Fostering a Positive Relationship with Your Rider with Sara Kelson 

Sara Kozumplik and I have a strong personal and working relationship. Working as her head groom, I have learned exactly how she wants her horses to be treated and how she likes things done. Fostering a positive relationship between the two of us has really helped not only our day-to-day, but also her horses. I really believe that there is great value in having a positive relationship with your rider. 

Finding somewhere you can be your authentic self 

Of course, grooming is not always sunshine and happy times– the job is hard work! That being said, it is possible to find a place and a rider to work for where you feel like you can be your authentic self while still accomplishing the task at hand. 

Every horse, rider, and groom are different, so if you find yourself in a situation where you don’t feel like you’re clicking with a program, don’t fret. It is totally fine and normal to not click with every single program out there. There is nothing wrong with continuing to find a better match. Think about a rider; when they are looking for a new horse, they might not fit perfectly with each one they try. They don’t give up and continue to ride horses until they find one that’s a good match. Finding a solid match as a groom is no different than that! 

Everyone at the top of the sport does things differently, and what works for them works! So, you don’t have to do things one particular way to be successful. Don’t be afraid to keep trying to find somewhere you are comfortable being yourself. 

Positive energy in the barn 

Having a good relationship with your rider is not only important for both of you, but also important for the horses. Horses are herd animals, so they pick up on emotions super easily. Having positive interactions between the people in the barn will make the horses happy as well. At the same time, having your rider happy and in a positive environment will transfer over to the horses during their rides.  

Sometimes, we might get laser-focused and super intense in our job, but it’s important to remember why we are here in the first place. Of course, we need to take our jobs as grooms seriously but it’s also crucial to remember that what we do with these horses is so special. 

Honesty is key 

Honesty is one of the most important traits that anyone working in the equine industry can have. Sometimes, you have to give your rider bad news and it’s not fun. You can be positive and supportive yet not sugarcoat anything. In the end, honesty is best for the rider and the horse.  

Being honest is the most you can do, especially since everyone is human and makes mistakes. Honesty is truly the best policy! 

It’s all in the details 

Remembering small things can really make a huge difference. I try to remember if Sara likes specific brands of certain products and make sure to have them ready for her. I know she likes cherry chapstick, so I never forget to pack that in my backpack! 

Although those things may seem small, they have an impact. You obviously want to make the horse comfortable and happy, but making sure you do the same with your rider is important too! If they have items (like cherry chapstick) that they’re used to at a show, it’ll make them feel more taken care of and at home. 

Paying attention to the way your rider takes care of their horses is also important. I try to mimic what I do to the way Sara would want something done. At the end of the day, I want to see her and her horses succeed, so being attentive has great significance.  

Separate the personal from the professional 

Part of having a positive relationship with your rider is knowing when to separate the personal from the professional. This can look like knowing when your rider may need some space to relax mentally or even knowing when organizing a team bonding dinner might be exactly what they need. 

Remembering to do what’s best for your rider and their mental and physical health is equally as important as making the horses happy and healthy.