When my intrepid editor, Amy Zavatto, told me she was going to write a behind-the-scenes story on grooms — the almost never heard from individuals who meticulously (and lovingly) care for horses — at the annual Hampton Classic horse show in Bridgehampton, I was overjoyed.
I was absolutely tickled because with Amy’s story a group of people (none of whom the event’s attendees probably knew anything about) were going to be receiving the praise and recognition they so greatly deserved for their incredible and utterly unique caretaking efforts.
It goes without saying, a lot of time, work and money goes into putting on the Hampton Classic each and every year. There are lots of moving parts and variables, but the main attraction of the event (the horses) often appears to be overshadowed by the Classic’s ubiquitous vibes of luxury, affluence and grandeur the Hamptons has become synonymous with. Truthfully, the Classic wouldn’t be worth much without the grooms, as the decidedly experienced keepers of the equine seamlessly make sure the stars of the show are in tip-top competing shape, both mentally and physically.
The skills these grooms possess go far beyond just preparing a bunch of horses to prance around and do a few jumps on a little course while people in Polo shirts and Lilly Pulitzer dresses sip Champagne in the background. These grooms are the heroes of the competitive horse world, highly in tune with each other and most importantly, highly in tune with the animals they look after.
Not only did Amy’s words carefully and comprehensively capture the nurturing nature of these individuals, but David Benthal’s accompanying photography paid them an equally stunning tribute that was both nuanced and powerful. It clearly isn’t always the most glamorous of jobs, but the photos showcase just how magnificent and special of a job it is.
To read Amy’s story click here or take a listen to it on our podcast here.
