ALL IN A DAY’S WORK
Claudine Bichard on alleviating the enormous paperwork burden, working alongside Valegro – and why you mustn’t tell Carl he’s lucky to have her
I was brought up on the island of Jersey, which is where I first met Carl Hester.
I wasn’t from a particularly horsey family, but I started riding when I was five and finally managed to persuade my parents that I needed my own pony at the age of 10. Showjumping was my thing as a child.
Later on, there started to be opportunities to have lessons with some top dressage trainers who would visit the island.
These included Hasse Hoffman, Hans Ley, Stephen Clarke and Carl. I would have lessons with Carl whenever he came to Jersey and we became friends.
My friend and I began to travel to the UK each year to compete and train, and Carl’s business partner at the time, Kate Carter, very kindly let us base ourselves at their yard in Stow-on-the-Wold. We would spend a month or so having a few lessons and trundling off to competitions. It was all very low-key, but looking back I realise how lucky we were.
I moved to the mainland at the end of 2000, after my husband got a new job.
At that time, Carl and Kate had recently relocated to Eldersfield, in Worcestershire, and Carl suggested I took a groom’s position that Kate had on the yard. I’m not sure Kate was quite so enthusiastic about this idea, especially as I had been office-based for about 10 years prior to starting as a groom.
It was a fun time, though, and I stayed doing that job for about 18 months. After the birth of my first child, I moved across to doing a few entries and a bit of invoicing, and the role I now have evolved from there.
I could probably liken my role as Carl’s PA to that of a head concierge in a large hotel.
I’m quite organised, but it’s a challenge even for me. I am in charge of all the paperwork for Carl’s yard and life.
I also deal with all sides of HR – staffing, contracts, salaries, pensions and so on. Then there’s invoicing, accounts, VAT submissions, insurance, horse travel, passports, customs, arranging yard demos, booking overseas travel and answering emails.
I deal with the requirements for the FEI, the World Class Programme and UK Sport, and liaise with sponsors and owners. My role got a lot more complex after Brexit because of all the legislation and regulations, especially surrounding the transportation of horses.
I work from home most days and try to catch up with Carl at least once a week.
I don’t like to bother him too often, as it’s no secret that paperwork is not his favourite pastime. It’s a part-time role, so unless there is an urgent requirement, I am able to get the school run done, get my horse ridden and mucked out and get to my desk by around 11am.
I like to get emails out of
