Best grooms to compete for holiday
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 a fantastic insight 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, once again kindly 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 fantastic 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 at Olympia in December where the award will be presented in the main arena during the performance.
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 and commitment, also returns. This category is open to any groom who has worked in the equestrian industry for a maximum of three years but has already shown the potential to be a super groom. 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 and be presented with their award.
Ten finalists will be selected to attend the final judging day where they will each be interviewed by our top judges. 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.
The competition is open to all grooms whether from a local 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 one occasion.
Click here for details of how to enter. Entries close 24th November 2008.
