Following the signing of the Grooms’ Charter at the FEI Sports Forum in April, the IGA has developed an Action Plan to ensure the principles of the Charter are upheld.
This Action Plan has been approved by all signatories of the Grooms Charter.
The signing of the FEI Grooms Charter at the FEI Sports Forum in April 2024 marked a public commitment from FEI stakeholders to uphold the professionalism and status of grooms in FEI sport.
The Charter outlines the rights and responsibilities of grooms, aiming to empower them with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to provide world-class care for horses, while ensuring their professional status is acknowledged.
The IGA Action Plan is aligned with the Charter, mapping out future initiatives to further improve working conditions and uphold the Charter’s principles.
This plan has been approved by all the signatories of the Charter and ensures that the welfare of grooms is prioritised.
The IGA’s Executive Director Lucy Katan said “The IGA is proud to be the recognized professional association for grooms. Though there are other people out there doing good work for grooms, it is only the IGA that has the remit and the recognition to make real change happen.
The signing of the Grooms Charter represented a significant achievement for the IGA and grooms worldwide.
This landmark moment encoded the rights and responsibilities of grooms in FEI sport but also highlighted the dedication of all FEI stakeholders to fostering positive employment practices and celebrating grooms as essential contributors to the sport.
We felt it was essential to lay out a blueprint for the FEI community to ensure that the principles of the Charter are realized.
The last few years have seen important steps taken to improve recognition and conditions for grooms working in FEI sport; the Grooms Charter and accompanying Action Plan now give all FEI stakeholders a clear sequence of next steps to be taken.
Grooms are indispensable players in international horse sport, and it is vital that we work together to ensure that the role is an enriching and viable career path.”
