"Grooms' Award", sponsored by FRANKONIA

In the world of equestrian sports, riders and horses often take center stage. However, behind every successful pair stands a frequently invisible team that tirelessly cares for the well-being of the horses: the grooms. These dedicated individuals devote themselves around the clock with great passion and commitment to the four-legged athletes.

At this year's "Tiemeyer x Hetzel Young Horse Master," these unsung heroes received special recognition. Thanks to the generous support of Uwe and Manuela Schmitz and FRANKONIA Eurobau AG, the "Grooms' Award" was presented for the first time. This award aims to highlight the immeasurable importance of the grooms and give them the recognition they deserve.

Uwe Schmitz succinctly put it: "No rider can be successful without their grooms. That’s why we want to spotlight the grooms at the tournament." During the event, all grooms received daily meal tickets as a token of appreciation for their tireless efforts. Exceptional performances were also rewarded: an anonymous jury selected five grooms after three days of observation for exemplary horse care during the tournament days. These grooms were honored with a prize of 500 euros each in a ceremony on Saturday evening.

Hetzel Horses GmbH also acknowledges the crucial role of the grooms. In recognition of their work, a free breakfast was offered to all grooms again this year. Additionally, the grooms of the top three horses in the respective finals were specially honored on the podium during the award ceremony. "We were thrilled by the recognition of the grooms and the opportunity to win such great prizes! It's not something that is typically acknowledged," said one of the happy grooms.

These awards are a small token of gratitude for work that often takes place behind the scenes but is invaluable. The dedication and love of the grooms for the horses form the foundation for success in equestrian sports. The "Grooms' Award" is thus more than just an award; it is an expression of appreciation for the unsung heroes, without whom the equestrian sport we know and love would not exist.