Grooming at competitions

[Colorado Sunset]

I went up to ride at the stables today where I work, and got asked by the manager whether i wanted to groom for 3 horses at a showjumping comp shes going to nxt weekend. I was chuffed!! Out of all the people at the yard (its pretty big) they chose me!! wohoo!

So, anyways, theres 2 riders, 3 horses and me! This is the first time im gonna groom for someone at a comp, so any advice would be welcome, like-

What do i wear?
What am i expected to do?
Any tips on keeping control of the whole situation?

etc

Theyve shuved me in at the deep end, they usually only take 2 horses and they said it was ver likely to be, quote "hectic!!"

AHHH!!


Any help greatly appreciated :)


Jo

[Merlinz gal]

congrats you must be a very good horse person.as for what to wear i would wear something comfy(if your not riding)i.e trousers and a jumper, you dont have to be v smart just smart ish.
what you would need to do is (if your lucky enough to have a wash box wash the horses) give the horses a really good groom plait them up and possibly tack them up and get ready to travel.a
as for keeping controll ( 3 horses are a lot to sort out!) id get up early and find out what order the horses are runnung in so you can get them done in order (if that makes sence).getr everything ready the day before you leave in the box or in the tackroom.

grooms can make all the difference.one more word of advice if youre running late dont panick!
im sure you will do a super job.let us know how u get on:D
hope this helps;)

[aliw]

I don't have a clue, but I think Es may be able to help. :D

[Colorado Sunset]

Thanks for the advice, I dont know what Im feeling at the mo, a mixture between great excitement and a slight sence of nervousness!! I cant wait but really dont want anything to go wrong.

The horses they are taking, 2 of them i love to bits! Which is great, but one of them i dont know very well. I tend to be kinda forgetful and not very aware of the goings on!! (i guess i could sum that up but saying im scatty!)

Do you think wearing jodpurs would be ok, just a plain colour? (I usually wear just a turquoise/bluey pair, is this ok, or cream ones, or jeans??

The thing is, Im not gonna be there the day before! I only work saturdays, so will have to get everything done that day, although im sure one of the girls riding (she works there full time, the other rider is the manager) will help loads, but if i have a problem and shes riding or something, i only have myself to rely on!! Ahh, a daunting prospect for me!

Jo

[casey]

Be prepared for hard work.... Depends on the level of comp as to what is expected. You need to turn out to a high standard, enter classes, put numbers down for entering. Alot of running around, and 3 horses is alot for one person.
I normally take a groom with me to larger comps, and local ones I usually travel by myself.
I'd expect to pay a groom approx 25 pound a day.:)

[Merlinz gal]

wear wotever youre comfortable in as casey sed its hard work but well worth it in the end

[Colorado Sunset]

casey- the competition isnt huge, its affiliated BSJA, jumping is up to 1.15 but I think there will be quite a few people there. I (assuming here!) am getting paid what I normally get paid for a days work at the stables, which is around that amount, and Id prefer to groom at a competition than just for the livery owners at the yard :)

Jo

[shaka]

Grooms really are the backbones for competitiors! I don't know what I'd do without ours at shows.

Clothing wise comfort is the most important factor, you will be on your feet a lot of the day so comfortable shoes like taki's are ideal. Obviously, no open toed shoes around horses! T-Shirt with jersey and jacket are also ideal in case it rains and when you warm up as the day goes on you can peel off the layers. I highly recommend something with pockets to hold a phone, spare hairnets or plaiting bands or a hoofpick or anything else you may need. Whether you wear jodhpurs or not is up to you, but when I groom I prefer not to as I don't find them as comfortable as tracksuit bottoms or jeans, which I'm happy to ride in if the horse needs working in while the rider is walking the course or what have you, though you don't often ride when grooming.

You may be asked to hold horses whilst the riders walk the course, help with bandaging, loading, unloading, grooming, tacking up, plaiting, getting numbers, declaring with the steward, putting the number down, adjusting warm up fences, fetching this that and the next thing etc. Grooms work very hard! As Casey says, you need to turn out to a high standard, you need to have the horse and it's equipment looking at their best.

[notpoodle]

i havent got a clue what grooms are *actually* supposed to do, but at the few shows i have seen, all they seemed to be doing was rushing around with little picknick-baskets full of mane&tail and things :D

julia
x

[Colorado Sunset]

Thanks everyone for the great responses, Ive been reading them over and over again!! The one thing that worries me slightly is the fact that I keep reading

Grooms really are the backbones for competitiors!

I dont really like having pressure on me!! :) I guess its true but it isnt half making me feel nervous!! :)

Thanks again, Ill probably post you again after the event and tell you all about the disasters that happen!! (oh no, now im gonna jimx it!) but sadly i dont think there are gonna be any photos :(


Jo

[MeMe]

Congrats, it will be fine, have groomed all over for SJ'ers and dressage, just enjoy it, but it is hard work;)

[colouredcrazy]

What do i wear?

As many have said, layers! My groom tends towards a body warmer with light mac thing with loads of pockets, and tracksuit bottoms. Paddock boots or trainers feet wise. Wear comffortable clothing as you will be on your feet a lot of the time.

What am i expected to do?

You shouldn't be exoected to plait, as showjumpers rarely are, but if you do have to, plait the night before, and wash any grey horses or markings. Arrive early in the morning - sew any plaits in that have fallen out, wash stable stains and groom thoroughly. Preferably do this before feeding - while the horses eat you can load the horsebox. It should then be time to make haynets for the journey, make up feeds if they will need them at the show, and check that the box is suitably bedded down.
Prepare the horses for travelling. Spare rugs and bandages should be stored away in the box. Check that you have everything - tack, grooming kit, rugs, hay, water, feed, money, mobile phone etc. MAke sure that the riders have everyhting that they will nead, then load the horses.

On arrival at the competition, check the horses and offer them water. Find out at what time the first horse will be needed, and groom/tack up that one first. Tack up in order. The riders should be able to sort themselves out and collect numbers etc. As it is a BSJA show they may have to declare their intention to compete.

Lunge or walk fresh/excited horses, and remember that they may behave differently at a show! Once the rider is up, you may have to help adjust girths/boots/practise jumps etc! Remember studs. Take a bottle of water and any spare tack to the collecting ring. Fly repellent is also useful.

After the event, walk the horses until they are cool. If they have suffered any injury, it is your aim to keep them calm and get them home asap. You need to prepare the horses for travel, load the horsebox, load the horses, and have afinal check of the area. make sure that you have everything!

You will probably be expected to help bed down the horses when you return home. MAke sure they are settled, and inform the rider/owner if there are any problems - then you will probably want to return hom for a nice meal and bed!

Any tips on keeping control of the whole situation?

Keep relaxed - if you are stressed, the horses will be 2.
Prepare as much as you can before the day.
and DONT worry - if the horse refuses the first fence twice, it's not your fault, so unless you forget a horse or something, the rider should not blame you!

Sorry for that being so long, I ramble on a bit sometimes!

Ellie

[Colorado Sunset]

Ellie, the length is great, honestly, I feel a lot happier having great, detailed steps that I can follow!

Everyone has been great at giving me really detailed info and im feeling even more excited now :) Thanks,


Jo

[colouredcrazy]

horse care is one of my favourite subjects... bit of a problem that im usually the one ON the horse, although our groom brings her own pony to all the events, so really she has to work twice as hard, keeping an eye on Dee-Jay AND where foxys carted me off to (he has a likeing for stewards, and will always take me to see anyone in a flourescent jacket!)

[Hollymead]

Oooh, congrats Jo! That's excellent! You *must* let me know how it goes. Which horses are going? I'm guessing Jamie, but who else?

[Jessey]

My best tips:
Make a list of things to check / do (tack, water, hay, which horse is jumping and when etc), when it gets busy its easy to forget (I'm really good at that), stuff it in a pocket and no one even needs know about it.
Take drinks and munchies - I often get there don't eat or drink enough cause I havent had time to go to the buger van, I end up with headaches and not really 'with it' - last thing you need.
Enjoy it - theres no point in doing it if you don enjoy it, relax have fun, your YO obviously thinks your up to the job otherwise she wouldn't have asked you!
Good luck, hope you learn loads and have a fab time.

J

Edit: PS if your riders get ratty with you its most likely not your fault there probably just really nervous or something - I often get grumpy with my groom (well, my OH) and its only cause I get butterflys!

[DavidH]

The best thing you can do is talk to the riders about what THEY want you to do. Riders have very differing requirements of grooms.

Alternatively you could do what my wife does if she grooms for me at events.........

Spends the entire time at the trade stands :(

[MeMe]

Super idea David! Trade stands!:D

[Colorado Sunset]

Thanks guys, I am really excited and will hopefully enjoy it :) The riders are really nice and sympathetic and I am sure will help me if anything goes wrong, I will definately take a list to peer at in the very unlikely event of me not havin anythin to do!! :)

Thanks again

Jo

Edited to add: And Id love to just wonder around the trade stands all day!! :)