Jenny Ellis, the travelling groom for Britain’s World Class Performance Programme team captain Richard Davison, is the first dressage groom to win the Kuster BEF Groom Award.

 

Jenny, 47, from Derbyshire, said: “I feel honoured. The fact that grooms are being recognised is fantastic; it never happened before this award was introduced five years ago and hopefully it will go from strength to strength.”

 

The 2007 prizewinner won £1,000 of holiday vouchers plus the Smash Hit Bronze Trophy, which she will keep for the year. Jenny was a full-time groom to international show jumpers before going freelance in 2001. Now para rider Simon Laurens and international show jumper John Whitaker are among her clients.

 

Richard said: “Jenny is wonderful with horses and so experienced in all aspects of horsemanship. She is encouraging to younger, less experienced grooms and has worked hard to raise the status of grooms within the industry.”

 

Her skills have been recognised by the World Class Performance Programme, where she has supported the development of other grooms. She was also the official stable manager for the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen.