Louis freelanced 6 weeks for me during Sunshine Tour 2024. He was hardworking, organized, and a brilliant horseman. Louis has a keen eye for detail, and was meticulous in the maintenance and turnout of the horses; they always arrived at the ring punctually and well turned out, down to his beautiful plaits. In the stable, he managed the routines for each horse's feeding, grooming, and care, with attentiveness to each horse's unique needs and wants, and the horses thrive as a result. Details of the equipment were always noted and everything was always prepared correctly and effectively. Louis was a pleasure to work with, always with a positive attitude. His expertise is an asset to any team, I would highly recommend him!

To whom this may concern,

Louis freelanced for us for six months. I was really happy with his work. I offered him a long-term contract and would have him back at any moment. He was hard working, punctual and very professional, working well in a team.

He worked over the winter and did Christmas cover. He was tidy, clean and meticulous; keeping the yard to a high standard. He left the accommodation clean and ni excellent condition. He made sure the drive way was swept and presentable during his stay.

Louis was able to complete al necessary tasks to a high standard, horses were always ready on time, harrowing the arenas, mucking out, hacking, lunging and schooling horses and folowed instructions well.

He was quick to notice lameness and other health problems with the horses.

Louis freelanced 8 weeks for me during Sunshine Tour 2023. He was not only extremely hard working but also a true professional in the way he managed all 7 horses while also fitting in with the rest of our team so well. He is a real horse man and the horses loved him.

Louis worked for us at many national and international shows in both the UK and Europe. Louis is punctual, conscientious, reliable and well organised. Louis could manage many tasks from

packing all equipment and safely travelling the horses to setting up at shows. Louis can manage trot ups, international declarations and all the horses requirements on a daily basis. Louis is an experienced rider and can school and exercise the horses well on the flat, Louis can take instruction and follow routines. Louis turns out to a high standard and has the horses ready on time with all equipment required at the arena. Louis is also friendly, fun and sociable so fits in well with other members of staff and clients.

Louis Blackaby spent the week from 26.04.2023 to 30.04.2023 and the week from 03.05.2023 to 07.05.23 with me, Anna-Elisa Schäfer at the International show CSI** and CSI*** in Sentower Park, Oudsbergen, Belgium. Louis’ duties required an average of 6 horses during the shows, including one young stallion. Together with another freelance groom we all worked perfectly together as a team. The job included all normal stable duties like, cleaning the stables, cleaning the horses, tacking up, plus managing the horses to be ready for their classes on time, longing the horses before the rider went on, hand walking the horses in the morning, vet-checking the horses and plating the horses mane. Louis managed all different tasks perfectly and on time. He managed the horses daily plan from timing of the food before, after and between the competitions, to tacking up all horses at the right time with the correct tack in the correct way. In the warm-up he knows what to do and you don’t need many words to fit the jumps how you as a rider want it. Even with the young stallion he worked easily and was strickt to him at the right timing and in a good way. Also when the times between the competitions were short he worked quick and we were always in time. All in all i can heartily recommend Louis Blackaby as a groom, not only because of his skills also because of the passion and the love he has for the horses and the sport. Kind regards Anna-Elisa Schäfer

(Then later on also did Lanaken wbfsh)

helped us out in sunshine tour beginning of 2022. He was very polite, eager to learn and kind with the horses.

I was asked to say something about Louis Blackaby who has worked for me as a freelance groom for about 2 weeks at the sunshine tour in Spain. Louis is a very friendly boy, easy going and a quick and tidy worker. For me it was a pleasure to work with. Sincerely, Mischa Everse Everse Horses