NOMINATIONS are sought each year from riders in the Northern Region for The Roy Pugh Memorial Groom’s Award.

Preference is given to non-paid grooms, usually family members, but paid grooms are also considered. The 2023 winner, as chosen by Ruth Eyre-Pugh, is Pippa Robinson, who was nominated as below by Emily Corbett of Tyrella Sporthorses.

“I would like to nominate Pippa Robinson for the groom’s award. I have severe ADHD and notoriously struggle with time management. Pippa is a 17-year-old school girl, who came to every event with me this summer.

“I competed four horses in the 110 class on the same day for several events. Pippa helped me pack the lorry, so I had everything, and stayed over the night before to help drag me out of bed very early, so I was not late for anything all year. She had all the horses tacked up and ready to go for each phase.

“She would not let me pay her, she did it all in return for experience, because she loved grooming at the events and also because she is a very kind friend. She really deserves the award because she is also a very cheerful and kind person, always smiling. She would sprint back from watching me cross-country to be at the lorry to help me get onto the next one! It was really down to her that I managed to event at all this year.”