This month we interviewed a veteran of the show and dressage arenas, Kelvin Moyo.

Over his sixteen year career you might have met Kelvin at various showgrounds in Gauteng, where horses in his care include Samantha Foley’s grand prix horse Chevalier, or the Napier’s top show horse Chevignon Lilly The Pink.

We spoke to Kelvin at Sue Hodgeson’s beautiful livery yard, Pecangrove Stables.

How did you start working with horses?

I started in 2000 with Claire Webb. I asked her for a piece-job and was lucky that she taught me everything; lunging, plaiting, tacking up. Then in 2001 she took me to Angie Meredith at Eaton Farm who was looking for a full time groom, and I worked there till 2011 until I came to Pecangrove.

What are your skillsets?

I have made an effort to learn as much as possible, from lunging, show turnout for different disciplines, like showing and dressage, to fitting double bridles correctly.

“I know many riders who can’t do this!.”

What is your favourite part of the job?

Definately show turnout, because you have to know all the tricks to make your horses look their best for competition and it makes me proud to see them succeed in the arena.

What is the toughest part of your job?

Grooming naughty horses as we need to remember that horses can be dangerous, but we are professionals. I’ve never had a serious accident but I know many guys who have, and it’s good to see that some owners look after their grooms.

Are there challenges that owners often don’t realise?

If you have two horses at a show, how is your groom expected to tack-up each horse correctly, while still holding both horses? or if we are at a show for the day, when do we get a chance to go to the bathroom, we can’t just leave our horses with someone else to hold.

“We are with your horses the most – a good groom can save owners money, like vet’s bills, because we often catch issues early “ ~ Kelvin Moyo

Which product works the best?

I always ask my owners to get the Carr & Day & Martin products for grooming. They work the best so you use less.

What are your top grooming tricks?

Baby oil in the ears, and baby powder on the socks. It makes them really stand out in the arena.

Do you want to stay as a groom forever, or do you want to do other things?

I have worked in this industry for 16 years because I love horses, and enjoy working with them. I would like to work towards my SANEF Level 1

Equilife would like to thank Tack ‘n Togs and Midfeeds for sponsoring a wonderful hamper to our Groom Kelvin Moyo