Shauna Murray has been a groom for 14 years and has spent the past five with international Irish rider Darragh Kenny. She splits her time between Oakland Stables in Florida and on the move for the busy international season that sees her caring for her horses across the globe. We talk to Shauna about the high pressure world of being a groom; what it was like to be at the Paris Olympics; how she manages her wellbeing; and what it means to be at the Dublin Horse Show this month.
I met Shauna Murray in one of the stables at Jumping International de Dinard, a prestigious stop on the world equestrian circuit in France in July. Dinard is part of the Rolex Series, in which her rider Irish show-jumper Darragh Kenny is competing across the calendar of six events across the world. It is competition day, but both Shauna and Darragh are calm. He is perched on hay bales, chatting with family, while she moves easily around one of the stables, speaking to me as she preps his mount with a graceful calm efficiency that means the stallion is relaxed. We talk about what brought Shauna into the intense world of being a show groom before agreeing to pick up the interview after the big event. A trip to the Paris Olympics followed and we caught up as she took the ferry across from France to the Dublin Horse Show, another stop on the Rolex Series.
How did you get into the world of being a show groom Shauna?
I am originally from Dublin but my interest in horses originated when I moved to Kildare when I was about 10 years old. So in the horse world, it was a late start I guess. There was a horse in the field as you drove to our house and I begged my parents to send me for lessons – my parents have no interest in horses at all.
So, I went to a riding school in Dublin and that’s where it all began. I had to do work experience while in college and I went to a show jumping stable. That’s where I began riding young horses and sales horses, getting to show them a little bit. I guess I wasn’t very good at staying on these horses because I broke numerous bones, so I thought grooming might be a safer option.
Tell us about what the career offers you?
One thing for me is that I got the bug for travel and I realised that grooming allows you to explore many places in the world. I left Ireland wanting to travel more; I started with a baby step and went to England for a year, then I went back home before getting a job in Switzerland and traveling around Europe.
How did you come to work with Darragh?
I started working with Daragh five years ago. I posted an advertisement on Facebook looking for a job because I wanted to take a bigger step into the show jumping world. Carmen, who works for Dara, contacted me, and that’s how it all started.
We often talk about the important relationship between groom and horse, but the relationship groom and rider is also incredibly important. What is your working relationship like with Darragh?
I think we have a very good working relationship. We are quite similar in how we think about the horses. He trusts me and I trust him. He lets me do my job without interfering too much. He’s quite easygoing, and I’m very particular, which works well because I like things to be specific. He’s also very good with the horses, and I respect him a lot as a rider and as a horseman who wants the best for his horses.
You got a late call-up to the Irish team (Darragh replaced Bertram Allen as reserve rider) at at the Olympics in Paris, tell us about it.
It was my first Olympic Games, which was very exciting. It was Darragh’s second since he competed in Tokyo before. The venue was amazing; they had air conditioning in the stables and big, airy boxes. The atmosphere in the stadium was unbelievable. It was a bit disappointing that Darragh and his horse didn’t get to show, but it was nice to support the other Irish riders. Overall, it was quite an experience.
How do you maintain routines for the horses during competitions?
At the shows and at home, we try to keep the horses on a regular routine. We aim to keep feeding times the same, and they get walks. The only difference is that they can’t go in the paddock when at the show, but I try to keep everything pretty similar. We might start a little earlier in the morning and finish a bit later, but in the end, this is what we work for. It’s a proud moment to see your horse and rider perform in the ring.
How often do you travel for shows?
I travel a lot; it never stops when you’re at this level of competition. There are numerous shows every week in Europe and America. So, you’re constantly either driving a truck from one country to another or flying with the horses, which is cool to see. The season never really stops; maybe Christmas week is quiet, but the rest of the year is go, go, go. When I have a week at home, I enjoy it.
How do you feel about being at Dublin Horse Show this week?
Dublin Horse Show is a big one! It is a show I am so excited to do this week. It is so nice to do such a prestigious show in your home country and nothing beats hearing the crowd at the Aga Khan on Friday. It’s especially nice doing it with an Irish rider [Darragh is set to compete in the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday; in the Nations Cup (also known as the Aga Khan) on Friday and was the winner of the Sport Ireland Classic on the opening day of the show.
How do you manage the pressure of this high tempo career and manage your wellbeing?
There is a lot of pressure looking after these amazing horses. It’s not just the care; it involves logistics and everything in between. I try to take time for myself, especially when I’m in Europe. I have friends nearby, so I go out for dinner and try to get out of the barn. In Florida, it’s nice because you can have a bit of a normal life as you’re stationary for several months, but it’s also the same people at shows so you tend to develop close friendships. [Darragh is founder of Oakland Stables which is based out of Wellington, Florida and Darien, Connecticut, so Shauna is based there when she is not travelling.]
Reflecting on your career, what stands out as a proud moment for you?
One of my proudest moments was with a stallion named Hamra van Head Excelhop, whom I’ve cared for since he was seven. He jumped clear at Spruce Meadows, finishing sixth in the Queen Elizabeth Cup, a million-dollar Grand Prix event. That clear round in one of the most prestigious shows in the world was an incredible feeling.
What’s your experience living and working in America compared to Ireland?
I quite like living in America. The convenience is a big plus, but it’s a double-edged sword. In Florida, the weather is good, and we’re close to places like Disneyland if we want to visit. However, I do miss the quietness and normality of living in Ireland. It’s hard to choose which I prefer since both have their pros and cons – though home will always be home.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in this field?
Place yourself in a good stable that won’t treat you like a number and that invests time and effort in you. Learning about horses takes years; it doesn’t come overnight. Be humble, as you’re always learning, and respect those who have been in the field longer. Watch and learn from them, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The best advice I ever got was to not care what others think. Initially, I was embarrassed about being a groom because I wanted to be a show rider, but now I’m proud of what I do. Trust your gut, and hard work pays off in the end.
You have to have an unconditional love for horses. It is a highly demanding and pressurised job and at the end of the day, the horses come first and I think that is a very very important thing to think of before you get into this career.
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