Julie Barker, groom to the Burton Hunt, Lincolnshire has been judged the best groom of the year 2005. Record nominations were received for the Kuster BEF Groom Award and the standard of entries was exceptionally high this year.
Julie will be presented with her award in London on 14th January at the prestigious British Horse Foundation Awards Dinner.
Julie was one of seven finalists at the judging day and Champagne Lunch at the Grange Bracknell Hotel, courtesy of the competition’s sponsor Frank Kuster. Judges Carl Hester and Chris Saunders were unanimous in choosing Julie, but the outstanding quality of the finalists made it a challenging task.
Second place went to Warwickshire based Mark Beever who has groomed for Nick Skelton for the past 20 years. ”Mark is utterly professional, is on call 24/7, and looks after my horses with total dedication,” says Nick. Third was driving groom Eilidh Munro, who travelled from Fife in Scotland to make the final and in fourth place was Sussex based Judith Harrison whose love of horses really touched the judges’ hearts!
Clive Milkins was the Dressage finalist groom. He was nominated by Bronze medal winning Paralympian Sophie Christiansen. " Clive is not an ordinary groom as he goes beyond the normal requirements. Without him I could not look after a horse and would definatley not be where I am today." Clive works for the Riding for the Disabled Association, but gives up his own time to support his riders on the World Class Performance Squads. In 2005 he was Sophie's offical groom at the European Championships in Hungary.
Julie Barker was absolutely stunned when told of her success and her employer John Lockwood MFH said: "We at the Burton Hunt are delighted that Julie has won the Kuster BEF Groom Award. Julie brings a dedication to the job that is second to none. She is an incredibly determined individual who even after 16 years working for me at the hunt kennels, continues to work with a willingness and commitment despite quite often difficult and unpleasant conditions. She regularly takes on work that is outside her remit and even cycled from Lands End to John O'Groats to raise funds for the Country Side Alliance and the Hunt Servant's Benefit Society, raising £12,500. Julie is the X Factor at the Burton Hunt and we are so fortunate to have her as part of our team. "
As her prize, Julie has a holiday to America to look forward to and said: “to be nominated for this award was special and I feel honoured to have won. I strongly recommend all employers to put their staff forward in 2006 as this has been the best pat on the back ever! Thanks to sponsor Frank Kuster for his generosity”.
Pictured finalists, showing left to right: Chris Saunders (Judge), Clive Milkins (Dressage), Mark Beever (Showjumping), Eilidh Munro (Driving), Judith Harrison (Livery Yard), Vicky Sutton (Eventing), Frank Kuster, Susie Dennis (Rescue), Julie Barker (Hunting) , Carl Hester (Judge)
Related Links
British Dressage Riders, Nominate Your Groom for the 2005 Kuster BEF Groom Award
British Equestrian Federation Announces New Award for Grooms