48/ DECEMBER 2022 THE RIDER The Grooms Award, Ltd. to Cease Operations The Grooms Award Achieved Its Goal of Gaining Recognition for Grooms; Leftover Assets to Go to Equestrian Aid Foundation


Foxborough, MA — November 30, 2022 — Following an expanded schedule for the 2022 horse show season that marked its busiest year ever, The Grooms Award, Ltd., has announced that it will cease operations as of January 1, 2023.


With the recent establishment of an Inter-


national Grooms Association and new FEI recognition of the important role grooms play in the sport of show jumping, the Board of Direc- tors of The Grooms Award, Ltd. feels that the 501(c)3 not-for-profit charitable organization has achieved its ultimate goal of gaining recog- nition for grooms, and it voted to cease opera- tions with the 2022 Las Vegas National Horse Show being its last event. The organization ex- tends a heartfelt thank-you to all its sponsors, supporters and volunteers and will donate any leftover funds and assets to the Equestrian Aid Foundation. “This has been a labor of love for so many


of us but with an important mission in mind,” said Andrea Mewhinney, Director of The Grooms Award, Ltd. “All of us who were in- volved believed strongly that grooms deserve to be recognized for the important role they play in


our sport. Seeing each horse’s groom listed on the start orders at this year’s World Champi- onships gave us all an incredible feeling and also made it clear that our dream was actually com- ing true. We’d like to think that we played at least some role in bringing that about, and we thank everyone who helped and supported us along the way.” The Grooms Award, Ltd., was established


by Andrea Mewhinney and Noel Glavin 25 years ago to honor the memory of Moira McCaf- farey (who passed away unexpectedly in 1997) and George Hennessy (transporter for the USET). They established The Grooms Award to recognize the many workers “behind the scenes” who devote themselves to keeping the horses in their care fit, healthy, and ready to compete. Friends of Moira donated a trophy for the


first-ever grooms’ award at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg where indi- viduals and companies donated prizes to be given to the winning groom. The program ex- panded to providing gifts and awards to hun- dreds of grooms in select classes at a total of 11 horse shows on both coasts this year. The Grooms Award greatly appreciates its


volunteers who devoted countless hours to col- lecting gifts for grooms, assembling them in bags, and handing them out in the stables no matter the weather and often without recogni- tion.


Leftover assets from The Grooms Award,


Ltd., will go to the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF), which provides emergency financial grants to members of the equestrian community who are struggling to overcome catastrophic ill- ness, injury or other unforeseen crises. Since 1996, the EAF has provided over $3.2 million in grant support and the promise of hope to breeders, farriers, grooms, riders, trainers and other members of the equestrian community to overcome hard times and move forward with their lives. More information can be found at equestrianaidfoundation.org. Following is the list of events at which


The Grooms Award, Ltd. participated in 2022: Nations Cup at Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF8) – Wellington, FL – March 5 Live Oak International – Ocala, FL–March 6 *Nations Cup at Blenheim EquiSports – San Juan Capistrano, CA – May 15 *Devon Horse Show – Devon, PA – June 2


Representatives of The Grooms Award were on hand for the organiza- tion’s final event as the Las Vegas National Horse Show honored co-


founder Andrea Mewhinney. L-R: Corinne Doubleday, Georgia Coyle, Lynn McClanahan, Andrea Mewhinney, and Susie Crush.


*Upperville Colt & Horse Show– Upperville, VA – June 12 *Lake Placid Horse Show – Lake Placid, NY – July 3 *American Gold Cup – Traverse City, MI – Sept. 18 *International Jumping Festival – San Juan Capistrano, CA – Sept. 21-25 *Sacramento International Horse Show – Sacramento, CA – Oct. 8 *Pennsylvania National Horse Show – Harrisburg, PA – Oct. 22 *Riders Cup – Burbank, CA – Oct. 22 *National Horse Show – Lexington, KY – Nov. 5 *Las Vegas National Horse Show – Las Vegas, NV – Nov. 19 *The Grooms Award presented gifts to grooms in


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 in- creased 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 gen- erous sponsors.


The Grooms Award, Ltd. thanks the following spon- sors and supporters: Boy-O-Boy Bridleworks, The Doubleday Founda-


two featured classes at these events. Created to recognize the workers “behind the


We have evolved over the years along with the horse industry that we support. Thank you to all of you who have helped us along the way!


Visit our website at www.therider.com


based company that designs and manufactures technolog- ically advanced products for top riders and horses throughout the world. From their ImpacTeq™ technology to the D-Teq™ Boot line, the T-Sport Wrap™ to the Gel- Compression™ Therapy line, EquiFit continues to raise expectations by pairing innovative designs with highly ad- vanced materials. For more information, please visit www.EquiFit.net. Haygain is a science-backed horse health company.


tion, EquiFit, Haygain, Dr. Ron Gaeta, Paula and Michael Gaughan, Shapley’s, South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, and all other supporters of The Grooms Award! Founded in 2000, EquiFit, inc. is a Massachusetts-


saward.org. The Grooms Award, Ltd. is also on Facebook and Instagram. #groomsrock


representing all breeds and riding disciplines, have placed their trust in Shapley’s. This trust has made Shapley’s a leader in the horse care industry. Shapley’s is proud to offer an extensive and award-winning line of superior equine grooming products. From their Original MTG, still the market leader in equine skin health care, to all their grooming products used by horsemen and women today, Shapley’s products represent the highest quality available. Shapley’s products add health and shine to the horse’s coat and skin. Shapley’s is so proud to support so many organ- izations that give back to the people in the horse industry. Shapley’s is always proud to support the hardworking grooms and we are excited by our affiliation with the Grooms Award. For more information, please visit www.shapleys.com. For more information, please visit www.groom-


This global company manufactures high-temperature hay steaming equipment, the Forager Slow Feeder and Hay- gain’s ComfortStall Sealed Orthopedic Flooring. For more information, please visit www.haygain.us. Since 1938, generations of horsemen worldwide,


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