Grand Prix Glory
“I’m a travel agent, a dog sitter, a personal assistant…” Josie Eliasson’s role as a show groom is anything but ordinary. From behind-the-scenes chaos to ensuring top riders and horses perform their best, discover what it really takes to be one of the world’s top “super grooms”.
By Ellë Bolland
Horses aren’t known for their sense of time. Our conversation opens with, “Sorry, the horses started running around in the field and I had to go calm them down – you know how it is!”. We both laugh. Josie Eliasson is show groom to Team US Olympic silver medallist, Jessica Springsteen (yes, Bruce Springsteen’s daughter. I too only just put two and two together).
Here in England it’s a dreary Monday, whereas I notice that Josie is somewhere far more exotic. She turns her phone to the window and shows me where the horses were frolicking, a golden pasture with the sun beaming over. “Mondays is a day off here. So, I had half of the horses out and I just swapped them over in the paddock – but of course, they started running a little bit. It’s never exactly as you planned with horses!”. This is a sport where you’re working with not just one athlete, but two – one of which is a little trickier to understand. Josie’s role is to keep both the rider and horses happy, a responsibility that requires deep understanding and care. I’m curious to learn about what goes on behind the scenes.
I’m curious about Josie’s background. “Did you come from a horsey family?” I ask. “No,” she replies. “My family had a farm with cows and pigs, but my mum was actually terrified of horses after an accident”. Josie chuckles, “Unfortunately, or fortunately, when I was 6 I went riding with one of my school friends, and from that moment on I was hooked”.
By the time Josie was in her teens, she was working at the same riding school where she started, running summer camps and breaking in her own horse. It was during competitions that she realised her passion for working with horses extended beyond just riding. “I used to help the yard owner with her horses, and I realised I was actually pretty good at it,” Josie says. Eventually, after leasing out her horse, she was able to travel abroad to pursue her dreams of working with horses full time. While Josie is clearly proud of the bond she formed with her horse, she is at peace with the decision. “It’s been a long time now. She’s having foals and living a lovely life at home,” she shares.
Josie tells me about the differences between different types of grooms “So I’m the show groom, which is basically the person the rider takes with them to shows to ensure smooth running on the day”. She explains that this can include everything from any travel arrangements made months in advance, to plaiting and presenting, and communicating to the rider on the day, “So you’re also doubling up as a secretary then!” I joke. “It is very varied!” Josie laughs. She notes that there are two other grooms on the team; a flat rider who will ride the horses at home and maintain their day to day care, and then a home groom whose role is to make sure everything is running smoothly at home with the horses, pets and paperwork.
Josie gives me insight into how the team functions during a busy competition calendar. “Here in Florida, we can be at home while also competing. Jessie can ride many of the horses herself, but when we’re in Europe, we travel weekly. I often go from Tuesday to Sunday. The horses at home are exercised by the flat rider for upcoming shows,” she explains.
I ask Josie about the logistics of her role, especially when it comes to big shows. “Jessie will make a plan for the horses, whether it’s working towards a championship, producing a young horse, or bringing a horse back into work,” Josie explains. “I then arrange everything to make that happen – travel, packing, getting the horses ready for the journey.” Josie is quick to joke, “Sometimes I’m a travel agent, dog sitter, personal assistant…”
Curious about what it’s like behind the scenes at a big championship like the CHI Geneva – one of the four Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping events – I ask what someone without equestrian experience can expect of the event. Josie shares her perspective, “For me, the CHI Geneva is one of the best shows in the world, if not the best indoor show. I love the atmosphere. Even riding a clear round in the Rolex Grand Prix or winning that Rolex Grand Prix is very special!”.’ She adds,”As a groom you’re really well taken care of at Geneva, and at all of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors. Everything is thought through, from the stable area to other details behind the scenes. It’s something you don’t see as a spectator, but it’s incredibly important for us and the horses. That’s also why we grooms love going to these shows – the behind-the-scenes care is so well handled!”.
Rewarding
Despite her extensive experience, Josie emphasizes that her role as a groom has been shaped more by hands-on learning than formal education. “I didn’t have to study to become a groom. I learned from those around me,” she shares. “The sport keeps evolving, and you have to evolve with it. That’s what makes my job rewarding”.
She also speaks about the bond she shares with the other grooms and riders, describing it as a “travelling family.” “We’re away from our families, so it’s the same people at the shows. It feels very familiar and nice,” she says. When asked if spending so much time with the rider can be challenging, Josie laughs. “We spend more time with our riders than in a relationship! But communication and respect are key. I’ve worked with Jessie long enough to read her, and vice versa”.
“It must be similar with the horses, each with their own personalities you have to get to know?” I ask. “Exactly. Right now we have seven horses, and I try to understand each one of them,” Josie explains. While she doesn’t have favourites, she admits that some horses naturally require more attention. “If you’ve competed with a horse in championships, you naturally spend more time with that one horse,” she adds. “But each horse is different – some have big personalities, others are more shy. You connect with them differently.”
Josie believes that emotions play a big part in the horses’ performance. “If I’ve been upset about something, I can see it in their performance. Horses are very sensitive to how we feel,” she says.
“And who do you feel closest to?” I ask, eager to learn about the personalities of the horses. Josie mentions Don Juan (full name Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve). “He’s my championship horse. I’ve spent a lot of time with him, travelling and taking care of him. He’s 16 this year, and I’ve been there for him through it all. He’s amazing,” she shares, in awe of the stallion who helped Jessica and Team US win silver at Tokyo 2021.
Looking ahead, Josie believes the future of equestrianism will see even more global expansion and higher levels of competition. “The level is getting better every year,” she says. “Courses are becoming more technical, and prize money is rising. Shows are moving to places like Saudi Arabia and Doha, making the sport more international. Riders are having to travel more and adapt to new schedules.”
As we near the end of our conversation, I ask Josie about her favorite place to travel. Without hesitation, she replies, “Rome – I love Rome.” She describes the city’s mix of ancient and modern architecture, saying, “You walk down a street, and on one side, there’s a modern building, and on the other, a structure from the Roman Empire. It’s so rich in history.”
I ask if Josie manages to visit home much. “I always try to go home during the Summer – that’s the best time to visit Sweden because it’s not so cold!”. Her family sometimes visits her in the US, and with technology like FaceTime, it’s easier for Josie to stay connected with loved ones despite the difference in time zone. “You have to try to do your best to keep in contact,” she says, acknowledging the challenges of long-distance relationships. “I’m really lucky with Jessie though. Whenever there is time she’ll tell me to go home or take a vacation or do whatever I want, she’s super supportive” Josie shares, grateful for her team’s understanding.
As our conversation draws to a close, I’m reminded of the balancing act that life as a groom requires – managing travel, competition, and relationships with both horses and riders. Josie’s role exemplifies the vital, often unseen contribution of grooms to the success of equestrian teams, and shows how the world of competitive riding is about far more than just the athlete – it’s about the care, attention, and dedication that goes into every aspect of the sport. My conversation with Josie acts as a reminder that behind every successful rider and competition, there is an army of individuals like her who make it all possible. Through her unshakeable commitment to both the horses and the riders, she’s helping shape the future of equestrianism, where teamwork, passion, and respect for the animals are at the beating heart of the sport.
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