Free Educational Event | March 21 | 3–5 PM
Preparing a horse for the show ring begins long before the class is called. The difference between an average turnout and a polished, professional presentation is rarely about last-minute effort—it is about consistent habits, attention to detail, and understanding what judges expect to see.
On March 21 from 3–5 PM, the Golden Horseshoe will host a free educational session focused on the practical skills behind preparing a horse for competition. This session, “Grooming for Competition: Getting Your Horse Ready for the Show,” will walk riders and horse owners through the process of building a turnout routine that produces confident, ring-ready results.
The session will be led by Kelsey McNamara, a career groom with nearly two decades of experience in professional show barns.
Kelsey has worked at major hunter and jumper competitions across the United States, Canada, and Europe, including Indoors, Traverse City, and multiple winter circuits in Wellington. In 2020, she won the Groom’s Class at the Winter Equestrian Festival, an honor that recognizes the highest standards of horse presentation and care in one of the largest show circuits in the world.
She currently works at Infinity Farm, a dressage training program in Wright City, Missouri, where she brings a practical, detail-driven approach to daily horse care and show preparation.
Her experience spans the realities of competitive grooming—from managing horses across demanding show schedules to executing the final details that make a horse stand out when it matters most.
This presentation focuses on the practical systems and habits that create professional-level turnout, whether you are preparing for local schooling shows or national competition.
Topics will include three key phases of competition grooming.
1. Daily Grooming Habits That Affect Final Turnout
Good show grooming starts weeks before the trailer leaves the barn. Kelsey will discuss the everyday practices that influence coat quality, mane and tail condition, and overall presentation, including:
2. Preparing Your Horse Before the Show
The days leading up to a show are when grooming shifts from maintenance to preparation. This portion of the discussion will focus on practical steps that help horses arrive at the show looking polished rather than rushed.
Topics include:
3. Grooming at the Show: Final Ring-Ready Details
The final touches often determine whether a horse looks simply clean—or truly professional. Kelsey will walk through the last steps taken before entering the ring, including:
This event is designed for riders, horse owners, and young equestrians at any level who want to improve their horse’s presentation and develop better grooming systems.
It is particularly valuable for:
Even experienced competitors often discover that small changes in routine create significant improvements in turnout.
Register Here
Grooming for Competition: Getting Your Horse Ready for the Show
March 21
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Location: Golden Horseshoe Equestrian
Admission: Free
This event is part of the GHE Learning Center’s mission to make practical horsemanship education accessible to the entire equestrian community. When riders learn better systems and standards, both horses and horsemen benefit.
If you are preparing for the upcoming show season—or simply want to improve your grooming skills—this session offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from a professional groom with international competition experience.
We invite you to join us for an afternoon of practical insight, hands-on learning, and conversation with fellow horsemen.
Updated on 15 March 2026
Updated on 04 March 2026
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