The unsung hero of equestrian sports: Bettina Cardinael's journey to 2024 FEI groom of the year

Behind the braided manes, gleaming saddles and well-rested horses in the world equestrian lies an unsung hero: the groom.

Grooms, responsible for the care, training and emotional well-being of the horses they tend to, ensure that both horse and rider can perform at their best on competition day.

For Belgian Olympian Lara de Liedekerke-Meier, 2024 was a landmark season. From a historic win at the CCI5 Luhmühlen to a stellar 4th-place team and 13th-place individual eventing finish at Paris 2024, her achievements were supported by one such hero — Bettina Cardinael, recently crowned the FEI Groom of the Year.

In an exclusive conversation with Olympics.com, Cardinael revealed the art of her work, the bond she shares with the horses, and how Versailles played host to her childhood playground and Olympic dreams.

The heart of a groom

Grooms are the invisible thread stitching the fabric of equestrian sport, attending to every detail to ensure horse and rider are taken care of. For Cardinael, the role goes far beyond feeding and grooming. It’s about building a relationship with each horse — learning their quirks, calming their nerves and understanding their unspoken needs.

“That’s something people don’t realise about being a groom — it’s a real relationship,” Cardinael told Olympics.com. From feeding, to grazing, to saying good night and everything in between, Cardinael is there, a steady, familiar hand.

Each horse under her care requires a unique approach. Origi, Lara’s Olympic horse, craves attention but needs firm boundaries. “You have to be sweet with him, but not too much,” she explained. “Otherwise, he’ll try to walk all over you,” she laughed. Hooney d’Arville, on the other hand, needs reassurance. “She’s sensitive and needs to know everything is okay, that no one’s upset with her.”

These bonds are tested most at high-stakes events like the Olympic Games. When Origi or Hooney feel overwhelmed, Bettina is the one to calm them. Her methods are simple but effective: playful tricks, steady routines, and, above all, consistency. “We create little habits at home that we replicate at shows to help them feel confident,” she shares. One such routine? “I put a treat in my hand and make Origi guess where it is. It takes his mind off of any stress.”

Even the human half of the team benefits from Cardinael's knack for lightening the mood. “Lara, Justine [a coworker], and I have this tradition before every event. As I hand her the horse, I say, ‘Mon sac est fait’, my bag is packed. It’s our way of keeping things light and not taking ourselves too seriously.”

From Versailles to Versailles: "the Olympics in my garden"

Bettina’s path to the top of her profession began in the picturesque town of Versailles, France. Growing up in the shadow of the iconic palace, she could never have imagined that the fields where she biked and picnicked as a child would one day host the world’s best equestrians — and her.

“It was like having the Olympics in my garden,” she marvelled. “Walking the cross-country course with Origi, I thought about how I used to play here, ride my bike and picnic on these very grounds. The day before we left, I was grazing Origi in front of the château, and I told him, ‘This is my castle. All year, we’ve been at yours. Now, you’re at mine.’ That’s when it really hit me how special it was.”

Her childhood in Versailles introduced her to the equestrian world she now inhabits. She started working pupil under a Canadian rider, Lindsay Traisnel and then went to England full-time for Ludwig, before working freelance. Each experience shaped her open-minded approach to horsemanship. “I realised there’s no one right way to do things,” she reflected. “I’ve learned to take pieces from each place and make them my own.”

Though she’s only been part of Lara’s team for a year, the partnership has flourished. Cardinaels's attention to detail and calm demeanour have not only helped Lara’s horses thrive but have also seen her grow personally and professionally.

Growth of horse and groom

Cardinael's journey mirrors the transformation of Hooney d’Arville, a horse who evolved from a timid, unsure competitor into a spirited performer brimming with confidence. “Hooney improved technically, but she improved in her head. She used to be unsure of herself, but now she’s building confidence,” Cardinael reflected. “I think she wants to make us happy, but she’s also becoming her own horse. That’s the most rewarding part as a groom — it shows we’re doing a good job.”

But Hooney isn’t the only one who has grown. Cardinael has also discovered a quiet strength within herself. “I’m not a naturally outgoing person, but when it comes to the horses, I have no problem speaking up,” she shared. “Their well-being always comes first.” The parallel is poetic: Hooney and Bettina, both finding their footing, both embracing their potential.

Her connection with Lara’s team has been equally transformative, providing the encouragement and space for her to flourish. “They bring out the best version of me,” the groom said, her gratitude evident.

Cardinael's bond with horses offers her solace and understanding that can feel elusive with humans. “I find it easier to communicate with horses than with people. With humans, you might say something, and they’ll misunderstand. But with horses, there’s no miscommunication. You might not always have perfect communication, but it’s different — they can sense what you’re feeling without needing words.” she explained.

It’s this deep, unspoken connection that anchors her in the high-pressure world of elite equestrian sport.

As Cardinael, Lara, Origi, Hooney, and the rest of the team look ahead to the next Olympic cycle, one thing is for sure: you never know which hand the treats will be in. But no matter the hand, it will always be given with care.