Willa Newton and her team of horses are always immaculately presented thanks to Janet Willis
The Haddon Training British Grooms Awards, presented at the annual British Breeders Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Saturday 14th January, saw two eventing grooms take the winner and runner-up prizes
Willa Newton’s groom Janet Willis was the recipient of the British Grooms Award with Dani Evans’ head girl Georgie Thomas being awarded the runners-up prize. Both riders were naturally delighted with the recognition of their support team
“This Award is a real credit to all Janet’s hard work. I rely on her for so much and would genuinely be lost without her,” commented Willa on her website. Janet has worked for the Newton family for 31 years, having originally worked in their point-to-point yard and, even at the age of 61, her enthusiasm has ‘never waned’
“Massive congratulations to my wonderful head girl Georgie Thomas for coming runner up in the Haddon training grooms award. It’s so fantastic to have all your hard work recognised and I really can't thank you enough. So happy to have Georgie this season and I know she will make it a good one!!!” said Dani on her Facebook page
The Yard Manager Award was also won by a well known eventing identity with Marcelle Tattersall, mother of Rio Olympian Gemma Tattersall, taking the honours
“I spend a lot of time in a truck with a crazy girl, on a road or in a field, doing something to a horse or 5!” is how Marcy describes herself on her Twitter page, but she certainly does it amazingly well!
Mum Marcy is always on hand - here with Gemma in the familiarisation session for Team GB at Rio
