Corro HorseGroom of the Month May 2026: Lendon Gray

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.

Behind the Barn Doors: From Pony Club to A Greater Purpose. An Interview with Lendon Gray

How Did Your Journey With Horses Begin?

I was born into a horse-loving life. My mother moved from Virginia to Maine and brought a horse with her, so my three siblings and I grew up with horses right in our backyard. It was truly an incredibly special way to grow up. 

There weren’t many riding opportunities where we lived in Maine, so my mother started a Pony Club for my older sister and me in 1957. Pony Club became the foundation of everything for us. We competed, evented, and learned how to care for horses in a complete way.

After graduating from Pony Club, I continued to be involved with the program as a national examiner and volunteer. The early exposure shaped my riding as well as my philosophy with horses. It was through Pony Club that I was given the opportunity to train with the U.S. Olympic three-day event team. Those two years taught me so much about horsemanship and broadened my perspective.

Lendon in 1972 and at one of the first Horse Trials in 1965

My dressage career began a bit by accident on the coat-tails of my eventing experience. At 27, a horse I had been eventing needed a different direction, and I was presented with the choice of pursuing hunters or dressage. Choosing dressage at that moment changed the rest of my life; leading to competing internationally, representing the United States on Olympic teams, and participating in World Cup events. 

Can You Tell Us More About Your Dressage Career?

Dressage turned out to be a natural fit for me, and I was fortunate enough to have some amazingly talented horses. I became known for being willing to ride any horse – if no one else would ride it, they’d send the horse to me. This stemmed from my time working with young horses back in Maine. These events are what led me to relocate to New York to expand my program.

There, I managed a large facility of over 60 stalls, which gave me valuable experiences as a rider, trainer, business owner, and leader. I focused primarily on working with adult amateurs in dressage and general flatwork. I stepped away from running a facility full-time when I turned 60 and transitioned into freelance work, which allowed me to focus more on the educational aspect of developing young riders.

What Inspired You to Start Dressage4Kids?

Dressage4Kids is very much inspired by my background with Pony Club. I saw a gap beginning to form in the industry; young riders were learning to ride, but not necessarily learning about how to care for or understand their horses. Particularly in showing environments, riders would show up, get on a well-trained horse, and leave the rest of the work to the grooms. 

I wanted to create a way to bring that foundational knowledge of general horsemanship back to the forefront. So, I started Dressage4Kids as a yearly show consisting of three components: a dressage test, group equitation, and a written test on riding theory and horse care.

The program grew organically from there; we began raising money for scholarships for educational opportunities and started a horse donation program to connect riders with horses long-term. We also incorporated a TEAM program that combined clinics with lectures on a variety of topics, from veterinary care to stable management. 

I believe our most impactful programs have been our intensive training programs, particularly the three-month training program in Wellington. Immersing riders in all aspects of the horse world exposes them to careers beyond just riding and training. They become familiar with all sorts of equine careers, such as saddle-fitting, veterinary work, and more. At its core, Dressage4Kids is about creating well-rounded horse people.

Learn more about Dressage4Kids here.

What Does Your Experience with Grooming Look Like?

I never had a professional grooming career, but grooming has always been an integral part of my programs. Growing up, we took care of our horses by ourselves, so I suppose I was a full-time groom as a child after all. I also helped out at competitions, grooming for others as needed, and managing grooms became a significant part of my role as trainer/barn manager later on. 

I’ve always believed that if you’re going to manage a team, you need to understand the work they do. Stepping in to cover a day off or holiday and doing the job yourself gives you perspective and respect for the role. I genuinely enjoy grooming and the hands-on connection it allows with the horses. 

How do Organizations Like Corro and HorseGrooms Support the Industry Today?

Groups like Corro and HorseGrooms recognize the attention that needs to be given to the people behind the scenes. The grooms, working students, and caretakers are the backbone of the sport. Corro and HorseGrooms are helping to provide access to the education and resources these people need. 

Good horsemanship depends on quality care, and quality care depends on knowledgeable, respected grooms. The more we support them, the better the entire sport becomes no matter the level. 

Why is Horsemanship so Important for Young Riders?

There’s a growing number of young riders who don’t get enough exposure to the care side of horses. This is a huge loss for both the riders and horses involved, as riding is only one piece of the puzzle.

Understanding how a horse feels physically and mentally comes from time spent on the ground, not just in the saddle. When riders are involved in grooming, feeding, and general care, they develop a deeper awareness and appreciation for their horses. Building this stronger partnership helps them to become better horse people.

That’s what we aim to reinforce through Dressage4Kids, that horsemanship matters. The more you understand your horse, the better you can care for them, ride them, and advocate for them throughout their life.

Photo courtesy of Burris Dressage and Lendon Gray

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, monthly 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.

Discount Code for Your Insiders Membership

You can try Insiders with a 7-day free trial to see if it’s the right fit for you and we have a 10% discount code (CORRO10) for you to make it even more interesting.

Straight to the signup page for Insiders: https://community.horsegrooms.com/checkout/insider. Don’t forget to use the code CORRO10 for 10% off!