One Big Thing: Reminder to submit applications for the World Class Grooming Career Development Grant
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Recently launched by World-Class Grooming for Horses co-author Emma Ford and the Aiken Horse Park Foundation, the World Class Grooming Career Development Grant was designed to provide meaningful financial support to individuals without extensive international grooming experience who seek to advance their professional education and gain hands-on experience within the equine industry. Through a $5,000 grant, this inaugural program encourages cross-discipline exposure and immersion in elite programs with highly-experienced mentors at the top level of dressage, jumping, or eventing — including grooms, barn managers, and athletes — while aiming to make the profession more accessible, more sustainable, and more recognized. Selected applicants will gain real insight into international grooming while building the skills, confidence, and connections needed for a long-term career.
“I hope that with this grant, someone can spread their horizons, go work at a professional barn and get the stepping stones and the experience to make this as a career,” Margo Thomas — who for the past seven years has worked as a show groom for Olympian Laura Kraut — told World of Showjumping about the inaugural World Class Grooming Career Development Grant. “We want to give an opportunity for someone to be a second groom at big shows, to see the reality of high-level sport. It’s not a working student or a rider position; we want to support someone that wants grooming to be their career and give them a chance to see first-hand how upper-level grooms work.”
“When I was younger, I started in eventing and then moved over to showjumping and luckily found jobs that were each a stepping stone in the right direction,” Margo explains. “However, you don’t always get those opportunities along the way. The idea is to create an opportunity for grooms that aren’t at the upper levels yet, who really see themselves doing this as a career. We lose people, especially in America, because here you can be on your parents’ insurance until you’re 26, but when you have to start actually making money, it’s hard to support yourself as a groom.”
The Grant Selection Committee is populated with top grooms from the three Olympic disciplines and representatives of the AHPF, including Emma Ford, Amy Ruth Borun, Carly Muma, Margo Thomas, and Joanie Morris.
[Apply here before July 1st] and learn more about the program at aikenhorsepark.org/wcg-equine-education.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must not have previously groomed at the Olympic, World, or Pan American Games
- Must be between the ages of 23–35 at the time of application
- Must have at least three years of experience in the equine grooming industry
- Must be currently employed or interning in an equine-related role (e.g., groom, barn manager)
- Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Must demonstrate a clear commitment to pursuing a professional career in one of the three Olympic disciplines
Major International Events This Weekend
Strzegom CCI4*-L (POL): [Website] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map] [Live Stream]
Strömsholm International Eventing CCI4*-S (SWE): [Website] [Tickets] [Schedule] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring]
The Maryland International + HT CCI4*-S (MD): [Website] [VIP Tickets] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
US Events This Weekend
Twin Rivers Summer HT (CA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Bouckaert Equestrian HT (GA): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Woodloch Midsommer CT & YEH Qualifying Event (MN): [Website] [Entries] [Scoring]
Inavale Farm HT (OR): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times/Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Larkin Hill HT (NY): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer]
Full Moon Farm’s Aloha HT & YEH Qualifier (MD): [Website] [Entries/Ride Times] [Scoring] [Volunteer] [CrossCountry App XC Map]
Other Links and Reading
- The Highest-Rated Performances of 2026 So Far
- Unmasking the “Circuit Kids”
- BC Young Riders Podcast — Trying is Never Failing: A Conversation with Renée Kalkman
Training Tip of the Day
There’s nothing we love more than a drawn out exercise with video example footage — try these cavaletti exercises on your next flatwork day:
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Go Eventing
Pegasus, the next-generation equestrian competition and organizational management platform, has released the official trailer for ON THE FRINGE, a feature-length documentary following Gabriela “Gaby” Reutter, Chile’s top female show jumper, as she competes against the world’s best athletes in Wellington, Florida. Check it out and get ready for equestrian sports’ version of Formula 1’s Drive to Survive:
