Graduation Day nears for Groom Development Program

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By Eric Donovan

Saturday is graduation day for a group of 55 backstretch workers who are looking to improve their skills around the workplace.

The Groom Development Program, run by the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, will graduate its second class with a commencement ceremony in the Belmont Park film theatre followed by a trophy presentation in the winner's circle for one of Saturday's races. The graduating class will be given jackets and a celebration in the Garden Terrace Saturday afternoon.

Trainer Richard Violette Jr., an NYTHA board member, is a key figure in the development of the program, along with Lisa Ford, who Violette describes as the "motivating factor."

Ford came up with the idea for the Groom Development Program about two years ago and she witnessed the first class graduation of 60 students last fall.

"I'm a freelance photographer and I was working on a story about backstretch employees," Ford said. "Talking to many trainers, I got the impression that they were feeling dissatisfied with a lot of their help. I heard about a groom development program at Lone Star Park and approached (then NYTHA Vice President) Dennis Brida about starting a program here. Many employees were working just to send money home to their families and didn't have a sense of purpose other than that. One of the benefits we thought this program would offer is to build self-esteem and motivation."

Violette was instrumental in getting the plan into action.
"We kind of put it together and winged it as a 10-week program last fall with tremendous success," Violette said. "We fine-tuned it during the spring and will come up with a curriculum by the fall."

Many grooms simply learn their trade on the job. Ford and Violette thought it would be a good idea to give grooms a base of knowledge before starting work. On the other hand, there are some people in the program who are already grooms and are just looking to broaden their skills.

Lorenzo, Juan and Rene Ortiz are brothers from Hidalgo, Mexico and have realized the benefits of the Groom Development Program. They are grooms for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

"It helps us to be more aware of the horse and to learn more details we do not know about," said Lorenzo, 34. "Some people have been working with horses so long that they feel they know all they need to, but everyone can learn something new."

"We can tell our bosses are pleased with the program because they are asking questions about what we are learning," said Juan, 28.

"We try to do generic things because there are so many different slants on a groom's job," Violette said. "For example, we try to teach them how to put on shanks and bandages without being particular because we know individual trainers like things done in different ways."

One difficulty in the program is a language barrier. Many backstretch workers are fluent in Spanish, but understand little English.

"The program is pretty close to state-of-the-art," Violette said. "There is an interpreter speaking in Spanish through headsets so that nothing is lost in the translation."

Also being offered is an English class, in which 70 workers are enrolled. The class aims to break the language barrier between English-speaking trainers and their Spanish-speaking help.

Groom development classes typically run for four hours a day once a week. The instruction begins around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and ends at 3:30 pm.

"We usually start off in the chapel and do classroom stuff," said Violette. "Then we'll move over to the pony barn to practice some practical elements, like putting bandages on a horse. There is a good combination of classroom and practical applications and both are hands-on."

Ted Landers is the program's core instructor. The former trainer has written books on grooming and is a BOCES teacher. Additionally, special guest speakers are invited to lecture every week.

"We've had everyone from [Hall of Fame trainer] Allen Jerkens, to veterinarians, equine dentists, blacksmiths, the fire marshal, and starter Bobby Duncan explaining different aspects of their jobs and horse care," Violette said.

The NYTHA foots the bill for the program, which usually includes a free lunch for the participants since many of them come right from work to attend the program. The association is seeking sponsors to keep this important program going.

The money is well spent. Trainers who have employees in the program are noticing a difference in their workers' attitudes and knowledge.

"The program has been a big help," said trainer Phil Serpe. "The track can be very fast-paced and many people learn along the way and don't get educated in certain aspects. The better educated our help is, the more they will be able to do. I've had a couple employees go through the program and even if they only pick up one or two things, it benefits us and them."

"Trainers are noticing a change in the level of interest from their employees who are enrolled in this program," Violette added. "They are asking more questions and are liking their job more."

Under discussion for the future is a "201-level" course for workers aspiring to become assistant trainers or foremen.

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