From the sunny southwest of France, Marine Renaudet found her way to the heart of international show jumping. Since 2018, she has been the dedicated groom to top rider Daniel Deusser (GER) – a role in which she combines her lifelong passion for horses with discipline, commitment, and a sharp eye for detail. “Horses have always been part of my life,” Marine explains.
Still, her mother encouraged her to pursue a diploma, and so Marine enrolled in an art history degree. “It was interesting, but I missed being around horses too much,” she admits. She switched to a hands-on agricultural program that included an on-site stable. “I probably spent more time in the stables than I should have – but I still completed the course.”
After graduating, she sent open applications to several major stables. Her message was clear: she had experience, spoke English, had helped out at shows, and was eager to learn. To her surprise, she received several responses – including one from Stephex Stables in Belgium. “I also had interviews lined up with riders in the Czech Republic and Mexico, but my mum thought Belgium was a bit more reasonable,” she laughs.
A trial period in July 2018 brought her to Stephex, where she was originally meant to work for a French rider. However, he was just about to start his own stable – and at the same time, Daniel Deusser’s long-time groom was leaving. “It all just fell into place perfectly,” she recalls. By August 2018, Marine had officially joined Daniel’s team – and she’s been there ever since.
Now, she works with some of the best horses in the world. That requires not just knowledge, but a deep understanding of character and behaviour. “Every horse has its own personality,” she explains. “Some are playful, others shy or sensitive. You build a bond that’s similar to friendships with people – some just click better than others.”
She speaks warmly about the horses in her care – from the sensitive Otello de Guldenboom to the gentle Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z, and the opinionated mare Killer Queen VDM. “She knows exactly what she wants – and makes it very clear,” Marine smiles. “We always joked she liked Sean (the other groom) more than me – she’d whinny for him every time!”
That individual attention is what makes her work so special. “You’re with them all the time. You learn their routines, their quirks, what they like. The bond builds day by day.”
Whether at home or at a show, Marine aims for calm and consistency. “Horses are creatures of habit. I try to mirror their home routine as much as possible at competitions – it helps them relax.” While show days can be intense, they also offer more time for one-on-one care. “It’s less rushed. You can really focus on how they’re feeling.”
Travel is part of the job – from trucks to planes, everything is planned down to the finest detail. “We pay attention to who travels well together. Horses that get along are paired up. Everything is about making smart choices to reduce stress.” Good stabling also makes a huge difference: “Quiet surroundings, well-organized spaces – that helps horses settle in quickly.”
A standout moment for Marine was her first visit to CHIO Aachen – the ‘Wimbledon’ of show jumping. “I had goosebumps. The atmosphere, the crowd, the history – it’s overwhelming. And when you work for a German rider like Daniel, the home crowd support is incredible. It gave me such an emotional boost.”
She is equally enthusiastic about the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – which includes prestigious shows like The Dutch Masters, Calgary, and Geneva. “Everything is top-level – the organization, the venues, the atmosphere. It’s magical. In 2022, Daniel won the Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters with Tobago Z. I was so nervous, but the energy there was amazing.”
Teamwork is crucial at Stephex Stables. “You’re constantly learning from each other. No one knows everything. We share notes, tips, and small observations. Even things like Killer Queen’s morning nap – we plan around that to keep her happy. It all comes down to communication and the willingness to keep learning.”
What makes her work truly rewarding is seeing the horses happy, healthy, and performing at their best. “When they feel good and give everything in the ring – that’s deeply satisfying. And when Daniel is happy, the whole team feels it. Even if I’m at home and not at the show, I’m proud when I see them succeed. You know your work contributed to that.”
For anyone dreaming of a career as a top-level groom, Marine has one piece of advice: “Just go for it. Stay open-minded, be willing to learn, and don’t get discouraged if it’s hard at first. Every experience teaches you something. It’s a journey – and it’s absolutely worth it.”
