David Honnet preps for European Championships

After yesterdays horse inspections, the Longines FEI European Championship gets underway in Spain today.

All the British horses passed the first horse inspection, looking an absolute picture thanks to their hard-working grooms, David Honnet (Hello Folie), Gwen Bellamy (Dallas Vegas Batilly), Lina Karlsson (In The Air), Paul Drew (Medoc de Toxandria) and Brigita Unciute (Millfield Colette)

We caught up with BGA member David Honnet – groom to Scott Brash to find out how he prepares for such a huge event.

Are you looking forward to the Europeans?
“Yes, we have a new horse, Hello Folie. She’s really good and she’s really quite cool to take care of because she doesn’t need much. So for me it’s going to be good!”

How’s the prep for the Europeans going – especially with a new horse?

“We keep it all the same as the horses feel more relaxed in a routine. Hello Folie is so naturally talented that we just keep her fed and happy. She jumped three smaller classes at CHIO Aachen and that was great preparation for her for The Europeans.”

What’s been your biggest challenge over the last year?

“Not long after Paris Scott and I renegotiated my contract which went well. Now I only work at the shows and not day to day at the stables.It’s been a real game changer for me as I can now really focus on the shows, logistics and the equipment I need.

I’m now much more organised and tidy – I really like that.

But also I don’t have to worry about what is happening at home because the team we have on the yard are very good and take great care of the horses. It means I can really focus on the horses that are with me.”

What advice you have for aspiring competition grooms?
“Try to always remain calm and organised because sometimes your schedule may not be very straightforward, it might be is so tight that it becomes very stressful and you can’t always have the riders help.

Being super organised is important for your own mental wellbeing and also the horses you work with. It’s important because the horses feel everything, so if you are feeling tired or stressed the horse is going to take all of that from you.

It’s not always easy, competition grooms do have more stress than most but getting in a panic doesn’t help so just try to be as calm as possible and take one thing at a time."

Image credit: British Equestrian / Jon Stroud Media

Good luck to all the British showjumping team grooms

Of course David, isn't the only groom hard at work for the British team. Best of luck also to:

• Brigita Unciute for Donald Whitaker riding Millfield Colette
• Paul Drew for Matthew Sampson riding Medoc de Toxandria
• Lina Karlsson for Jessical Mendoza riding In The Air
• Gwen Bellamy for Ben Maher riding Dallas Vegas Batilly