Interview with

Olympic Groom Marie Johansson

Want to know what it’s like to work as a horse groom at the elite level? Join us for a chat with Marie Johansson, who, in the summer of 2024, did her fifth Olympics with Swedish dressage rider Patrik Kittel.

Rebecca

Thu 10 Oct - 24

Marie Johansson started riding when she was six years old and has since then worked as a riding instructor in Sweden and as a horse groom for Patrik Kittel in Germany. In 2021, she was awarded Best Groom by FEI – evidence of her passion and skill. Join us for a chat with Marie! 👇

 

For someone who does not know you, how would you describe Marie Johansson?

– As a happy and positive person. I try to help those who need it! 


When did you first come into contact with horses?

I started riding when I was six years old when my cousin brought me to the stables. I rode there for years before another riding school opened closer to where we lived. Then, I started riding there instead and worked weekend shifts before becoming a riding instructor.



“Immediately, I thought ‘shit, what have I done, I know nothing about dressage.”

– Marie Johansson



How did you end up working for Patrik?

When I worked at the riding school, we always went to Gothenburg for the big shows. I was always fascinated by the grooms who got to look after the beautiful horses, and I thought it seemed like an exciting job! So, when Patrik advertised for a competition groom in Tidningen Ridsport (Editor’s note: one of the biggest equestrian magazines in Sweden), I sent him an email. The day after, he replied that I was welcome to Germany for some trial work. Immediately, I thought “shit, what have I done, I know nothing about dressage, absolutely nothing”. A brand-new world opened up to me when I got down there, and I made quite a few mistakes. But I guess something made Patrik feel that “she’ll make a good horse groom, one day”.


What do your days look like? Is there a “typical day”?

– A typical day can look like this:

07.00 Feed the horses and remove all their night protection.
07.30 Let the horses out into the paddocks.
08.00 Patrik begins riding around 8 AM.
08.00-13.00 Until lunch, it’s mainly riding and some paddock changes.
13.00-15.00 Lunch
15.00-18.00 The afternoons can vary - if some horses have still not been let out to the paddocks, we take them out. We might also have some horses that need to get out twice, so then we take them out a second time.
18.00 Done for the day.


How do you prepare the horses for a show?

– I make sure that they are in good shape and that they’re happy and positive. The best thing in the world, to the horses I look after, is running aboard the truck and going to a show. You almost have to put the brakes on them - I think that if I would let them all go at the stable, they’d run to the truck on their own.



“I love my four-legged colleagues, and I’d do anything for them.”

– Marie Johansson



How do you prepare yourself for the shows, do you have any tips or advice?

– It’s really important that the horse feels calm and safe with me until it goes into the arena. Until then, I can not get nervous – I have to stay calm. I remember a mare that I had many years ago, who was really sensitive - she’d almost crawl into you because she really wanted that comfort. I’ll never forget when we were in Rotterdam and competed years ago – when they were in the arena, I was standing on the short side where they halt for the judges, and I see her sort of turning her eyes a bit to look at me. It was such a special feeling, I really made eye contact with her. I looked at her and just went “it’s okay” and it was almost like she sighed and went “oh, okay, let’s do this”. It was really special. I know that the person next to me said “God, she really looked at you and felt your reassurance”. That’s when you really feel how much they trust you and seek you out. I love my four-legged colleagues, and I’d do anything for them. I’d walk through fire for them. It was the most powerful moment throughout all my years, I think.


You’ve worked with Patrik since 2005, what do you think it is that allows you to work so well together?

– More than anything, I think that Patrik is an extremely good boss! He’s fair and it doesn’t matter if you’ve worked for him a few weeks or several years – he makes sure that everyone is happy and looked after.


Do you have any favorite moments from your career?

– I have a few that are very close to my heart! 

  • When Scandic won bronze at the European Championships in Rotterdam in 2011. That was big.

  • When we got to have a farewell celebration for Scandic at Falsterbo. It was really special.

  • When Touchdown won the World Cup in Riyad, it’s very close to my heart.

  • When I was awarded Best Groom by FEI, in 2021. I’m incredibly happy and grateful for that. We are starting to see them uplifting us grooms more and more which is really great – that they’re starting to see us more at the shows and realize how important we are and the work that we do. 


What are the biggest challenges you face as a groom?

– Oh, that’s a tough question! I don’t know if I’d call it a challenge, exactly, but an important part of the job is to keep my colleagues – my horses – in good shape and happy. It’s also important to make sure our riders are happy and that you’re always one step ahead!


What do you think is the most important trait to be a successful horse groom?

– I think you have to be positive and ready to help the other grooms! It’s important to support each other. I also have to say that you shouldn’t give up – you can’t turn around after two months and say “no, this is not for me”, you have to fight for it! You’ll thank yourself the day you feel relieved that you kept at it because it’s worth it any day of the week. It’s really a super fun job! 

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