Twenty-two year old Gianna Avery is a groom based in Wellington, Florida working for US international dressage rider and Olympian, Kasey Perry Glass and her assistant trainer Meghan Laffin. A role she combines alongside her career as a veterinary technician. Originally from Scarborough Maine born and raised Gianna has been riding horses since she was four years old. Introduced by a therapeutic trail ride with her mother who was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed away in 2009. Gianna says “Since then, it’s been my dad and I and he’s truly my hero letting me go down my own path which was of course sticking with horses after that one trail ride. He never missed a horse show, has my back no matter what and truly wants the best for me and that’s all I could’ve asked for in life growing up.”
Can you share your different roles
I am primarily working with an Equine Veterinarian practice Atlantic Equine Services based out of New Hampshire and Florida. Dr. Maher has been my horse’s vet since 2014, but I met them in 2018 which has given me the chance to know the vets in the practice quite well! My role within his practice is to be a Veterinary Technician, working in the Physical therapy side of it. I drive all around Wellington, Loxahatchee, and sometimes Ocala providing RLT(regenerative laser therapy), shockwave and FES(functional electrical stimulation). Then helping the vets on their calls after my PT clients are done for the day. The second job I took on was a groom’s position working for Kasey Perry Glass and her assistant trainer Meghan Laffin. I started that in April at the end of winter when they were getting ready to head to Aachen. I continue over the summer working weekends and other emergency fill-ins during the week as needed.
Did you always know that you wanted to work with horses?
Yes, easy as that. I tired soccer, volleyball, softball, basketball, dance, playing the drums, swimming, and at the end of the day it was always horses. And you can do so much in the horse world. There’s so many paths and directions you can go down! And you’re always given the chance of learning new things, growing as an adult, experiencing the unknown!
I was not a school loving person, so didn’t go to college. Every weekend I was away horse showing, I graduated high school early by taking extra classes and was working with the horse’s full time after that. I had the chance to go to Florida for the winters and wanted to see where that took me and what doors of opportunity opened for me.
In a short way to explain the roads I’ve gone down to be where I am now is because I said yes to everything that came my way. Examples being, clipping, riding horses of all types, night checks, barn chores, braiding, going to the horse show, etc. It truly helped get my name out there and narrow down to where I am now.
How did you transition from a being a full-time groom to your weekend role?
I feel like I can say my boss and I are close and have a relationship not only as boss and employee. He knows my love, drive, and passion to be in the barn working, getting dirty finding opportunities to ride and being very hands on. And he knows that I am loyal and responsible to him and the practice and will always make sure my duties get handled first. So, when I introduced the idea to him at the end of winter season we both knew summers are quiet in Florida since it’s considered everyone’s “off season” and they go back home. So that means my PT work was light, and the vets went back to New Hampshire. So, if this meant I was able to be a barn rat and dive in again he was more than happy. It ended up being the perfect balance, and I think everyone’s been benefiting from it! I’m just happy that I can help and do multiple things!
Did your role as a groom change alter cutting back to weekends?
No, because the duties are still the same. And even if weekends are considered “easier” it gives me a chance to have more free time to do extra chores around the barn and make the place and horses look more than perfect. And both Kasey and Meg know they can call me in for anything during the week. And I have filled in for certain situations and again the same work responsibilities!
What does your role as a groom involve?
I arrive around 7am feed the horses, get them prepped for turn out, they’re outside for most of the day I’d say almost 8 hours. During the time, they’re outside I do barn chores, cleaning up the barn, making it look brand new, I prep grain and hay, then if Kasey decides to come ride I’m there to help her tack up. The horses get all their pre-ride therapies. Then I help her untack and the horses also get their post ride therapies. And then they get turned in, brushed like they’re show ready, glance over their bodies no abnormalities with their legs, fungus, etc. they get fed, and I’m done by 4pm then back again around 8pm for night check.
What makes what you do special?
I truly feel I am so fortunate. Not only am I helping top certified veterinarians, being around their amazing knowledge all day, working on Olympic performance horses, meeting new amazing people every day it’s such an honour doing what I do. And to then be able to say I work part time for an Olympic dressage rider who trusts in me to love on her horses and provide them the best most detailed care possible. I’m living the best of both worlds.
Most memorable moments?
Probably the barn I grew up in, the whole time I was there were memorable years. To be a part of that team, and I always will consider them family forever and always. I moved there in 2018 and then decided to retire my horse and move off to try a different grooming position in 2023. Vienna Farm in Gorham Maine has produced the most amazing riders I have seen and especially from the ground up. The stories I could share about them never end. This barn is forty years old and they have women that have been there for thirty nine years if that does explain it well enough for you. The farm radiates with inspiration to the younger generations and really to anyone. Kids who came in who are now working with Olympian’s across the country, others who came in as teenagers who are now working their way up the judge’s program or now a judge. And being a groom starting with them in Maine to then traveling to Florida for two winters was the most memorable and wholesome time. They really gave me the knowledge and power to feel independent and like it was time to move away from home and try the real world.
Hardest part of being a groom?
I feel everyone will say the hard work, labour, long days, working in hot or cold weather, random emergencies, tricky horses. I think the hardest for me is about finding an environment where you truly work like a team. Where you have each other’s backs, it’s real, you know you are all equal at the end of the day, and everyone truly cares about each other. Because it’s important to have a positive, healthy work environment. How you work as a team reflects on the wellbeing and performance of the horses. So, finding a good team to work for is the hardest part for me, the work can be done but it’s the people around you that can make or break the “hardest parts about being a groom”
What advice could you give to someone who wants to be a groom?
You of course want to make sure you can physically and mentally be able to do it. But just say yes to any opportunities you are given; f you can do it. I used to be so specific with what I wanted to do, and that limited my eyes while scrolling on Facebook groups or talking in person to others. When in reality there are so many options right in front of you that will most likely be better than you think. And you’re not a failure if you go into something and you don’t like it. It’s always going to be an experience that you can take and learn from to be better and better.
How important is it to you to be part of the support team?
I will be everyone’s biggest supporter. If there is anything I can do for anyone to help them I want to. Working for Dr. Maher staying in Florida working for him that trickles down the chain of workers and at the end of the day helps work get done faster and gives us more time to maybe fit in more clients etc. And with Kasey, with the quick trust and bond we were able to kindle, it was much easier for her mentally to compete to the best of her ability in Aachen for the US knowing her horses back in Florida are being cared for properly.
Unexpected parts of being a groom?
I always knew working with horses is hard, the long days, tough days. Nothing ever really came to me as a surprise. Maybe that’s bad I’m not sure but I knew it was tough, and horses are unpredictable so you are always in for the “you never know what will happen” while being a groom.
A horse that holds a special place in your heart?
My perfect mare La Habanara, her barn name Karma. I retired her at the age of 24yo from competing FEI levels with me. She’s now 26yo and helping out an amazing adult amateur to build courage and learn from her amazing knowledge. She was imported from Germany when she was 3yo and went to a farm in Vermont competing up to the intermediate levels and schooling the GP. Then in 2014 she was bought by one of the ladies at Vienna Farm where I moved to in 2018. In 2020 I was given the opportunity to take on ownership of Karma to be my schoolmaster to learn the next stages in my dressage training. She and I traveled up and down New England competing, attending championships and earning my bronze and silver medal. I call her my magic carpet ride, she is my absolute pride and joy and needs a book written about her. She is the most giving mare I have ever met. In her career she’s helped people to get their scores towards becoming a judge. She’s helped people get their equitation medals, compete a freestyle, earn a score to get them to championships. She is THE mare everyone wants in their lifetime and anyone who got to be a part of karma’s life I know is so grateful for how much she generously gives and gives. She will be mine till the day she dies and live the best life with whatever she wants. If she’s happy going on trails and competing 1st level freestyles to Pink Pony Club. Then I want her to keep thriving. She will let us know when she’s done and then she will continue to live a fulfilled beautiful life
Top Tip
Work hard, stay humble, and pay attention to the little details. It starts the minute you wake up. Making your bed first thing in the morning, seems like a small task, but it sets the tone for your entire day. This small act creates momentum, you completed one task of the day. How you dress, how you present yourself. Not assuming everything is going to be given to you on the first day. It takes time, but if you take the time to polish your boots, clean up, stay the late evenings, always ask if there’s anything else you can do extra to help, being the person, they want to turn to first. Engaging in conversations, showing initiative, all these little pieces will make you a better worker and who knows you could get recognised for the work and receive a lesson, or ride, or bonus, whatever it may be that you’re hoping for!
Product you can’t live without?
100% Coat Defense products. The preventative powder is to help with any skin fungus and bacteria. It helps to smooth and calm allergies that we deal with on the farm.