Dear 

Please see below for a press release about Stoke showing groom, James Knight who has been nominated as a finalist for a national award.

Please also find attached an image of James. I hope you will be able to use this story and please do let me know if you would like any further information or images.

Kind Regards

Jenny

Jenny Viner

HoldsworthPR

Public Relations and Marketing
The Old Nursery Office, Rock Road, Washington, West Sussex, RH20 3BH
Tel:  01903 892060 or 07917 886851
Fax:  01903 891637
Email:  jenny@holdsworthpr.co.uk

Website: www.rachaelholdsworth.co.uk

Press Release - For immediate release

2017 Absorbine Grooms of the Year Award

22^ndJune 2017

Show groom nominated for national award

James Knight (21) from Stoke-on-Trenthas been nominated as a finalist in the Absorbine Professional Groom of the Year Awards. Voting for the finalists is now open, and the winner will be announced at the end of season Showing World/ Showing Council Personality of the Year Awards Gala dinner on the 21st October at the East of England Showground, Peterborough.

To get into the finals of the Absorbine Groom of the Year Award, grooms have to be nominated and then a selection panel decides on the four professional finalists. James said: "I am delighted to be nominated for this award. I'm not actually sure who nominated me, but I think it must have been one of our clients. I now have to hope that plenty of people will vote for me!"

James has worked for Gill Thompson showing in Stoke-on-Trent for three seasons now. He said: "My job at Gill's is great, I do everything on the yard from mucking-out to riding and plaiting and then we are off at shows just about every weekend at this time of year."

Since completing a BTEC Equine qualification at Hartpury College, James has worked full-time for Gill who produces client's horses for the show ring. James said: "It is very rewarding seeing the horses I have worked with, in the ring winning with their owners."

Alongside his grooming activities, James has his own Large Intermediate Show Riding Horse, Wyndham Park. James said: "This is our first year in open classes, we took the championship at the BSPS Area 2A Cheshire show and have already qualified for the Royal International Horse Show. I am also hoping to qualify Wyndham Park for the Horse of the Year Show this year." In the future James would like to progress to becoming a full-time rider and producer.

To vote for James in the Absorbine Grooms Award visitwww.showingworldawards.co.uk.

Leading horse care products company Absorbine has sponsored the Showing Council / Showing World for several years. European marketing manager Rachael Holdsworth said, "It is great for Absorbine to be associated with providing recognition for all the hard work put in by showing grooms throughout the season. Our finalists this year are of an exceptional standard".

For further information please visitwww.absorbine.co.ukor find us on facebookwww.facebook.com/AbsorbineUK. To follow the Absorbine Groom of the Year award use hashtag, #GroomoftheYear17 or #ShowPersonality17.

ENDS

James' top grooming tip: When you have finished grooming, spray the horse with Absorbine ShowSheen, this gives the horses coat a lovely finish and also helps to stop rugs rubbing the shoulders.

PICTURE: James Knight.

For more press information, contact Holdsworth PR on 01903 892060 or emailjenny@holdsworthpr.co.uk.