Becky Parker

Tips for Grooms Working with Horses at Christmas

Becky Parker 17th December 2019 Articles, Jobseekers

For the vast majority of ‘normal’ people, Christmas means a nice relaxing few days off, spending time with family and lounging around over a long boozy lunch. For the vast majority of employers and grooms working with horses at Christmas, it just means business as usual. In hunting and racing yards Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year, as boxing day meets are one of the most popular days out for owners. Though it may be hard to fully convince yourself that shovelling poo is the first most ideal thing you would like to do on Christmas Day, there are plenty of ways to keep the festive spirit alive and still enjoy Christmas. Here are our top suggestions for how to survive the holiday season.

15 Christmas Gift Ideas for Horse Lovers

Becky Parker 16th December 2019 Articles, Employers, Jobseekers

Christmas gift ideas for horse lovers - The Grooms List

The run-up to Christmas should be a time of excitement and anticipation. Bonus boxes of chocolates in the tack room and singing along to cheesy Christmas carols on the yard. The problems arise when you find yourself stuck for Christmas gift ideas. How to find something that is the right mix of thoughtful, useful, appealing to that person and within budget. Well never fear, we are here to help. We have pulled together a list of our 15 favourite gift ideas specifically for people working in the equine industry, suitable for your employer, employee or college (or even yourself!).

The Ultimate Guide to County Shows

Becky Parker 18th May 2019 Articles

County shows are an integral part of rural life and a real opportunity for the wider agricultural community to come together and showcase their talents, produce and passion for what they do. For the equine world, county shows provide something for all levels and a huge variety of disciplines. For the amateur rider, just qualifying for a county show is a big deal and something they will work towards and see as a highlight of the season. For professional/competitive riders county shows are the all-important qualifiers for their bigger classes at HOYS/RI (Horse Of The Year Show/Royal International) and an equally vital part of the season. Whether a competitor, groom or spectator, there really is something for everyone at these charming local events, as Becky Parker explains…

The Ultimate Guide to Badminton Horse Trials

Becky Parker 1st May 2019 Articles

Springtime each year sees Badminton Horse Trials open its gates to hordes of eager horse lovers, shoppers, foodies, canine companions, screaming children and long-suffering family members! We bring you the ultimate guide to what to expect and what to look forward to at this wonderful annual equestrian event.

A Groom’s guide to maintaining a good relationship with the yard Farrier

Becky Parker 26th April 2019 Articles

How to maintain a good relationship with the yard Farrier

Teamwork makes the dream work with horses for sure, but one key member of that team you definitely need ‘onside’ is the farrier! A chatty farrier that is both good at their job and pleased to see you, rather than gritting their teeth and glaring at you with a resigned look of ‘let’s get this over with’, is also an awful lot more pleasant to have around. The question is… how to achieve this?

How to balance owning AND working with horses!

Becky Parker 29th March 2019 Articles, Jobseekers

The fine art of owning AND working with horses

Incredibly, there are a remarkable number of admirable people who find working with horses all day, every day, isn’t quite enough. It is a truly a measure of a person’s dedication to an animal that, on top of what is widely considered a very demanding job, so many Grooms still choose to have their own horse(s) too. What does it take to successfully balance owning AND working with horses? How do Grooms do it?

What’s it like to work on a Pre-Training Yard?

Becky Parker 23rd February 2019 Articles, Jobseekers

Every horse has the potential to become a success and just like athletes, it all comes down to training. One of the many great things about working with horses is the huge variety of jobs available to us. This week we look at the world of Pre-Training and what exactly a job on a yard like this involves.

Yard Dog Etiquette – Taking a dog to work

Becky Parker 14th November 2018 Articles, Jobseekers

It is a fair assumption to say the majority of those who choose to dedicate their career to caring for horses will have also succumbed to the charm of four legged canine companions too. When it comes down to taking a dog to work with you, many employers are very open to this idea providing the dog is well trained and fit in with the resident yard dog/s. Sounds a simple request but, just like a proud mother, we can all be more than a little blind to our own child’s faults. This week we ask the question – Is your faithful friend a joyful addition or an accident waiting to happen?

Could you be a Work Rider?

Becky Parker 19th October 2018 Articles, Jobseekers

What are Work Riders and Work Rider Jobs

Many young equestrian enthusiasts dream of a job riding horses – no mucking out, just days in the saddle of various horses, then being paid for it! In this article, we turn our attention to the role of a Work Rider. Becky Parker gives us the lowdown of life as a Work Rider, the pay, how to train and become one and details what it REALLY takes to make a successful career as a Work Rider.

Location! Location! Job Location!

Becky Parker 30th September 2018 Jobseekers

Choosing a location to look for a new job

Truly, the matter of job location can be a difficult subject to broach as a recruitment consultant. A huge part of me screams to write an extremely persuasive article urging you to broaden your horizons and keep an open mind to jobs anywhere in the UK, or even abroad. The opportunities this opens up to you are tenfold to those restricted by job location. So, how important is it that your next job is in the ‘right’ location? Is it worth being flexible for that DREAM job? We take a look at when you should be flexible and when you should hold out for your ideal.

Are you winter ready?

Becky Parker 21st September 2018 Articles

Getting winter ready in the equine industry

Apologies in advance to all of you who still have your mind set to happy, sunny, long summer days but the time has now come to start turning our thoughts to the fast approaching winter season. Temperatures are dropping, days are getting shorter, the show season is drawing to a close and the Hunters are out for their early morning jaunts revving up to full steam ahead for the opening meet. Much as we all jest about the delights of the British weather in winter, there is plenty to enjoy too; think frosty early morning hacks, days out at the races, having some downtime if you’re in Eventing/Showing, hunt balls, escaping to the sun for the Showjumpers and dare I say it…Christmas! As with all things in life the key to avoiding stress is good organisation. So here we are again with another dispenser load of wise words, silly opinions and ridiculous pictures that may or may not help you prepare physically, mentally and emotionally for the slightly more challenging season ahead.

What are Eventing Grooms and Eventing Groom Jobs?

Becky Parker 10th August 2018 Articles, Jobseekers

If you love cross-country and a fast-paced life maybe a career in eventing is for you? What do you know the role of Eventing Grooms and Eventing Groom jobs? Do you have the relevant skills and experience? Do you want to gain them? Becky Parker takes us through the typical duties of a professional Eventing Groom…

So, you want to become a professional rider?

Becky Parker 27th July 2018 Articles, Jobseekers, News and Updates

Become a Professional Rider - The Grooms List

To become a professional rider, charging around Badminton, sailing over the impossibly high Puissance wall at Olympia or dancing majestically across the Dressage arena in ‘s-Hertogenbosch is the sole dream of any pony mad child. But is this dream job REALLY what you imagine it to be? Have you got what it takes?

Have you got what it takes to become a Horse Riding Instructor?

Becky Parker 20th July 2018 Articles, Jobseekers

What is it that makes a GREAT Riding Instructor? Here we take a look through a mixture of research, questioning and personal experience at the most important qualities a horse riding instructor must possess.

Are you ready to be a Sole Charge Groom?

Becky Parker 22nd June 2018 Articles, Jobseekers

Sole charge groom positions can be sole charge for just some of the time when other team members are away, or the job can be fully sole charge 100% of the time, but both scenarios require specific skills and qualities to perform to expectation and the satisfaction of all involved. This can be a hugely rewarding, career-enhancing experience, but it can also challenging. It’s important when applying for such a position that you are suitably equipped in all respects to fulfil the obligations that go with the territory…

Maintaining health and fitness when working with horses

Becky Parker 27th April 2018 Articles, Employers, Jobseekers

It’s an occupational hazzard that when you work with horses, sooner or later you will succumb to ailments and injuries of some sort which may have short, medium or even long term consequences and are specific to our industry. Working with horses + age = creaking gate syndrome, hard to avoid…or is it?

What is a Job Trial and why should I attend one?

Becky Parker 13th April 2018 Articles, Jobseekers

So you think you have found the job you have been looking for? That’s great, but WHOA just hold your horses a second… In my experience, interviewing alone can be a very inexact science. Before you shake hands on the deal, I strongly recommend all job seekers and all employers road test each other first with a job trial, at a pre-agreed paid rate of course. This might be the one thing that for you, secures your decision or it may be that you will look back and consider how you really dodged a bullet. Of course sometimes, for some people, a job trial is not always practical, but if it is, move heaven and earth, do yourself a favour and have one. There is nothing like a road test for really seeing first hand if something might be a fit; and you know we are all about job satisfaction and job longevity here at The Grooms List by Caroline Carter Reruitment! Becky has shared some of her thoughts about job trials and of course, I can’t resist chipping in here and there…

Feeding YOURSELF for performance – healthy eating for equine grooms!

Becky Parker 6th April 2018 Articles, Jobseekers

Take a stroll around any yard at feed time and you will see grooms carefully measuring and allocating feeds for each individual horse. Usually, there will be a complex ever-changing board to ensure each horse has a diet relevant to their workload that allows them to reach their peak performance. By contrast, poke your head into the groom’s kitchen, take a peek in the tack room bin, glance in a grooms car passenger footwell and the chances are high there will be great evidence of a less thought out diet. For some reason when it comes to caring for ourselves the trend for living on Redbull and Mars bars still prevails for many grooms. Yet it makes no sense! If our end goal is to provide the best possible care for the horses in our charge, one of the first steps should be to ensure we are in our best possible form to do that job, and that begins with the fuel we use to power ourselves.

Competition Grooms and Competition Groom Jobs

Becky Parker 9th March 2018 Articles, Jobseekers

A good Competition Groom/Travelling Groom is an indispensable part of a competing team, without whom most top riders would not be able to achieve what they achieve in the showring. When a good groom is secured (no need to name names here!) they are undoubtedly the glue that holds things together in the moments that really count, and the moments that aren’t often counted too yet are equally critical to top performances! For those of you considering competition grooming as a career option, or for those of you who have elements of competition grooming within your everyday grooming role, we can help you up your game to big league level, or even assist in getting you “interview ready” for this exciting career move. The earning potential that comes with such a role also has its attractions…read on…

Equine Apprenticeships – invaluable education or slave labour?

Becky Parker 2nd February 2018 Articles, Jobseekers

Fresh from the clutches of 11 years enforced education, drunk on your own freedom (honestly guv I’m just really happy), the prospect of earning a proper wage dangled in front of you tantalisingly, it can be tough persuading yourself to think long-term about career planning. The prospect of returning to a classroom for college courses or perhaps a degree holds no appeal for those who struggle with formal education or are just fed up with the confinement of a classroom. Apprenticeships provide an alternative way to achieve formal, industry recognised City and Guilds qualifications with minimum or possibly even no classroom time. Learners are able to ‘earn while they learn’ as the tagline goes. The equine industry is famously fast-paced and physical, and there is unanimous thinking when it comes to the verdict that there is really no substitute for practical, on the job training. An equine Apprenticeship allows you to gain this in an unexploited, structured and planned way whilst also gaining the piece of paper to prove it. Becky Parker discusses the pros, cons and alternative routes into a successful career with horses.

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