The Aiken Horse Park Foundation is proud to offer the inaugural World Class Grooming Career Development Grant. The first of its kind, this grant provides an aspiring high-performance groom with the education and opportunities needed to advance their career.
Designed for individuals without extensive international grooming experience, the program encourages cross-discipline exposure and immersion in elite programs with highly experienced mentors, including grooms, barn managers, and athletes.
This grant aims to provide meaningful financial support to individuals seeking to advance their professional education and hands-on experience within the equine industry. Specifically, it supports grooms pursuing careers at the international level in one of the Olympic disciplines: Dressage, Jumping, or Eventing.
Through a structured mentorship program, grant recipients will have the opportunity to learn directly from professionals working at the highest levels of the sport. This immersive educational experience is designed to cultivate excellence, professionalism, horsemanship, and long-term career sustainability for aspiring international grooms.
The inaugural grant for 2026 will be $5,000.
#supergroom Cat Hill gives Shannon Lilley’s Eindhoven Garette some love. Photo by Atalya Boytner Photography.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must not have previously groomed at the Olympic, World, or Pan American Games
- Must be between the ages of 23–35 at the time of application
- Must have at least three years of experience in the equine grooming industry
- Must be currently employed or interning in an equine-related role (e.g., groom, barn manager)
- Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Must demonstrate a clear commitment to pursuing a professional career in one of the three Olympic disciplines
Applications are due no later than July 1. For more information visit aikenhorsepark.org/wcg-equine-education.
The committee established to guide the development and allocation of the grant is populated with top grooms from the three Olympic disciplines and representatives of the AHPF.
Emma Ford
A retired professional groom to seven-time Olympian Phillip Dutton, Emma’s career has spanned four Olympic Games, multiple World Championships, and nearly every five-star event in the Northern Hemisphere. Author of World Class Grooming, currently a sought-after Equine Sports Massage Therapist
Amy Ruth Borun
A former 5* Eventing Athlete – she developed her own ex-racehorse to the highest level of Eventing, in addition to having several other FEI horses and wins across the USA. Current Aiken Horse Park Foundation Board Member.
Carly Muma
Traveled the globe with Susie Dutta’s 5* dressage horses for 14 years, groomed on 10 different nations cup teams. Part of a team that has successfully brought five young horses from 4-5 years old to the Grand Prix level. Additionally assists in rehab and therapy for Timmy Dutta’s team of high-goal polo ponies.
Margo Thomas
Show groom for decorated US Olympian Laura Kraut for seven years. Thirteen years total of Eventing and jumping grooming experience. Groomed at two Olympic Games and a Pan American Games and dozens of Nations Cups and 5* CSIs.
Joanie Morris
Began career in high performance equestrian sport as a groom, which led to Team USA administrative roles at Olympic, World and Pan American Games. Wrote a letter to get her first grooming job with Phillip and Evie Dutton. She now serves as the COO of the Aiken Horse Park Foundation.
