From City Riding School to Grooming Olympic Champions
Adam Short’s career began in a city riding school in Newcastle, where he volunteered in exchange for rides and learned the value of hard work in the stable. That dedication eventually led him to work for his childhood hero, William Fox-Pitt, and later to his current role as head groom for former World No.1 and Olympic gold medalist Tom McEwen. In our exclusive Insiders Q&A, Adam shares the journey that took him from riding school volunteer to grooming at the very top of eventing, along with the horsemanship principles and routines that keep elite event horses happy, healthy, and performing at their best.
Practical Insights You Can Use
In the conversation, Adam explains his daily leg checks, feeding strategies, and the importance of rest periods for both horses and grooms. He talks about working with top riders, the role of good communication within a team, and why he believes every groom should be confident in asking questions and seeking hands-on experience. Even in this short excerpt, there’s something to learn—whether it’s how Adam uses cold therapy after gallop days or how he organizes the stable so every horse gets exactly the care it needs.
Watch the Full Replay with a Free Trial
The full Q&A replay, along with replays of all past Insiders sessions, is available exclusively to HorseGrooms Insiders. Members enjoy monthly live Q&As with top grooms and equine professionals, direct access to HorseGrooms Mentors, exclusive discounts, and more. Right now, you can start a week-long free trial and, if you’re a HorseGrooms Community member, claim a 15% discount until the end of the month. Don’t miss this chance to learn directly from one of the best in the business.
Learn more about Insiders here.
Watch the replay of Adam’s Q&A here.
HorseGrooms is a platform of resources, education, and support for grooms by grooms. This is an online community, hub of resources, and spotlight of industry highlights born out of love for the horse and love for the sport. But our mission goes beyond simply providing resources and creating content.
Our goal is to create a space to keep horsemanship alive; for grooms to support and educate each other; and to help advance the craft of grooming. HorseGrooms is dedicated to ambitious grooms everywhere.
