World Class Grooms Days
The World Class Programme is funded through UK Sport by the Lottery and Exchequer, and delivers support and training across a wide spectrum.The Programme recognises that grooms play a vital role in winning medals and so, following on from the inaugural training prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Programme have organised two days of “Grooms’ Training”.
Attendance has been excellent with nearly 100 grooms attending, all who were attached to horses on the World Class Programmes.
World Class Performance Director, Will Connell said, “The grooms are key to our mission of winning more medals on the International stage. It is only logical that we seek to help the grooms linked to the UK Sport funded World Class Programme develop and aspire to excellence as we do the riders and the horses.”
The programme included:
• Details about the preparations for WEG 2010 and London 2012
• Equine Anti Doping and Medication Control workshop
• Practical information about HGV Licenses, Transporting Horses including best practice during transport by road, sea and air.
• An interactive session about ‘Fulfilling Your Potential, Opportunities for Learning, Looking after Me and Life after Grooming’.
BGA Member, Chris Rees Lucas said, "I went to the day in Lambourn and had a really good day. I learnt so much and it was a good opportunity to meet other grooms from different disciplines. As I work in showjumping was good to get to know new people!"
Another BGA Member, Kath James reported, " I found the day extremely useful. It began with an insight on the WEG and 2012 in terms of the site and facilities. Yogi then delivered a humorous speech on the importance of team work within your own yard (rider/groom/owners) and also with other riders/grooms that form part of the British Team.
Jenny Ellis & Jackie Potts shared funny stories and experiences as life as a groom and provided some excellent tips on travelling horses to international shows abroad and finally Rachel Murray, a vet from the AHT provided some useful information on FEI drugs & testing methods."
21 year old BGA member Tyler Cassells also attended and said, "I now feel a more confident and competent part of team GBR and can only hope I am involved or part of the major championships of the future, and help our horses and riders to win medals!”
The BGA is investigating the possibility of running a similar day open to all BGA Members... watch this space!
ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT
The FEI have also had taken an overview of their advice regarding Doping and the inappropriate use of normal medications and have launched a new website : www.feicleansport.org
Here grooms can discover the latest list of Prohibited Substances and the rules surrounding creating a Clean Equestrian Sport.