‘This job is a way of life’
Hunting and point-to-point groom
LIZZY BROWN SWAIN
“MY mum always used to say, ‘You get out of a job what you put in,’ and there’s never been a truer word said in my industry,” says Lizzy. “I feel truly blessed to have the chance to work with and ride so many lovely horses.”
Lizzy’s first grooming job, at a point-to-point yard, sent her down the hunting path in qualifying the point-to-pointers. She’s been in her current role with the Scott family in Suffolk for the past 15 years, having initially been a livery at the small family-run yard.
But for all her enthusiasm, it’s a hard grind. There are 15 horses to look after – hunters, eventers, youngstock, ponies and retired horses – and Lizzy has had her share of injuries, including a broken back.
“We are lucky all our horses live out, so my day starts checking the horses and topping up hay tubs,” she says. “Then I start bringing in the ridden horses; exercising takes up most of my day, and I still have to make time for clipping at this time of year.”
Lizzy feels all the more fortunate to enjoy this career having only started riding at 18.
“I’ve race-ridden, team chased, evented and of course
