MEET Ben Grose

As a BD Youth Rep for the South & East region, Ben Grose plays an instrumental role in supporting young enthusiasts as they set out on their dressage pathway. Since his appointment into this voluntary role in 2022, Ben has worked to help make the region’s youth programme successful, educational and fun. We caught up with Ben who lives near Norwich in Norfolk with his wife Ruth, children Albert and Barnaby, four ponies and two dogs.

QWhenwere you first introduced to horses?

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My mother always had ponies that she kept at a local livery yard when I was growing up, I think I first sat on a pony when I was about three years old. Growing up I wasn’t interested in playing football, I immediately had a passion for horses and I wanted to go the yard instead! When I was eight we went for carriage driving lessons and it was at this point I decided that I preferred sitting behind the horse rather than on top!

QTellus about your own equestrian life.

Having found a love for carriage driving I worked my way up through the British Young Carriage Drivers competing in Horse Driving Trials.

After leaving college I was working as a groom mucking out stables at a couple of dressage yards. I genuinely was in awe of these people who can make the horse do these wonderful movements and it looked effortless, but in my mind this world seemed very out of reach!

I moved to Essex and I developed a small carriage driving business. I was teaching, breaking, selling, working on film sets, driving funerals in London with the Friesian stallions and desperately looking for anyone that was willing to help me financially! However, the hard work paid off and I was lucky enough to compete for Great Britain in 2012 in Portugal.

QHave you competed in dressage yourself?

Ruth bought Watson, a Welsh D yearling, for my birthday. Fast forward four years and life moved us to Norwich where we bought a small equestrian property. Starting at the bottom and working my way up is a welltrodden path for me, so I thought: let’s try dressage and learn how they do it. We are going to start competing at Novice this season, but I have high aspirations so let’s see where the journey takes us!

QWhat led to your appointment as Youth Rep?

I saw a video on social media asking for people to get involved and I just thought, that’s something I can do! I can’t do a half pass yet, but I understand the mechanics of trying to build a platform for people to join. I also understand the relationship between children and parents as I have been there and am just about to go through it with my two children.

QBriefly describe what the role involves.

I am the go-to contact for new youth riders wanting to get involved in British Dressage in East Anglia. I want to try and make it as accessible as possible for people. I truly believe you need to look after all the levels from top to bottom, but the bottom is where the foundations are laid!

QYour favourite way to spend a day off?

My life is quite full on. If we aren’t competing and training I am working, taking a child to a swimming lesson or a birthday party or relaxing with friends in a garden. We don’t really have days off, but life is about balance and right now that balance feels pretty good!