This month Jess talks to head groom Stacey Blunn to find out just how she keeps Team Rimmer on track – and on time
All images: Courtenay Hitchcock
This month has seen Team Rimmer competing at Bicton, Hartpury and Wellington. Jimmy has stepped up to Novice in great style and Max has produced some competitive results, finishing third at Wellington. Elsa jumped a superb double clear at Wellington in the OI (Open Intermediate), and Mattie and Henry learned lots in the exciting Hartpury atmosphere.
But rather than getting stuck into basic event reports, I thought we could look at life as an event groom – and who better to speak to than our very own 5* groom and long-standing head girl, Stacey Blunn? She joined Fontmell Parva in 2006, and is now part of the family here, playing a pivotal role not only in the daily care and exercise of the horses, but also in grooming at competitions up to the highest 5* level with me, mum Jo and Boy Joe (Eventer Joe Roome, who shares the yard with Team Rimmer). There is nobody more reliable, trustworthy or conscientious and, although she won’t admit it, she is an absolute font of knowledge, respected and admired by so many.
Stacey’s job as head groom involves her working closely with Jo and Joe to manage the daily running of the yard. She organises vets and farriers, orders the feed, hay and straw deliveries as well as managing the care of the horses – clipping, trimming, plaiting, medical care … she basically does it all. We’re fairly sure she’s a secret superhuman and she pretty much runs the ship around here. The role of a groom is primarily focused on the daily care and well-being of the horses, but their work is far from limited to this. While Stacey, as head groom, oversees the overall yard management, the grooms are the very backbone of the team, the support crew that ensures every detail is attended to and that the yard runs smoothly. Grooms are SO important to us – sadly it’s a job often viewed as bottom of the pecking order, when it really shouldn’t be!
A horse schedule
So, join us as we have a cup of coffee and a chat in our famous Café Fontmell (OK, it’s the side of the yard with the plastic patio chairs). To set the scene: it’s Sunday lunchtime, and we’ve just put the kettle on before starting the afternoon yard shift. As we take a break, Stacey lets me in on her origin story – where did the love of horses begin?
‘I started riding up north with my grandparents during the holidays,’ she says. ‘I rode a horrible pony who bucked for the duration of the ride – my mum kept promising I could dismount the next time he bucked, but then she never let me! I slowly fell in love with horses through my local riding school and produced my first pony, Snoopy, from a four-year-old. I visited Fontmell Parva when I was 17, through a friend who was doing work experience – I loved it, phoned Jo for a job, and the rest is history!’
(We pause here for a brief interruption from Hannah, who is offering us doughnuts, which we naturally accept most happily.)
While every day is different, Stacey is keen to point out the need for organisation in such a busy yard.
‘We always try to keep to the same routine,’ she says. ‘It’s really important for the horses. Obviously there are occasional longer days and earlier starts which add some nice variety, but the horses thrive on a steady, consistent routine and we work hard to stick to the same system. They have breakfast at 6.30am, and are then exercised throughout the morning. They’re always put to bed late afternoon, in time to receive their supper at 5pm.’
Being a groom is every horsey child’s dream job – and though it’s a lot of hard work, Stacey acknowledges that even after almost two decades it has its special moments that make it all worth while. ‘For me, the best part is simply playing a part in the journey of both the riders and the horses,’ she says. ‘It doesn’t matter if that’s to compete at the higher levels or just to achieve a personal goal. That’s not to say it’s not without its challenges, though. It’s commonly known that horsey people aren’t the easiest! I’ve had to learn to deal with all types of clients – actually only half my job is about managing the horses!
‘The weather is another major challenge. British winters are tough, and the rain can feel pretty relentless. It’s not something we can control, though, so it’s just a case of sucking it up – and finding some really good waterproofs!’
Despite the long winter slogs, there have been plenty of career highlights too.
‘For me personally, finishing second (twice!) in the Riding Club Open Championships and producing my horse, Reney, up to Intermediate was a real achievement. From a grooming perspective, Pau 5* in 2018 (Jo and Newt’s first 5) was pretty special, along with their double clear result in the 5 at Luhmülen in 2019. Joe and Auriella flew round the 3*L at Blair that same year – Auriella has been a tricky mare who is very special to me, and it was incredibly rewarding to see her perform so well.’
Not-so-secret life hacks
At this point I asked Stacey for her top groom hack, but she was a little affronted: ‘I would have said Fairy Liquid, but you stole my secret tip for last month’s column!’
Joe Roome, who has been listening in over his own doughnut, chips in here: ‘Stacey’s time management is unbelievable. She is always early, which is a huge life hack in itself. There is always so much going on in our days – punctuality is vital to make sure everything runs smoothly, which always happens when Stacey’s in charge!’
As her career has grown, Stacey tells me her role models have changed too. ‘When I was riding, it was Pippa (Funnell), William (Fox-Pitt), Ian Stark and Toddy (Australian eventer Mark Todd). But as soon as I focussed on grooming, Jackie Potts became a huge inspiration.’
Jackie is widely renowned to be the authority on the profession of Eventing grooming, and is the long-time groom of William Fox-Pitt at his yard near Sturminster Newton.
Inevitably in a life built around horses, there are countless times when it’s all gone horribly wrong. ‘There are so many stories!’ says Stacey. ‘I vividly remember being dragged through the flood by a young horse – we deliberately took him down there as it’s hugely beneficial for them to see water from a young age. He put his back up (as if he was going to buck me off!), so I dismounted … and he ran off through the flood. Now anyone who knows me knows I won’t let go of a horse – I was practically water skiing!’
Stacey has some solid advice for anyone thinking of following her footsteps. ‘Be prepared to work hard. The days are long, and 80 per cent of it is just hard graft. But for me it’s totally worth it for that 20 per cent of good!’
Speaking of hard work, the doughnuts are done and we’d better start the afternoon yard before the horses start demanding their dinners …
