Event groom Bettina Cardi is the 2024 winner of the FEI Cavalor Best Groom Award. She works for Kai and Lara de Liedekerke-Meier at Arville in Belgium.
We spoke to Bettina about finding her happy place and how employers can help ensure their staff are contented and healthy.
Bettina is not from a horsey family, and so working with horses was not the natural career path.
As she was a keen rider, in the final year of university she started a diploma to qualify to teach or run a yard in France.
This led to an apprenticeship with Xavier and Lindsay Traisnel during which she decided to pursue a career with horses.
She moved to the UK to work for Swedish eventer Ludwig Svennerstal, who spotted her talent in the show groom role and suggested she focus on this career path.
At Ludwig’s Bettina learnt to be ‘really really efficient. It was a good education but it wouldn’t be possible for a lifetime.’
Next steps
During Covid Bettina returned to France and began working freelance. Freelancing was ‘better than I expected. There is lots of work for a groom with enough experience, a truck licence and good references.’
A benefit of freelancing for clients ranging from youth riders to 5* was that it taught her ‘to be more open minded and to enjoy the moment.’
During Bettina’s time freelancing she did a couple of shows with Lara, and found that they got along well.
She says ‘I really like the way Lara is with her horses. It is rare to find a rider who loves the sport and is really competitive but who also genuinely cares about her horses as much as Lara does.
This also gives the grooms room to really love them too. I have never had such a close bond with a horse before as I have with Hooney (Lara’s top 5* horse).’
From these shows Lara asked Bettina to work full time at Arville. ‘I wasn’t sure because freelancing is fun, and you can pick and choose to do the best shows. But I decided it was nicer to be at a more average show with a rider and horses I really love.’
It has been the right decision, Bettina says, and not only because Arville is a ‘stunning’ place with good employment conditions.
More than that, Kai and Lara have their system but are open to change. Bettina says ‘this is what’s so special about Arville; they are open minded, and a good idea is a good idea no matter where it comes from.
And if you take them an idea and they don’t like it they will be nice about it so you’re not afraid to make suggestions again.’
Just as the horses are not all treated the same, neither are staff; Lara really pays attention to how her staff are, and what they need.
Originally Bettina worked a 6 day week but she says ‘we got much busier and I want to last. I had a chat with Kai and now I work 5 days.’
As Head Girl Bettina says ‘it is super nice for me to lead a team that is so keen to work. Lara is so hard working, we want to do the same.’
On a personal level she says ‘it is special the way Kai and Lara put trust in me; more than I trust myself. This can feel stressful but actually it helps me improve and realise I am able to do things I didn’t think I could.’
From her experiences, what can employers do to encourage grooms to stay long term?
This is something Bettina spoke a lot about when she won the FEI Cavalor Best Groom Award – recognition.
She says ‘I work as hard at Arville as at any yard I have been on but the recognition and respect is different. I work with Lara, not for her.’
It’s also important for employers to make the work as straightforward as possible; as an example having tools and equipment that are nice and not too old, at home and away.
Living conditions too; ‘we don’t expect 5* hotels, but it is important accommodation is comfortable and suitable. Kai makes sure at shows I get a proper hot meal for dinner and something for breakfast as it’s not always provided especially in eventing… and I’m probably the pickiest groom regarding food!’
This really matters as a bit of comfort will always make the hours of physical and outside work way easier.
It is also important to have enough staff; when the job is doable grooms are less tired physically – and mentally.
‘The problems start when you know how much work there is to do the next day and then you start to freak out.’
Of course a well-staffed yard can suddenly be short-handed if someone gets injured, it is key that this situation shouldn’t be allowed to become long term. Most people can cope if they are short staffed for a week, but not for three months.
Bettina says ‘it happens too often that employers think their grooms can cope and say ‘oh but it’s expensive to get more staff.’ That is not your grooms’ problem.’
Beyond this, good communication isn’t always easy, but it is vital – when people know what is planned, and what expectations are, everything is smoother.
One problem Bettina sees is employers not being transparent in their job description. ‘Too often the advert says ‘2 days off together each week, never finish after 5, generous salary’ and this is simply not true.’
When expectations are wrong from the outset it can quickly lead to issues between groom and employer.
And from the other side, what does Bettina think it is important for younger grooms to know?
No amount of passion will last though if work isn’t rewarded.
‘Notice early if what you signed up for is what is happening. If your days off are being skipped or the place is too stressful then make the choice to move on.’
For any groom it is important to understand the difference between having a bad day or week, or not being ok. There are enough nice jobs out there now not to stay in a bad place.’
It is important to speak to other people about their experiences, but also remember how you feel in a place may not be the same as others.
For example, Bettina remembers working on a jumping yard with ‘amazing work conditions, a nice apartment and good friends’ - but for her it wasn’t the right place.
If you want to try something she says ‘go for it – nothing is forever, and there is always a way out.’
Finally, when you’re early on in your career don’t expect or take on too much. Bettina feels that ‘young grooms being given too many responsibilities is leading to burnout.’ Yes, it might be your dream to groom at Badminton, but in the early years of your career you might not be ready for that.
Be patient, know your limits and work hard for people you respect – who respect you – and in time you will be ready for Championships and 5* level.
