Organized by top Olympic groom, Emma Ford
World Class Grooming Aiken Equine Educational Series
2025 WCG Aiken Equine Educational Series Guest Lecturers
Emma Ford
January 14, 2025 - The Art of Clipping
Head Groom for Olympian Phillip Dutton for over a 15 years, Emma oversaw his elite horses in 4 Olympics, 4 World Equestrian Games and 2 Pan American games, in addition to countless horse trials, events and three-day events. During her tenure there she taught numerous top riders the ways of horse management, care, and devotion to the sport and the horses. Emma grew up in North Devon England and was brought up in the hunt field with her dad as Master of the Foxhounds. Emma was raised surrounded by horses. She grew up in the Pony Club system, receiving her “B” designation before going on to college to get her Baccalaureate in Science at the University of Wales. Moving to the States to pursue horses, she moved from strength to strength and is currently sought after as a groom, clinician, and educator.
Clipping can be a very important part of your horse's health management, no matter if you enjoy riding, driving, competing or have an older retired horse. For many, clipping can be more about aesthetics than comfort of the horse, however it is the horse that we should always be thinking about when we are removing his natural line of defense against the weather.
Emma will be covering the safety aspects of how to introduce horses to clipping, making sure it's a positive experience for both the horse and person. She will also cover the Why? When? What type? helping you all to make an informed decision the next time you think about clipping your horse.
Kim Gentry "The Bit Lady"
January 21, 2025 - Finding the right Bit and Bridle for your horse
Sponsored by Vaughn Equestrian
Kim Gentry, an International Grand Prix Dressage Rider, was affectionately dubbed "The Bit Lady" by her clients after starting Bits N' Such.
Kim travels throughout the country fitting horses for bits and bridles. Her motto is find the right bit and bridle for each horse and rider regardless of the brand and what’s trendy! As a trainer, it is important to Kim that she brings an unbiased opinion to her clients. This is her motto because, when the horse finds the right bit and bridle combination the result is a happier, more relaxed and willing horse and a happier rider.
Kim will lead a lecture in anatomy and best practices when trying to sort out what is right for you and your horse when it comes to fitting bits.
Dan Martzall CF
January 28, 2025 - The Importance of Healthy Feet & the Art of a Good Farrier
Dan was born and raised in Lancaster County Pennsylvania and graduated from Millersville University in 2003 with a degree in Environmental Geography. Immediately upon graduating from college He enrolled in Kentucky Horseshoeing School in Shelbyville Kentucky. Although Dan did not grow up with horses he developed an interest in driving and draft horses, working on multiple farms throughout his time in college.
After graduating from shoeing school Dan found an apprenticeship in Chester County Pennsylvania with Steve Teichman and Todd Meister. In 2004 he passed the American Farriers Association Certified Farrier exam. Dan works with many equine disciplines including 3 day event horses, dressage, hunters and jumpers. Many of his horses and clients have competed in national and international events including Kentucky Defender 3 day, Maryland 5* International 3 day, Badminton Horse Trials and Burghley Horse trials.
Dans lecture was a big hit in our inaugural educational series so we have him returning again in 2025.
Lauren Garrett-Bond
February 4, 2025 - Saddle Fitting, the Relationship Between Performance and a Good Fit
Lauren Garrett-Bond is a Society of Master Saddlers Saddler Apprentice. As part of her apprenticeship she became a trained and skilled saddle fitter. The SMS apprenticeship program lasts 7 years. Lauren will complete the process by 2026 to gain her Master Saddler Certification.
She works closely with a network of fitters and saddlers around the world to ensure she has the best options for clients. She can also provide training for customers, pony clubs, trainers, and people interested in the field of Saddlery or Saddle Fitting in the US.
An ill-fitted saddle can be one of the top reasons your horse is not moving well, getting more grouchy to tack up, starting to resist work etc. It could be that your horse feels great but you feel unbalanced in your saddle. Either way it is unhelpful and can be very damaging long term. Lauren will talk through the concepts of correct saddle fit so the next time your horse is showing signs of discomfort or you need to purchase a new saddle, you will have more in depth knowledge to apply to the arduous task.
Dr. Kate Echeverria
February 11, 2025 - Effective Goal Setting, Managing Focus and Intention in the Saddle
Dr. Tyler Murray is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with her Doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology. After spending over a decade in the horse industry as a barn manager, vet tech and 5* Groom, Tyler has dedicated her practice to helping equestrians manage the mental side of the sport. Her presentation will feature a conversation on effective goal setting and managing focus and intention in the saddle.
Dr. Kate Echeverria
February 18, 2025 - Best Management Practices for Horses with EMS, IR, and Cushing's Disease
Dr. Kate Echeverria started KE Equine in 2021, an ambulatory equine internal medicine specialty practice that services Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Dr. Echeverria attended Wake Forest University for her undergraduate education and North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine for her veterinary education graduating in 2010. Dr. Echeverria worked in private equine practice in Aiken, South Carolina and Raleigh, North Carolina and then went to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital and completed a 3 year equine internal medicine residency and earned a Master of Science in Veterinary Clinical Medicine. Dr. Echeverria is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine -Large Animal Internal Medicine. Dr. Echeverria is a member of ACVIM, AAEP, AVMA, MVMA, RIVMA, and is a certified FEI treating veterinarian. Dr. Echeverria is the assistant chair to the ACVIM Certification Council and a board member of the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Associations.
Kate has been asked to return after her lecture last year on equine stomach health was received extremely well. In 2025 Kate will be talking about the differences and best management practices pertaining to EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) IR (Insulin Resistance) and Cushing's Disease.
2024 WCG Aiken Equine Educational Series Lectures
Boyd Martin
FEI World #3: Getting horses fit for the occasion
Stephanie Simpson
Head Groom Windurra USA (Boyd Martin): Traveling with horses
Anna Pesta Dunaway PhD.
Purina Animal Nutrition: Nutrition for equine athletes at any level
Dr. Kate Echeverria
DVM KE Equine PLLC: Gastric Health
Julie Robins
Aiken Horsemanship Academy: Equine behavior and how we can all improve our bond with our horses
World Class Grooming & the USEA Grooms Program
World Class Grooming (WCG)
It is our mission to help elevate the level of care and understanding that all horses experience, no matter what discipline they are involved in. We hope that through our book, clinics and training to teach that hard work, patience, and time will strengthen the relationship between each horse and his or her caretaker.
USEA Grooms Program
The aim of this program is to drive educational opportunities for grooms, sustainability for groom careers, and promote equine management and welfare. The USEA Grooms Committee reports to the VP of Active Athletes.
2025 Educational Series Partners
Park Sponsors
