Eight months ago, Alejandro Azorin began as Erynn Ballard's show groom, a role in which he diligently cares for her horses and accompanies them to all competitions. Before that, he worked for Darragh Kenny, and with his experience and passion he tries to deliver the best in every aspect of his work.
Please could you introduce yourself, and tell us your role and what this entails…
My name is Alejandro, and I am Erynn Ballard’s show groom. I started working for her eight months ago, and before this, I worked for Darragh Kenny. My job is to take care of her horses and travel with her to all of the shows – I try to do my best in every part of my job!
What inspired you to become a groom in the equestrian world, and how did you start?
My grandfather used to take care of horses, and we have always had horses back in Spain, where I grew up. I began riding myself but I had a bad accident and I was in the hospital for a long time. After this, I decided to quit riding and start grooming as I could no longer ride. Grooming was therefore a natural next step for me – it enabled me to keep working with horses.
Working with a Canadian rider, Spruce Meadows must be a very special experience for you, can you tell us how special it is to be here?
It is very special. We always want the horses to do well, but here at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, when Erynn enters into the ring everyone is clapping and cheering for her – it is an incredible feeling.
Spruce Meadows is my favourite show on the circuit, and of course, is even better when we do well.
Can you tell us a little bit more about the facilities here at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament?
The facilities here are exceptional – I have nothing bad to say. There are paddocks for the horses, a lot of turn-out, plenty of rings to flat, lunging arenas, and the stables are great – there are water points everywhere, good ventilation in the stables, and hot water in the mornings. I really could keep going on about the number of facilities here.
What does a typical day look like for you at Spruce Meadows during a competition?
We have a routine that always stays the same – although we change the timings for riding depending on the class, but the routine is always the same. I come in you check the horses, feed them hay and grain. We try to keep everything as consistent as possible. In my opinion, consistency is the key! If you start changing things, then the horses are not going to perform as well. We try to keep everything simple.
Can you share a bit about the unique personality traits or quirks of the horses you work with?
We have three horses with us this week. One is a lovely stallion called De Flor 111 Z Santa Rosa, he is very kind, nice, and polite – he doesn’t really do anything wrong. Then we have a nine-year-old gelding named Fave D'Authuit. They are all my favourites but he is a special one. He is fresh though – if it is a cold day then he can be a little bit quirky and cheeky. Finally, there is the man of the house – Gakhir. He is the number one – everyone loves him, and he cannot do anything wrong – whatever he does is always good. He is the special one.
What is Erynn’s approach to working with the team and horses, and what makes her so talented?
Erynn is the nicest rider I have ever worked with! I cannot say one bad thing about her. She is perfect! She takes care of everyone. She always asks about the horses, as well as all of the team including how we are doing, if our flight was good, if we have a rental car – she thinks about every detail.
What do you find most rewarding about working at the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors such as Spruce Meadows?
When you work day in and out with the horses it is so rewarding to see their progress. For example with our chestnut stallion, De Flor 111 Z Santa Rosa, we got quite recently and we have been jumping in the smaller classes and yesterday he jumped clear in the big class. It is a nice feeling when you see the horses improving and getting better all the time.
What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for someone in your role?
I think it is passion and love – you have to love what you do. You have to leave a lot of things behind with this job and so you need to be totally dedicated. You have to be a hard worker – there are so many hours involved, and you are always on the next plane or truck to the shows. I think that being a hard worker is key to it all.
How do you continue to learn and improve your skills as a groom?
You have to ask questions! If you have a question, you should always ask the other grooms and they will help you out. That is what is so special about our community – people are always willing to help out because we all love the horses. It is also always important to ask the wider team, the vets, grooms, farriers, and trainers.
You of course learn a little bit through your own experiences – you see what works well with one horse, and then try to adapt that to another one. The horses teach you a lot! If you think you know everything, then you will not get better!
Please could you introduce yourself, and tell us your role and what this entails…
My name is Alejandro, and I am Erynn Ballard’s show groom. I started working for her eight months ago, and before this, I worked for Darragh Kenny. My job is to take care of her horses and travel with her to all of the shows – I try to do my best in every part of my job!
What inspired you to become a groom in the equestrian world, and how did you start?
My grandfather used to take care of horses, and we have always had horses back in Spain, where I grew up. I began riding myself but I had a bad accident and I was in the hospital for a long time. After this, I decided to quit riding and start grooming as I could no longer ride. Grooming was therefore a natural next step for me – it enabled me to keep working with horses.
Working with a Canadian rider, Spruce Meadows must be a very special experience for you, can you tell us how special it is to be here?
It is very special. We always want the horses to do well, but here at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, when Erynn enters into the ring everyone is clapping and cheering for her – it is an incredible feeling.
Spruce Meadows is my favourite show on the circuit, and of course, is even better when we do well.
Can you tell us a little bit more about the facilities here at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament?
The facilities here are exceptional – I have nothing bad to say. There are paddocks for the horses, a lot of turn-out, plenty of rings to flat, lunging arenas, and the stables are great – there are water points everywhere, good ventilation in the stables, and hot water in the mornings. I really could keep going on about the number of facilities here.
What does a typical day look like for you at Spruce Meadows during a competition?
We have a routine that always stays the same – although we change the timings for riding depending on the class, but the routine is always the same. I come in you check the horses, feed them hay and grain. We try to keep everything as consistent as possible. In my opinion, consistency is the key! If you start changing things, then the horses are not going to perform as well. We try to keep everything simple.
Can you share a bit about the unique personality traits or quirks of the horses you work with?
We have three horses with us this week. One is a lovely stallion called De Flor 111 Z Santa Rosa, he is very kind, nice, and polite – he doesn’t really do anything wrong. Then we have a nine-year-old gelding named Fave D'Authuit. They are all my favourites but he is a special one. He is fresh though – if it is a cold day then he can be a little bit quirky and cheeky. Finally, there is the man of the house – Gakhir. He is the number one – everyone loves him, and he cannot do anything wrong – whatever he does is always good. He is the special one.
What is Erynn’s approach to working with the team and horses, and what makes her so talented?
Erynn is the nicest rider I have ever worked with! I cannot say one bad thing about her. She is perfect! She takes care of everyone. She always asks about the horses, as well as all of the team including how we are doing, if our flight was good, if we have a rental car – she thinks about every detail.
What do you find most rewarding about working at the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors such as Spruce Meadows?
When you work day in and out with the horses it is so rewarding to see their progress. For example with our chestnut stallion, De Flor 111 Z Santa Rosa, we got quite recently and we have been jumping in the smaller classes and yesterday he jumped clear in the big class. It is a nice feeling when you see the horses improving and getting better all the time.
What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for someone in your role?
I think it is passion and love – you have to love what you do. You have to leave a lot of things behind with this job and so you need to be totally dedicated. You have to be a hard worker – there are so many hours involved, and you are always on the next plane or truck to the shows. I think that being a hard worker is key to it all.
How do you continue to learn and improve your skills as a groom?
You have to ask questions! If you have a question, you should always ask the other grooms and they will help you out. That is what is so special about our community – people are always willing to help out because we all love the horses. It is also always important to ask the wider team, the vets, grooms, farriers, and trainers.
You of course learn a little bit through your own experiences – you see what works well with one horse, and then try to adapt that to another one. The horses teach you a lot! If you think you know everything, then you will not get better!