Who's your groom?

N

not_with_it

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Going to start up competing again after my 2 month Chrimbo break.
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but think I might be struggling for a groom. My mum usually comes with me but with her being non-horsey she gets bored easily and is not too keen on coming.

I would ask my friend but she is so unreliable and would change her mind at the last minute leaving me in the lurch, and I am the only livery on my yard so cant rope someone else into helping me out. I really dont fancy going on my own.
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Who do you drag along?
 
I am my own groom! I am not qualified to tow, so a parent does that, and holds the horse whilst i walk a course. but everything else is done solely by me. its the way i like it, that way i know that all is done how i like it!
 
Me!
Once I get my new box (yippee!!!) I'm going to train mum to put practice fences up for me and I might be able to collar a friend to come and give me a hand occasionally.
 
sounds exciting.

I do everything but I need someone to hold my horse whilst I fiddle about tacking her up as I darent risk tying her to the box. I also like to have someone there to take off boots etc before I go in.
 
Quite often end up on my own, dont mind if it is dressage but if jumping it can be more difficult especially with the practice fence. OH happier to come along now we have a lorry, means he can sit in comfort watching tv and drinking coffee, he is not so keen to go sj though, hates the waiting around. A fellow livery and friend often helps out if I go eventing mid-week. I know it is frowned upon by BE but have been known to go eventing on my own, necessity not choice.
 
My parents normally! I cant drive, but i got 1 year until i can start lessons-yay!

And i basically have them there to help me tack and pay and that, while i get my self ready, ride and clean up!
 
My mummy is my no. 1 groom haha, my daddy is my box driver/stud man.
And i now have another girl called Danny, who helps me sometimes in the week! pretty poor when you think i only have 2 horses at home haha
 
Either me or CCJ's Dad go and groom, in the horsebox I take plenty of food and drink, a decent book, the paper and even a portable colour tv.. I don't mind being busy when she is competing but often there is a several hour wait for the results and that's when I enjoy relaxing. In winter we have a portable calor gas heater in there as it cn be so cold being metal sided.
There is always enough instant food like soup/past a for me to prepare a meal before we drive home if it's very late.
We work pretty well together, though it amazes me how many times I walk to and from the entry sec, the XC course and dressage arenas, always carrying a rug or the camera. This year she will becompeting the stallion so I will most likely hang around the box more ,I take a temporary electric fence just incase he ever escapes, but will either have to stay there or load him again if I walk off.
All I know is by the time I have driven for two hours and back again to a comp, walked miles fetching and carrying, I am knackered at the end of the day..
(and a bit peeved as in the days when I competed, no b*****r ever groomed for me!)
 
My Mum. My Dad doesn't want anything to do with horses, so my Mum comes along to drive me and to get a break from my Dad lol!
She is pretty good, although she hasn't ridden in ages or done any stable duties so she is a bit rusty! I'll have to get her in practise again!
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If I'm only taking one pony usually go on my own. Mum and Gran come down to watch most shows and although Mum isn't horsey is a great help holding ponies, passing things, or staying by the lorry if I have to get numbers etc.

If I take 2 ponies then Mum or occasionally a friend comes with me as it's more difficult to juggle the two.

OH will occasionally come to shows. He's very good at keeping Fiadh amused. My favourite memory from shows last year was OH sleeping on deck chair next to the lorry, with Fiadh grazing round about him on a long rope, and her being so careful not to go too far that she pulled the rope and woke him up. Was funny as she's usually a bit of a monkey at shows.
 
My dad comes along but only cos he has to drive the lorry!! He refuses to take me to dressage cos he finds it really boring but I do a bit too, so not a problem. He doesn't mind taken me SJ especially now as I always go to centres where there is a nice warm cafeteria!!
 
My mum is my groom, she drives me to events and is there to help from the minute we leave home to the minute we get back, i couldn't manage without her!!!
 
Either my mum or dad drives depending who is free. My dad is in charge of studs and he's happy to walk them round but apart from that I tend to do everything myself. My mum used to tack up etc but now she complains that I'm too fussy! I have to admit that I'm never happy with someone else's grooming or tacking up
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My mum....... couldnt do it without her ... she drives me (as have 7.5tonn lorry so i cant drive .... ) grooms ........ she really is the best!
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Often I have a friend to drag along to help/take photos (mum isnt so great at that!) etc... too but not all the time.
 
My friend Sarah is the best groom and has been coming along for a couple of years. Only problem is that she's just bought herself a horse and is now expecting me to do the same, damn nuisance!!!!
I do force my children into being slaves as well sometimes, though have to feed them so much coca cola and chips it would be cheaper to hire a professional.
 
Where abouts in yorkshire are you Nat? When I am competing I have the lovlies of my friends and my mum, who are all ace, but whenever Bekka goes BE I always go with her, groom/cameraman. So if you're not too far I can always come help
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Mother is driver and supports me when it all gets stressy or something goes wrong and i have a friend who grooms for me, although i do do alot myself, but groom pliats like a pro unlike me!
 
Its a shame you are not a little bit nearer- i am usually the weirdo hanging around indoor showjumping just watching! i dont have a horse anymore but still like to keep my hand in!
I used to groom for my friend as shows and loved it- i am sure you can find someone like my to help you in your area1 maybe buy them a cheese burger to say thanks!
 
I always have to groom myself, apart from when I can get my cousin to plait up for me the night before, but that's only when she has shows at her yard but I do the rest myself.

Tis why I never win in turnout classes!
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