Approaching the end of a year which saw most of its schedule canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Grooms Award, Ltd., a not-for-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization that recognizes and rewards professional grooms, presented gift bags and awards to professional grooms at the National Horse Show.
“This year has been challenging for everyone and we are happy to return to horse shows and provide grooms with the recognition they deserve,” said Andrea Mewhinney, Director of The Grooms Award, Ltd. “Grooms are one group that has never stopped working on behalf of the horses under their care and The Grooms Award remains committed to recognizing and rewarding them for all they do.”
Luis Diaz and In The Know after the $50,000 Hunter Classic. Photo courtesy The Grooms Award, Ltd.
At the National Horse Show, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, The Grooms Award presented gift bags to grooms of all horses competing in the FEI division as well as the ribbon winners in the $50,000 National Horse Show Hunter Classic. In addition, special prizes were given to the grooms of the winning horses in the Hunter Classic (In The Know, shown by Samantha Schaefer) and the $213,300 National Horse Show Grand Prix CSI4* (Eddie Blue, ridden by Devin Ryan).
- SmartPak
- EquiFit
- Purina
- Sterling Essentials
- Boy-O-Boy Bridleworks
- Got Salt?
- Jim Wiebe/J.B. Wiebe III, LLC
- Jimmy Herring
- EQuine AMerica Magazine
Photo courtesy The Grooms Award, Ltd.
“I want to thank all our sponsors for supporting our efforts to recognize and reward professional grooms,” Mewhinney said. “I also want to thank Georgia Coyle, Karan Aurelius, Kate Madigan, and Karen Ouelett for taking the time to represent The Grooms Award at the National Horse Show. I know their hard work in packing and presenting the gift bags was very much appreciated by the grooms.”
Before the pandemic began, The Grooms Award presented gifts and awards to grooms of horses competing in the $401,000 Douglas Elliman Real Estate Grand Prix CSI5* at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida and in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup held at the Live Oak International in Ocala, Florida. The Grooms Award will end the season by presenting gifts and awards to grooms at the Riders Cup, November 19-22 in Del Mar, CA.
About the Grooms Award, Ltd.
Created to recognize the workers “behind the scenes,” the Grooms Award was established in honor of Moira Caffarey (who unexpectedly passed away in 1997) and later George Hennessy (transporter for the USET). Friends of Moira donated a trophy for the first-ever grooms’ award at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg where individuals and companies donated prizes to be given to the winning groom. As donations increased each year, it was decided that each of the Grand Prix grooms deserved a “Thank You” for their efforts and professionalism. A tote bag was awarded to each Grand Prix groom, filled with goodies and gift cards from generous sponsors. The Grooms’ Award, Ltd. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 charitable organization, recognizing professional grooms at select major horse shows each year. The Grooms’ Award, Ltd. welcomes donations and sponsorships. For more information or to donate, click here.