20^thJune 2017

Leeds showing enthusiast nominated for national award

Sandra Dowker from Leeds has been nominated as a finalist in the Absorbine Amateur Groom of the Year Award. 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.

Sandra who combines running her own pet-care business with grooming, has been nominated for this prestigious award by her daughter, Katie Dowker. 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 amateurfinalists.

The pair head off to shows, often a couple of times a week during the season. Sandra said: "I have recently set up the pet-care business which involves dog walking and house sitting. I am really enjoying it and it gives me the flexibility to be able to attend midweek shows with Katie."

The Dowker's got their first pony, Sunny, on loan in 2007, Sandra continued: "I've been on groom duty since then, whether it be at home or at shows. Now 10 years later we have travelled as far as Bury Farm and the Royal Welsh and go out almost every week!" Sandra currently grooms for Katie's two ponies, Arad Christoper, a Welsh section A and Pennal Heartbreaker, a Welsh section D.

Sandra added: "Our showing is totally family based, Katie and I show for fun and the love of our ponies, placings are a bonus. On a normal day, Katie and I will go to the yard first thing to do the ponies and then we both return after work at around 5 to do jobs and or ride - depending on what happened in the morning. My duties involve everything, from mucking out to last minute touch ups! Show days are normally long, but great days out and we always come home knowing that as a team we have tried our best. My proudest achievement so far was Katie coming 9th in the Horse of the Year Show qualifier in the section As at the Royal Welsh Show!"

To vote for Sandra 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

Sandra's top grooming tip: Always check your grooming basket before going to the ring! I've got there a couple of times and realised there were no brushes in it!

PICTURE: Sandra and Katie Dowker.

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