Corro HorseGroom of the Month April 2025: Jenni Giannini

Each month, Corro and HorseGrooms proudly partner together to highlight a dedicated groom, because we know that behind every great horse is a wonderful caregiver. Corro HorseGroom of the Month is selected from HorseGrooms Insiders, an exclusive membership for grooms looking to learn, grow and connect with industry experts. Winners receive a $100 Corro gift card and are featured in this special interview.

Join us in celebrating this month’s honoree, Jenni Giannini. Giannini works with Norman and Nick Dello Joio at Wembley Farms. From Pony Club to the big leagues, Gianni shares her story.

An Interview with an FEI Groom Shaping the Next Generation of Horsemanship: Jenni Giannini

How did your journey with horses begin? 

Pony Club was absolutely foundational. Looking back, it shaped who I am — not just as a rider or a groom but as a horsewoman. It’s rooted in horse management, so from the start, we were cleaning tack, caring for horses at home, learning veterinary basics. We were taught that if your tack wasn’t clean, you weren’t riding that day. That discipline stuck.

As I got older, I worked my way through the upper levels and graduated with my H-A, which is the highest dismounted certification. It prepared me to walk into any barn, assess the situation and know how to move forward. That kind of confidence is crucial as a groom.

Pony Club also instilled teamwork — it’s not about the individual, it’s your stable management score, your teamwork, your barn conduct. That blend of horsemanship and community prepared me in ways I didn’t understand until I entered the professional world.

Who have you worked with that’s helped shape your approach today?

I currently work as the FEI groom and barn manager for Nick and Norman Dello Joio at Wembley Farms. Before that, I worked at a breeding facility with young horses and even ran a small training business for a while. 

I had the rare opportunity to learn horsemanship and vet care from top professionals — it was like graduate school for grooms. It shaped the way I think about horses by teaching me to truly listen to them, to let them tell you what they need, which brought a kindness to horsemanship that has influenced every decision I make in the barn.

Is there a specific lesson from that time that you carry with you daily?

Always put the horse first, and let them help you build the language you share. We’re not just caretakers — we’re partners in communication. That mindset really shaped how I approach each horse. You can’t treat every horse the same and expect success.

Let’s talk about Caillou 24. That partnership seemed special.

Caillou was a game-changer for me. He wasn’t the easiest horse — definitely not straightforward — but we had an incredible bond. I learned more from that horse than maybe any person. He kicked off so many of my firsts: first time flying with a horse, first international shows, first East Coast circuit, my first time at the Masters, Spruce Meadows, Mexico — you name it.

The bond we had taught me the value of daily joy, not just the highs in the ring. The wins were amazing, but it’s the relationship, the connection you build in the day-to-day, that stays with you.

For grooms just starting out, what advice would you give?

Watch everything. Listen more. Ask questions — even the uncomfortable ones. You can learn so much by watching other grooms, trainers, farriers, vets. Build your own system by observing and adapting what works.

And protect your reputation. It’s everything in this world. Whether you’re freelance or full-time, your name is your currency. Be kind, be consistent and stay true to your values. Horses pick up on that energy too.

Do you have any little rituals in the barn or fun traditions that help keep things light?

I actually have a playlist I use to get in the zone before big classes. It’s a total mix — Macklemore, Lewis Capaldi, Maren Morris, Lizzo, Kygo. It’s not barn music, just a good-vibes mix I listen to while I braid or prep. I’m not big on music in the barn day-to-day, but that playlist puts me in the right mindset when it’s go time.

What are your go-to grooming products you can’t live without?

I’m a curry comb collector — mitts, rubber ones, the square European styles, I use them all. I also love Santa Fe spray and Corona shampoo. I keep it pretty simple — good brushes, especially soft ones for sensitive horses. And of course, a constant stash of treats. That’s a barn essential.

Last one — what’s next for you and the team?

We’ll head up to New York soon for the summer circuit and then back to Wellington in October. We’re hoping for big things in the next few years — maybe even L.A. if all goes well. Fingers crossed.

Feature photo courtesy of Spruce Meadows Media Team

Click here for more interviews in the Corro HorseGroom of the Months series.