Island Life Magazine Ltd December/January 2017 | Page 19

Interview

Groom Catherine plans for a more stable future

After a high-profile career that ’ s involved travelling the world , working for Royal riders and successful polo players and showjumpers , and generally hob-nobbing with the equestrian elite , top people ’ s groom Catherine Owen is back on Island soil – and working as a freelance groom
Turning 40 proves to be a milestone for many of us : an age when our life path often calls for change .
That was certainly the case for Catherine , after almost 25 years in a job that virtually consumed her life . Not that she didn ’ t enjoy the globetrotting , the satisfaction of seeing her horses and riders scoop winning trophies , but as she says : “ It got to the point where I had to ask myself , ‘ Do I really want to be on the road 24 / 7 any more ? Do I really want to spend another winter outdoors ? And the answer was , ‘ Not really ...’ “ Which was when she decided that what she really wanted at this stage in her life was to come home , pick up with the family and friends she had previously had so little time for , and start building a new life back on home turf . So how did the former Cowes High School girl
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