Max Corcoran leads Theodore and Karen O'Connor, accompanied by David O'Connor, prior to the start of the cross country at Rolex CCI**** last year where they finished third. "Teddy's pretty secure in his world, and he's all business out there," says Max.
Photo by Lauren R. Giannini
Table of Contents / Eventing
By Lauren R. Giannini
Marion Maxwell Corcoran, better known as Max, left her job in Boston as a stockbroker to work full-time with horses. After accompanying Bally Mar from Jim Stamet's farm in Massachusetts to the mare's new home in Virginia, Max ended up staying on to work for the O'Connors. Six and a half years later, she's still there, holding down the fort as head groom. Nowadays, she can bask in the reflected glory of the 2007 USEF HOTYs, which translates into Horse and Horseman of the Year: superpony Theodore O'Connor and his equally stellar dancing partner Karen O'Connor. All three O'Connors - let's not forget David, individual gold medalist and USEF president - will affirm that Max is a four-star groom and a contributing factor in their success.
The best event grooms are part Supernanny, confidante, and security blanket. They know their equine charges mentally, physically and emotionally, and are quick to respond to subtle changes in their appetites, stall and work behaviors. An ability to reduce stressors for the high performance rider is a major plus. Grooms should be nearly indestructible, able and calm in emergencies, skilled in equine and human first aid. Most of all, they love horses with a passion and are dedicated heart and soul to get their horse and rider to the show ready to do their best and, with the horse gods' blessing, win.
Sidelines:
Did you grow up with horses?
MMC:
I did not - it was a very non-horsey family. My best friend took riding lessons in fourth grade, so I did too. I carried on and went to a foxhunting barn through high school and hunted with Myopia. I grew up riding at the same barn with Bobby Costello [2000 Olympics] and he introduced me to eventing.
I got my degree at Northeastern University, played ice hockey for four years, and worked for Mike Plumb and Mark Donovan, a show jumper.
I became an associate stockbroker, stopped riding for about three years. Once I started making enough money, I got my very own first horse at the age of 25. It crept up on me. Jim Stamets was a good friend and he kept saying quit your job, come work for me. When I said he couldn't pay me enough, he said name your price. It was really fun working for him - he was a fantastic employer, and he love Bally Mar.
Sidelines:
Do you have your sights set on upper level competition?
MMC:
I do not like to compete - it's too scary! My claim to fame is winning the Training level three-day at Waredaca in 2006 on Walk on the Moon. He was supposed to be David's horse for the Hong Kong Olympics, and he got him to prelim before he stopped competing. "Danny" is one of the sweetest horses. He'll never leave the farm, never be for sale. He's amazing.
I did it on a dare - 'I want to do this training three-day' - it was fun and funny. Karen came up to be my groom. I said, there's so much to remember when you're on roads & tracks, and she said, you have so much to remember - what studs to use85 It was a great exercise in trading jobs.
We qualified for the AEC, but three days before we were supposed to ship, Karen broke her collarbone. All her horses were entered, and O'Connor Event Team did not make the trip. I was secretly relieved, actually. I was a little nervous. I'm not a brave jump rider.
Sidelines:
What's it like working for Karen and David O'Connor?
MMC:
It's great. They're amazing horsemen. I'm Karen's groom, and she expects a lot from herself, her horses and her staff, but she's very fair across the board. I have fantastic horses to ride, what Karen and David ride, and I do conditioning work, some flat work. How sweet is that, getting up in the morning and galloping! It's nice to wake up and want to go to work. I'm also so privileged to be Teddy's groom - part of his career, part of his life. It's pretty amazing.
Sidelines:
What are your plans for the future?
MMC:
I'll definitely stay with OCET through 2012 and the UK Olympics. I promised Karen I would stay with her to the end of her international career. After that, I don't know - I'll do whatever I want. I can do anything - that's the fun thing. This job has allowed me to meet people and it opens up a lot of doors. Being here I've gained an incredible base of knowledge. I'm working on a DVD series with Primedia. Most people don't know the basics and would like to know more. The series is about horsemanship, stable management, horse care - everything from how to wrap legs to what kind of tack to use, packing, trailering safely to horse shows, proper shoeing, nutrition. Horsemanship is a lost art, and I'm really excited about it.
Sidelines:
Any advice about getting a job working for upper level riders?
MMC:
You gotta know it's a life style, not a job! Be passionate about it. There are a lot of sacrifices you have to make, but even when the littlest things go well, it's very rewarding.
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