To mark the voting phase of the 2026 FEI Awards, we are featuring an interview with each nominee.
First up is dressage groom Shahrouk Khan, works with with Gabrielle Thompson in the UAE.
What first attracted you to horses, and how did you become a groom?
I'm from a small village in India. In my village, we always had animals around us, but I never imagined I'd be working with horses internationally.
I went to a horse stable with a friend 50 kilometres from my home for work and started working as an assistant for three months. Later, I moved to Dubai in 2018. I worked with Endoresh horses for three years and have been working with Gabrielle since 2022.
I didn't know much at first. But as I spent time with the horses, I felt a connection.
They're very honest; they tell you everything with their eyes and bodies; you just have to learn to listen.
I started learning by watching senior grooms, asking questions, and staying up late to understand the horses. Step by step, I became a groom.
Is there a horse that has been particularly special to you, and why?
Every horse I've cared for is special to me, but Gabrielle's horses are definitely very close to my heart. I've been with her for five years. I know their habits, what they like to eat, when they're happy or when they're a little distant.
For me, a horse becomes special when it trusts you. When a 600-pound horse rests its head on your shoulder and just breathes, that's trust.
That feeling is very special.
Can you take us back to a moment in your career that stands out? What made it so memorable?
There are two moments. The first was the first time I traveled outside the UAE for a competition with Gabrielle.
I was very nervous but also very proud that a boy from my village is now at an international show.
The second was during the major storm in Dubai last year. The roads were flooded, cars were stranded.
I got a call that some horses were stranded on the highway near the stables.
I waded through deep water to reach them. It was scary, but I only thought about the horses.
When we found them safe, it was a moment I'll never forget.
What do you think makes a great groom?
A great groom isn't just someone who cleans and feeds. A great groom is someone who notices.
You have to pay attention to the little things—if the horse isn't eating normally, if its walk is a little different, if its eye looks dull.
Also, you have to remain calm. Horses sense your energy. If you're calm, they're calm.
And you should always put the horse first, before yourself. And if you feel something isn't right for the horse, you must be brave enough to speak up.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about becoming a groom?
I would say, if you truly love horses, come. This job isn't easy. It's early mornings, late nights, no weekends, you get dirty, you get tired.
But if you love horses, it never feels like work. Learn every day. Learn about behavior, about feeding, about first aid. Learn English.
And always respect the horse. It's a very respectable job; you can make a good living with it, just like I did.
Where would you like your career to go from here?
I want to keep learning and be the best groom I can be for Gabrielle. I'm learning more and more about horse biomechanics, nutrition, and well-being.
In the future, I would love to help young boys from villages like mine in India and here in the UAE, teaching them professional grooming and grooming to international standards.
I want to raise the level of grooms in this field.
What does it mean to be nominated for the FEI Cavalor Best Groom Award, considering how much of a groom's work happens out of the spotlight?
It means everything to me. Usually, people see the rider and horse in the arena, and they clap for them.
No one sees the groom who got up at 4 a.m., who packed the truck, who made sure the horse slept well, who walked the horse for an hour after the competition.
So for the FEI to shine a light on grooms, it makes us feel seen and honoured.
For me, a boy from a village with limited education, to be in the top 4 in the world... I have no words.
This is for my family, for Gabrielle who believed in me, and for all the grooms who work hard every day behind the scenes.
Thank you to Shahrouk for taking the time to share his story with us. Voting is open until 1 November at fei.org/awards
