By Sarah Eakin
Horse grooms, historically the unsung heroes of equestrian sport, are getting increased recognition for their work, thanks in large part to a community called HorseGrooms.
Holland’s Dinette Neuteboom, herself a groom in the hunter discipline, is based in Wellington each winter. She started HorseGrooms a little over two years ago. This winter, the group hit a milestone in acquiring 1,000 members.
“Wellington in the winter is just incredible — there’s nowhere else in the world where you find such a concentration of top equestrian knowledge, expertise and experience. It’s a true hub of horsemanship, where the best in the industry come together,” said Neuteboom, who has arranged a series of weekly events this season, to share knowledge and expand communication within the community. “That’s why Wellington is the perfect place for our HorseGrooms meetups. The wealth of living resources here — from world-class grooms to top riders, trainers and equine professionals — creates an unparalleled opportunity to learn, connect and elevate the profession.”
Grooms’ classes have been a mainstay of the Winter Equestrian Festival for some time. This season, WEF has hosted two grooms’ classes with impressive numbers of competitors being judged on turnout of their horse and equipment. A total of 35 entries from both the hunter and jumper world competed for a cash prize of $10,000 divided between the placed contestants in last week’s class.
Efren Zebello of Serenity Show Stables came prepared with his charge Zeven, owned by Caitlin Critchlow, and the attention to detail paid off when he won the jumper section of the contest judged by professional show jumpers Erynn Ballard and Michael Murphy, and Tiffany Letallec, groom to Belgium rider Nicola Philippaerts.
“I would like to say a big thank you to every single person involved in organizing this grooms’ class,” Zebello said. “Thank you for taking the time to do that for us. That really means a lot to us.”
Abel Sanchez took his ninth grooms’ class win in the hunter segment, showing off his skillset with Louisa Attenborough’s Hoopla for Jennifer Hannan and Ocean Echo Farm. “I’ve done the grooms’ class 11 times,” Abel said. “Last time I finished fourth, and this one is my ninth win.”
HorseGrooms advocates good horsemanship practices, a particular consideration for the winter season. “Wellington is one of the most unique and challenging places when it comes to horse care,” Neuteboom said. “With its distinct climate and environment, grooms face issues they might never encounter elsewhere — from skin irritations to hoof care, from fly prevention to wound management. That’s why we created the HorseGrooms Guide to Wellington, a practical resource available in our online shop at a low price, to help grooms navigate these challenges and ensure the best possible care for their horses in this one-of-a-kind setting.”
HorseGrooms has a worldwide following, and the fact that it became so popular, so quickly, demonstrated the need for a communal entity for grooms who are on the frontline of equestrian sport.
“It’s amazing to hear from members that HorseGrooms is making a difference in their lives — whether through our resources, in-person events or simply the connections they’ve built with others who share their passion,” Neuteboom said. “Together, we are not just supporting one another — we are helping move the equestrian world forward, empowering grooms, and keeping horsemanship alive.”
To learn more about this unique resource, visit www.horsegrooms.com.
Read more by equestrian writer Sarah Eakin at www.paperhorsemedia.com.
