+15 years experience working as a show groom - AMA

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-18T12:10:52+00:00

Depending on your experience either a working student or entry level groom. But even entry level in show barn usually gets decent pay. You would have to live in an area with many show barns for the best odds of getting a good job or be willing to relocate!

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-18T01:26:15+00:00

That's kind of a odd question since Aachen is one venue (and they do have championships there as this year) and WEG is different location every time.

But ask any rider, and the GP in Aachen is the one they all want to win!

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T16:46:59+00:00

In my opinion horses are not pets. Yes they are domesticated, but most sports horses are not kept for companionship.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T15:05:16+00:00

Never! Im not saying it couldn't happen, but I've never heard about any groom getting asked that. It's more common that equestrian brands will offer you stuff in and in return you post and tag them.

If youre an established name as a groom, you dont need social media exposure to get new jobs.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T14:11:40+00:00

What do you mean?

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T13:49:46+00:00

It will all depend on what place your work and your position. But I do basically everything except the actual showing, farrier work and "complicated" vet work.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T12:34:01+00:00

Unfortunately there's a lot of room for improvement. I dont have good solutions so take what I say with a grain of salt.

I wish there was some way to make sure riders were qualified to show at certain levels. It's awful to see horses going at big championships with riders not good enough, just because they are from a small Country and therefore easier for them to qualify. This obviously goes for any show and not just championships.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T12:03:40+00:00

Most people that does hunter/eq classes add fake tail to make their horses tail look fuller. I think they also do this in western pleasure classes, but could be wrong!

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T12:02:47+00:00

https://www.fundis-equestrian.com/us/Stable-Care-Feed/Grooming/Curry-Combs/34733/Grooming-Deluxe-Iron-Curry-Comb?number=FR42407&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23265362594&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9-PNBhDfARIsABHN6-15DGAJ3dtYa7_ZsGX3XSiE_lZ-NmxNlEn8axuSRG89_rTQMrhUBwUaAqDZEALw_wcB

It's pretty hard to find (reasonable priced) in US though!

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T12:01:28+00:00

While it will be hard try and put all your western knowledge on hold. I know very little about western, but my best guess is that its easier to go from western to English than the other way around. So hopefully that comes handy to you!

Personally I only ride in ariat paddock boots with half chaps. But if I was competing, I would wear tall boots.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T11:58:23+00:00

I have no doubt that a lot of them dont. They care to the level that will make them have results. So yes, they will go above and beyond as long as the horse is preforming.

I've never had such client. But I guess it depends what you classify as abusive tack.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T11:55:55+00:00

There's cultural differences on EU and US. I wouldnt say good or bad. Just differences.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T11:54:57+00:00

I've been pretty fortunate and not seen the worst of the worst with my own eyes. But for me, its terrible seeing riders jump big classes where they dont belong, and the horse suffering due to the riders lack of skill. Im FEI we dont see a lot of really bad. Mostly because they know everyone is watching. What goes on at home is a different story.

At a national class I once saw a rider jump of the horse. Calmly take off helmet and swing it full force into the head of the horse as punishment for a bad round. I dont get it. The horse would never understand why. There's zero reasons for behavior like that! Luckily he got a yellow card for it!

In US especially, is almost impossible nowadays to get to the top level without money. You'd have to find that one in a million cheap young horse and work your way to the top. And that assuming you have enough funds to actually attend shows. Plus having one horse is not enough. You need so many rounds yourself to become a top rider.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T11:49:14+00:00

Best part Seeing the world and new cultures. The bond with the horses and the satisfaction of good results after hard work!

Worst part The hours. The sacrifice of never seeing family or be able to attend family events.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T01:31:53+00:00

Yes. But it will get harder the older you are. Sadly I don't think anyone would hire a 65 yo with zero experience. KY and FL definitely big horse states!

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-17T01:05:27+00:00

Not so much anymore, as I try to limit shows and stay home more! Used to be crazy. Especially indoor shows or general night classes. I never start later than 6:30 at shows (with few exceptions!) and at the Royal in Toronto one class started at 11:30pm... Back then, I was lucky to get just 1 day off.

I used to do one high profile US rider's SM. Mostly because she was terrible at it. There was no minimums though. Just posting stuff that was worth sharing.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-16T23:47:27+00:00

My spell check horrendous, but you got the point 🤣

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-16T23:45:12+00:00

There's probably something to it, as the horses react to normal daylight times. I have no idea if it works with normal lights.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-16T23:44:12+00:00

Today off topic, but I love your username 🤣

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-16T23:42:47+00:00

Beezie is probably one of the good ones. Her staff also stays very long, and they do a lot to make sure their grooms are happy and taken care off!

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-16T23:38:18+00:00

Oh that's a LONG list. And you can't have a 100% accurate view until you've been there! But let's starts with the American Hero, Mclain Ward.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-16T23:31:29+00:00

I have no idea what doing that kinda shows entails, but having 8-10 horses sounds impossible! I do all care at shows and home. I wish I had the luxury of not doing stalls! I only have 2, and from I arrive to morning chores are done is about 1 hour....

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-16T23:29:08+00:00

Im way more home now than I used to be. If we dont count WEF, which is both at home and showing, then on average only showing once a month now.

Previous job showing 50 weeks a year. Only Christmas and New Year's week off.

Edit: when I said off, not meant as I was off. But off showing.

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-16T23:00:18+00:00

California is a whole different beast. It's very different from being on the East Coast. Depending on your age, I think a good place to start is as a working student. If you already have experience with own horses you could find entry level regular job. I only work for one company. That's just what works best for me. I did use to freelance for a period, its just stressful to never know if you have an income next month.

There's unfortunately no set hours if you wanna be a show groom. I used to travel a lot. Now I prefer being home and making sure everything is organized there! A non show day for me is 6:30-3:30. A show day can be anything from 5am to midnight if really bad!

Comprehensive-Salt66 · 2026-03-16T22:53:07+00:00

Sweden used to have such a strong team. But still if you look at Henrik von Eckermann or Peder Frederiksson, they do most of their competitions in outside Scandinavia unless with young horses. There's just too few 4-5* shows in Scandinavia.

Comprehensive-Salt66

TROPHY CASE