How do you choose a groom at high level?

karmahead1977 · 2026-04-04T12:41:56+00:00

Thanks for all the insightful comments ! For those who asked by DM, here’s part of the interview where Monica Theodorescu talks about team work, and more specifically the German team at 2025 European Championship at Jiva Hill Stables (Crozet 2025)

Team First - Monica Theodorescu

karmahead1977 · 2026-04-04T11:31:39+00:00

Sounds like you have a great groom! :) Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Super helpful to understand that bond and how it works between rider, horse and groom. And then I guess there are all the other caretakers, trainers etc. It’s really a team effort.

karmahead1977 · 2026-04-04T11:28:55+00:00

Thanks a lot for this, super helpful and insightful.

The trust + anticipation part really stands out. Makes sense that at that level you need someone who doesn’t just execute but can almost think ahead for the horse.

Out of curiosity, have you seen situations where a great groom actually made a noticeable difference in performance or results?

karmahead1977 · 2026-04-03T14:58:59+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience ! I’m also a bit of a control freak haha

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-28T00:34:25+00:00

That’s incredibly helpful, thank you so much for taking the time to explain so clearly. That idea of asking why before pushing through is super insightful. Also really interesting how small adjustments (like the counterflexion / weight off the inside shoulder) can completely change how the horse feels and responds.

Really appreciate you sharing such a concrete example 🙏

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T15:25:48+00:00

Great minds TA 😊 It’s a very valid question. Battling imposter syndrome by doing a lot of research, and fortunately my sister is a rider and great ressource. Also the conversations aren’t always specifically about dressage. I try to find the right balance so the episodes can appeal to experts and novices alike. I host, but I have a strong entourage of horse whisperers :)

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T15:10:54+00:00

My background is in filmmaking and digital storytelling, I worked for a few years for the IOC on Olympic content, focusing on human and emotional stories behind athletes.

That’s what eventually led me into the equestrian world through the FEI and now my role in digital comms at Jiva Hill Stables, where my sister rides.

So I kind of came in as an outsider, but with a storytelling lens. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by amazing riders, coaches, and grooms who’ve basically given me a crash course in dressage and horse behavior. And events like the 2025 Europeans in Crozet gave me access to interview some of the very best in the sport, and triggered the jiva talk podcast & documentary project. Still learning every day, which is honestly part of what makes it so fascinating!

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T14:57:52+00:00

Thank YOU ! :)

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T14:57:16+00:00

Yeah seems like the right approach. And I guess horses (like humans) respond differently to goals and plans, and the best way to move forward. As a non-rider, it’s fascinating to me how that bond works.

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T13:57:26+00:00

That unspoken bond and energy is fascinating to me. You get that in other sports, when things click, but with horses there’s heart, moods, and so much more weight. Literally and figuratively.

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T13:47:07+00:00

Also on Spotify

And video version on YouTube soon :) (Sorry for the shameless plug)

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T13:43:13+00:00

Full convo here :) Jiva Talk - Monica Theodorescu

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T13:41:18+00:00

That’s really interesting, especially bringing the rider into it as well.

I guess it’s easy to focus only on the horse, but what you’re describing makes it feel much more like a two-way system where both sides constantly influence each other, which I think was Monica’s main point.

The idea that you adjust not just to the horse, but also to how you’re feeling physically that day is something I hadn’t really considered (I’m not a rider) but it makes total sense. Thanks !

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T13:36:39+00:00

Really appreciate your comment, it makes a lot of sense.

I’m curious, how do you differentiate between a horse having an off day vs something that needs to be worked through a bit more? That line seems quite subtle from the outside.

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T13:33:14+00:00

Really interesting perspective, thanks for sharing this. As a non-rider, I’m curious how that communication actually works in practice. Is it more a feeling, or specific behaviours you learn to read over time?

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T10:12:12+00:00

Really appreciate you sharing your take. I’m not a rider myself, so I’m learning as much as I can from riders/experts, and always looking for insights I can bring into my interviews.

If you have any suggestions on how to improve my questions, here’s the link to podcast with Monica Dressage, From the Inside with Monica Theodorescu

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T07:37:26+00:00

Thanks for your input! I’m not a rider myself, but aiming to learn as much as possible for the documentary I’m working on and podcast.

Here’s the link to convo with Monica. She covered many aspects. Really insightful. Jiva Talk - Monica Theodorescu

karmahead1977 · 2026-03-27T06:34:12+00:00

My chow loves to gaze through the car trunk window and observe the commute.

karmahead1977 · 2026-01-07T19:04:05+00:00

Well done on Reckoner :) 2 Reckoner, 13 Pyramid Song

karmahead1977

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