wanted to have him back. I said my goodbye and gave him a big hug. I didn't believe this was happening and never thought it would ever happen. He went doing something he loved and I'm so just glad he got to perform and show everyone how good he was on a world stage. He got his chance to represent his country and also most importantly helped the team to get that silver medal. 

I knew that the competition wasn't over and I was part of a team and had to support the rest of my team, grooms, horses and riders and of course Harry.  Yogi and all of Team GB, riders and grooms were all incredible and I can't thank them enough for their kindness and support. I feel like I have made some lifelong friends and feel incredibly lucky to have worked with them all. I hope that it can happen again in the future, as up until that day it was such a fun experience and atmosphere and my dream had come true by being there, let alone us winning a medaI. On show jumping day I wanted to help the other grooms with their horses.

I really wanted to go into the prize giving. I knew it would be very hard but I wanted to enjoy it even with tears streaming down my face. But had to do it for Alf (he would have been nice and excitable in there and there is no way I would have been standing still!). He would have loved it though and would have definitely been digging a few holes in the surface of the arena! Although I didn't have my horse it was an incredible experience with thousands of people, in a way it's always been a dream of mine to walk into a huge stadium like that and watch your rider collect a medal. Obviously I would have loved to be trying to keep hold of Alf and that would have been my dream complete. 

My ultimate goal is to go to the Olympics or another championship with Harry and walk into the medal ceremony, hopefully with Harry collecting a gold medal, and myself with another wonderful horse in my hand knowing that I have helped participate in his massive achievement and ultimate goal in life. 

But anyhow life goes on, it's been a tough winter and the beginning of this season has brought back lots of memories of Alf both very sad and happy. The lorry park has been a quieter place though without the persistent banging that went on with him! It's been a tough few months but I have to stay strong and positive for my team at home and for Harry. We have other wonderful horses who we hope will be superstars and of course are always looking for new horses. 

I love all our horses at home but I have become very fond of our new French horse Tenareze. I have not known him long but definitely have a soft spot for him. He has a lot of personality and again is a sensitive sole and doesn't like to be rushed. He is sharp and complex in a different way to Alf which I suppose is a good thing as I know there will never be a horse the same and he won't be replaceable.  We have to start a new chapter this season and look forwards to the future. 

I love the competitions from the young horses right through to the 4* horses and I'm pretty protective of my ponies and don't like it when I'm not there to look after them! I like the yard work too as I run the yard at home  so it's nice to have a few days at home to catch up after being away but after the winter months I'm very much ready to be trucking off to an event or training. Any more than a week at home is just too much! 

I love my job, my horses my boss/ friend. It's always been a passion of mine. I can't believe I'm actually living my dream. I will know the day when I don't want to do it anymore and I'm hoping it won't be anytime soon! I would love for Harry to compete in the Olympics and other championships and for him to get a gold medal one day would just be incredible. I believe that he has the talent and determination to get there and we have some wonderful owners and horses to support us all the way!”

A big thanks to Jess for sharing her heartfelt story with us.

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