UK's top grooms battle for equestrian award

3:20pm Wednesday 15th October 2008

The best grooms in the UK equestrian industry will battle it out once again for a luxury holiday as the prestigious Kuster BEF Groom Award returns for a sixth year.

“It was fantastic to be involved with the Kuster BEF Groom Awards,” commented last year’s judge Richard Pitman. “I hope that other employers in the equestrian world are encouraged to nominate their grooms in the future.

“The nomination in itself means so much.”

This British Equestrian Federation award, again sponsored by Frank Kuster, has gone from strength to strength over the last five years, attracting a wide range of grooms from all spheres of the equestrian industry including top-flight competition, riding schools and welfare yards.

The first prize is £1,000 of holiday vouchers, plus the Smash Hit bronze trophy, which the winner will get to keep for a year. The runners-up will not go away empty handed either, with a second prize of £300 and third prize of £200.

In addition to their prize, the winner and their guest will enjoy an evening of hospitality at the London International Horse Show in December where the award will be presented in the main arena.

Winner of that prize last year was Jenny Ellis, who was nominated by international riders John Whitaker, Simon Laurens and Richard Davison. Hearing of her win, Ellis was lost for words: “I couldn’t believe it when I had the phone call. In fact I had to ask them if I could call back, just so I could let the news sink in!”

The newcomer award, introduced last year to recognise the growing number of nominations for grooms who are new to the industry but already show exceptional dedication, also returns.

This category is open to any groom who has worked in the industry for a maximum of three years and has already shown the potential.

The prize will be a unique print by renowned equestrian artist Tim Nathan and they will also be invited, along with a guest, to enjoy an evening of hospitality at Olympia.

Ten finalists will be selected to attend the final judging day. The judges this year will be double-Olympic medallist Tina Cook and the chairman of the British Horse Society, Patrick Print. The finalists will also be invited to bring a guest along to the day, which will include a champagne lunch.

Grooms can nominate themselves if they wish or they can be nominated by an employer or friend. Nomination forms are available to download from bef.co.uk.

The form asks for details of why you believe the nominee deserves the award and for an example of a situation where the groom has shown that they deserve to win this prestigious title.

The competition is open to all grooms whether from a riding school or Olympic yard and entries from those who have been nominated in previous years are very much encouraged.

The winners from the previous two years of competition had both been nominated on more than once occasion.