Steve Caley

Groom to team GBR Dressage rider Charlotte Fry

INTERVIEW: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE

For anyone that has had the opportunity to ride or work with horses in a first world country, you will have quickly come to appreciate the equestrian lifestyle here in South Africa, and how amazing our grooms are! In Europe if you are work riding, odds are you will be grooming too, and in a yard of 20 plus horses you would be fortunate to work with two other grooms/riders. Regardless of how different the life of a groom in Europe is to Africa, I’m sure we can all agree that being groom to an Olympic horse and rider is a huge privilege.

HQ was fortunate enough to have a quick chat with Steven Caley who has just landed in Tokyo! He is groom to Charlotte Fry and the gorgeous Everdale: members of this year’s British Olympic Dressage Team alongside Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester!

HQ: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your horsey background?

Steven: My name is Steven Caley. I’m 26 years old and from the Isle of Man. I always grew up as an animal lover and often visited my grandparents’ farm. The horses were in a field right next to the front door and I loved patting them and being sat on top from a young age - that’s where my passion for horses began. I started riding at 7 or 8 years old and I was hooked! I also owned a couple of ponies when I was growing up.

I caught the dressage bug watching the legendary Totilas with Edward Gal and being totally transfixed by the power he created. Then, of course, by Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin! I decided to turn my love of horses into a career, and I moved to Gloucester (England) to Hartpury College to study Equestrian Sports Science where I obtained a First-Class Honours Degree. It was at Hartpury that I met Carl Hester, and that led to working for him and meeting loads of my idols! I even got to warm up some horses for Charlotte Dujardin and work with super groom Alan Davies!!

In 2019 Carl found me a job with Van Olst Horses in the Netherlands with Anne and Gert-Jan Van Olst, where I do a bit of everything! I love riding as well as the grooming and feel lucky to have ridden Lord Leatherdale before he moved to the UK. I also take care of Charlotte (Lottie) Fry’s top string of horses, so that includes Everdale, Glamourdale, Chippendale, Kjento, Inclusive and lots of young stars!

Charlotte Fry and Everdale.

HQ: So, your athlete is Charlotte Fry, who is clearly following in mom’s footsteps as she is daughter of Olympic dressage rider Laura Fry! Can you tell us about her?

Steven: Lottie has got to be one of the most focused and driven riders I have ever met! She is up at the crack of dawn almost seven days a week and simply lives and breathes horses! She really is great fun and a lovely girl.

HQ: And, of course, there is the gorgeous “black-beauty” that is Everdale…

Steven: Yes, Everdale or ‘Evert’ as we like to call him is a 12 year old, 17.2hh black stallion (Lord Leatherdale x Negro), owned by Van Olst horses, competing at Grand Prix level. He is strikingly beautiful and has such presence - a real head-turner wherever we go! A powerhouse, but with a gorgeous personality who loves to be pampered and get kisses! He also loves his food and is always up for treats! HQ: So how did this Olympic journey actually begin? Steven: I think Lottie and Evert have always been destined for greatness, and the Olympics has definitely been a goal for a few years now! Lottie has trained Everdale up through the levels and they are a great partnership. Both Lottie (25) and I (26) are still quite young, and this is our first Olympics, so it is an unknown quantity for us, but we’re both up for the challenge and excited to get going!

HQ: And when did you know you would be going with them?

Steven: I was asked by Lottie if I would groom for the Olympics in May 2021. Then, of course, you must wait for team selection… I am honoured to be grooming at an Olympic Games. However I also love to ride, so a mini goal of mine is to have both groomed and ridden at an Olympic Games!

HQ: How have things progressed since being announced as a team member?

Steven: Well, we have been planning as if we were selected for a while now and, of course, selection was confirmed! Preparation is key, so the relevant checks were carried out well in advance such as teeth, physio, saddle fitting and Everdale is in great form! We felt that it was important to keep the horses’ routines as normal as possible in the lead up to the Games and during the quarantine period so that included regular training and stretching sessions and of course, plenty of grazing and pampering! Rest time is also crucial for the horses, especially during time away from home and long journeys.

HQ: So, I believe you have already started the journey? Tell us, how have things progressed?

Steven: We spent seven days with most of the other Olympic dressage horses in Aachen (Germany). We also brought Lottie’s direct reserve horse, Dark Legend. It was a fantastic experience, with great facilities and invaluable to watch the best of the best training!

The horses then flew from Liege (Belgium) in the early hours of the 14th of July, with ¾ of Team GB’s horses, and thankfully all went well! Alan Davies (Carl Hester’s international/Olympic groom) is Team GB’s nominated flying groom. He is so experienced, and you couldn’t wish for someone better to care of your horses.

I flew ahead of them with the other dressage grooms (Lucy Scudamore and Steph Sharples) to meet the horses there. The grooms will then travel home on the 31st of July.

Charlotte Fry

HQ: And tell us, what are your roles and responsibilities, and is there anything you are particularly excited or nervous about?

Steven: As a groom, my responsibility is the general dayto-day care of the horses. Keeping them healthy and happy is of upmost importance as well as providing plenty of cuddles and treats! I have been keeping rectal temperature charts twice a day 10 days before and during quarantine due to the EHV (Equine Herpes Virus) scare as well. As this is my first Olympic experience, I’m so excited to see the magic unfold! Just being there with a horse like Everdale is already an amazing opportunity, so anything else is a bonus! And as for nervous… I would be nervous about plaits falling out....or finding out I’d left something important at home!!

HQ: And given the times we are currently living in, I have to ask, has COVID impacted your Olympic travel plans and preparation?

Steven: COVID has really caused a lot of extra hassle for everyone globally. Obviously, the lack of competitions has not been the best preparation for an Olympic Games. However, many have taken the time to focus on training the basics and that can only be a positive. Beyond that, in the lead up to and including the quarantine, testing has been strict and often, but thankfully there was a PCR test facility five-minute’s walk from the show ground, which was useful! Of course, COVID has also led to less mixing between nations at the stables and it will be strange competing with no crowd too! I am interested to see how the horses perform with little-to-no atmosphere…

HQ: So, given all the changes to the format, what are your expectations for the Olympics? And are you hopefully going to be coming home with a medal?

Steven: I feel that Tokyo 2020 will be a different Games for sure, but a great Games, nonetheless. Everyone is excited to get going and give it their all! And for sure there is a good chance Great Britain can medal at these Games. I feel that the team competition looks interesting for medal hopes! HQ: Who are your favourites for the team and individual events? Steven: I feel that the Germans are looking extremely strong. In the team competition it is a battle between Britain, Denmark, USA and The Netherlands for the remaining two medals. Individually I feel that, once again, Germany could take a couple of medals. However, Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Cathrine Dufour (Denmark) are looking in great form. Edward Gal (Netherlands) and Hans Peter Minderhoud (Netherlands) have been scoring highly in recent competitions… But the standard at the moment in the sport leaves the door open for anyone!

HQ: Finally.. What comes next after the Olympics for your whole team?

Steven: After the Olympics I’m sure Everdale will have some easier days to recuperate. It is always important not to over-do things and after a long adventure in difficult climate conditions, rest is on the cards! Hopefully for me too! Lottie for sure will remain her motivated self and be pushing for European Team selection and the KWPN PAVO Cup with the younger horses.

CONTACT

FACEBOOK: https://www. facebook.com/ste.caley.1 INSTAGRAM: @stevencaley –for any inside scoops and behind the scenes