Summer in the Rockies Week 3: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes in the Grooms Class

Have you ever watched the grooms class at a horse show? Last weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Summer in the Rockies Week 3 show, and what an experience it was! The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the grand prix show jumping class.

The athleticism and precision of the horses and riders were truly a sight to behold. I remembered to bring my favorite lens for my camera, so I seriously felt like I was going to get some good pictures this time. More on that later.

And even though there weren’t any of our local favorites, there were some new faces I hadn’t seen before. And these riders were brave, to say the least.

Chris Fellers was the rider to beat in the end. But this rider, Happy – seriously, that’s her name, had the fastest time in the jump-off. But she had a rail come down. So she was the fastest of the four faulters but didn’t win the class.

There were less than 20 riders in this class. But it was still my favorite to watch. That is it was my favorite class, until I found out about the grooms class that was being held.

I had been waiting to see this because I didn’t know what it would be like. I was fascinated to see the people behind the horses—the people who get the horses ready to show.

The Grooms Class

This was the first time a Grooms Class had been held at the summer series of shows. And it was also my first time watching such an event. The class was presented right after the grand prix, giving the hardworking grooms a moment in the spotlight. As someone who deeply appreciates the dedication and behind-the-scenes efforts that go into horse care, I was thrilled to see the grooms get the recognition they deserve.

While the judge spent time with each groom, I was busy trying to capture what they carried in their backpacks and grooming kits.

I am always looking for new tips and things that I can apply to my own horses to make them look their best. I don’t know why. That’s just how my brain works, I guess.

Watching the Grooms Class From Behind

The Grooms Class was both entertaining and inspiring. Each groom presented their horse impeccably, showcasing not just their grooming skills but also their bond with the horse. It was heartwarming to see the pride in their eyes and the joy on their faces as they participated in this unique competition.

There was only one female groom in that class. But I think she did a great job presenting her horse.

Oh, how I wish I could have been in the arena with the judge. I was truly envious of her going through each grooming kit! It would have been fun if they had shared with us what the grooms keep in their ringside bag or kit. I even tried zooming in on each groom to see if I could figure out what they use. This kit shows some fly spray, hoof oil, and a riding crop.

Again, I see a riding crop and the best hoof pick ever – I have transitioned to this hoof pick myself. This is the best hoof pick I have ever used. It truly is the ultimate hoof pick!

What Show Grooms Use

I also see a belt thingy—something to hook on your belt and keep extra things. A towel for polishing looks to be tucked in his back pocket. And a yoga mat. I wonder why he is carrying a yoga mat. Do you know why a groom would include a yoga mat as part of their ringside equipment?

For this class, there would be two winners, one for the jumpers and one for the hunters. Each top groom would win $500 and get one of these awesome grooming totes. And yes, I was trying to zoom in and see what was in these kits! It did look like they had a rub rag -and I got one of these the last time we were at the horse park.

I have mine on the wall of my tack room right now, but it is a very nice microfiber rub rag. It is too nice to use as a decoration, so I will put it into one of my many grooming totes. I want to make a grooming tote like the wooden ones I saw in this class.

They look to be very well made. I did find one on Amazon. It looks really similar to the ones given to the winners of the class.

This is the grooming tote on Amazon. I know I can make this. That will have to wait until after this show series is completed.

Everyone’s a Winner

I was not in a good position to get a head-on photo of the winners.

However, I was able to capture the scoreboard showing each of the winners.

The two grooms that won the class truly deserved to win.

They are fantastic at the job that they do. But everyone who had the courage to participate in the class didn’t walk away empty-handed. Nope. Even though they didn’t win their portion of the class, the remaining entrants got $250 just for having the courage to enter the class. Way to go, LEG Horse Shows!

The Grooms Class at Summer in the Rockies 3

Overall, attending the Summer in the Rockies Week 3 show and watching the Grooms Class was an unforgettable experience. It was a perfect reminder of the importance of every member of the equestrian team, from riders to grooms. I hope this class becomes a regular addition in future shows, giving more grooms the chance to shine. If you ever have the chance to attend an event like this, I highly recommend it – it’s a wonderful way to celebrate the often-unsung heroes of the equestrian world.

And you might be able to learn a thing or two that you can use with your own horse.

Happy horseshowing!