For show jumping legend Franke Sloothaak, success begins with a team that knows the horses, notices the small things, and works well together. That includes the grooms at the show and everyone keeping things running at home.
When a groom comes around the corner, does the horse look up? Does he follow their movements, even when they are getting another horse ready?
For Franke Sloothaak, those everyday interactions say a great deal about the relationship between a horse and a groom. He appreciates seeing horses take an interest in the people caring for them. That connection gives him confidence that his horses are in good hands.
HorseGrooms founder Dinette Neuteboom spoke with the Dutch-born German rider, trainer, and former World Champion at CSI3* Indoor Friesland in 2024. Their conversation covered the importance of grooms throughout his career, respect within the team, and what he expects when a groom also rides the horses.
Watch the Full Interview With Franke Sloothaak
Noticing the Small Things
Sloothaak places great value on a groom’s ability to notice how a horse behaves and respond to small changes. Knowing the routine is part of the job. Knowing the individual horse brings another level of care.
He recalls a championship where his groom recognized that a horse felt cold overnight and needed another rug. She understood that for that particular horse, his comfort affected whether he would eat or not.
It is a simple example, but a meaningful one. The groom knew the horse well enough to recognize a need and act on it.
For Sloothaak, that sensitivity is essential: watching what horses do in their stables, noticing their reactions, and developing a feel for how they are doing.
“Happy horse is for us a happy life as well,” he smiles.
Trust Built Through Daily Care
A rider needs to trust the people responsible for the horses, including when those horses travel to competitions without them. Sloothaak speaks warmly about the grooms who have supported him throughout his career. Their care and judgment allowed him to feel confident that things were going well and that his horses were safe. “I’ve been very, very lucky to have good, good grooms, very good grooms,” he says.
That trust also means having someone beside you who supports you and helps things run smoothly. Behind a performance in the ring is a working relationship built over many ordinary days.
The Whole Team Matters
When asked whether working as a team was central to his success, Sloothaak immediately broadens the conversation to include the grooms at home.
“While a rider and head groom travel to a competition, the rest of the team continues caring for and working with the other horses. The stable routine carries on, regardless of what happens at the show. Returning from a successful competition means bringing those two experiences back together.”
Sloothaak emphasizes the need for mutual respect and good communication. The people returning from the show need to understand what has happened at home, and everyone needs to recognize each other’s contribution.
The Home Team is So Important
He also believes that friction within a team can affect the horses. “The whole team at home is so important,” he says. Sharing information helps maintain continuity in the horses’ care and prepares the team for the next competition.
When the Groom Also Rides
For grooms who exercise horses, Sloothaak offers a clear explanation of their role. “The rider should know how the groom rides and understand their experience. From there, the aim of the session should be clear: comfortable, relaxed exercise that helps the horse feel good.”
In the arrangement he describes, the groom is not expected to improve the horse’s training. Easy trot and canter work can serve an important purpose without becoming a schooling session. He also recognizes the contribution of grooms who do not ride but are skilled at lunging, alongside the value of hacking out and giving horses a change of surroundings.
His message returns to the same priority: keep the horse happy.
Recognition for Everyday Horsemanship
What stands out in this conversation is how much Sloothaak values the thoughtful, daily work of grooms. Recognizing when a horse is uncomfortable. Building a relationship the horse responds to. Passing on information. Respecting the colleagues who stayed at home.
These are skills that deserve recognition throughout the sport. Hearing a rider of Sloothaak’s experience speak about them is a reminder of how much good horse care, and a successful team, depends on grooms.
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Find more interviews with grooms and top riders about their grooms on our YouTube Channel.
Lead Photo: Franke Sloothaak and Weihaiwej. Courtsey of Arnd.nl
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