Leighton Buzzard teacher would love your vote in Worldwide Groom of the Decade award

Freelance groom Michelle Tipper started her equestrian grooming career with Nicky Barrett.

She spent four amazing years travelling Europe as her head girl and travelling groom. This is where her passion started and she says there was never a dull trip with Nicky!

She has since worked as a freelance groom for many international and national athletes, the British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage. She has worked at two Paralympics, including London 2012, and numerous Europeans and World Equestrian Games with Sophie Wells, Sophie Christenson, Lee Pearson, Emma Kent and Simon Laurens.

Her career has also seen her work with the British Junior and Young Rider European Dressage teams for a number of years and the British Eventing Team.

Whilst still freelancing Michelle returned to university. She now has an MSc in Sport Psychology and a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science. This has led Michelle to change her full-time occupation to becoming Head of Physical Education and Head of Year 7 at Brooklands School in Leighton Buzzard.

Michelle still finds time for her passion of grooming and still works freelance at weekends and school holidays for various national and international riders, including Kylie Roddy at Blenheim.

To read more and vote for her visit https://fei.org/awards/ and scroll down to the best groom category. Voting closes on November 22 and the winners will be announced during a virtual ceremony on December 11.