Describing Lars Ligus as a dressage groom is a definite understatement. The 29-year old German was in that role for Friday Night Stars last week at the Global Dressage Festival [GDF]. He won the Lövsta-sponsored groom’s award of $500 for his care and preparation of Verrenberg to win the World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle with Frederic ‘aka’ Freddie Wandres. But there is so much more to this story.
“I’m like all in one,” said Ligus. “I’m Freddie’s trainer. I’m his fiancé. I’m a rider and his groom for the big shows.”
Lars (left) and Frederic, aka Freddie, Wandres with their dog. Photo courtesy of Patricia Welp
Humble Beginnings
Ligus, 29, started with humble beginnings in the big picture of the horse world, learning to ride, at the age of six, at a local riding school in his native Germany. “My family was not horse related. It just was in me from day one,” he said.
Hof Kasselmann
Now Ligus is entrenched in the top echelons of the dressage world having left school at 15, completed a three-year apprenticeship in southern Germany, before joining the internationally-renowned dressage organization under Hof Kasselmann, where he has been based for nine years.
Serious Dressage
“And that’s when the serious dressage really happened,” said Ligus. “Where I could move up the levels to Grand Prix from young horse championships – and now also internationally, being able to represent my country.”
Lars competing himself at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington. Photo courtesy of Centre Line Media
Switching Roles
Ligus has competed in, and won, two Nations Cups on the German team with Wandres as a teammate. In this instance they help each other, switching roles on the spot. “I am his groom and trainer and then we turn tables and he will help me get the horse ready and train me,” Ligus explained.
Lars, Frederic and Vennenberg last Friday Night in the prize giving ceremony at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL. Photos courtesy of Sarah Eakin/Paper Horse
Ligus and Wandres are working companions and by riding each other’s horses, they know their horses “inside out”, Ligus said. It is a trait that came in handy this season when Wandres was away from Wellington for two weeks and Ligus was charged with prepping Verrenberg in his absence. “That’s a huge benefit that we can both ride each other’s horses whenever it is needed,” said Ligus. “We both have the same approach when it comes to riding and taking care of them.”
Nerve-Wracking
A precision schedule is applied in the build up to show. “I always make a plan as soon as we have a start time [for the class],” said Ligus. “It goes down to the minute when I take the horse out of the stall, when I start brushing him, when I put the saddle on, when I put the double bridle on and when we actually leave for the warm up.”
Lars in his grooming role. Photo courtesy of Lucasz Kowalski
Facial Expression
Watching Wandres compete, Ligus said, is far more nerve-wracking than being on the horse in the ring himself. “Once he goes in the ring, I can’t do anything,” he said. But Ligus still has a role to play while spectating as Wandres will look to Ligus to gauge his performance even before the scores are announced. “After the last halt he immediately looks at me and he already knows in my face and my expression if it’s good enough or if we have to worry,” said Ligus.
Paris 2024; The Most Special Adventure
The Paris Olympics in 2024 would have likely tested Ligus’ nerves. Wandres competed with his leading horse Bluetooth OLD in the iconic setting of the Palace of Versailles and Ligus came with him on the journey. “Already being nominated for Paris was super special,” he said. “And then winning team gold… I was just getting goosebumps talking about it. I’m pretty sure Paris 2024 was the most special adventure we’ve ever been on,”
Frederic and Lars at the Paris Olympics with Bluetooth. Photo courtesy of Lily Forado
Thanks To The Horses
More memories could be on the cards next week should Ligus and Wandres be announced as part of the German team for the CDIO3* Nations Cup at GDF. “I love every moment with the horses,” said Ligus. “Even just being here in Wellington and all the people we meet, and the experiences we have, we have to thank the horses for that.”
Feature photo and this one courtesy of Centre Line Media
This groom interview is part of an ongoing series by HorseGrooms, featured throughout the Wellington season in the official publications of Wellington International, the WEF Weekly Wire, and the AGDF Times. By highlighting the grooms behind elite competition, Wellington International supports HorseGrooms’ mission to give greater visibility to the people whose daily care, horsemanship, and dedication underpin top-level equestrian sport.
HorseGrooms collaborates with events, horse show organizations, brands, and professionals worldwide to share practical knowledge and real stories from the people who care for horses every day, from local barns to top-level competition venues.
For support options and to learn more, go to www.horsegrooms.com/get-involved
Sarah Eakin has a long history of sports reporting and covering equestrian disciplines – particularly show jumping, polo, racing and dressage – for a range of international publications as writer and editor-in-chief. In 2024, Sarah launched Paper Horse – an online magazine with an eclectic mix of stories from the horse world at www.paperhorsemedia.com. Paper Horse is an official Media Partner of Wellington International. Sarah was born in England and came to the US in 1996 as Sidelines’ Polo Editor; at the time she was chief polo writer at the Horse and Hound and Polo Correspondent to The Daily Telegraph. She married US professional polo player Gary Eakin and stayed Stateside traveling throughout North America while covering equestrian events. She is also an author; Wed, White and Blue, her first novel is on Amazon.
