When our Executive Director Lucy, and US Coordinator Courtney, visted Wellington Equestrian Festival last month they were lucky to be able to attend the grooms' party and see the very first Karen Golding Memorial Awards being given.
We caught up with FEI Steward Jean Bonsall who, alongside Tracey Edge, made it all happen.
How long have you worked in horse sport?
I've been in the horse industry in one way or another since I was quite young. I rode and showed as a junior, groomed when college didn't work out financially and later went on to work as a trainer/rider. Multiple injuries to my back eventually lead me to leaving horses for a time.
I eventually found my way back, first as a horse show secretary but that lead to stewarding, both national and FEI and Jumper Judging. I also occasionally work as a scoreboard operator.
How do you see the relationship between the stewards and the grooms?
I think for the most part there is a very mutual respect between most grooms and stewards. Of course, there are times when issues arise due to non-compliance with rules but honestly, it doesn't happen much at all in my experience. I find most grooms will come to us with questions or issues before mistakes are made.
We spend a lot of time together in FEI so the respect for one another is very important.
We see much more of the grooms than we do the riders and trainers and so many grooms are responsible for so many decisions made for their horses.
I am impressed with the responsibility many of them have.
Do you think attitudes towards grooms have changed in the last few years?
Yes, I do think so. Maybe not quite fast enough and definitely a bit late but yes, there is a lot more respect and acknowledgement for them.
But I think we have more work to do.
What inspired you to begin the Karen Golding Memorial Award?
Karen was a friend and mentor to many of us. Not just as a steward but going back to the early days when she was still actively working in the barn. After she passed, Tracey Edge and I started talking about doing something almost immediately.
Karen and I had spoken about the idea of a special grooms award over the last few years of her life. Tracey and I just built on that.
We both felt it was important to do something to honor Karen but to also give recognition to the FEI grooms Karen cared about so much.
We wanted to do something that awarded people not just for the obvious things such as turnout and general care but also an all-around grasp of horsemanship.
Grooms that demonstrate professionalism and also a willingness to help others with their own careers, much like Karen did herself. We were looking for grooms who exemplified just how important professional grooms are to our industry.
I'm very happy with the group of grooms we ended up with. It was a great mix of personalities, backgrounds and experiences. I can't wait for next year! We hope to make it bigger and better each year.
What are your hopes for the future of horse sport, and grooms?
I hope the recognition and rewards for grooms continues to grow. I hope we inspire others to do similar things at other venues. But even if that doesn't happen, I truly hope riders and trainers will take care of the grooms in their employ.
Obviously financially but also things like time away to spend with family and friends, benefit packages with health care in particular and just a general respect for what they do for them.
Grooms take care of the horses like they were their own. Usually even better than they care for themselves.
Our industry has been under a lot of scrutiny lately and I think it only benefits all of us to see that our horses are taken care of to the highest standard of care possible. That doesn't happen without truly educated and professional grooms.
Thank you to Jean for taking the time to answer our questions - and to Jean, Tracey, and all those who helped them bring about this great party and awards.
Photos thanks to Chronicle of the Horse.
