Rene Morillo Garcia treats Katriona like a queen

This interview is part of HorseGrooms’ ongoing groom interview series, featured throughout the Wellington season in partnership with Wellington International and Paper Horse.

After an exceptional day in his grooming career when his charge Katriona won the Southern Arches $140,000 CSI 3* Grand Prix, Rene Morillo Garcia was back at work the next morning and still feeling the excitement of the experience. “It was a good day for the whole team,” he said after Katriona took her first international victory with rider Peter Lutz on the Derby Field to close out week two of the Winter Equestrian Festival. “Everyone was excited. We celebrated a little last night but it was quite late when I finished and work comes first.”

Rene receiving his $500 check from Wellington International President, Michael Stone, with Katriona and Peter Lutz. Photo: Sportfot

Rene has been with Peter Lutz for 13 years. Working for the USA Grand Prix rider was his first job when he arrived in the States from Mexico. In his home town there were plenty of horses around. “I would see them and pet them,” he said. “But I did not work with horses until I came here.”

Now 31, Rene says he is still adding to his knowledge that he has gleaned over the years from many people. “Peter has a lot of grooms,” he said. “And I have learned about grooming from working with them.”

Rene has worked specifically with Katriona for four years and it has been a special connection for him, which comes across when he talks about his relationship with the mare. “I love Katriona – she is a special horse. I have spent four years looking after her and I have created a bond with her. And it has become something beautiful – taking care of her is like taking care of a queen.”

Sunday’s class brought special challenges to the grooms when an unexpected squall sprung up over the Derby field, causing noise and distraction. Katriona, who had already jumped clear to qualify for the jump off, was waiting in the wings and Rene said she was unphased. “The wind didn’t bother her,” he said. “I walked her around, she didn’t get excited. She was extremely relaxed. She knew it was show time.”

Rene with Peter and Katriona – she was in for a treat after her Grand Prix win. Photo: Sarah Eakin

When Rene watches from the ingate, he cannot help but feel emotional. “I get nervous,” he said. “I want everything to go smoothly.” Next weekend will be a further test of that, as Katriona is currently slated to go in the Saturday Night Lights NetJets CSI4* $215,000 Grand Prix. “That is the plan at the moment,” Rene said. Katriona competed under the lights for the first time last year in week 11 at WEF in the $50,000 FEI 4* Hermes 1.50m Classic Series Final and was unlucky not to make the jump off. “She had two time faults,” said Rene. “But she jumped well – and of course the time faults did not bother her.”

As the winning groom at last Sunday’s Grand Prix, Garcia was the recipient of the Double H Farms. Winning Grooms award – a $500 check. “It was emotional,” Rene said of the presentation. “And it gives me motivation.” The money he planned to spend on something special. “I will buy some treats for Katriona I think,” he said. “To reward her for being so good.”

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