Discovering Horses in the Heart of London
There are few large green spaces on the map of central London, but Dulwich Park is one of them. It is there that top dressage groom Lisa Trappittās journey with horses began, at a local riding school tucked inside the park.
āMy dad was a postman, and my mum worked part-time at a garden center,ā Trappitt said. āThereās not really any horse history in my family. I just had an early sort of love for horses.ā
Because of age restrictions at the riding school, Trappitt had to wait patiently before she could begin lessons.
āWhen I turned 11, my mum and dad said we could afford one lesson a week. I used to get on the bus, or my parents would take me, and off we went.ā
Learning the Trade From the Ground Up
Trappitt became a working student at the Dulwich Riding School and began building her qualifications through the British Horse Society, including passing the demanding Assistant Instructor exam.
Her early career took her into show jumping before she transitioned into dressage, a move that opened the door to international competition. Over the years, she worked for respected riders and trainers across England, including Fiona Bigwood, before stepping onto the global stage.
That next chapter included roles with Spainās Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Losos de MuƱiz of the Dominican Republic, experiences that helped shape her understanding of elite dressage programs.
A Career Defined by Travel
Travel has been a constant theme throughout Trappittās professional life.
āIām extremely lucky with my job,ā she said. āThere arenāt many jobs that give you the opportunity to travel like this.ā
Her career has taken her across Western Europe and as far as Moscow, where she once drove horses by truck, an experience she calls unforgettable, but not one she would repeat.
Eventually, Trappitt relocated to the United States and now splits her year between winters in Wellington and summers in Europe, including Belgium and Germany. Since 2013, she has worked with Pablo GĆ³mez Molina under the umbrella of Yeguada De Ymas, led by Cristina Danguillecourt and Javier Bacariza.
Furst Fiorano Ymas with Lisa and Pablo.Ā Photo courtesy of Lily Forado
Barn Manager at the Highest Level
Today, Trappitt holds the position of Barn Manager and oversees a complex, high-performance operation. She manages 22 horses and a team of five grooms across two barns on the same Wellington property.
āWe have the newer barn and the original barn,ā she explained. āThe main competition horses are in the old barn.ā
Her role requires constant organization and oversight to support multiple competitive goals, including Molinaās ambitions with Servus Ymas and the development of younger riders within the program.
A Night to Remember at Friday Night Stars
Trappitt was ringside during Friday Night Stars at the Global Dressage Festival when Pablo GĆ³mez Molina won the Coastal Steel Structures CDI4* Freestyle with Servus Ymas. The win was particularly meaningful as it marked the 13-year-old Hanoverian geldingās first CDI Freestyle and his debut under the lights.
Moments like these highlight the behind-the-scenes work that often goes unseen but is essential to success at the highest level.
Facilities That Support the Horses
Despite being based in Florida, the Wellington farm offers facilities that go beyond the usual flat terrain. Manmade hills provide variation in training, something Trappitt values highly.
āThe hills are good for the horses,ā she said. āTheyāre not huge, but itās more than what most people have. We also have a big track around the farm, a water treadmill, a horse walker, and paddocks. Itās beautiful, and weāre very lucky where we are.ā
Keeping the Atmosphere Positive
Even with international ambitions and championship goals, Trappitt emphasizes the importance of maintaining a relaxed and respectful working environment.
āItās just a nice atmosphere,ā she said. āWe have a laugh. Itās not always so serious. At the end of the day, they are top dressage horses, but we work well together and everyone is easy going.ā
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 HorseGroomsā 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.Ā 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 Sidelinesā 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,Ā her first novel is on Amazon.
