The Groom School at Assiniboia Downs is off to a great start in 2022 with 11 new students on their way to a career with horses!

Manitoba HBPA Office Manager Shannon Dawley and veteran groom Leona Stahl report that nine females and two males enrolled in this year’s program, which was developed after consulting with trainers and previous Groom School graduates. This year’s participants are already working in the barns of trainers Wendy Anderson, Devon Gittens, Mike Nault and Tiffany Husbands.

“We go through all the basics with the students first,” said Dawley. “We get them off to a good start and then they go into the barn area for three weeks of hands-on training. At the end of that, they’re offered the opportunity to take an Equine First Aid Certification Program that goes through more horse health basics.”

The program, which is run by the Manitoba HBPA and sponsored by the Province of Manitoba First Jobs Fund, offers paid on-the-job training for students between the ages of 16 and 29. The main requirement for success in the program? A love of horses.

Groom School graduate Wes Jaman verified that. Shown above with Spats, Jaman has now been grooming horses for 36-years. He spent the first 33 years working for trainer Lorna Gray, and the past three working for trainer Elton Dickey. He’ll also be taking his trainer’s test this year.

“Do what you love and love what you do,” said Jaman.

For more information on the Groom School program please contact Shannon Dawley at (204) 226-8486 or email hpbamanitoba@mymts.net.