“Day Of” Preparation with Kim Severson: Cross-Country

Having a proper grooming routine is imperative to any successful routine with horses, at home and away at shows. We consulted Andi Lawrence, who is the head groom for Kim Severson Eventing and the 2017 recipient of the $5,000 Liz Cochran Memorial Groom’s Award. The Liz Cochran Memorial Groom’s Award began as a way to recognize exemplary grooms whose expert horsemanship and work ethic make it possible for their riders and horses to be successful.

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Preparing for cross-country day can be intimidating for any eventing rider. For Andi Lawrence, it’s all about a tried and true routine and a solid relationship with both the horse and rider in her charge.

Andi has accompanied Kim Severson to events around the world since 2015 with both of her mounts, Fernhill Fearless and Cooley Cross Border, the latter of which won the CCI3* at the SsangYong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, held in Ireland.

Traveling and caring for any horse at a show requires discipline and attention to detail, regardless of the level the horse is competing, Andi explains. But it’s vital to know the horse and his specific routine very well, she says, especially on cross-country day when the rider may be taking some extra time to themselves to get ready.

The night preceding cross-country day involves preparation for Kim’s team, particularly at big events. “I like to get the horses out as much as possible for lots of walks and hand grazing,” Andi said. “Since our horses primarily live out at home, it’s important to let them be horses as much as possible.”

She always makes sure to bring several blankets too, even if the weather turns out to be a bit warmer than expected. “I want their muscles and backs to stay warm for the next day,” she said. 

On cross-country day, Andi says she sees very little of her rider, Kim. 

“She likes her space, and so I know to not go too far away in case she needs me but also to leave her alone. The night before, we’ll usually sit down and go through every piece of equipment and the timing of everything. That way, on the day of I know everything she wants and don’t have to ask her unnecessary questions,” she explained. 

At an FEI event or show that requires a veterinarian check up following cross-country, Andi will take supplies to the designated finish area ahead of time. Those supplies are important for cooling the horse down, treating any cuts or other minor injuries on the spot, and cleaning off dirt or remaining grease. 

“I’ll pack buckets for ice, sponges, sweat scrapers, triple antibiotic ointment. All the essentials,” Andi described. “Kim’s vet, Dr. Keith Brady, comes to a lot of the big shows, so he always helps me set up and cool down the horse, which is great because we have a set routine.”

With Kim’s mount, Cooley Cross Border, Andi knows to spend a lot of time to keep him relaxed in a horse show setting. 

“Cross (as he’s called around the barn) loves to be on you at all times. He’s very sweet and affectionate and also very easy on the ground,” she explains. 

So she usually takes Cross out of his stall to graze first thing in the morning. At home at Kim’s eventing facility, most of the horses live outside nearly full time, so it’s important to keep them moving when they’re at a show. “It helps them get acclimated to being away and in a stall 24/7,” Andi said of her horses. “Cross is really used to traveling, but for the younger horses it’s particularly important to make sure they can move around as much as possible.”

Once it’s time to tack up, Andi puts the saddle on first. “Kim prefers the saddle to be put on first as she feels it helps the back warm up,” she said. “Then I’ll do socks to prevent rubs if needed, boots, and then studs last.”

Andi does the majority of tacking up and handling equipment, except for selecting the studs for Cross’ shoes. Kim does that herself. 

“She doesn’t really have any (superstitions) that I know of, but she is very particular about some things. For example, she always picks out her own studs. She knows that I compete too, so I know how to select studs, but it’s her lines out there so she knows best what she will need,” Andi explains. “She also likes the horse to be tacked up and ready when she is, so once I get them tacked up I don’t take them out for a walk or anything, I just have them ready for when she gets on.”

Following cross-country, Kim always stays by her horse’s side until the veterinarian check up is completed. 

“Even when we’re untacking, she’s on the ball,” Andi said. “She stays in that competitive mode until we’re back at the barn. Her job isn’t finished until the horse is taken care of.”

Back in the barn, Andi settles in for the long routine of cross-country after-care. It’s important for the horses to hydrate both before and after cross-country, and while Cross is a good drinker, not every horse is. 

“For horses that are picky drinkers, or even really the ones who aren’t, I swear by Horse Quencher,” Andi said. “I find that it really encourages them to drink – even the finicky horses will usually drink an entire bucket with Horse Quencher. I used to put Gatorade into my old horse’s water before I discovered Horse Quencher. We also make sure to dump the buckets every time before refilling, rather than just sticking a hose in and filling. We want them to have access to clean, fresh water at all times, so that also means we don’t place the water near the hay as then it will get messy.”

“Every horse going above Preliminary is iced after cross-country and show jumping, depending on the horse and the ground conditions,” Andi said. “Cross will usually get iced twice after cross country and then wrapped. We usually use Sore No More, but every once in awhile Kim will use poultice.”

Once cross-country day is over, it’s time to reorganize and look forward to the next day’s jogs and show jumping. But in the meantime, Andi and Kim keep a close eye on their horses, taking them for walks periodically throughout the evening and ensuring they have access to hay and water to aid in the recovery process. 

Thoroughness is the name of the game, and the Severson team has their game nailed down to a science.