HorseGrooms
HorseGrooms is a podcast and resource platform focused on the work and careers of ambitious horse grooms. It offers education, practical advice, and support for grooms looking to advance in the equestrian industry. Episodes cover topics such as horse care, stable management, career development, and life working with horses. The show is aimed at both newcomers and experienced grooms seeking to build professional skills.
Episodes
012 Meet HorseGrooms Foundation Board Member Grace Speckman: Financial Education, Recognition, and Supporting Grooms
What does it take to build a stronger future for professional grooms, and how can financial education, career development, and recognition help transform the equestrian industry?In this episode of the HorseGrooms Podcast, Dinette Neuteboom sits down with Grace Speckman, financial advisor, lifelong equestrian, and board member of the newly established HorseGrooms Foundation, to discuss how the foun
011 Nora Bilancioni: “I Loved Grooming. I Just Wish the Profession Had Taken Better Care of Me.”
In this episode of the HorseGrooms Podcast, Dinette Neuteboom sits down with Nora Bilancioni, a former international show jumping groom from Sweden, for one of the most honest conversations yet about life behind the scenes in professional equestrian sport.After spending 12 years working in top stables across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States, Nora shares the realities of
010 Why Do We Love Horses So Much? Lynn Thomas on the Horse-Human Connection
Lynn Thomas, co founder of Horses for Mental Health, has spent more than 30 years working in mental health and incorporating horses into programs that help people grow, heal, and better understand themselves. In this episode, she shares what makes the horse human connection so powerful and how horses can help people recognize patterns, become more self aware, and experience meaningful moments of c
009 Freelancing, Boundaries, and Building a Business: What We Learned from Our Conversation with Lucie Kostecka
Freelance groom Lucie has built a career traveling the world, working for top riders across Europe, the United States, and Canada while helping care for high-performance show jumping horses. In this episode, she shares what it's really like to work as an international freelance groom, from finding clients and setting professional boundaries to navigating visas, invoicing, and life on the road.
008 Managing 79 Horses with Kristen Chandler | Systems, Leadership & Exceptional Horse Care
What does it take to successfully manage nearly 80 horses, multiple trainers, international travel, veterinary schedules, farriers, staff, and clients, all while keeping horse welfare at the center of everything?In this episode, HorseGrooms sits down with Kristen Chandler, Barn Manager at Oakland Stables, to discuss the systems, leadership, and horsemanship behind one of the industry's most re
007 What Equestrian Employers Can Do to Build Stronger Teams and Keep Good Grooms - With Ippos Pro Consulting
Natalia Zoi has worked as a professional groom in top European show jumping stables and for top trainers in the harness racing industry in the United States. Throughout her career, she has seen how communication, leadership, and workplace structure can influence not only employees but also the success of an entire equestrian business.While working full-time as a groom, Natalia earned her MBA and s
006 Horse Care Has No Borders: Sofia Viola on Spruce Meadows, Ventago, and Grooming Across Cultures
Maria Sofia Viola has built an international career as a professional show jumping groom, caring for elite horses across continents as part of Saudi Olympic rider Abdulrahman Al-Rajhi’s team. Fresh off a major win with Ventago at Spruce Meadows in Canada, she joins The HorseGrooms Podcast to share what goes into preparing a horse for top-level competition and what life looks like behind the scenes
005 How FLAIR® Nasal Strips Help Horses Breathe: Dr. Jim Chiapetta Explains the Science
This episode is sponsored by Achieve Equine.Veterinarian, researcher, entrepreneur, and Achieve Equine founder Jim Chiapetta joins the HorseGrooms Podcast to take a deep dive into one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of the equine athlete: the respiratory system. Jim explains how horses breathe during exercise, why horses are obligate nasal breathers, and how the respiratory system
004 Lou Beudin: Preparing Out of the Blue SCF for the World Championships in Aachen
French groom Lou Beudin has spent the past nine years working alongside Katie Dinan and her team, building her career from local riding schools and national shows to the biggest stages in international show jumping. Now based between New York and Florida, Lou shares what it takes to care for top-level horses, travel internationally, and be part of a successful team.In this episode, Lou takes us be
003 Mental Health in the Horse World: Why Speaking Up Matters - With Sonja Ochadlik
American show jumper Sonya Chadlick opens up about mental health in the equestrian industry following the loss of a fellow horseman and the passing of her sister, Gina. Drawing from her own experiences with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and OCD, Sonya shares an honest conversation about asking for help, breaking the stigma around mental health, and why no one should have to struggle alone.She also di
002 What Excellence Looks Like Behind the Scenes at the Highest Level With Denise Moriarty
What does it really take to groom at the highest level of international show jumping?In this episode of the HorseGrooms Podcast, Dinette Neuteboom sits down with Denise Moriarty, longtime groom for Olympic show jumper Kent Farrington, for an in-depth conversation about the systems, routines, and horsemanship behind one of the world's top show jumping stables.Originally from Ireland, Denise sha
001 Sue Schlegel on Why Great Horse Care Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
For decades, Sue Schlegel has been one of the most respected names in the show jumping world. As a longtime groom for Beezie Madden and John Madden, Sue has cared for some of the sport's greatest horses while helping build one of the most successful teams in international show jumping.In this episode, Sue shares how she got her start in horses, what it's really like working behind the scen
003A With Olympic Groom Margo Thomas
Olympic groom Margo Thomas on what her days look like when the team is at home or showing on the road, her approach to leg and skin care, and her advice for aspiring professional horse grooms.
002A Ringmaster Pedro on attitude and support
Ringmaster Pedro (Cebulka) shares his perspective on giving back to a sport you love and fostering good mental attitudes in ourselves and new grooms. He also talks about how we can create an industry that allows for long, happy, and healthy grooming careers.
001A Lenore Brown of Wellington International on supporting each other
Lenore Brown, former groom and current Director of Sponsorship for Wellington International, gets honest about the challenges and opportunities faced in the grooming industry, advocating for your well-being and career development, and the unexpected skills you hone while grooming.
