Corro HorseGroom of the Month August 2026: Raven Alfieri

Corro and HorseGrooms know that behind every great horse is a wonderful caregiver. That’s why each month, Corro and HorseGrooms select one member of HorseGrooms Insiders to celebrate their dedication to horses and their care. Whether you are a professional groom taking care of six or seven-figure horses or taking care of your own horses at home, at HorseGrooms, we believe that if you care for horses or like to learn about them, you belong here. HorseGrooms Insiders is for everyone who looks after horses, whether you are employed as a groom, manage your own herd, or help a friend on weekends.

HorseGrooms Insiders is an exclusive membership for everyone looking to learn, grow and connect with industry experts. Every Corro HorseGroom of the Month receives a $100 Corro gift card and is featured in a special interview. Go to horsegrooms.com/insiders to learn more.

From Hunter/Jumper to the International Show Ring –
An Interview with Raven Alfieri

How did your journey with horses begin?

I started being around horses when I was about two years old because my mom bought a horse. From there, horses just became a part of my life.

I got into the hunter jumper world when I was about five and started riding and showing. I did local shows and slowly became more involved as I got older. Eventually, I decided I wanted to do the bigger shows, and that’s when grooming became a bigger part of my life.

I actually started grooming to help pay for a lease on a horse. At the time, I was looking for a way to stay involved with horses and continue riding, and grooming gave me that opportunity. I did the Big Eq and eventually made my way down to Florida when I was 18, where I was both a groom and a rider.

Looking back, it’s funny to think that something that started because my mom bought a horse when I was two has turned into my entire career.

How did your career in the horse industry evolve?

After moving to Florida, I spent time learning the ins and outs of the industry and figuring out where I wanted to go. About three years ago, I put out a post looking for work, and I started working for Marilyn Little doing night checks and Mondays. It wasn’t necessarily some big, planned career move at the time. It was just an opportunity that came along, and I was happy to be involved.

I chose to take a year off, and after being away for that year, Marilyn reached out because she needed someone and I of course said yes. I came back to the sport about a year and a half ago, and I’ve been her FEI groom and manager ever since.

Now we’re spending the season in Europe, which has been a really cool full-circle experience for me. I’m here from around May until November, traveling between different countries and venues with the horses. 

I manage the horses’ therapies, veterinary appointments, daily care, and all of the little things that need to happen behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. There’s obviously a lot of grooming involved, but there’s also a huge management component.

What does a typical day look like for you?

At home, we generally start around 7 a.m. We feed, do stalls, and then the horses go in the walker or get turned out. After that, they’ll be ridden, and then we put them away and do whatever therapies they need.

I manage all of their therapies and appointments, so I’m constantly keeping track of what each horse needs and when. Then there’s all of the normal barn work — laundry, feed, cleaning, and everything else that comes with keeping a barn running.

We also spend a lot of time planning ahead. We’ll look at the next show, figure out what we’re going to do the next day, and make sure we’re prepared for what’s coming.

At a show, things obviously get a little busier. I start early and get everyone through their normal routine before doing their therapies. They’ll go for a hand walk, and if they’re showing, they’ll typically get a bath before they compete. Depending on the day, they might also be lunged or ridden.

Once they’re ready, they’ll go show. If they make the jump-off, they come back to the barn and, hopefully, have a little time to just chill before going back. After they’re finished, they get taken care of with things like ice boots and the magnetic blanket. Then we continue through the day depending on what’s happening and finish with night check and any additional therapies they need.

Thankfully, Marilyn is really easygoing and great to work for, which makes those long show days a lot more enjoyable.

Looking back, what advice would you give your younger self?

Ask advice and ask questions. 

Don’t just assume. If you have a question, ask it, even if you think it’s stupid. I think that’s one of the biggest things I’ve learned as I’ve gotten more experience. It’s not enough to just know that you’re supposed to do something. You should understand why you’re doing it.

Ask why you’re using a certain therapy. Ask why you’re icing. Ask why you’re using a magnetic blanket or giving something specific in their feed.

When you understand the science behind what you’re doing and what you’re actually trying to improve, you become a much better groom. You’re not just following a routine because someone told you to. You’re learning how to think about the horse in front of you.

There’s always going to be someone who knows more than you, and I think that’s a good thing. You can learn so much if you’re willing to ask.

What’s a grooming tip or trick that you use before competition?

Before competition, I actually like to bathe the horses fairly early. I’ll usually bathe them about two hours before they need to show. While their manes are still wet, I’ll band them so that everything looks really nice when they’re ready to go.

But the most important part for me is what happens after that. I like to give them time to just chill.

I’ll put their blanket on and let them have some time to themselves. I don’t want to be constantly messing with them, touching them, and getting them ready right up until they have to go into the ring. They have enough going on at a competition. I want them to have a chance to decompress and relax before they have to go perform.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for a horse is simply leave them alone for a little while.

What are some of your favorite products from Corro to use as a groom?

I love ice. It’s the best thing ever.

I think ice is just one of the best therapies you can use after jumping. Sometimes I’ll even use it between rounds so their legs can feel tight and ready to go when they head back into the ring.

As for specific products, The Perfect Prep supplements are especially useful for some of our horses because they can help calm their minds and bring them into a really focused space. Most of our horses respond really well to them, and I like having them as part of their routine.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

When Marilyn went triple clear in Rotterdam on La Contessa, that was probably the highlight of my career. What made it so special was that she wasn’t even originally supposed to do the jump-off.

She jumped the first round clear, and I brought her back to the barn. I hosed her down, got her taken care of, and prepared her to go again.

Then she went back out and jumped the second round clear.

At that point, I was walking her back to the barn when I got the call to bring her back because she was going to do the third round — the jump-off.

She went back in and jumped clear again.

I remember thinking that she truly jumped her heart out. She’s such an amazing animal, and watching her keep going and perform like that was incredible. I was so proud of Marilyn and Contessa, but I was also incredibly proud to be part of that team. Those are the moments that make all of the early mornings, long days, and travel worth it.

How do you keep the job fun and avoid burnout?

You can get burnt out very easily doing this job, so I think it’s really important to make time to actually experience the places you’re traveling to. Especially being in Europe, I think it’s important to explore. Go places. See things. If you’re somewhere and there’s something you want to see, make the time to do it.

I’ve spent time in Europe before, but being able to come back as a young adult and really experience it has been incredibly cool. I also really enjoy learning from the people around me. There are grooms here who have a lot more experience than I do, and I love being able to learn from them.

I’ll hear someone explain how they do something or manage a horse, and I’ll think about how I can take that information and incorporate it into my own horses’ programs. For me, that keeps the job interesting. There’s always something new to learn.

How has the HorseGrooms Community impacted you?

I think it’s really valuable to have a community where grooms can come together and ask questions and get answers from people who might have more experience.

I’ve seen questions posted that have made me stop and think. I’ll see something and think, “That’s interesting. I know what I would do, but what would someone else do?” Then you get to see all of the different approaches people have, and you can take those ideas and decide what might work for your own horses.

I also really enjoy the seminars HorseGrooms hosts in Wellington. They’re educational and give people an opportunity to learn from others who have experience in different areas of the industry.

I think that’s what makes the community so valuable. You don’t have to know everything. You just have to be willing to learn.

And for me, that’s probably one of the biggest themes of my career so far. Whether it’s learning from another groom, asking a question, or simply trying to understand why we’re doing something for the horses, there’s always something new to learn.

Hey, Pssst…. Would You Like To Be Featured Too And Receive a $100 Corro Gift Card? Become a HorseGrooms Insider!

Would you also like to be featured on this website and receive a $100 Corro gift card? Become a HorseGrooms Insider! As an Insider, you could be selected as our next Corro HorseGroom of the Month, share your story with the community, and be recognized for your work behind the scenes.

Beyond that, Insiders get access to exclusive educational resources, webinars, live Q&As with top grooms and industry experts, replays of all sessions, and direct access to HorseGrooms Mentors. You’ll also be part of a supportive community through the Insiders Chat, with additional perks like huge discounts and free resources designed to help you learn, grow, and feel more connected in your work with horses.

Learn more about HorseGrooms Insiders here: https://horsegrooms.com/horsegrooms-insiders-where-grooms-go-to-grow/ and here: https://horsegrooms.com/insiders and get 10% off your membership with code CORRO10.