IGA | Supporting grooms - how YETI is growing in equestrian

Supporting grooms - how YETI is growing in equestrian

In the last couple of years the popular cooler and drinkware brand YETI has entered the equestrian world – and it’s impossible to ignore the great work they are doing for grooms.

From sponsoring generous grooms’ classes and ‘Groom Moment’ interviews to giving out great gifts, YETI are doing a fabulous job of shining a spotlight on grooms and their efforts behind the scenes.

We caught up with their Equestrian Community Marketing Specialist Shaye Widger to chat about the grooms’ role and what attracts YETI to this sector.

Tell us a little about your equestrian background:

I am a trainer kid from California. My parents have a hunter/jumper farm in Carmel Valley, CA, so I've been around horses my entire life. I started showing when I was about 6 years old, and by the time I was about 12 I was working for other trainers along with my parents with babies and sale horses.

I didn't come from money, so riding whatever was sent over really was the way I got to learn and ride.

I was really fortunate to be able to be a working student for some of the top equitation trainers in the US, Stacia Madden in particular. Post-high school, I was recruited to the Division I equestrian team at Baylor University where I was on the team for a couple years.

Since then, I took a step away from the equestrian world to find a bit of my own path and have just returned within the last two years when I got this job with YETI.

I still ride whenever I'm home in CA, but now I get the chance to support amazing riders and grooms doing what they do best and I couldn't be more grateful.

What drew you to supporting the grooms?

I know this sport could not be done without grooms. They are foundational for the whole operation of horse sports and genuinely throughout my years riding, the grooms were always my favorite people to be around.

It's a group of people who are unafraid of really hard work, day in and day out, early mornings, late nights, long travel, grooms do it all.

I also know that grooms really are the ones using our products back at the barn. Whether it's using a GoBox to carry all their gear, or a cooler to have fresh ice to cool down the horses, or backpacks to make sure they have everything they and the rider need up at the show ring.

Grooms put our products to the test, and they deserve good products that stand the test of time allowing them to do their job seamlessly. In any partnership we have moving forward, we will make a point to make sure the grooms feel well supported.

Can you tell us a little about YETI's growth within the equestrian sector?

YETI has just entered their second year being a part of the equestrian community and we follow a philosophy of slow growth. We think of each community like a tree, so the first 5 years are critical in establishing deep roots.

These first few years will all be about making sure we are relevant in the ways we need to be and to the people who are actually working in this field 24/7.

Currently, our LoadOut GoBoxes, buckets, and backpacks have been major keys for grooms across the world. I’m really excited for our new weather-resistant Cayo Backpack for grooms to have as the ultimate groom bag.

We have some more interesting product developments in the future that I think will be a great fit for this community, but in the meantime, we are very interested to continue learning how our products fit best into the equestrian daily life.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

In many ways, the people of the equestrian world have raised me - not just my parents but all the trainers, grooms, and other riders that I grew up around made me into the person that I am today.

I never thought a job like this one could exist, so I never anticipated having an opportunity where I could have the platform to give back and uplift this world that I love so much.

The most rewarding part is getting the chance to talk with people about our products and how they have made their life a touch easier - whether it's the grooms at Badminton, or a new ambassador, or vet who has just tried our products for the first time, building relationships with new people who love horses and love this world the way I do is endlessly fulfilling.

Thank you to Shaye for taking the time to answer our questions, and for all YETI's efforts in support of grooms - it is fantastic to see brands like this one prioritising grooms in their work.

Supporting grooms - how YETI is growing in equestrian

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