Tremendous groom Josefine Eliasson has been operating for US showjumper Jessica Springsteen for the previous 8 years. She now follows the worldwide global circuit with the Olympic silver medallist, having a look after Jessica’s best horses together with Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve and Hungry Middle.
“At first, I used to be based totally at her house backyard and I rode slightly,” says Josie. “However for the previous six years, I’ve travelled the arena along with her and her horses as her display groom.”
Swedish-born Josie began using when she used to be 5 – 6 and fell in love with horses.
“When I used to be somewhat older, I had a pleasant younger horse that I competed in Sweden,” she says. “The landlord of the stables the place I saved my horse competed frequently together with within the nationwide younger horse championships and I might move along with her and groom for her.
“I quickly realised that I truly loved grooming and she or he used to be at all times very encouraging. She would say that I used to be excellent at it and I remembered all the vital small main points. I then went to consult with a pal of mine, who on the time used to be operating with horses in Switzerland,” she continues. “After most effective about two days, I knew it used to be what I sought after to do, so I requested if she knew somebody who wanted lend a hand at their stables. This is once I were given a role with Romain Duguet – I nonetheless had my horse, however I controlled to rent her out, and I packed my luggage for Switzerland as an enduring transfer.”
“Jessica Springsteen’s Olympic horse Don Juan is particular”
After a 12 months, Josie returned to Sweden, desiring to get her HGV riding licence, however that’s when the activity with Jessica Springsteen got here up and she or he’s been having a look after her gifted string of showjumpers ever since.
“Our maximum particular horse is Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve [pictured, below], Jessica’s Olympic Video games horse,” says Josie. “I’ve an out of this world bond with him. You spend such a lot time by myself together with your championship horses that you just get to grasp them differently. As a groom, you at all times inform your self you’ve gotten a distinct bond together with your horse, however I truly suppose we do. For instance, once I stroll into the strong he’ll whinny for me however he doesn’t do this with a random individual. He is essential to me – I’m very emotional in relation to him. He’s a stallion, however he’s the nicest stallion I’ve ever treated.
“Each time I movie Don [Juan Van De Donkhoeve] within the ring, I at all times appear to be giving my remark of the spherical, telling him ‘You’ll do it!’” she finds.
“Hungry Middle is any other of our best horses who’s competing at five-star stage. He’s 12 and has the most important persona within the stables. He is sort of a canine, you’ll play with him. I at all times shaggy dog story that I believe I may train him to sit down if I truly attempted. He’s an excessively humorous horse. Now we have a few different more youthful horses who’re very thrilling, I believe the longer term is having a look excellent.”
Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve win the Longines International Champions Excursion of London grand prix.
“You’re at all times finding out – concentrate to these with extra enjoy”
Having now labored with Jessica Springsteen for 8 years, Josie’s key piece of recommendation to grooms is to “concentrate to people who have extra enjoy”.
“What I like about this occupation is that you’re at all times finding out new issues,” she says. “That is for 2 causes – for the reason that game is evolving, in addition to the truth that each and every unmarried individual has their very own methods and methods. Ask extra questions – this is the way you be told.
“I might additionally say don’t be afraid. Numerous individuals are comfy about the place they’re operating, however they don’t seem to be as satisfied as they might be. After all, it’s frightening to check out one thing new and to make a large alternate on your lifestyles, however it’s so vital to seek out the correct position for you. You even have to like horses – as a groom, you need to paintings such lengthy hours and there’s numerous travelling – however when you love horses it’s the most efficient activity on this planet.”
She additionally underlines the significance of figuring out and figuring out your horses.
“This manner, you’ll realize the small indicators that one thing could be unsuitable,” she explains. “The sooner you’ll see a topic, the extra in a position you’re to lend a hand them with no matter they want. It may be more straightforward to identify this together with your championship horses as you spend such a lot time with them and also you get to grasp their behavior so neatly, so you’ll see the smallest adjustments of their behaviour and do something positive about it earlier than it turns into a topic.
“I believe everybody has their very own distinctive superstitions in relation to the extra vital categories. It doesn’t matter what, I at all times inform my rider to have amusing, and I give the pony slightly pat. After all, right through the larger categories, I do that quietly so I don’t interrupt my rider’s focus and center of attention – however I nonetheless do it.”
Jessica Springsteen makes her Olympic debut in Tokyo using Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve.
Josie tries to verify each and every of Jessica Springsteen’s horses helps to keep their regimen up to conceivable once they’re at presentations.
“I believe that the pony takes convenience from that,” she says. “After all, on the larger competitions, you’ll use issues akin to therapeutic massage blankets extra however I attempt to stay it so simple as conceivable and allow them to be horses.
“We attempt to paintings backward from a selected festival or purpose to make certain that we now have deliberate the most efficient conceivable time table for that exact horse. If we all know {that a} horse jumps higher right through their 2nd week of festival, then we can ensure that it competes two weeks in a row.”
“The most efficient occupation you’ll have,” says Jessica Springsteen’s groom Josie Eliasson
In addition to the large championships, Josie Eliasson and Jessica Springsteen commute to one of the most largest presentations on this planet together with the Rolex Grand Slam and she or he says CHI Geneva is her favorite indoor display.
“The Rolex Grand Slam has had such an out of this world have an effect on at the game,” she says. “It’s the something that each and every rider targets for. After all to win a Main and to transform the Rolex Grand Slam of Display Leaping are living contender is astounding, however I believe this is a large privilege for riders to also be competing at those presentations – they’re essentially the most prestigious on this planet. To compete and even simply be at a venue such because the CHIO Aachen or The Dutch Masters is amazingly particular. They truly build up the degrees of visibility of the sports activities. It’s at all times nice to observe the perfect stage of game, and that is what the carrying Majors supply. They provide an opportunity to win one thing past the standard competitions, such because the Rolex Grand Slam of Display Leaping. I believe that even a non-equestrian fan would to find this thrilling to observe.”
Josie has introduced her personal on-line platform connecting grooms with riders.
“I did, and nonetheless do, get numerous other people asking about excellent personnel and excellent jobs,” she explains about putting in place Yeehaw. “There are such a lot of excellent grooms and employers available in the market however it’s arduous to check them in combination. I sought after to create a platform the place everybody would have the ability to see the alternatives to be had.
“It’s not a troublesome trade to get into as a result of there are such a large amount of jobs, however what is difficult is discovering the correct position,” she provides. “Every other purpose is to check out to boost the trade requirements for grooms – to make certain that their operating prerequisites are advanced.
“Having a excellent grooming activity makes you need to do it endlessly. But when on your first activity you aren’t handled neatly then it could in no time kill your hobby in proceeding within the trade, even though you’re excellent at it. I simply need to ensure that other people get the most efficient jobs as a result of to me that is the most efficient occupation you’ll have.”
With due to Rolex Grand Slam.
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