Lucy Seddon Wins Haddon Training British Grooms Awards 2019

At the recent British Breeders Awards Dinner, which took place on January 12, Chris Hewlett, Managing Director of Haddon Training presented the winning candidates of the five categories in the Haddon Training British Grooms Awards with their awards, commenting, “Haddon Training is delighted to sponsor the British Grooms Awards for the fifth consecutive year as it demonstrates our commitment in recognising the often ‘unsung heroes’ who are the backbone of the equine industry and who very rarely get identified and recognised for all their hard work, not only by their employers but also by the industry as a whole”.

The judging panel that consisted of: Pammy Hutton, Zanie King and Chris Hewlett awarded Lucy Seddon the coveted British Grooms Award who was nominated by her employer, Tom McEwen, three of his owners together with a work colleague.

On receiving her award, Lucy said, ““I feel very honoured that people have put my name forward for this award and even more honoured to have won it. I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me. It’s such a privilege to know that people appreciate all my hard work that I put into my job, I’m very grateful to be surrounded by an amazing team, some lovely horses and fantastic owners, which make it all worthwhile.”

The other winning recipients were: -
The runner-up in the British Grooms Award category was Gabby Southern, who was nominated by Anne Dicker, her employer at Catherston Stud, highlighting how Gabby is a person who can lead from the front that shows itself in her all round attitude towards her work, with clients and colleagues.

The Team GBR Grooms Award was awarded to Sarah Charnley, who was nominated by Caroline Moore, part owner of All Stars B, who won team and individual gold medals at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, Tryon ridden by Ros Canter, citing how Sarah is such a dedicated, passionate, supportive person, who is a real team player.

Joe Castree was presented with the Team GBR Pony, Junior and YR Grooms Award who was nominated by Jonquil Hemmings, coach to the Team GBR Pony Eventing team that won team and individual gold medals at the 2018 European Pony Eventing Championships saying, “Nothing is ever too much trouble and Joe is a very important cog in the GB Pony eventing wheel – we couldn’t do without her.”

Emma Jayne Eldridge received the Manager Award, nominated by Natalie Connolly, HR Co-ordinator at Stallion AI Services, saying “EJ is a natural leader who inspires others and gives 110% in everything she does and is one of the key people who has led to the success of Stallion AI Services.”

Poppy Zafia Graves was presented with the Apprentice Award – nominated by Natasha Moore, Stable Manager of Wimbledon Village Stables, where Poppy began her Apprenticeship, saying “Poppy excelled during 2018 and is well respected by the rest of the team for her hard work and dedication and by winning this award, Poppy will have learnt that hard work pays off and will be motivated to continue to work hard and develop her skills further.”

Connor McCunn received a Highly Commended Apprentice certificate, as the judging panel felt he had made an outstanding start to his Equine Apprenticeship and should be recognised.

Since Haddon Training began its sponsorship of the British Grooms Awards five years ago the overriding message from all the winning recipients is one of appreciation that there is now the opportunity for all hard working grooms not only to be recognised but also to receive the acknowledgment that they quite rightly deserve and with the five categories that form the British Grooms Awards this allows for a wide spectrum of grooms to be recommended and rewarded for these prestigious awards.

Find out more about BGA sponsors Haddon Training Limited.

Image of Lucy Seddon, British Grooms Awards Winner 2019.