Huge congratulations to IGA member Emma Uusi-Simola, the 2023 winner of the FEI Cavalor Best Groom Award.
Having won Individual European Jumping Gold in Milan this year, the 2023 FEI Cavalor Best Groom Award has been an opportunity to shine a light on Emma's role behind the scenes.
The IGA is very proud to see another IGA member join the list of fabulous grooms who have won this award in the past.
The FEI reported:
"Emma Uusi-Simola (FIN) clinched this year's prestigious Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award, in recognition of her outstanding dedication and hard work as groom for Swiss athlete Steve Guerdat.
Over the past decade, Emma has been an integral part of Steve's team, demonstrating unwavering passion and commitment through the highs and lows of the sport.
A trusted member of the Swiss team, Emma is often the groom of choice when travelling to equestrian events overseas is required. Her special bond with Steve’s horse Dynamix, her understanding of her athlete’s needs as well as her ability to anticipate and adapt to any situation has been pivotal to his success.
Receiving the award from Managing Director of Cavalor Liselotte Hamerlinck, Emma said, “I'm really pleased to get this FEI Cavalor Best Groom Award and it means a lot to me.
“Horses are my whole life. I love to work with them because they challenge me every day. All of them have their own personality, and I have to figure out how to handle each and every one of them.
“You need time to get to know the horses and it does not happen in one day. Some horses are easier and some horses are more difficult. With some of them you need two years to figure out what they like and don’t like.”
Watch the FEI's video here.
Teammate Sean Vard told us the award is "highly well-deserved recognition after years of hard work, love for her animals and true commitment to Steve and his career!".
The annual FEI Awards are an opportunity to celebrate the very best of horse sport, and the FEI Cavalor Best Groom Award has celebrated a long list of fantastic grooms.
Thank you to our partner Cavalor for supporting this award, and doing so much for grooms both behind the scenes and on the world stage.
The other winners were:
Mimi Gochman (USA) - Longines FEI Rising Star Award
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) - Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award
Federico Fernández Senderos (MEX) - Pivo FEI Inspire Award
Finally congratulations to the other three grooms nominated this year - Danny Ingratta, Sofia Flodin and Sarah Charnley.
Although each year there can only be one winner, we would like to take a moment to celebrate the achievements of all the nominees - and to acknowledge the passion and dedication of the huge community of grooms working around the world.
