Twenty-five-year-old Annika Thonke is a full time dressage groom for Greek international Grand Prix rider, Theodora Livanos. German born Annika grew up living in Austria, near Vienna, but moved to England at the age of twenty for University and is now based in the Cotswolds, England. Annika has been working for Theodora for two and a half years now and her role covers everything from the daily care of the horses to competition grooming, travel and planning.
Can you share your journey from when horses came into your life to where you are now
Annika and Theodora with young horse Elastica PS who is currently being brought up the levels
I grew up in a very non-horsey family. However, I have been very fortunate to have parents who have always supported my love for horses and who made it possible for me to riding throughout my childhood. However, this was only ever supposed to be a hobby. After I finished school, I took a gap year abroad and travelled to Australia, New Zealand and Iceland. To be able to afford this, I decided to try working with horses abroad. During my time in New Zealand, I worked for a lady called Nicoli Fife who was a successful eventer back in her day. She would always tell the most amazing stories about riding and grooming abroad and working for her was the first time I got to experience overnight shows and stay away competitions, even though these were a completely different world from what I do now, it sparked my passion for the competitive sport. From then on, I knew it was horses or nothing. However, I still wanted to get a degree as a backup. I ended up enrolling on the BSc (hons) Equine Science course at Hartpury in 2020, which I completed three years later. During that time, I made all my connections. I spent time working at the Hartpury Therapy Centre, for the young event rider Tom Woodward, at Hawtins Stud and I also spent a summer working for Gareth Hughes, which made me realise that dressage was the discipline I was passionate about and that I wanted to be a top-level competition groom.
What does your role as a groom involve?
Greece international dressage team at the opening ceremony for the U25 European Championships 2025
I look after the daily care of Theodora’s competition horses, as well as competition grooming and travelling. My main purpose is to ensure the horses have everything they need and are happy and healthy at home and whilst competing. Wherever the horses go, I go. This includes everything from basics like feeding and tacking up to packing the truck for shows and traveling with the horses to competitions abroad.
What makes what you do special?
Definitely the emotional connection you create with the horses that you get to look after. To me they are like my own and I enjoy nothing more than to see them happy and healthy.
Tasks that you least like doing?
Annika and Theodora during the final moments before competing at CDI-W Frankfurt
To be honest, most tasks in this job just come alongside dealing with horses. However, if I had to pick, I don’t particularly enjoy unpacking after a show. The last thing one wants to do after a busy show and a long drive home is laundry and cleaning but it’s all part of the game.
Memorable moments?
To me, getting to go to competitions abroad is the most exciting part about being a groom. Every time my horse and rider enter the arena, I feel immensely proud, as I am aware of all the hard work and dedication that have been put in at home to get us there. Doing well is obviously a bonus but to be honest just being able to see what we can achieve as a team and how these incredible animals perform for us over and over again leaves me in awe. A particularly special memory is getting to take our top horse Robinvale to Doha CDI 5*. Flying a horse out to a completely different country, with the most amazing facilities and being able to compete with some of the best in the sports was a truly special experience.
Hardest parts of being a groom?
Annika sneaking a ride on the ponies when Theo is away
Personally, I think grooming can be hard, as we tend to get so emotionally involved with our jobs and the animals we look after. It’s not your usual 9-5 job where you log off at 5pm and whatever didn’t get done will be waiting for you the next day. Horses want to be fed and cared for every day, even on Sundays and at Christmas. Things often don’t go to plan or take longer than expected and it can be quite easy for your private life and your recovery time to fall short. However, I am lucky to have a good team and support system to make sure this doesn’t happen too often.
What does it mean to you to work as part of the support team?
It is such a great feeling to be able to have a shared goal and work towards it together every day. Not only do I get to do what I love but I can share the highs and the lows with my team. Competing at the top level of any sport can be intense, so knowing you have a good support system is integral to success. Knowing that everyone involved is doing their best and working hard on a daily basis to achieve these goals makes me very proud.
Unexpected parts of being a groom?
Annika with Robinvale “the most special horse to me”
I guess paperwork is not the thing that immediately comes to mind when working with horses but there is a surprisingly large amount of it to be covered when competing and travelling horses, especially from the UK. Even though I have got fairly used to it now, I didn’t really see myself spending as much time at customs and border force as I have in the past two and a half years.
A horse that holds a special place in your heart?
Even though I adore all the horses I get to look after, the one that will always be special to me is Robinvale. He just has the biggest character, and you can’t help but love him, even when he’s being naughty. He has taken me from my first World Cup show to CDI 5*’s and European Championships. He has given both me and his rider so much and he owes us nothing, so I am very privileged to be able to look after him.
Where would you like to see yourself in the future?
The ultimate goal has always been to be able to experience grooming at an Olympic Games and I believe with hard work and dedication you can make anything happen. I am still very much at the start of my career, so hopefully with time we will be able to make this happen.
Product you can’t live without?
Annika and Theodora at the vet check at the Doha CDI 5*
To be honest just a basic hard plastic curry comb. Nothing makes their coats look healthier and shinier than a good curry daily.
Top Tip
My Top Tip would be to try and surround yourself with a good support system, then you can handle everything life with horses throws at you.
What tips can you give for day-to-day management?
This may sound contradictory but try to be prepared and flexible at the same time. Having a plan is key to making sure all the basic tasks get done daily but horses love throwing you a curve ball and not everything will always go to plan. Remember that there’s always a solution to everything and allow yourself enough time for things to go sideways.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
I think the most important thing is taking all the opportunities you can get, as well as creating your own. You never know which doors they might open for you or where you will end up. Work hard for what you want but be kind to and confident in yourself and never stop asking questions, as you truly never stop learning in this job.