Originally from Cambridgeshire, twenty-eight-year-old Hannah Smart is now based in Gloucestershire, where she works as Laura Tomlinson’s competition groom. Hannah started her grooming career in Eventing and made the switch over to Dressage at the end of 2024. “It has been a really exciting change for me”, says Hannah.
When did horses come into your life, and how did that journey lead you to become a groom?
Hannah and Laura with Issey during the prize-giving at Peelbergen
I was really lucky to grow up in a horsey family. My mum had three boys before finally having a girl, so she was very excited, apparently, I was put on the family donkey in a basket seat before I could even walk! That’s definitely where my love for horses started.
I began with Pony Club and did a lot of showing and working hunters alongside that. My parents were keen for me to try a bit of everything, so I had a go at all sorts, sidesaddle, polo cross, anything we could get involved in really. As I got older, I carried on with Working Hunters and also did some Eventing and Show Jumping. I think I always knew I wanted to do something involving horses and animals.
My first proper grooming job was with William Fox-Pitt, where I stayed for about two years. I learned so much in that time, especially from his head girl, Jackie Potts. It was a real introduction to the job, my first big events, my first Badminton, my first five-star—and it showed me what being a groom is really about. The long hours and hard work just made me want it more.
After that, I went to work for a young Swedish rider, Sofia Sjöborg, and stayed with her for five years. It was quite a change going from a big team to a much smaller setup, where I was her head girl and sole groom. It meant a lot more responsibility, but I loved it. We got to go to some amazing events, including my first Europeans and my first World Championships, and I really enjoyed being part of a small team and seeing what we could achieve.
After five years, I felt ready for a bit of a change, so I went freelance for a short while. That was a very different experience, rather than working with the same horses every day and building that bond, I was meeting new horses all the time.
Then, after a few months, Laura approached me and asked if I’d like to come and work for her as a competition groom. That’s how I ended up where I am now, and I’m just going into my second season with her.
What does your role as a groom involve?
Forest won best turned-out at Hickstead.
My day-to-day role is based on the yard, doing all the usual yard duties—getting the horses ready before and after they’re ridden and making sure everything is running smoothly as part of a team with the other grooms.
As a competition groom, my role shifts slightly. It’s all about preparing the horses for events, travelling with them, and making sure they arrive feeling as good and relaxed as possible. While we’re away, my focus is on keeping everything consistent for them—making sure they’re happy, comfortable, and in the best possible shape to go out and perform.
There’s also a side to the job that people don’t always see. You’re not just there for the horse, you’re there to support the rider as well. You do end up being a bit of a therapist at times (maybe not a very good one!), but it’s about helping take away any extra stress or worry so they can focus on their job. At a show, it’s really about doing everything you can behind the scenes so that when the horse goes in to do their test, they can perform to the best of their ability. You want the rider to have complete trust that everything else is taken care of and that the horse has everything they need.
What makes what you do special?
Hannah in the stable with Issey
I think what makes grooming so special is how versatile you have to be. A lot of people think you just play with horses all day, but that really isn’t the case, there’s a huge amount of hard work and long hours that go into what we do. One of my friends described it really well, you’re like an athlete manager. You’re responsible for so many different things, from the horse’s wellbeing to making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. I think that’s what makes a groom so important. You’re a vital part of the sport and the industry, and without grooms supporting both the horses and the riders, there really wouldn’t be a sport.
Task that you least like doing?
Working with horses, there are always going to be jobs that are a bit more unpleasant than others, but it’s all part of the role at the end of the day. If I had to pick one that isn’t my favourite, it would probably be scrubbing the stable doors and bars. It’s one of those jobs that has to be done, but it’s not exactly the most exciting!
Most memorable moments?
At Badminton with William Fox-Pitt
I think some of the proudest and most memorable moments in my grooming career would have to be Badminton and my first World Championships—both were pretty special for different reasons. Going to the London International Horse Show was also a real highlight. It’s such an iconic event, and being there as part of a team makes it even more rewarding. Those kinds of experiences really make all the hard work worthwhile.
Hardest parts about being a groom?
I think being a groom comes with a lot of ups and downs, and you definitely learn to take the good days with the bad. One of the hardest parts is when things don’t go to plan. Horses are horses, and things can happen no matter how much preparation you put in. You do get very emotionally invested, so those moments can be tough. But at the same time, that’s also what makes the good days so rewarding.
What advice could you give to someone who would like to follow in your footsteps?
Hannah at the world championships
My best advice would be to treat your brain like a sponge and absorb as much information as you can. Ask questions, especially from people who have a lot of experience and have done incredible things—you can learn so much from them. Grooms who have been in the industry a long time have amazing knowledge and stories, and everyone does things slightly differently, so it’s great to listen and take it all in. You never know when something you’ve learned might come in useful.
It’s also important to learn from everyone around you—vets, physios, farriers—just keep asking questions and never stop learning. It’s long hours and hard work, but the rewards make it all worth it. Most importantly, have fun.
What does it mean to you to work as part of the support team?
The team. Hannah with Tyla, Kayleigh, and Anna. Two team members missing from this image are Tom and Josh
We’re really lucky to have such a fantastic team, and every single person plays a vital role in keeping everything running smoothly. It’s nice knowing that we’re all working towards the same goal and supporting each other along the way. I might be the one who gets to go to shows and see everything we’ve worked so hard for come together, but without the team at home, everyone who keeps the yard running day to day, we simply couldn’t do it. They’re just as important as the people out on the road.
Having that support behind you means you can really focus on your job at a show, knowing everything at home is taken care of. We all have our own horses we look after, and I like to think of myself as the “fun aunt”, while their mums and dads are at home, I take them off to the parties.
Unexpected parts of being a groom?
I think when you first start out, you don’t fully realise what it takes to be a groom. There are so many parts to the job that you just don’t see until you’re in it, especially when it comes to what goes into keeping a performance horse at its very best. One thing that definitely surprised me was the driving side of it. When I first started, I never imagined I’d end up doing my HGV or even working towards driving an articulated lorry — driving one through Swindon’s magic roundabout was definitely not on my bingo card at the beginning.
Another big learning curve has been the paperwork involved in travelling horses to Europe. When the carnet system was introduced, you had to learn the whole process quickly and make sure everything is done correctly. It just shows how varied the job is, you’re constantly learning new skills and adapting, and no two days are ever quite the same.
Horse that holds a special place in your heart?
You’re probably not meant to have favourites, and I do genuinely love them all. When you take them away to shows and spend more one-on-one time with them, you get to know their personalities so much more, and they all have their own little quirks that you end up falling in love with. …but I’d be lying if I said one wasn’t slightly ahead of the rest, Issey definitely has the edge!
Where would you like to see yourself in the future?
In all honesty, I’ll definitely still be working with horses. My biggest goal would be to groom at an Olympic Games, that would be a real dream. I also hope to keep growing my skills, building strong connections in the industry, and finding fulfilment in the everyday moments that come with working alongside these incredible animals.
Product that you can’t live without?
A good quarter mark brush—simple, but essential! I use Smart Grooming’s one.
Your Top Tip
Be organised. It makes such a difference in this job and helps everything run that little bit smoother. But also, be prepared that things might change and you’ll need to learn to go with the flow.